Aside from the Gulf of Mexico, the Toledo Bend Reservoir is the biggest body of water Texans have easy local access to. The largest lake or reservoir with waters on Texas grounds, the Toledo Bend runs north south along the Texas-Louisiana border. While the Sam Rayburn Reservoir is the largest lake with borders shores explicitly inside the state’s borders, the Toledo Bend is an even larger lake still in Southeast Texans’ close proximity. The massive manmade reservoir covers an impressive 185,000 acres with water as far as the eye can see, making it not only the Texas’ biggest lake but the largest in the entire South and 5th in the United States in terms of surface acreage. In total, the lake hold an estimated volume of almost 4.5 million acre-ft, with a maximum depth of 110 feet (60 feet on average). The lake’s expansive boundaries hold plenty of room for all sorts of recreation, from full-fledged family fun to quiet camping retreats. The area his home to a wide selection of public and private facilities dedicated to swimming, boating, dining, hunting and attractions, however none are more celebrated than the lake’s freshwater fishing opportunities.Like many lakes throughout the state, the largemouth bass is the most well documented occupant of the Toledo Bend, which provides reasonable returns on largemouth fishing year round. Fall, Winter and Spring will see very active largemouth populations, venturing into shallow water for an easier all-day catch. Summer’s heat will slow the largemouths, though they are still plenty catchable, particularly from late evening to early morning. When the sun is at its peak and temperatures are up, the fish will tend to congregate around the shady refuge of submerged vegetation, wood or brush. The lake also boast impressive numbers of sunfish. The less cunning species makes a great target for less experienced fishermen. Crappie and catfish can be caught year round as well. Though striped bass do not spawn naturally in the waters, they are imported in large quantities to add to the fish diversity.