Your Home-Water Guide
Fishing Pat Mayse Lake
Pat Mayse Lake is Brannan's backyard — a 5,900-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on Sanders Creek, just 12 miles north of Paris and 5–10 minutes from our door in Powderly. With 67 miles of shoreline, a heavily timbered upper third above Lamar Point, and riprap banks that hold fish all year, it's one of the most productive and beginner-friendly lakes in Northeast Texas. This guide breaks down what's biting each season, the best boat ramps and access, real local tips, and exactly what to throw — plus where to grab it before you launch.
Pat Mayse Lake Bite Forecast
Live · updated —
What's Biting, Season by Season
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Summer · May–Aug — Early & Deep
Fish first and last light. Early-morning bass crush baits in a foot of water; by day, follow crappie to 20–30+ ft on brush. Catfish stack on the dam riprap — soak cut and prepared baits.
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Fall · Sep–Nov — Schooling Frenzy
Bass and white bass gang up on shad in windy pockets. Match the bait with lipless crankbaits, topwaters and slabs. Crappie feed hard before winter. Fast, fun fishing — cover water.
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Winter · Dec–Feb — Deep & Steady
Kentucky-spotted bass show up in the lower lake — fish deep structure with big worms, jigs and spoons. Crappie hold deep on channel ledges (25–35 ft). Slow down and beat the crowds.
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Spring · Feb–Apr — Prime Time
The best window of the year. Largemouth spawn shallow mid-Feb through April — work banks with worms, lizards and spinnerbaits. Crappie stack on shallow brush at 8–12 ft. Warm rains send white bass up Sanders Creek.
The Fish & How to Catch Them
