Lake Travis Bass Fishing Guide
Lake Travis (numbers are good - a few bigger ones)
Lake Travis is the top bass lake near Austin for kids and first-timers - easy water, high catch rates, and steady 1-3 lb largemouth with a real shot at 4-5 lb. Deep and clear, it fishes well year-round; spring is prime, and since 2011 it has produced the best quality Bryan has seen here.
Why: The lake I've put more first-timers and kids on than any other.
Evidence: Verified knowledge from Bryan Cotter, 26+ years guiding all 16 Central Texas lakes.
Related: Texas Rig technique · Walking Topwater (Spook) guide · What to throw on Lake Travis
Verified Answered by Bryan Cotter, Texas Hawgs guide · Updated Jul 11, 2026
Lake Travis is one of the larger freshwater lakes near Austin in the Central Texas area, and the lake I've put more first-timers and kids on than any other. It's easy to fish, it's loaded with bass, and almost everybody catches. It's long had a reputation for numbers over size, but starting in 2011 it's been the best for quality I've ever seen - plenty of 4-5 pound fish, and some even bigger, on a lake that usually produces 1-3 pound bass. If you want a fun, high-action day with a shot at a better fish, this is a great place to start.
Lake Travis at a glance
- Lake type
- Highland
- Impounds
- Colorado River
- Managed by
- LCRA
- Impounded
- 1942
- Surface area
- 18,622 acres
- Max depth
- 190 ft
- Water level
- Highly Fluctuating
- Water clarity
- Clear
- Lake record (LM)
- 15.32 lbs — caught by a Junior angler on Feb 28, 2021
- Primary forage
- Threadfin Shad, Bluegill
- Best for
- Kids, Beginner, Numbers, Family
Where we meet: North side, mid-lake (Lago Vista) — 1350 Emerald Dr, Lago Vista, TX 78645
South side, mid-lake (Briarcliff) — 406 Sleat Dr, Briarcliff, TX 78669
Today: Fri Aug 07, 2026
Sunrise: 6:53 am · Safe light: 30 minutes before sunrise
Lake info: TPWD lake page · Lake Travis water level · LCRA open ramps
What you'll catch on Lake Travis
Largemouth bass are the main target - healthy 1-3 pounders that keep a rod bent all day, with a real shot at a 4-5 pound fish and the occasional bigger surprise. Guadalupe bass, the state fish of Texas, show up here too; my personal best on Travis is 3.57 lbs, just .12 under the lake record and .14 under the world record. We'll also run into white bass, crappie, striper and catfish, and if I've got kids aboard I'll happily put them on bluegill to keep the action fast. I practice catch and release on the bass, but if it's table fare you're after, we can keep white bass, crappie or Guadalupe bass.
Seasonal patterns on Lake Travis
Spring
Prime time. As the water warms into the upper 50s and 60s, bass push off deep water and stage on points and secondary points before spawning, usually March into April. In the clear water you can often sight-fish bedding fish, and this pre-spawn window is the best shot at the year's biggest.
Summer
Early and deep. First light brings a shallow topwater and reaction bite; as the sun climbs, the bigger fish slide to deep structure - points, humps and submerged trees - where soft plastics and the LiveScope earn their keep. The deep, clear water keeps Travis fishing through the heat better than most.
Fall
Chase the shad. As it cools, bass follow shad into the creeks and coves - fun run-and-gun fishing; watch for schooling activity and hit it with reaction baits.
Winter
Slower and deeper, but the late-winter pre-spawn is sneaky-good for a giant, and the lighted docks can produce, especially for white bass.
What works on Lake Travis, season by season
The baits Bryan leans on through the year on Lake Travis, dialed in from guiding it season after season.
| Season | What produces |
|---|---|
| Spring | Shaky Head, Offshore / Ledge, Texas Rig, Straight / Finesse Worm, Creature Bait |
| Summer | Offshore / Ledge, Swimbait, Crankbait, Ribbon-Tail Worm, Squarebill Crankbait |
| Fall | Offshore / Ledge, Shaky Head, Finesse, Straight / Finesse Worm, Ribbon-Tail Worm |
| Winter | Texas Rig, Crankbait, Squarebill Crankbait, Ribbon-Tail Worm, Football Jig |
How we fish it
Flexible game plan: start shallow at first light with topwater and crankbaits, shift to soft plastics and a baby brush hog as the day develops. When the lake comes up and floods fresh cover, frogs and spinnerbaits around the new brush can be on fire; lean on LiveScope for bigger fish on cover and break lines.
From Bryan's logbook
Based on Bryan Cotter's on-the-water observations.
Lake Travis is the lake I've put more first-timers and kids on than any other. It's easy to fish, it's loaded with bass, and almost everybody catches.
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.
When Travis is rising and flooding fresh bushes, the shallow bite around that new cover can be outstanding. When it's low and clear, we lean on deeper structure and electronics - either way there's a pattern that works.
The deep, clear water keeps Travis fishing through the heat better than most lakes - as the sun climbs, the bigger fish just slide out to deeper structure.
Lake Travis fishing FAQs
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.
Are there Guadalupe bass in Lake Travis?
Yes. The Guadalupe bass is the state fish of Texas and Central Texas is the only place in the world you can catch them. We catch them on Travis regularly. My best here was 3.57 lbs, just .14 shy of the world record.
Do I need my own boat or fishing gear?
No. All rods, reels and tackle are provided. Just bring a valid Texas fishing license (required at 17+), polarized sunglasses, a hat, and whatever food and drinks you'd like.
Can you catch a trophy bass on Lake Travis, or is it just numbers?
Travis is best known for numbers, but it's changed. Since 2011 it's given up more quality than I've ever seen here - a typical day is 1-3 pounders with a real shot at 4-5 pounds, and every year we see some bigger. The lake record is a 15.32-pound giant. So come for the steady action, but don't be surprised by a big one.
Does the lake level affect fishing on Lake Travis?
It does - Travis is a flood-control lake and the level swings a lot. When it's rising and flooding fresh bushes, the shallow bite around that new cover can be outstanding. When it's low and clear, we lean on deeper structure and electronics. Either way there's a pattern that works; I just adjust to what the water's doing that week.
Where do we meet to launch on Lake Travis?
Depending on conditions, we'll meet mid-lake on the north side in Lago Vista (1350 Emerald Dr) or the south side in Briarcliff (406 Sleat Dr). I'll confirm the exact spot when you book.
How deep is Lake Travis?
Lake Travis has a maximum depth of about 190 feet near the dam, though most of it is far shallower. For bass that depth is really just a map - I spend most of my time working structure in the upper 5 to 25 feet, and shallower still in spring and fall when the fish move up.
How big is Lake Travis?
Lake Travis covers roughly 18,622 acres at full pool, impounding the Colorado River. Its level can swing a good bit with the seasons and rainfall, which shifts where the fish set up.
Best for
The best lake near Austin for kids and first-timers, hands down - high catch rates, easy water, and steady action. Also a strong pick if you just want a fun numbers day with a real chance at a quality fish.
Explore the knowledge base
Related lakes
Other lakes in the Highland Lakes that fish similarly.
Lake Austin · Lake Buchanan · Lake LBJ · Inks Lake · Lake Marble Falls
What you can catch here
The bass and gamefish Lake Travis holds.
Largemouth Bass · Guadalupe Bass · White Bass · Striped Bass
Anglers drive in from
Central Texas towns within an easy drive of Lake Travis.
Austin (30 min) · Round Rock (35 min) · Cedar Park (20 min) · Georgetown (40 min) · Leander (20 min) · Pflugerville (35 min) · Lakeway (5 min) · Bee Cave (15 min) · Lago Vista (5 min) · Jonestown (5 min) · Liberty Hill (35 min) · Dripping Springs (30 min)
How I fish it
The techniques that produce on Lake Travis.
Texas Rig, Crankbait Fishing, Walking Topwater, Frog Fishing, Spinnerbait, Offshore / Ledge Fishing — best lures for Lake Travis
Lures that produce here
The baits I lean on at Lake Travis.
Walking Topwater (Spook) · Squarebill Crankbait · Senko / Stickbait · Creature Bait · Spinnerbait · Hollow-Body Frog
Compare this lake
See how Lake Travis stacks up against other lakes.
Lake Travis vs Lake Austin · Lake Travis vs Lake Buchanan · Lake LBJ vs Lake Travis · Best beginner lakes near Austin
Part of Central Texas bass fishing
Lake Travis is one of 16 lakes I guide across the region.