May 2021

Sam Rayburn
Reservoir

114,500 acres • Max depth 80 ft

Sam Rayburn Reservoir near Jasper draws a lot of anglers, but they have plenty of room to spread out on “Big Sam” — it’s the largest reservoir completely within Texas. Crappie spawning is relatively stable and tends to reduce the “boom and bust” crappie fishing that can occur at some smaller reservoirs. Although crappie fishing can be good year-round, most anglers target crappie from May through October, when many of the fish can be found on main-lake brush piles in 15- to 30-foot depths. 

Lake Records
Black crappie
2.5 lbs • 16.5 inches
White crappie
2.94 lbs • 17 inches