Toldeo Bend Reservoir straddles the Texas-Louisiana border, and resides in Shelby, Sabine and Newton counties. The dam is located in Newton County, approximately 24 miles northeast of Jasper. The lake sprawls across 181,600 surface acres, with an average maximum depth of 110 feet. Aquatic vegetation in the lake consists primarily non-native submersed plants such as hydrilla. A variety of native aquatic plants are also established in the lake. Habitat in Toledo Bend Reservoir consists of aquatic vegetation, standing timber, and flooded terrestrial vegetation. Hydrilla is the predominant plant species, although many native plants (coontail, eelgrass, pondweed, lily pads) are also present. In the lower part of the reservoir the water is typically clear; gamefish are usually found around vegetation edges, flats, humps, and creek channels. In the upper third of the reservoir, the abundance of vegetation typically declines. Timber, brush, laydowns, and creek channels provide upper-lake gamefish habitat. At periods of high water, terrestrial bushes and trees provide excellent habitat reservoir-wide.
The most popular game fish at Toledo Bend Reservoir is the largemouth bass; an excellent year-round fishery exists. Good year-round crappie and catfish fisheries are also present. Striped bass are maintained by annual stockings because conditions at Toledo Bend usually do not allow a successful natural spawn. Stripers are popular due to their large growth potential and reputation as strong fighters. Bluegill and redear sunfish are present in high numbers and provide excellent fishing, especially for youth or inexperienced anglers.
Anglers are most successful at catching largemouth bass during the fall, winter, and spring months. Due to cooler water temperatures, fish are active for longer periods of the day and are typically found in shallow water. A variety of baits and techniques will work during these times. When fish are active, crankbaits and spinnerbaits are usually the preferred choice. During the hot summer, the bite slows and fish activity is usually concentrated during early morning, late evening, and at night. Poppers, propeller baits, stickbaits, buzzbaits, and flukes are good topwater choices during low light conditions. As the sun rises, most bass concentrate in or around vegetation edges, or seek refuge on deep ledges and creek channels. During this time, plastic worms and jigs are the preferred baits.
Crappie fishing is good year-round with jigs and minnows. However, fishing usually peaks during the spring spawn, when anglers target shallow areas around vegetation. During other times of the year, fish are typically concentrated in deeper water around brushpiles and creek channels. Anglers catch channel, blue, and flathead catfish throughout the reservoir. Channel catfish can be caught with stinkbait in areas baited with soured grain. Trotliners catch both blues and channels on cut bait, while flathead catfish prefer live bait.
The white bass fishery is essentially limited to the early spring during the spawning run above the reservoir. Anglers have good success with small spinners, jigs, jigging spoons, and small crankbaits. During the summer and fall, watch for schooling striped bass on main lake points, humps, and flats adjoining river channels. Schooling stripers can be caught on topwaters, rattle traps, and spoons. Toledo Bend has a reputation for producing lots of huge sunfish. Most of the bigger sunfish, especially bluegill and redear sunfish, are caught during the late spring or summer when fish are on spawning beds. Small jigs, spinners, and crickets are good choices.
Residents of Texas or Louisiana who are properly licensed in their state (or are exempt because of age), or persons who hold valid non-resident fishing licenses issued by either state may fish in any portion of the lakes and rivers forming a common boundary between Louisiana and Texas inland from a line across Sabine Pass between Texas Point and Louisiana Point.
On the Texas side of the reservoir, most fishes are regulated under statewide regulations, however, a few special regulations do apply:
The daily bag limit for all species of black bass is 8 fish in the aggregate. Possession limit is 10.
- For black and white crappie, the daily bag and possession limit is 50 fish in combination. The statewide minimum length of 10 inches is in effect March through November, but in December, January and February there is no minimum length and all crappie caught must be retained.
- No minimum length limit for striped bass, but there is a 5-fish bag limit of which only 2 may be 30 inches or greater
- No minimum length limit for white bass, 25-fish daily bag limit.
Louisiana regulations for crappie and catfish differ from Texas regulations. Fish that are in an angler’s possession on the Texas side of the line must conform to Texas regulations, regardless of the state in which they were caught.
Public Ramps and Marinas
A1: Joaquin Public Ramp
- Located off US 84 on Texas side of Sabine River
- Two-lane ramp, not usable at low water
- No fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273
A2: Swede Johnson Recreation Area
- Located off FM 139, 5 miles south of Joaquin
- One-lane ramp accommodates all boat types
- No fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273
A3: Tenaha Creek Ramp
- Located off FM 139, 10 miles south of Joaquin
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types; may not be usable at low lake levels
- No fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273
A4: Bill’s Landing
- Located off FM 3172, 5 miles north of junction with FM 2694
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types; may not be usable at low lake levels
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (936) 368-2542
A5: Harvey Marina
- Located off FM 2694, 2 miles east of junction with FM 3172
- Two-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (936) 368-2439
A6: Huxley Marina
- Located off FM 2694, 2 miles east of junction with FM 3172
- Two-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (936) 368-2495
B1: Bayou Siepe Ramp
- Located at end of FM 100A
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273
B2: Ragtown Ramp
- Located off FM 3184, 6 miles east of junction with FM 139
- Two-lane ramp handles all boat types; may not be usable at low lake levels
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273
B3: East Hamilton
- Located off FM 2261, 9 miles east of Patroon
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273
C1: Playcation Marina
- Located off FM 276, 3 miles east of junction with Texas 87
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Privately operated (409) 625-4865
C2: Shamrock Marina
- Located off FM 276, 4 miles east of Texas Highway 87
- Two-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 625-1077
C3: Holly Park Marina
- Located off FM 276, 3 miles east of junction with Texas 87
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 625-4424
C4: Best Park
- Located off FM 276, 5 miles east of junction with Texas Highway 87
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types; may not be usable at low water levels
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 625-4341
C5: Newell’s Fishing World
- Located off FM 276, 5 miles east of junction with Texas Highway 87
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types; may not be usable at low lake levels
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 625-4928
D1: Pendleton Harbor
- Located off Texas Highway 21, 7 miles east of Milam
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 625-4912
D2: Carrice Creek Ramp
- Located off Texas Highway 21, 6.5 miles east of Milam
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273
D3: Alpine Marina
- Located off FM 242, 2 miles east of junction with Texas 21
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 625-3518
D4: Frontier Park Marina
- Located off Texas 21, 5 miles east of Texas Highway 87
- Three-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 625-4712
D5: Mid-Lake Kampground
- Located off FM 3121, 1.5 mile south of junction with Texas 21
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 625-4611
D6: Harborlight Marina
- Located off FM 3121, 2 miles south of Texas Highway 21
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 787-3212
E1: Lowe’s Creek Marina
- Located 7 miles east of Hemphill on FM 83
- Two-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 787-2600
E2: Indian Mounds Ramp
- Located off FM 3382, 5 miles south of junction with FM 83
- Three-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273
E3: Jack’s 944 Marina
- Located off FM 944, 8 miles south of Hemphill
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 787-2277
E4: Fin & Feather Marina
- Located off FM 2928, 4 miles northeast of junction with Texas Highway 87
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 579-2056
E5: Fox’s Lodge
- Located off FM 2928, 7 miles east of Texas Highway 87
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 579-3232
E6: Twin Oaks RV Park
- Located off FM 3449, 0.5 miles east of Texas 87/FM 2928 junction. Turn right on 3449 and go one block past elbow in road.
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- No launch fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 579-3078
E7: K&K Marina
- Located 4 miles southeast of Yellowpine at junction of Texas 87 and FM 2928
- One-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 579-3292
E8: Six Mile Public Ramp
- Located 6 miles east of Yellowpine on Texas 87
- Two-lane ramp handles all boat types
- No fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273
F1: Willow Oak
- Located off Texas 87 in Fairmount
- Two-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273
F2: Paradise Point Marina
- Located off FM 3315, 4 miles east of Fairmount
- Two-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by private concession (409) 579-3075
F3: Cypress Creek
- Located off FM 3315, 5.5 miles east of Fairmount
- No ramp; bank access only
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Privately operated (409) 579-3485
F4: Newton County Ramp
- Located 3 miles west of Toledo Bend Dam on RR 255
- Two-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273
F5: Public Boat Ramp
- Located 3 miles west of Toledo Bend Dam on RR 255
- Two-lane ramp handles all boat types
- Fee required
- Open all year
- Operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas (409) 565-2273