Lake Texoma Striper Fishing & Red River Striper Fishing – Sherman, TX Guide Service

Looking for the best striper fishing in Texas and Oklahoma? Lake Texoma is widely known as the Striper Capital of the World, and the nearby Red River below Denison Dam offers incredible action for striped bass. Whether you're chasing schooling stripers on topwater or targeting monster fish in the river channels, Trophy Hunters Guide Service delivers unforgettable guided striper trips from our home base in Sherman, TX — just minutes from prime Lake Texoma and Red River access.

Why Lake Texoma is the #1 Destination for Striper Fishing

Lake Texoma, formed by Denison Dam on the Red River, is one of the most productive striped bass fisheries in the country. The unique mix of fresh and slightly saline water from the Red River creates the perfect environment for stripers to thrive and grow to trophy sizes.

• Abundant populations: Consistent catches of 3–10 lb fish with frequent opportunities for 10–20+ lb trophies
• Year-round action: Stripers are catchable every season, with peak bites in spring, fall, and winter
• Diverse fishing options: Main lake points, river channels, creek mouths, and open water
• Scenic beauty: Sandy beaches, rocky bluffs, and wildlife viewing while you fish

Many anglers call Lake Texoma the best striper fishing lake in Texas and Oklahoma — and for good reason. The lake's two major river arms (Red River and Washita River) give stripers long spawning runs, keeping the fishery strong decade after decade.

Red River Striper Fishing – Fast Action Below the Dam

The Red River downstream from Lake Texoma is a hidden gem for Red River striper fishing. Fish stack up in riverbeds, creek mouths, and current breaks, often producing high numbers of aggressive stripers.

• Excellent spring and fall bites as fish move between the lake and river
• Great for boat or wade fishing in certain stretches
• Different regulations from the lake—for example, daily bag limits can differ from Texoma, and there is no minimum length on the Red River. Always confirm current rules for your trip.
• Perfect add-on or half-day trip when the lake bite slows

Our guided Red River trips are ideal for anglers who want fast action and the chance to catch multiple fish in a single day.

Lake Texoma fishing license requirements

Lake Texoma sits on the Texas–Oklahoma border (about two-thirds of the water is in Oklahoma). A regular Texas or Oklahoma license alone does not cover the whole lake—there is a joint option so you can fish both sides without guessing the boundary.

• Lake Texoma license (Type 208): About $12, valid through December 31 of the year issued. Lets you fish anywhere on the lake in both states without adding separate Texas and Oklahoma licenses. This is the simplest choice for most Texoma trips.
• Texas license only: Covers the Texas portion of the lake.
• Oklahoma license only: Covers the Oklahoma portion of the lake.

Who needs a license? Generally anglers ages 16–79 (rules can vary slightly—confirm at purchase). Youth under the minimum age and certain seniors or residents may be exempt. Texas residents 65+ do not need the Lake Texoma license to fish the Oklahoma side of the lake (but still need a valid Texas license or Texoma license for the Texas side when a license is required by age). Oklahoma residents 65+ are exempt from Texas license requirements, including on Lake Texoma.

Buy licenses online through Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD), through Oklahoma Wildlife Department / Go Outdoors Oklahoma, or at retailers and marinas around the lake. Guides do not provide fishing licenses—bring your own.

The Lake Texoma license is valid only on Lake Texoma—not on the Red River below the dam. Carry your license and know roughly where you are on the lake; boundaries can be confusing.

Red River fishing licenses (Texas–Oklahoma border)

The Red River forms the state line. Below Denison Dam, licensing depends on which state's water you are fishing. A Lake Texoma license does not cover the river below the dam.

• Oklahoma side: Oklahoma fishing license required unless exempt—typical of most river along the border.
• Texas side: Texas fishing license required unless exempt, including specific Texas public-water areas near the dam (for example marked zones near the spillway and downstream toward Shawnee Creek—see TPWD maps for the exact footprint).
• Near the dam / spillway:You may need to meet both states' rules depending on where you stand or anchor—double-check before you fish.

Age and exemption patterns are similar to Lake Texoma, but always confirm the current age brackets when you buy. Purchase Texas licenses through TPWD and Oklahoma licenses through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Best Times to Fish for Stripers on Lake Texoma & the Red River

• Spring (March–June): Peak season! Pre-spawn and post-spawn fish are aggressive. Topwater and live shad shine.
• Fall (September–November): Cooling water triggers massive feeding frenzies. Excellent topwater and artificial lure action.
• Winter: Trophy time. Bigger stripers are more catchable when the bite slows elsewhere.
• Summer: Early mornings and evenings produce solid results around deep structure and river mouths.

Pro tip: Early morning and late afternoon are usually the most productive, but our local knowledge lets us adjust to current conditions for the best bite every trip.

Guided Striper Fishing with Trophy Hunters Guide Service

At Trophy Hunters Guide Service in Sherman, TX, we specialize in Lake Texoma striper fishing and Red River striper fishing. We provide everything you need for a stress-free, high-success trip:

• Fully licensed, insured, and experienced local guides
• Top-quality boats and equipment (rods, reels, and proven lures)
• Artificial lure and live bait techniques tailored to the season
• Family-friendly and beginner-friendly options
• Fish cleaning and filleting included on most trips
• Also offering big-game catfishing on the Red River

Whether it's your first time chasing stripers or you're a seasoned angler looking for trophy-class fish, we'll put you on the bite.

Bag limits, other species & conservation

Striped bass & hybrids — Lake Texoma (2026 summary)

• Daily bag: 10 striped bass or hybrids combined
• Possession limit: 20 fish
• Only 2 fish over 20 inches may be kept per day
• No minimum length limit on the lake
• Culling prohibited

Other fish & river stretches

• Black bass, crappie, catfish, white bass, and other species have their own bag and length rules that can differ by Texas vs. Oklahoma water— look up the exact water body on TPWD and Oklahoma Wildlife before you keep fish.
• Red River stretches below the dam often use different striper rules than the lake (for example different daily bag limits). There is no minimum striper length on the Red River—confirm current daily limits for the stretch you will fish.

Boating, bait & invasive species

• Drain all water from boats, livewells, and bait buckets when leaving Lake Texoma or the Red River to slow the spread of zebra mussels and other invasives.
• Alligator gar have special seasonal closures in some border waters, including parts of Lake Texoma and Red River tributaries—check current gar rules before you fish.
• Transport rules for live non-game fish can be strict below the lake; follow statewide freshwater rules (including pole or line limits where Texas applies them).

Regulations change every year. Before you fish, confirm details with TPWD Lake Texoma and Oklahoma Wildlife fishing regulations, and buy licenses only through official state sites or trusted retailers.