In Season Now: Austin Fishing · Nov. 5
- Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, Alabama, Guadalupe, spotted) Year-Round
- Crappie (white, black) Year-Round
- Channel and Blue Catfish Year-Round
From this page's species calendar. Check current the state wildlife agency size and creel limits before you fish.
Austin TX
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Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, TPWD regulations, and community fishing coverage for Travis County lakes and rivers.
Austin anglers can fish Lady Bird Lake downtown, Lake Austin and Lake Travis on the Colorado River, and Walter E. Long Lake on the east side. TPWD sets statewide limits; see the regulations below.
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
- Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations.
- Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly.
An 18,622-acre LCRA highland reservoir up to 190 feet deep, with rocky banks, steep cliffs and clear water. Water levels can swing 10 to 20 feet. Zebra mussels are present.
LCRA parks and public ramps around the lake; free LCRA maps online.
A 1,599-acre constant-level lake up to 75 feet deep. TPWD calls its largemouth bass population excellent, with many 8- to 10-pound fish caught each year. Zebra mussels are present.
Boat docks, bluffs and brush piles provide cover; TPWD's Habitat Structure Viewer lists GPS points.
A 468-acre downtown lake up to 18 feet deep, formerly Town Lake. TPWD says anglers often catch and release 20 to 30 bass a day in the 2- to 3-pound range.
Outboard motors are not allowed; electric trolling motors are fine.
A city-owned power-plant cooling lake known for slot-size (14- to 21-inch) largemouth bass and hybrid stripers stocked every year. Bulrush lines most of the shore.
Most of the shoreline is City of Austin land; part of the discharge canal is open to fishing from a boat.
Know a Austin-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
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Yes. Anglers need a Texas fishing license to fish public waters. See TPWD at tpwd.texas.gov for current license ages, fees and any free fishing days.
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Travis County has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult TPWD for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream.
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The best crappie fishing in Travis County is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
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Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Austin lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult TPWD for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
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Rivers near Austin typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult TPWD for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
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TPWD stocks select Travis County waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the TPWD website at https://tpwd.texas.gov/ — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current TPWD schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Austin.