Fishing Boykin Springs: A Guide to Boykin Springs Lake in East Texas
Tucked inside the Angelina National Forest near Zavalla, Texas, Boykin Springs offers a much different fishing experience than the massive waters of nearby Lake Sam Rayburn. Boykin Springs Lake is a small, spring-fed lake surrounded by the forests of Deep East Texas, making it an approachable destination for bank fishing, families and anglers looking for a quieter place to spend time on the water.
At approximately 9 acres, Boykin Springs is small enough to fish without a boat and is listed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a Community Fishing Lake. Also, don’t bring a boat anyways, even if it’s an dinghy, its a non-motorized lake. Unless you’re paddling, don’t bother.
Fishing at Boykin Springs
Boykin Springs is especially well suited for simple, accessible fishing. Instead of worrying about boat launches, electronics or covering miles of water, anglers can work the shoreline and spend an afternoon fishing from the bank.
That can make Boykin Springs a good choice for:
- Families fishing with children
- Beginning anglers
- Bank fishermen
- Short afternoon fishing trips
- Anglers looking for an alternative to larger East Texas reservoirs
A basic rod and reel, a small tackle box and a few proven baits are enough to get started.
What Fish Are in Boykin Springs?
Channel catfish have been stocked in Boykin Springs numerous times by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
For anglers targeting catfish, simple presentations such as worms, prepared catfish bait and other traditional catfish baits are worth trying.
Small natural baits can also be a good choice when fishing a small East Texas lake, particularly for younger anglers who are more interested in getting bites than targeting one particular species.
Because fish populations can change over time, anglers should never assume that historical stocking records guarantee what is currently present in the lake.
YOU WILL CATCH PANFISH ALL DAY. They aren’t big, usually not even ready to fry whole – if you’re looking for the quick catches right along the bank, you will endlessly catch. It’s fun for the kiddos and keeps you constantly busy. It’s every cast, not kidding you. Make sure you have enough nightcrawlers.
Fishing Boykin Springs With Kids
One of the advantages of a small lake like Boykin Springs is simplicity. For a child’s first fishing trip, complicated equipment isn’t necessary. A small spincast or spinning combo with a bobber, split shot, small hook and worm is often all that’s needed. With how close the tiny panfish are, you don’t really have to get it out far at all for a bluegill bite.
Keep the first trips fun. Let kids cast, explore, watch the water and take breaks when they want to. Catching a big fish doesn’t have to be the goal.
Sometimes catching anything is enough to create a fishing memory they’ll remember.
Simple Boykin Springs Fishing Setup
If you’re visiting Boykin Springs and aren’t sure what to bring, start simple.
For general fishing:
Light or medium-light rod
4-10 lb. fishing line
Small hooks
Bobbers
Split-shot weights
Worms or other natural bait
Pliers, drinking water, sunscreen and insect repellent are also good additions to your fishing bag.
Bank Fishing at Boykin Springs
The small size of Boykin Springs makes bank fishing the natural way to approach the lake.
Rather than repeatedly casting toward the middle, pay attention to areas that give fish something different to relate to. Look for changes along the shoreline, shade, vegetation, wood, deeper-looking water and other forms of cover.
If you aren’t getting bites, move.
On a small lake, changing locations can often be more productive than spending an hour casting at the same piece of water.
More Than Fishing
Boykin Springs is part of the Angelina National Forest, so a fishing trip can easily become a full outdoor day.
The recreation area includes opportunities for camping, picnicking and hiking in addition to fishing. Boykin Springs also provides access to the Sawmill Hiking Trail and the surrounding East Texas forest.
That combination makes the area particularly useful for families. Fishing doesn’t necessarily have to occupy the entire day.
Pack lunch, fish for a while, explore the area and simply enjoy being outside.
Before You Go
Conditions, access, facilities and recreation-area rules can change.
Before traveling to Boykin Springs, check current information from the U.S. Forest Service. Anglers should also review current Texas fishing license requirements and statewide fishing regulations through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Always pack out fishing line, hooks, bait containers and other trash. Discarded fishing line and tackle can be especially dangerous to wildlife.
Help Keep Boykin Springs Wild
Places like Boykin Springs belong to everyone who visits after us.
Leave the shoreline cleaner than you found it. Respect wildlife. Give other anglers room. Teach young fishermen and women that taking care of the water is just as much a part of fishing as catching fish.
Take someone fishing. Make a memory. Leave the water better than you found it.
