Lake Ray Hubbard is a 35-square mile, 21,671 acre reservoir located within Dallas, Rockwall, Collin and Kaufman Counties in Texas. It measures about 8 miles long, from Collin Co. in the north to Kaufman Co. in the south; and about 4 miles wide, from Rockwall and Heath in Rockwall County on its eastern shores to Rowlett, Garland and Sunnyvale in Dallas County on its western shores. Two forks spread several miles northwest into Rowlett. Its maximum depth is 40 feet. In a survey conducted by Texas Parks & Wildlife in 2012, Lake Ray Hubbard was voted the #5 “Best Overall Reservoir” in Texas.
It was designed and made in 1968 when the East Fork Trinity River was impounded by the two-mile long Rockwall-Forney Dam on the south side of the lake to provide water to the North Texas region. The lake was named after Ray Hubbard, who presided over the Dallas Parks and Recreation System board from 1943 to 1972, after the city of Dallas incorporated it.
The lake is well known for excellent fishing and sailing. It contains a large population of largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, and white crappie. The largest fish ever caught here was a 65 lb. flathead catfish in 1992. A 61 lb. blue catfish was caught in 2007. In the area above Interstate 30, standing timber is the most abundant structure and cover in Lake Ray Hubbard. Hydrilla is very sparse and found only in certain areas. The rock riprap along roadways that cross the reservoir is excellent for fishing.
In the cooler months, the heated discharge area on the west side south of I30 is a good place to fish for all species on Ray Hubbard. Humps and points that extend into the lake are your best bets for largemouth bass, hybrids and white bass. Largemouth bass can also be found around vegetation or along riprap. Look for submerged brush piles for crappie. Look for white bass schooling in the lower lake in the summer.