Taking a trip to East Texas. Which lakes provide good bass fishing but also have the typical “piney woods” scenery that my wife wants to see? And nearby lodging?

Toledo, Rayburn, and all the small lakes surround them are all good and just far enough away that most of the dfw crowd stays away.

Rayburn Country at rayburn for a few days then cypress bend at Toledo for a couple days would be a solid little trip.

Caddo is cool if you just want to fish shallow.

Thank you!

Nachoniche is a jewel if you just want to fish and not run around.

Lake O' the Pines

Are you looking for huge or manageable?

Huge - Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Lake O' the Pines.

Manageable - Nacogdoches, Naconiche, Pinkston.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/ineast.phtml

Thanks for all the choices!

Lake O' the Pines, Bob Sandlin, Palestine, and Lake Holbrook. All rolling pine hills lakes.

Lake Hawkins, Quitman, Holbrook, all small.

While most want to visit rayburn or toledo because of their fame i would recommend the smaller lakes mentioned. They fish easier, better, and with much less crowd than rayburn or toledo. There are people with houses on these lakes that will travel to the smaller ones now because of how bad it has got on the tournament lakes. That said, rayburn and toledo are still fun to me and i still catch plenty on each lake to have a fun time

Stay at a bed and breakfast in Jefferson and fish Pines or Caddo

If you're coming in the next month or so, I'd only come to Rayburn Monday-Friday. The high water has quite a few ramps closed, but we are still getting the same amount of recreational traffic (pontoons, ski boats, jet skis, etc) so they are clogging up the ramps that are open. My choice on the weekend would be Caddo. It's a very pretty lake and doesn't have a crazy amount of traffic.

Rayburn Country is a pretty good place to stay, but if you're wanting somewhere off the beaten path, there are plenty of VRBOs for your choosing. If you want more "local" info about Rayburn, shoot me a message. I'll be glad to help.

Anyone been to Athens lately ?