Texas fishing reports
151 reports for Texas — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Toledo Bend bass push offshore as midsummer dog days arrive
Texas Fish & Game Magazine flags what any East Texas veteran already senses: as late June arrives, the productive spring shoreline patterns on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn give way to a deeper, offshore game. Bass that were hugging shallows through the spawn are now pulling to submerged timber, channel edges, and mid-lake humps. The Sabine River gauge (USGS 08030500) recorded 7,960 cfs of flow at dawn today — a moderate reading that can position fish along current seams near creek channel intersections feeding the reservoir. No water temperature was available from today's instruments, but mid-to-upper 80s on the surface are typical for East Texas impoundments in late June, pushing feeding activity toward low-light windows. No guide or shop reports surfaced for crappie, catfish, or striped bass this cycle — all three are listed as seasonal-default Active, typical for these reservoirs in summer. Anglers willing to adapt to offshore structure will separate themselves from those still working the bank, per Texas Fish & Game Magazine.
Highland Lakes bass push deep as Hill Country summer takes hold
Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes that mid-summer bass patterns on Texas reservoirs are now fully in effect — shallow spring cover has faded and largemouth are hugging deep points, humps, and channel ledges. That shift is squarely in play across Lakes Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan entering the final week of June. The Colorado River at Austin (USGS gauge 08158000) is recording 1,170 cfs, consistent with moderate, stable releases from the Highland Lakes dam chain and suggesting no major drawdown or flood event is in progress. No water temperature is available from the current gauge feed, though surface temps in the upper 80s are typical for the Hill Country by late June. My Canyon Lake Fishing reports that Canyon Lake — a nearby Hill Country impoundment — is sitting roughly eight feet above last year's level, a positive regional signal. Regionally, a 75-pound record blue catfish was caught June 6 at Belton Lake (per Wired 2 Fish), reinforcing that Central Texas catfish are actively stacking on deep structure and eating cut bait.
Trout, reds, and black drum biting through summer storms on Galveston Bay
Pattie and Joe Holecek fished Eagle Point toward the ship channel this past weekend and came away with plenty of black drum, a couple of sheepshead, redfish, and speckled trout despite rain and thunderstorms interrupting the bite, per the Galveston Daily News — Reel Report. South of Galveston, Matagorda Bay is showing variable results depending on whether you're fishing the east or west end. Summer sharks are ramping up along the Texas coast per Lone Star Outdoor News, adding an exciting element to nearshore trips. Whiting are also running strong and are an easy, rewarding catch for anglers looking for a fish-fry outing. The bay forecast cited by the Galveston Daily News — Reel Report calls for south winds 10-15 knots with conditions staying choppy through the weekend, so timing your departure around calmer morning windows will pay off. First Quarter moon this week supports moderate, predictable tidal feeding windows.
Texas catfish run hot at Belton Lake as bass move deep for summer
At 87°F on the San Antonio River system (USGS gauge 08211200), Texas freshwater is locked firmly into peak summer mode. The biggest story this week came from Belton Lake, where Wired 2 Fish reported Michael Padgett landing a 75-pound, 50-inch blue catfish on June 6 — anchored after dark over a bottom hump on the 12,400-acre Central Texas reservoir, soaking cut gizzard shad on 85-pound braid. That catch-and-release fish signals trophy-class blues are active and feeding aggressively at night. Elsewhere, Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes the mid-summer bass shift is underway: spring shoreline patterns that produced in May are fading, with fish relocating to deeper, cooler structure as water temps climb statewide. Lone Star Outdoor News flags Rio Grande cichlids as a fun emerging alternative now that rainbow trout season winds down. With water this warm, early-morning and post-sunset windows will consistently outproduce anything attempted midday.
Hill Country bass push deep as mid-summer heat grips Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan
Mid-summer conditions have settled firmly over the Highland Lakes chain. Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes that by late June, the shoreline cover patterns that produced quality bass through May are giving way — pushing largemouth deeper across Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan. The USGS Colorado River gauge (site 08158000) registered 270 cfs on June 22, signaling moderate late-season flow. Canyon Lake, a Hill Country bellwether just east of the chain, sits at 886.46 feet with three boat ramps open and conditions that WORD coordinator Alexis Runnels calls "ideal for fishing," per My Canyon Lake Fishing. In Central Texas, a 75-pound, 50-inch blue catfish was caught and released at Belton Lake on June 6 — Wired 2 Fish covered the catch — signaling that trophy cats are in full summer feeding mode across the region's impoundments. Plan early-morning and post-sunset windows for the sharpest action before midday heat locks fish down.
Mid-Summer Bass Shift Offshore at Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn
Texas Fish & Game Magazine's Toledo Bend profile and mid-summer bass deep-dive both point to the same late-June reality: the productive shoreline bite that defined spring has run its course, and largemouth have pushed to offshore humps, channel edges, and thermocline-adjacent structure. Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes that by this point in summer, anglers willing to make the depth adjustment consistently outperform those still working the banks. Wired 2 Fish backs the finesse angle: Senko-style stickbaits remain a reliable fallback when fish are reluctant to commit, especially in shallow transition zones. Catfish continue to draw interest; Wired 2 Fish's recent report of a 75-pound blue catfish landed on cut gizzard shad in Central Texas suggests the big-cat bite is running strong across the region. The Sabine River (USGS gauge 08030500) was flowing at 10,200 cfs on June 22, providing steady inflow to Toledo Bend. Surface temps are unavailable from current gauges; check local marina reports before heading out.
Rio Grande Cichlids Rise as Texas Freshwater Shifts to Deep Summer Bass Mode
With rainbow trout season winding down, Lone Star Outdoor News flags Rio Grande cichlids as a prime freshwater target on Texas rivers right now — a well-timed pivot as the fishery moves into full summer mode. For bass anglers, early summer patterns are solidly underway: Field & Stream's summer pond-hopping guide makes the case for targeting lesser-pressured waters as main-lake pressure builds, while Tactical Bassin reports that drop-shot rigs and Senko-style presentations are producing consistent bites in early summer conditions — techniques that translate directly to Texas impoundments. With the solstice just behind us, midday windows are tightening fast; dawn and dusk sessions are where the most productive action will be found. Catfish remain a reliable summer anchor on Texas rivers and reservoirs, typically peaking after dark as daytime heat peaks. No gauge readings were available at publication — check local flow conditions before heading to rivers.
Bass and stripers shift deep as midsummer settles on the Highland Lakes
Texas Parks & Wildlife has paused its standard weekly fishing report format, per My Canyon Lake Fishing, leaving on-the-water intel thinner than usual across Central Texas this week. No current USGS gauge readings or NOAA buoy data are available for Lakes Travis, LBJ, or Buchanan in this update, so precise water temperatures remain unavailable. Regional context offers some signal: My Canyon Lake Fishing reports that neighboring Canyon Lake is holding at 886.46 feet — roughly eight feet higher than this time last year — suggesting a relatively well-watered Hill Country heading into peak summer heat. With the summer solstice landing June 21, the Highland Lakes have entered their predictable midsummer mode: largemouth bass retreating to deeper structure and shaded coves during midday, striped bass suspending over open-water humps on Travis and Buchanan, and catfish feeding actively through the warm nights. Lone Star Outdoor News notes Texas anglers statewide are pivoting to warm-water targets as the trout season closes out.
Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend bass scatter wide in early summer push
Lake Fork Trophy Bass — an East Texas guide operation on waters comparable in character to Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn — reports the post-spawn transition is well underway, with largemouth moving off the beds and beginning summer feeding patterns. "Fishing the end of spring and the beginning of summer on Lake Fork is outstanding," the May 2026 report states, with bass catchable "from shallow to deep" as they replenish. Direct on-water intel specific to Toledo Bend or Sam Rayburn is limited this cycle, but conditions across the East Texas Pineywoods reservoir system tend to track together in late June. Catfish should be in their summer groove on both lakes — active after dark on cut bait near channel edges and submerged timber. Crappie are likely retreating toward deeper brush piles as surface temperatures climb heading into the solstice. No gauge readings were available for water levels this report cycle, so check current lake levels with TPWD or local marinas before launching.
North Texas Catfish Bite Is Firing — Eagle Mountain Producing Big Numbers
Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth is fishing better than it has all season. Per the North Texas Catfish Guide, the lake is nearly full with fresh water pouring into the system — a setup that pushes catfish into aggressive feeding mode. Blue catfish are the headliner, with the guide reporting limits coming quickly once anglers dial in the right spots, and action that moves fast when you're on fish. Channel catfish are biting hard in the main lake as well, adding consistent numbers to the cooler. White bass are on the move in open water, giving anglers a bonus species worth keeping a lighter rod rigged for. Farther south, Lone Star Outdoor News reports that as rainbow trout season winds down, Texas anglers are turning their attention to Rio Grande cichlids — an aggressive, underrated freshwater target in the river corridors this time of year. No USGS gauge or water temperature data is available for this reporting cycle; confirm current reservoir levels with TPWD before launching.
Sharks and whiting hot as summer peaks on the Lower Laguna Madre
Summer is running hot on the Lower Laguna Madre and South Padre Island flats. Lone Star Outdoor News reports that coastal sharks are picking up along the Texas coast, while whiting are described as running "extremely" well this season — prime fish-fry material for surf anglers working the beachfront. Capt. Kevin Navid filed back-to-back Baffin Bay and Laguna Madre area reports for TexasFishingTips on June 11 and June 18, signaling consistent guide activity across the region. Ten boats fished the Getaway Lodge Reel Lifesaver Invitational out of Port Mansfield Harbor this past Saturday under gray, overcast skies, per Lone Star Outdoor News. Texas Fish & Game Magazine underscores what most South Texas guides already know: tidal movement is the single biggest variable on these shallow, clear flats, with the seagrass beds of the Lower Laguna Madre demanding precise timing around current pushes and tidal exchanges.
Summer sharks and slot redfish headline Texas Gulf Coast action
The Galveston Redfish Series held its third tournament event of the year on June 7, with teams targeting live slot redfish in the 4-8 pound range across Galveston Bay — a strong indicator that inshore reds are well-distributed along this stretch right now, per Galveston Daily News — Reel Report. Offshore, Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing reports TPWD is running a Gulf-wide disCARD study during an active red snapper season, confirming boats are getting out. Closer to the sand, summer sharks are building along the Texas coast as temperatures climb. Whiting are also running hard this season — Lone Star Outdoor News calls the bite "extremely" productive — making surf fishing a reliable option when bay conditions turn choppy. TexasFishingTips has aired back-to-back reports from Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, and Baffin Bay/Laguna Madre as recently as June 17-19, suggesting guides are finding fish across the full Galveston-to-Corpus stretch. South winds of 10-20 knots are expected through the weekend.