In 2 weeks I am taking a camping trip with my son to Atlanta State Park on Lake Wright Patman. I am considering bringing the boat and fishing out on the lake. Nothing serious, but have heard this is a good white bass lake. What I would like to have is some general knowledge about the layout of this lake with regard to stumps, etc. If I put in at the state park and head east towards the bigger water, is this a fairly clear area? Or are there stumps everywhere? I've never been on this lake before. The bass forums talk about alot of stumps in this lake, but it also sounds like they are heading west towards the "upper" end of the lake. For example - and this is the type of info I would like for Wright Patman - on Lake Palestine I tell people stay south of 155 and you are clear with some exceptions. But north of 155 watch out.

Does anyone know much about this lake?

Use to be a great cat fish lake.. Nice place to fish for Sandbass below the dam.

I was just there last tuesday. I have fished a lot on this lake and the fishing is good almost anywhere on lake.The sandbass and hybrids were schooling a lot back in summer but have gone deep for the fall.the crappie are around brush in main lake but have not moved up the river yet(probably need some cool weather for that).If your are going for crappie and dont know the lake try the bridges on hiway 8. you could find some schooling around hiway 8 maulden lake.we found some nice hybreds there a few weeks ago.About all I can tell you.Good luck.

We went and caught some catfish. I was so surprised at how big the lake is, yet so shallow! We put in at the state park and went 4 miles down towards the dam. The deepest I saw on my depth finder was 13 deep, mostly less than 10 feet. Makes Lake Tyler and Lake Palestine (where I usually go) seem like "deep water" lakes.

I fish below the dam three or four times this year during late march. White bass about the size of small hybrids. 16-17 inchers. If not carefully distinguish may mistake them for hybrids. Lots of crappies too. Local there catch em every day. I did fish up at the lake once too. Went from South all the way North of the lake and never did find any good structures. Lake look like a big shallow bowl to me. Never did find any white bass or hybrids. I think all the Big white bass below the dam migrated up from the red river. Back then the lake was way over it's normal pool level and released a lot of water through the dam. It was good fishing for a while. I think that lake is loaded with crappies. Once back to normal pool level may be a very good lake for crappies if ones know where to look. Judging from the numbers of fish caught from people that fish below the dam. All them crappies must of came through the dam from the lake above. Seen a lot of catfish caught below the dam too. Some weighting up to 30-40 maybe even 50 pounds. Caught on long surf rods from the banks.

I fish Wright Patman a lot. Most of the White Bass fishing can be found towards Piney Point launching ramp and Elliott Bluff launching ramp. Most of the lake is 5 to 10' flat with stumps. The river channel not in close proximity to the dam is the only structure to find schools of whites. Piney Point actually has a decent campground as well and will put you closer to the white bass action on the lake. I would encourage you to look for 10' drops in to 17+' of water. Good luck!