Guadalupe Bass
Micropterus treculii · also called Guad, Texas State Fish
The Guadalupe bass (Micropterus treculii) is the official state fish of Texas and is endemic to the Texas Hill Country — it is found nowhere else in the world. It is a small, hard-fighting black bass we catch regularly on Central Texas lakes like Travis, LBJ, Austin and Inks, most often on finesse presentations.
Why: The Texas state fish — found only here.
Evidence: Verified knowledge from Bryan Cotter, 26+ years guiding all 16 Central Texas lakes.
Related: Smallmouth Bass · Spotted Bass · All Central Texas bass species
Verified Answered by Bryan Cotter, Texas Hawgs guide · Updated Jul 12, 2026
The Guadalupe bass is a genuine bucket-list catch: the state fish of Texas, native only to the streams and rivers of the Edwards Plateau and the lakes they feed. It stays small — a one-pounder is a good one and anything over two is special — but pound for pound it fights harder than any bass out here, holding in current like a smallmouth. Central Texas is the only place on the planet you can catch one, which makes it a favorite ask on our trips. My personal best is a 3.57 on Lake Travis, just shy of the state and world record.
Guadalupe Bass at a glance
- Scientific name
- Micropterus treculii
- Family
- Centrarchidae
- Type
- Black Bass
- Typical size
- 0.75 lbs average
- Trophy size
- 2 lbs+
- Texas record
- 3.71 lbs — Colorado River (2014)
- World record
- 3.71 lbs — Colorado River, Texas (endemic — the state record is the world record) (2014)
How to identify a Guadalupe Bass
Green to olive with a series of 10–12 dark bars along the sides that blur into a mottled pattern; often a coppery, bronze cast.
- Jaw does not extend past the rear of the eye
- Rows of dark bars/diamonds along the side rather than a single stripe
- Coloration extends lower on the belly than a largemouth
- Small tooth patch on the tongue
Quick tell: Easily mistaken for a small largemouth or a spotted bass — the short jaw, the bars (not one stripe), and the color reaching low on the belly are the tells.
Similar species: Smallmouth Bass · Spotted Bass · Largemouth Bass
Where to catch Guadalupe Bass in Central Texas
Caught on Lake Travis, Lake Austin, Lake LBJ, Inks Lake, Lake Marble Falls, Canyon Lake and Lake Belton, plus the Highland Lakes rivers.
Lake Travis · Lake Austin · Lake LBJ · Inks Lake · Lake Marble Falls · Canyon Lake · Lake Belton
How we catch them
A current-oriented feeder that sits behind rock and structure and darts out to grab passing forage — which is why finesse baits shine.
Spawn: March–May (around 60–68°F). Spawns on gravel in the spring, often near moving water; relates to current far more than a largemouth does.
Go-to techniques: Finesse Fishing, Shaky Head, Drop Shot, Ned Rig, Spinnerbait, Walking Topwater.
Best lures: Straight / Finesse Worm, Tube, Fluke / Soft Jerkbait, Spinnerbait, Squarebill Crankbait, Senko / Stickbait.
Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall.
The fight: Astonishingly strong for its size — bulldogs and uses current like a smallmouth.
Eating & regulations
Excellent eating - many rate it better than crappie. Legal to keep within Texas limits; some anglers keep a few for the table while others release this native fish.
No statewide minimum length in most waters. Guadalupe bass are fine to keep within Texas limits; handle any you release with care.
Conservation
A species of conservation concern — its main threat is hybridization with introduced smallmouth bass.
Texas Parks & Wildlife runs one of the country's most successful native-fish restoration efforts to protect genetically pure Guadalupe bass in Hill Country waters.
Guadalupe Bass FAQs
Where can you catch a Guadalupe bass?
Only in Central Texas — it is endemic to the Hill Country and found nowhere else in the world. We catch them on Lake Travis, LBJ, Austin, Inks and the Highland Lakes.
Why is the Guadalupe bass special?
It is the official state fish of Texas and lives only in this region, so catching one is a genuine bucket-list moment for visiting anglers.
How big do Guadalupe bass get?
They stay small — a one-pounder is a good fish and two pounds is a trophy. The state (and world) record is 3.71 pounds.
From Bryan's logbook
Based on Bryan Cotter's on-the-water observations.
My personal-best Guadalupe bass on Travis is 3.57 lbs - just .12 under the lake record and .14 under the world record.
I've been fishing Inks Lake for over 50 years and seen a lot of big fish come out of it. A shaky head with a trick worm worked slow through the rock piles is one of the surest bites on the lake, and it takes both largemouth and Guadalupe bass.
Keep exploring
All Central Texas bass species · Central Texas bass fishing guide · All 16 lakes we fish
Want to catch a Guadalupe Bass? See trip rates and book, or call or text 512-762-0190.