Fishing

Sam Rayburn Reservoir offers public fishing near Jasper

Sam Rayburn Reservoir — a 114,500-acre lake with its dam about 15 miles north of Jasper — is one of Texas's top public fishing lakes for bass, crappie, and catfish.

Jasper County The Great Outdoors

Sam Rayburn Reservoir covers 114,500 surface acres and sits mostly in Jasper County. The dam is located about 15 miles north of the city of Jasper. Texas Parks and Wildlife rates largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish fishing as excellent year-round. White bass fishing is good in the spring.

The US Army Corps of Engineers maintains 22 public access points with boat ramps around the lake. A valid Texas fishing license is required. Bag and size limits can change by season, so check the current rules at the Texas Parks and Wildlife website before you go. The TPWD lake page also has a map of access areas.

Source to confirm: TPWD — Sam Rayburn Reservoir

More Jasper County notes

Property tax

Two different offices handle your property tax in Jasper County

The Jasper County Appraisal District sets your property's value; a separate Tax Assessor-Collector collects your bill — knowing which office to call saves you a wasted trip.

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Property tax

Claim a homestead exemption to lower your Jasper County property tax

Jasper County homeowners who live in their home as a primary residence can file for a homestead exemption that reduces how much of the home's value is taxed — but you must apply yourself.

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State park

Martin Dies Jr. State Park sits on a reservoir at the edge of the Big Thicket

Martin Dies Jr. State Park on B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir in Jasper County offers camping, fishing, paddling, and hiking in a bottomland forest setting.

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Mineral rights

Oil and gas production has a long history in Jasper County

Jasper County has produced oil since 1928, so buyers of land here may encounter split estates where someone else owns the mineral rights beneath the surface.

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