Caddo Lake
Size: 25,400 acres
Age: Natural lake
Location:
Lies on the Sabine River and Cypress Bayou in the
Texas counties of Marion and Harrison and in the Louisiana Parrish
of Caddo. Nearest cities are Shreveport and Marshall, Texas. The
lake is just west of State Highway 43.
Description:
Unlike any other Texas lake, this body of water
was not built by man. Indian legend has it Caddo was formed during
a catastrophic earthquake centuries ago. Today, the lake remains one
of the compelling mysteries in Texas fishing with its winding channels
and dense stands of bald cypress.
Controlling Authority:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
TPWD Fisheries Office:
3802 East End Blvd., Marshall, TX 75670,
(903) 938-1007.
Fishing Regulations:
Bass -- eight per day, all 14 inches or longer.
Crappie -- 50 per day, no length limit.
Stocking History:
Florida bass -- 1981, 82
Blue catfish -- 1988
Comments:
Almost half this lake (11,000 acres) lies in Louisiana.
This is one of the few waters in Texas where anglers can catch chain
pickerel, a pike like toothy species that strikes bass lures. To the
first time visitor, this lake may have the appearance of a giant swamp.
Boaters should be cautious. Many anglers have lost their sense of
direction.
Lake Records:
|
Species
|
Pounds
|
Inches
|
Angler
|
|
Largemouth bass
|
16.01
|
25.5
|
Bob Shaver
|
|
Redear sunfish
|
1.17
|
11.00
|
Audrey L Briggs, Jr
|
|
Flathead catfish
|
55.75
|
48.0
|
Arthur Franklin
|
|
Yellow Bass
|
1.01
|
.
|
Norm Presson
|
Fishing Tips:
Winter-time fishing for pickerel can be excellent
in shallow-water cover on spinnerbaits and casting spoons. Crappie
fishing is best on live minnows and jigs in the flooded timber.
Fishing Quality:
|
Largemouth bass
|
|
|
Catfish
|
|
|
Crappie
|
|
|
Sunfish
|
|
|
Chain pickerel
|
|
Facilities:
At the upper end, Caddo State Park (903/679-3351)
offers camping and other public recreation. Numerous private facilities
are available around Uncertain, Texas and on the north side of the lake.
Last Modified: February 13, 1997