Travis County, TX · Reservoir
Lake Travis
A deep, clear Highland Lake on the Colorado River just west of Austin. Steep rocky structure favors largemouth and a strong smallmouth population, with white bass and stocked stripers running the creeks. Clear water makes low light and a moving front the prime windows.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Striped Bass — Skip the Striped Bass trip today.
Best conditions of 5 species tracked at Lake Travis.
Flood Watch issued June 5 at 1:25PM CDT until June 6 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Lake Travis
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Striped Bass Skip the Striped Bass trip today. In season 12/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
- Min size
- 18"
- Daily creel
- 5
18" minimum, 5/day (striped & hybrid striped bass in combination; landlocked fisheries such as Lake Texoma).
Source: Texas regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Largemouth Bass Skip the Largemouth Bass trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 5
14" minimum, 5/day (black bass in aggregate). Some lakes have special slot rules.
Source: Texas regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Smallmouth Bass Skip the Smallmouth Bass trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 5
14" minimum, 5/day (black bass in aggregate).
Source: Texas regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Crappie Skip the Crappie trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Min size
- 10"
- Daily creel
- 25
10" minimum, 25/day (white & black crappie in combination).
Source: Texas regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Channel Catfish Skip the Channel Catfish trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 25
12" minimum, 25/day (channel & blue catfish in combination).
Source: Texas regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Local reports & rules for Lake Travis: Texas Parks & Wildlife fishing report → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake Travis?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Lake Travis you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Lake Travis?
Lake Travis is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, Crappie, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Lake Travis?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Lake Travis against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Lake Travis have?
Lake Travis has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lake Travis?
state agency regulations apply at Lake Travis. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Lake Travis tidal water?
No. Lake Travis is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.