Best Fishing Spots Near 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.

Top-Rated Fishing Spots Near Sherman

1. Herman Baker Park / Pickens Lake (Sherman)

Location: 1501 E Brockett Street, Sherman, TX 75090

Pickens Lake—Sherman's closest fishing without travel time or complicated setup: Herman Baker Park's small pond in central Sherman is engineered for convenience: catfish, bass, and perch are in the water, the walking trail gives activity variety, and the playground provides a backup when fishing attention wanes. It's the right choice for a last-minute Sherman fishing trip without drive time or complicated logistics.

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

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

Sherman's main city lake—a fishing pier, a boat ramp, and bigger fish than Pickens Lake: Loy Lake is a full city lake in Sherman with a fishing pier, open bank access, and a boat ramp—a step up from the neighborhood ponds for families ready for more variety. Largemouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie are in the lake. The pier is the right spot for kids who want to fish in open water without needing a boat. Picnic areas and a trail loop complete the outing.

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

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, and the round trip still fits inside a morning.

Location: 1800 Lake Road, Denison, TX 75020

Denison's city fishing lake — a solid pier and a quieter alternative to Texoma: Waterloo Lake Regional Park in Denison wraps a fishing pier and open bank access around a full city park with a playground and trail system. Bass and catfish are the main catches, and the park stays calmer than the Lake Texoma access points on busy weekends. A good step between Sherman's city ponds and the full Texoma experience — more water, more variety, without the boat-ramp crowds.

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

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 catfish and bass with actual wildlife watching—a fishing trip that's also a nature trip: Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge's location on Lake Texoma and its preservation focus create a unique experience: catfish, bass, and crappie are the consistent catches, but the herons, egrets, and migratory waterfowl are equally part of the draw. The free fishing access and designated fishing areas give families straightforward places to cast while the refuge atmosphere makes this memorable beyond just fishing success.

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 gripe about the car ride.

Location: 50 Park Road 20, Denison, TX 75020

The Lake Texoma state park engineered for family access—no licenses, world-class stripers, full amenities: Eisenhower State Park removes every barrier to Lake Texoma fishing: no licenses required for any age, world-class striped-bass populations, two boat ramps, full playground and camping, and ADA-accessible paths to water. The 423-acre facility with complete infrastructure makes this the most accessible Lake Texoma experience for Sherman families wanting no-hassle access to a genuine fishing destination.

Good to know: fishing pier, bank fishing, Lake Texoma access, boat ramp, playground, picnic areas.

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, so pack snacks and make a proper outing of it.

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

The Van Alstyne option where fishing stays peaceful even on crowded summer weekends: Eula Umphress Park is where Sherman families go when they want to escape holiday crowds: the small-town pond holds channel catfish and bass, the surrounding park infrastructure is complete, and the general quiet means kids actually get comfortable fishing time instead of being jostled around. It's the hidden-gem backup when mainstream options are packed.

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.

Sherman Kid Fishing Checklist

• A rod sized for small hands: a short push-button spincast combo is far easier for a child to cast than a long rod, and it tangles less.
• Pinch the barbs flat: a quick squeeze with pliers turns any hook barbless. It comes out of a fish (or a thumb) in seconds and barely affects your catch rate.
• Sun protection and water: hats, SPF 50+, and a full bottle each. Herman Baker Park / Pickens Lake and most spots on this list sit out in open sun with little shade on the bank.
• Pliers, a small first-aid kit, and snacks: pliers for hooks, the kit for the occasional poke, and snacks because kid patience runs on a short clock.

Fishing Piers, Stocked Ponds & Places to Fish Near Sherman

• Fishing piers: Loy Lake Park, Waterloo Lake Regional Park and Eisenhower State Park have a fishing pier: a stable, railed platform over deeper water, the easiest place to start a young kid without wading the bank.
• Bank fishing: Herman Baker Park / Pickens Lake, Loy Lake Park, Waterloo Lake Regional Park and Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge have open, walkable shoreline to cast straight from land, no boat or pier needed.
• Open water: Herman Baker Park / Pickens Lake, Loy Lake Park, Waterloo Lake Regional Park and Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge step up to a full lake with a boat ramp when your kids outgrow the city ponds.

Licenses, Limits, and Catch-and-Release

• Know the license rule: in Texas, anyone 17 and older needs a fishing license; kids under 17 fish free, and bank fishing is license-free inside any Texas state park.
• Check bag and length limits: each species has its own keep limits, posted on the Texas Parks & Wildlife site. When in doubt, release it.
• Handle fish with wet hands: dry hands strip the slime coat that protects a fish. Wet your hands first, support the belly, and keep it out of the water only as long as a photo takes.
• Pack out your line: discarded fishing line tangles birds and turtles. A zip bag for old line and hooks keeps the bank safe for the next family.

Sherman Fishing Spots, Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best fishing spots for kids near Sherman, TX?

Our 2026 guide picks 6 standout fishing spots within about 20 miles of Sherman. The top picks include Herman Baker Park / Pickens Lake, Loy Lake Park and Waterloo Lake Regional Park, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.

Which fishing spots near Sherman are free?

5 of the 6 fishing spots in this guide are free to visit, including Herman Baker Park / Pickens Lake, Loy Lake Park and Waterloo Lake Regional Park. The rest charge admission. Check the individual cards above for prices.

What is the closest fishing spot to Sherman?

Herman Baker Park / Pickens Lake is the closest pick at about 1.9 miles from Sherman. It's the easiest one to fit into a weekday afternoon, short drive, low commitment, easy to leave early if the kids melt down.

Do I need a fishing license to fish near Sherman?

In Texas, anyone 17 and older needs a fishing license, but kids under 17 fish free, and you can fish license-free from the bank in any Texas state park. Most of the spots in this guide are free public access, check the official page linked on each card for parking, pier hours, and any local rules.

Are there fishing piers or stocked ponds near Sherman?

Yes, Loy Lake Park, Waterloo Lake Regional Park, Eisenhower State Park have a fishing pier. A pier gives kids a stable, railed spot over deeper water, and a stocked pond means there are actually fish biting, both make the difference on a first trip. Each card above notes what that spot has.