Central Texas Bass Fishing: The Complete Guide
Central Texas is one of the most diverse bass fisheries in the country - 16 lakes within a few hours of Austin holding largemouth, Guadalupe bass (the Texas state fish), smallmouth and more, from grass-filled trophy water to deep, clear numbers lakes.
I've spent over 26 years guiding these waters, and what keeps it interesting is how different each lake is. The Highland Lakes chain runs the Colorado River right through the Hill Country; the Corps lakes to the north run clear and hold smallmouth; the power-plant lakes east of town stay warm and bite all winter; and a few hours out sit some of the best trophy lakes in the state. This is your starting point - the lakes, the fish, the seasons, and how I fish them.
Pick your goal
Best for numbers
Lake Travis · Lake LBJ · Inks Lake · Stillhouse Hollow · Lake Bastrop
Best for a trophy
Lake Austin · Lake Buchanan · Lake Marble Falls · Lake Falcon · Canyon Lake · Lake Belton · Lake O.H. Ivie
Best for kids & families
Best for smallmouth
Every lake we guide
Lake Travis
The lake I've put more first-timers and kids on than any other. — numbers are good - a few bigger ones
Lake Austin
Find the grass, you'll find the bass. — fishing great right now
Lake Buchanan
Buchanan is my favorite lake in Central Texas, and if you're after a quality fish, it's where I'd send you. — almost always fishes good - white bass and the occasional striper here too
Lake LBJ
If you like flipping docks for chunky largemouth, this is the lake. — fishing good right now
Inks Lake
Being on the smaller side, you can pretty much fish it however you like. — numbers are good - some bigger ones
Lake Marble Falls
A little gem tucked between the more popular Travis and LBJ. — lots of good solid fish
Stillhouse Hollow
If you like grass, this is your lake - that's where the quality fish live. — fishing really good this year
Lake Bastrop
A great lake to catch numbers and to bring the family or a large group. — numbers have been good
Fayette County
It tends to put out even bigger bass than Bastrop - a really fun lake with both numbers and quality. — always a good choice - one of the best average-quality lakes in Texas
Lake Falcon
You haven't caught a real largemouth until you've caught one here - they're the meanest bass on the planet. — trophy lake - your best chance at a double-digit largemouth
Canyon Lake
The hydrilla is the thickest I've ever seen it, and the largemouth are in it good. — good choice for largemouth, Guadalupe and smallmouth bass
Lady Bird Lake
It's the best jig lake around, right in the center of Austin. — downtown Austin trophy water - electric motors only
Lake Belton
The best lake in Central Texas for smallmouth bass, and a very good largemouth lake too. — the best smallmouth lake in Central Texas
Lake O.H. Ivie
On O.H. Ivie, any cast could be a giant. — fishing is good right now - any cast could be a giant
From Bryan's logbook
Travis long had a reputation for numbers over size, but starting in 2011 it's been the best for quality I've ever seen here - plenty of 4-5 pound fish, and some even bigger, on a lake that usually produces 1-3 pound bass.
My personal-best Guadalupe bass on Travis is 3.57 lbs - just .12 under the lake record and .14 under the world record.
On Lake Austin it almost always comes back to the grass. Find the grass, you'll find the bass - that cover is what grows and holds the big fish.
Some of the largest bass anywhere around here have come out of Lake Austin - the lake record is north of 16 pounds. If you're chasing a lifetime fish, this is a great place to do it.
The number one thing I look for on Buchanan is rock - the largemouth love it, partly because it lets them tuck away from the striper, and the best rock holds the best fish. In cold water, when you think you're fishing slow enough, slow down more; that's how the giants come.
Central Texas bass fishing - FAQs
What is the best bass fishing lake near Austin?
It depends on your goal. For numbers and first-timers I start people on Lake Travis - easy water and a high catch rate. For a shot at a true trophy, Lake Austin's grass or downtown Lady Bird Lake are hard to beat. In winter I'd point you to Lake Buchanan. Tell me what you're after and I'll match you to the right lake.
When is the best time to bass fish in Central Texas?
Spring (roughly February through May) is the best all-around window for both numbers and the biggest fish of the year. But there's a good bite every month here - summer mornings and nights, fall's shad-chasing run, and winter trophy trips on lakes like Buchanan and O.H. Ivie.
Where can I bass fish near Austin without a boat?
There are shore-access spots around town - I keep a rundown on the Fishing Places page. For the best day on the water, though, a guided boat trip puts you on far more (and bigger) fish.
When is the best time to bass fish Lake Travis?
Spring (roughly March through May) is the best window for both numbers and size, but Travis fishes well year-round. Summer mornings are excellent for numbers because of the deep, clear water, and late winter can surprise you with a big pre-spawn fish.
Is Lake Travis good for beginners and kids?
It's the lake I recommend most for kids and first-timers. It's easy to fish and the catch rate is high, which keeps young anglers having fun and bending rods all day.
Want to fish Central Texas with someone who knows all 16 lakes? Let's find your trip.