White Rock Lake

Boat Ramps: 4
Access Points: 4
Species: 20

White Rock Lake is a 995-acre reservoir located approximately 5 miles northeast of downtown Dallas, Texas. Built in 1910 as a municipal water source, it has since become one of Dallas's premier urban fishing destinations. The lake's maximum depth is 20 feet, with an average depth of 18 feet near the dam. Water level remains relatively stable at a conservation pool elevation of 457.9 feet above mean sea level. With stained water clarity and a 1-2 foot water fluctuation range, White Rock Lake provides a diverse fishery within an urban environment. The shoreline features native emergent vegetation, rocky areas, and numerous fishing piers, creating varied habitats for fish species. As a centerpiece of White Rock Lake Park, the reservoir attracts over a million visitors annually, many of whom come to enjoy the excellent fishing opportunities just minutes from the city center.

Texas licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at White Rock Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on White Rock Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on White Rock Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Texas licenses and regulations

Texas Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Texas Fishing License

All residents and visitors over the age of 17 require a Texas fishing license to reel in fish, mussels, clams, and crayfish across the state. In addition, you’ll need specific tags or endorsements based on the size of the catch and its location.

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Texas Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Texas Stream Access Laws

Access must usually be obtained through the use of public property. The typical access may be from the right of way of a public road that crosses the stream, through a publicly owned boat launch area, or from some other public land (a park, for example) adjacent to the stream. There is no general right to cross private property to get to a navigable stream. There are a number of privately owned parks or campgrounds where members of the public may have access to a navigable stream by paying a small fee to the landowner. If the private landowner forbids access, an attempt to use the private land would be a trespass. Texas courts have recognized that a member of the public may engage in a variety of lawful activities along a navigable stream. Besides boating, persons may swim, float, walk, wade, picnic, camp, and (with a license) fish. Public use must be confined to the stream bed and, to a limited extent, the banks. State law prohibits parking on a highway bridge and generally forbids (with certain exceptions) parking in the main traveled part of a highway. Within a public road’s right of way, private fencing that restricts public passage to the stream is illegal.

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Take White Rock Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around White Rock Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for White Rock Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.