Texas fishing reports
154 reports for Texas — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Crappie Spawn Peaks Under Full Moon at Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn
Flow on the Sabine River above Toledo Bend registered 2,520 cfs at 7:45 a.m. Sunday (USGS gauge 08030500), pointing to moderate inflow and stable reservoir conditions heading into the weekend. No surface temperature reading was available from the gauge, but early May typically puts East Texas lake temps in the upper 60s to low 70s°F — squarely within peak crappie spawn range. Across the broader region, both Wired 2 Fish and Outdoor Hub reported a 4.10-pound crappie at Grenada Lake, Mississippi (April 24), where fish were actively staging for spawning; Wired 2 Fish described the lake as "on fire with big crappies" with heavyweight-limit catches running common — a strong regional signal for what to expect at Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn under this weekend's full moon. Largemouth bass are likely transitioning out of the spawn and moving to secondary structure along channel ledges.
Full Moon Opens Crappie Spawn Window on Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan
USGS gauge 08158000 logged the Colorado River at 146 cfs early Sunday morning — stable, moderate inflow that keeps Hill Country lake levels steady and preserves the water clarity anglers depend on during the spawn push. No temperature reading came through the gauge, but early May typically puts Lakes Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan in the 65–70°F band, historically the heart of crappie spawning season for this chain. This week, Wired 2 Fish reported that crappie across the broader South were actively staging for the spawn — guide Trent Goss on Grenada Lake in Mississippi was logging heavyweight-limit slabs as fish stacked on shallow structure — and that same full-moon trigger fires reliably on Hill Country reservoirs each May. Largemouth bass are broadly in post-spawn recovery: females have moved off beds to deeper transition zones while males may still be guarding fry in the shallows through early week.
Texas Lakes Hit 74°F as Full Moon Kicks Off Crappie Spawn
USGS gauge 08211200 logged 74°F water early this morning with flow running at a modest 32.4 cfs — a combination that puts Texas crappie squarely in spawn territory. Add the full moon overhead and you have a textbook trigger for crappie pressing into the shallows to bed. Outdoor Hub and Wired 2 Fish both covered a 4.10-pound white crappie taken on April 24 at Grenada Lake in Mississippi, where guide Trent Goss was working staged fish with forward-facing sonar — a pattern nearly identical to what Texas reservoirs produce at matching water temperatures. Largemouth bass are simultaneously in or just past their own spawn at 74°F, with the post-spawn feed-up window opening on many lakes. Field & Stream's recent breakdown of crankbait selection is well-timed: squarebill and medium-diving crankbaits shine for bass moving off beds to chase shad. Conditions look stable, and the gauge reading suggests fishable levels throughout the region.
Texas Freshwater at 78°F: Catfish Hot, Post-Spawn Bass Going Deep
USGS gauge 08211200 recorded 78°F water and a moderate 41.3 cfs flow as of May 2 — warm enough to push Texas freshwater fishing squarely into early-summer patterns. Largemouth bass have largely completed their spawn at this temperature and are transitioning into post-spawn recovery, typically pulling back from shallow flats toward deeper adjacent structure and feeding more selectively. Catfish, by contrast, are in prime feeding mode as water climbs through the 75–80°F band. No Texas-specific charter, tackle shop, or agency reports came through in this cycle's angler-intel feed, so species outlooks here reflect seasonal baseline expectations rather than fresh on-water testimony. Worth flagging: Wired 2 Fish reports that crappie are staging heavily and generating heavyweight limits on comparable Southern reservoirs this week — similar conditions are typical on Texas impoundments at the full moon in early May, though local verification is always the smart move.
Gulf Water Hits 77°F but 10-Foot Swells Bottle Up Offshore Fleet Along TX Coast
NOAA buoy 42020 is logging 77°F water and 10.2-foot wave heights this morning alongside sustained 14 m/s (27-knot) winds — conditions that effectively ground offshore runs for most recreational anglers. Nearshore buoy 42035 paints a more workable picture: 76°F water, 4.6-foot seas, and 11 m/s winds. With a full moon driving the strongest tidal flows of the month, current movement through bays and passes is elevated, which typically concentrates bait at drain points and channel edges. Coastal Angler Magazine notes that May is historically prime time for king mackerel along Gulf Coast waters, and mid-70s water temps are exactly the thermal trigger those fish respond to on nearshore reefs and structure. Until the offshore swell settles, the smart play is the back bays, jetty bases, and shallow grass flats reachable from Galveston to Corpus Christi. Speckled trout and redfish should respond well to full-moon tide changes, especially during early-morning and late-afternoon windows.
Speckled Trout Crushing Topwater in Galveston
Specks blowing up on topwater lures across the west bay flats. Some of the best spring topwater action in years.
Jetty Fishing Producing Mixed Bag at Port A
Port Aransas jetties delivering excellent variety. Sheepshead, black drum, and the first tarpon of the season all reported.
Spawn Winding Down but Big Fish Still Possible
Lake Fork bass transitioning to post-spawn. Larger females still protecting fry in the shallows. Finesse presentations key.
Surf Fishing Padre Island — Reds in the First Gut
Bull redfish feeding in the first and second guts along Padre Island National Seashore. Cut bait and fresh dead shrimp producing.
Sam Rayburn Bass in Post-Spawn Transition
Bass moving off beds and staging on nearby structure. Secondary points and submerged timber holding good numbers of fish.