Best Fishing Spots Around Sherman, TX for Kids (2026)

Sherman sits at one of the best fishing addresses in North Texas — Lake Texoma is 15 miles north, one of the most productive striped-bass and catfish lakes in the country, and closer to town you've got Loy Lake, Herman Baker Park, and Waterloo Lake all within 10 miles. Kids under 17 fish free in Texas. Here's where the family trips are actually worth making.

1. Herman Baker Park / Pickens Lake (Sherman)

Location: 1501 E Brockett Street, Sherman, TX 75090

The downtown Sherman pond where catfish wait—right where the city can walk: Herman Baker Park's location and simple setup make this Sherman's most accessible fishing: Pickens Lake is close enough to downtown to make a weeknight trip practical, the catfish and perch populations are reliable, and the trail and playground make this a complete outing. No drive time, no complicated facility hunting—just straightforward neighborhood pond fishing.

Good to know: fishing pond, bank fishing, walking trail, picnic areas, restrooms, parking, playground.

Parent tip: The shaded side of the pond near the trail tends to hold more fish in summer — catfish and perch move to cooler water. A simple worm-and-bobber rig catches both.

For current hours and seasonal closures, see the official Herman Baker Park / Pickens Lake page.

2. Loy Lake Park (Sherman)

Location: 1401 N Loy Lake Road, Sherman, TX 75092

A dedicated Loy Lake pier where kids fish open water—Sherman's real lake alternative: Loy Lake's pier infrastructure is the draw: a genuine fishing structure reaching into water that holds largemouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie—more variety and more authenticity than neighborhood ponds. The open bank access and boat-ramp structure provide reference points for where fish live, and the complete park setup makes this Sherman's most developed family fishing destination.

Good to know: fishing pier, bank fishing, lake fishing, walking trail, picnic areas, restrooms, parking, boat ramp.

Parent tip: The fishing pier is most productive in the early morning and early evening. In summer, fish the deeper water off the end of the pier rather than the shallow bank — catfish move deep in the heat.

3. Waterloo Lake Regional Park (Denison)

Starting in Sherman, the drive takes about 12 min without traffic — the round trip fits inside a morning.

Location: 1800 Lake Road, Denison, TX 75020

Lake Texoma's quieter neighbor—a Denison city lake with pier fishing and peace: Waterloo Lake's location in Denison and its small-city park status make this a deliberate choice for Sherman families wanting Lake Texoma's fish (bass and catfish) without the busier crowds. The dedicated pier reaches into productive water, the surrounding park amenities complete the outing, and the generally peaceful setting makes this one of the easiest full-day trips from Sherman.

Good to know: fishing pier, bank fishing, playground, walking trail, picnic areas, restrooms, parking, shade.

Parent tip: Try the pier on weekday mornings for the best fishing and least competition for railing space. The south bank away from the parking lot gets less pressure and holds catfish under shaded cover.

Hours and amenities shift with the season — confirm today's on the Waterloo Lake Regional Park city page.

4. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (Sherman)

Location: 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092

Lake Texoma fishing inside a national wildlife refuge — the most scenic pick on this list: Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge sits on a Lake Texoma inlet and offers free public fishing from the bank along its perimeter roads and designated fishing areas. Catfish, bass, and crappie are the consistent catches, and the wildlife watching — herons, egrets, migratory waterfowl — makes the trip worthwhile even on a slow fishing day. It's the pick for families who want fishing to feel like a real nature experience.

Good to know: bank fishing, Lake Texoma access, wildlife viewing, walking trails, parking, picnic areas.

Parent tip: The refuge fishing areas are marked on the visitor map at the entrance kiosk — not all shore sections allow fishing. Arrive early on weekends; parking at the designated spots fills faster than you'd expect at a wildlife refuge.

5. Eisenhower State Park (Denison)

Leaving Sherman, you're looking at about 19 min without traffic — close enough that the kids won't complain about the car ride.

Location: 50 Park Road 20, Denison, TX 75020

Lake Texoma state park where adults don't need licenses—no license required, period: Eisenhower State Park is the one place where adults don't need a fishing license either. Texas state park rules mean you can fish the shore or pier regardless of age. The park sits right on Lake Texoma, one of the top striped-bass fisheries in the country, with 423 acres of park infrastructure behind it—two boat ramps, full playground, camping, and ADA-accessible paths to the water.

Good to know: fishing pier, bank fishing, Lake Texoma access, boat ramp, playground, picnic areas, restrooms, camping, ADA accessible, hiking trails.

Parent tip: Start at the shore fishing areas near the boat ramps for catfish, then work toward the deeper water from the bank as the morning warms up. Spring striped-bass action around the inlets is worth timing a visit for.

6. Eula Umphress Park (Van Alstyne)

At 15.4 miles, one of the farther picks from Sherman — pack snacks and make a proper outing of it.

Location: 400 N Travis Street, Van Alstyne, TX 75495

Van Alstyne's small-town fishing pond—the low-key south-of-Sherman option away from crowds: Eula Umphress Park in Van Alstyne is a quiet city park with a fishing pond that stays off the radar of most DFW anglers. Channel catfish and bass are in the pond, the bank is accessible for younger kids, and the playground and picnic tables make it a complete low-pressure outing. When every pick north of Sherman is crowded on a holiday weekend, this is the one that still has room.

Good to know: fishing pond, bank fishing, playground, picnic areas, restrooms, parking.

Parent tip: Small-town ponds like this often have less fishing pressure and bigger catfish than they get credit for. Arrive early on a weekday for the best odds of having the water to yourself.

Planning a specific day? Check the Eula Umphress Park status page for closures first.

How we picked these

We weighted public shore access without a boat, documented fish populations or confirmed stocking, family amenities (restrooms, playgrounds, shade), and driving distance from Sherman. No paid placements — no relationship with any of these parks.

Planning your visit

Lake Texoma striped bass are the signature catch — spring (March–May) is peak season. Loy Lake and Herman Baker Park fish well year-round for catfish and bass. Texas fishing license required for ages 17 and up; under 17 fishes free. At Eisenhower State Park, no license required regardless of age. Note: Lake Texoma straddles the TX/OK state line — only a Texas license is required to fish from the Texas shore. For more kids' events near Sherman this week, see the Sherman events page.