There is a good abundance of largemouth bass up to 18 inches and with moderate numbers of larger bass. There is a very good abundance of spotted bass up to 18 inches with moderate numbers of larger fish. In 1993 a 9-inch minimum length limit was implemented on crappie to help protect younger fish. Anglers have supported this length limit overwhelmingly. Bream fishing is also very popular in Lay Lake.
Bream offer a good summer fishery in creeks with woody cover and around weed beds.
The best fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, and bream occurs in creeks and shallow water sloughs. A high quality largemouth and spotted bass fishery exists at Lay Lake Reservoir. Anglers targeting spotted bass should fish riverine portions of the lake. The tailwater fishery below Logan Martin Dam is excellent for hybrid striped bass and catfish. Striped bass are also present.