We are planning to take the family on a lake trip around the end of September. We are wanting to find a house on the water with good bass fishing and an option to rent a boat or take a guide out. 3-4 hours from Katy area if possible. We considered Conroe and Livingston, but would like to try a new lake. Would like to stay in a house vs a cabin if possible. Let me know if anyone has any recommendations.

I would look at either Toledo Bend, or Sam Rayburn. I don't have any recommendations on places to stay though.

Little further to travel but one of the coolest trips my family and I took was renting a houseboat for a week at lake Amistad. Beautiful country, remote, very few people.
We spent the night at different places on the lake and on the Pecos River.
Hired guide Ray Hanselman ( Guide and Pro Bass Fisherman who grew up on Amistad).
The houseboat was great and well maintained. Even had a hot tub on it's deck.
Best trip we ever did. Great bass fishing.. beautiful scenery.

2nd would be Lake Fork. Lots of good guides. Houses available. Call Fred Barthold at Diamond Sports Marine. He is the premier dealer on that lake and outfits all the guides and knows about houses that rent. .

Lake Palestine has some great bass fishing and the boat traffic seems to be light every time I have been. Also a wide variety of houses to choose from.

South Toledo Bend State Park on the LA side has decently nice cabins with all the amenities you can rent right on the lake with good views

Checking the names of all the lakes mentioned here...Yep those are the best ones, choose from those.

Most of Sam Rayburn Reservoir is in National Forest hence it does not have the development around it like Lake Conroe or Livingston. Check Jasper C of C for a VRBO or something similar on the lake, most likely in the Sandy Creek, Letney Park or Ebeneezer areas on lower west side of lake. You can access a lot of great fishing from those areas.

I reached out to Fred at Diamond Sports. He said if you knew the actual dates he could perhaps help you. If you want to do Fork, that is.

Thank you! We are leaning towards Palestine for now, the water park would be a good breakup and it seems like there is quite a few rentals with docks available as well. Fishing lake Fork has always been a lake I've wanted to fish as well, so that is a close second.

Toledo bend has a newwater park on it I believe on the Louisiana side. If you go out on the lake stay in the boat lanes!!!

https://www.tbfap.com

I believe the waterpark has a resort on the water right across the street as well.