Fishing Martin Creek Lake

AKA: Martin Creek Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Martin Creek Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Martin Creek Lake, TX

Popular Fish Species Martin Creek Lake, TX

Martin Creek Lake Popular Fish - Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish Fishing

This year blue catfish are running in the big to monster size in Martin Creek Lake. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. The state record is over 120 pounds. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive during spring through summer around any kind of structure. Blue catfish are primarily found in large rivers, along the main channels, in and around tributaries flowing into impoundments of major river systems. They tend to move upstream in the summer in search of cooler temperatures, and downstream in the winter in order to find warmer water.The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with cut bait or other popular catfish baits.

Martin Creek Lake Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

Thoughtful fisheries management by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has helped to maintain a good catfish fishery. To fish for catfish on Martin Creek Lake, most any rod and reel will work, as long as the line is strong enough. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment improves success. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. Martin Creek Lake has a decent population of channel catfish, and they are eager to bite. The typical fish are about 2 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. The state record channel catfish is over 35 pounds. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.

Martin Creek Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Martin Creek Lake is a popular bass tournament lake. Weekend and tournament anglers find the fishing to be slow at times, yet pretty good at other times. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Martin Creek Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish at Martin Creek Lake in East Texas.

An excellent lake to take a kid sunfish fishing, Martin Creek Lake is a 5,000-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Tatum. Bass and catfish are the main attraction, and the lake also has a reasonable population of crappie. A four-lane boat launch at the state park accommodates all boats including pleasure boats, ski boats and pontoons, plus bass boats a variety of other fishing boats. Other than the parks, there is little access to approximately 40 miles of shoreline for fishing from the bank. Little or no aquatic vegetation exists, so fish and baitfish are forces to hide in the limited brush and rocky shorelines around the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Martin Creek Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Martin Creek Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NO
Bait & Tackle: NO
Restaurant: NO

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Martin Creek Lake State Park Boat Ramp
Located in the northern section of the lake, off Highway 43, this is a multi-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.