Fishing

Predominant Fish Species: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, channel catfish, crappie, and sunfish. Most fishes are currently managed under statewide regulations. The exception is largemouth bass, which has a 14-18-inch slot length limit (only largemouth bass 14 inches long and less or 18 inches long and longer may be retained). Daily bag limit for all black bass species is 5 in any combination; for example, 3 largemouth bass and 2 smallmouth bass, or 1 largemouth bass, 3 spotted bass, and 1 smallmouth bass.

FISHING COVER/STRUCTURE
Most of Lake Bridgeport's 170-mile shoreline is good bass habitat, with 7 miles of rip-rap, 90 miles of boulders, and many coves and points. Near the Lakeview Lodge on the Sid Richardson Scout Ranch, near Windy Point, Captain Kidd Point, and Steele Island, there are submerged gravel piles that were deposited when the West Fork Trinity River flowed free and uncontrolled. These piles provide excellent habitat for white bass and black basses. Floating pondweed, cattails, and bulrush make up the vegetative cover.

FISHING TIPS AND TACTICS
Crappie are caught most often when the fish school around structure in deep water in the winter and in the spring when they come into shallow water to spawn. Many main-lake points, ledges, and channels provide excellent wintertime habitat. In spring, two of the best spots for crappie are Bean Creek and Big Creek. Fish year round with minnows or jigs. Channel catfish are best in the spring when tributaries are running, and again in summer when the fish concentrate atop submerged flats and can be drift-fished with shrimp or cut bait. Similar baits pay off during inflow during the spring and summer.

White bass fishing is best during the spring spawning run. All main-lake points and any inflowing tributaries are especially good producers. In summer you are likely to see white bass anywhere: in front of the dam, near Rattlesnake Island in open water, and around submerged gravel piles. Best baits here are surface lures, plastic shad, small spoons, jigs, and live minnows or shad. Hybrid striped bass are attracted to similar locations and baits. In winter, hybrids can usually be found feeding on shad and drawing the attention of hundreds of sea gulls.

Black basses in this lake include largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass. They can be caught almost year round, but spring and fall are tops for action. For trophies, try fishing in February and March. Effective baits in spring include a Carolina Rig worm or 6-inch lizard, a Texas rigged worm (7-inch variety), and crankbaits. On into summer, jig and pig, spoons, Texas rigged worms, and crankbaits work well. In fall, try crawfish mimicking baits, spinners, and jigs in turbid and shallow water. Roll a spinner bait, bump a crankbait, or dabble a Texas rigged worm over one of the submerged gravel humps and you better be holding to something solid.