Texas fishing reports
151 reports for Texas — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Hill Country lakes hit summer stride: bass go deep, catfish go shallow
Mid-June on the Hill Country highland lakes marks a shift toward summer patterns. The Colorado River is flowing at 339 cfs past Austin (USGS gauge 08158000), indicating moderate dam releases from Lake Travis. Direct lake-level reports for Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan are limited this cycle: TPWD suspended its weekly fishing report series earlier this year while a new format is finalized, per My Canyon Lake Fishing. Nearby Canyon Lake is sitting at 58.6% capacity with multiple boat ramps open and conditions described as ideal for on-the-water recreation. For the highland lakes, Tactical Bassin has been pushing crankbaits as the go-to lure for summer bass, working the full depth column from shallow structure down to the thermocline. Wired 2 Fish notes catfish are in or near their spawn this time of year, moving into shallows where big fish concentrate in surprisingly accessible water. Check local LCRA lake-level data before launching.
Post-Spawn Bass Fired Up on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn
Lake Fork Trophy Bass reported in late May that bass across East Texas have moved to "a number of productive feeding patterns to replenish themselves" as the spawn winds down, signaling prime early-summer conditions that typically translate to Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn as well. With the annual spawn behind them, largemouth are roaming from shallow flats to deeper structure. Per Lake Fork Trophy Bass, you can "catch big bass fishing just about any way you'd like to from shallow to deep" this time of year. The Sabine River gauge (USGS 08030500) recorded 3,550 cfs as of this morning, indicating moderate, steady inflow into Toledo Bend; no water temperature reading was available from the gauge. On The Water notes that finesse presentations targeting the transition zones where bass go after spawning can cut through the early-summer slump for anglers willing to adapt depth and technique throughout the day.
Blue catfish limits on fire at Eagle Mountain Lake as June peaks
At 80°F on USGS gauge 08211200, Texas river temps are firmly in summer territory, and the catfish couldn't be happier. North Texas Catfish Guide reports Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth is producing limits of blue catfish on virtually every guided trip, including multiple fish over 30 pounds in recent weeks. The guide ties the hot bite to a nearly full lake with active fresh-water inflows: fresh water coming into the system plus rising pool levels equals actively feeding fish. Channel catfish are biting hard alongside the blues, with white bass also showing up on the main lake. For South Texas anglers, Lone Star Outdoor News flags Rio Grande cichlids as a worthwhile summer alternative now that trout season is winding down. Wired 2 Fish notes that early summer marks a key transition as catfish finish spawning and big fish begin moving back from shallow staging areas to deeper feeding zones, a pattern worth factoring into anchor spot selection this weekend.
Hill Country Lakes Shift to Summer Mode: Catfish Spawn and Bass Go Deep
The Colorado River's USGS gauge (site 08158000) clocked 499 cfs on June 16, reflecting stable outflow from the Highland Lake chain as Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan transition firmly into summer. Direct on-the-water intel for these three reservoirs was sparse this cycle, so conditions draw on broader Texas fishing signals. Wired 2 Fish covers the catfish spawn this week, noting that early-summer staging moves big fish into the shallows while the reliable bottom bite temporarily fades — a pattern anglers on the Highland Lakes should recognize right now. Bass have completed their post-spawn recovery and are shifting offshore: Tactical Bassin's June content spotlights wobble-head jigs and deep-diving crankbaits for reaching fish on deeper summer structure. Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing notes that rainbow trout season is closing out statewide, redirecting Texas freshwater attention squarely onto warm-water species. The new moon tonight adds a subtle edge for low-light morning sessions.
Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn bass transition to early-summer offshore bite
Lake Fork Trophy Bass reported in May that post-spawn bass across East Texas are in peak feeding mode, moving freely "from shallow to deep" as they replenish after the spawn. That transition is carrying into mid-June on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn, where early summer patterns are now establishing themselves. The Sabine River system is running at 2,420 cfs at USGS gauge 08030500 as of June 16, a moderate flow that keeps Toledo Bend's upper reaches fishable without major staining concerns. Tactical Bassin's June breakdown points to offshore bass as the primary target, with the wobble head jig paired with a shaky head worm as a reliable one-two punch when fish have backed off the bank. On The Water's post-spawn guide similarly notes that finesse presentations outperform power fishing as bass regroup on deeper structure. With today's New Moon, low-light windows at dawn and dusk should be the most productive periods for topwater and reaction baits.
Blue Catfish and White Bass Lighting Up North Texas as Summer Bite Peaks
Water at USGS gauge 08211200 is reading 79°F, and that summer warmth is powering aggressive feeding across Texas freshwater. North Texas Catfish Guide is reporting exceptional blue catfish action on Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth, where near-full pool levels and fresh inflows have fish moving and biting fast. The guide notes June trips are producing easy limits of quality blue catfish, with multiple 30-pound-plus fish showing up in recent boat sessions — calling this one of the best windows of the year. Channel catfish are also in the mix, biting well across the lake. White bass have moved into the main lake on Eagle Mountain, offering a secondary target for open-water anglers. The New Moon this week typically tightens feeding windows around dawn and dusk, so early-morning launches and evening anchors are worth building into your plan. Conditions look favorable across North Texas freshwater through mid-June.
Redfish ruling the Lower Laguna Madre flats as summer takes hold
Texas Fish & Game Magazine's feature on chasing redfish on Lower Laguna Madre flats this season confirms the shallow-water fishery remains a signature draw, with fly anglers targeting tailing and cruising reds in the hypersaline shallows stretching south toward South Padre Island. On the water this week, TexasFishingTips logged a June 11 captain's report from Capt. Kevin Navid covering Baffin Bay and the Laguna Madre area, representing the most current local intel available as of this report. Tournament activity at Port Mansfield Harbor stays strong: Lone Star Outdoor News reports the Getaway Lodge Reel Lifesaver Invitational sent 10 boats out under gray, overcast skies this past weekend, with Johnson claiming the Grand Champion title. Lone Star Outdoor News also flags summer sharks picking up along the Texas coast and whiting running well, consistent with the mid-June transition now in full swing. No buoy or gauge readings were available; anglers should confirm current water temps locally before launching.
Galveston jetties producing specks and reds as summer sharks move in
A group fishing out of Eagle Point Fishing Camp made a run to the Galveston jetties recently and came home with speckled trout, black drum, and redfish on live shrimp, per the Galveston Daily News Reel Report: a concrete indicator that bay species are cooperating as mid-June conditions settle in. Fishing proved best during lighter morning winds, with breezes stiffening by midday through the weekend. The ongoing STAR Tournament has already confirmed red-tag redfish catches in Galveston Bay waters, underscoring that reds are active and showing well. Lone Star Outdoor News reports summer sharks are picking up along the Texas coast, and whiting are running in force: one report called it prime fish-fry season. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag notes Gulf amberjack are crushing topwater lures over deep-water wrecks this time of year. No buoy water temperature readings are available this cycle; anglers should check NOAA buoys for current conditions before heading out.
Summer bass bite opens on Hill Country lakes as heat builds
At nearby Canyon Lake, levels have climbed to 886.46 feet — a full eight feet above where they stood this time last year, per My Canyon Lake Fishing — a signal that water conditions across the Hill Country chain are running stronger than recent summers. TPWD briefly paused its weekly fishing reports while rolling out a new format, per My Canyon Lake Fishing, so local sources are your best current reference. The new moon on June 15 sets up a prime low-light window for topwater bass before the Texas summer heat locks fish down on deeper structure. Tactical Bassin recommends swing-head jigs and tube baits for June largemouth holding on main-lake points, while early topwater walks at dawn remain productive before the sun climbs. Lone Star Outdoor News notes that Rio Grande cichlids are drawing attention as a summer freshwater target now that rainbow trout season has closed. No USGS gauge readings are available for Travis, LBJ, or Buchanan at this time.
East Texas Bass Shift Post-Spawn at Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn
Lake Fork Trophy Bass's May 2026 report signals a seasonal shift that Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn anglers should recognize: the spawn is winding down and largemouth bass are replenishing themselves across a wide range of depths. Per that report, 'you can catch big bass fishing just about any way you'd like to from shallow to deep' as fish disperse from the beds and chase bait in earnest. Tactical Bassin highlights swing-head jigs and wobble heads as reliable early-summer producers for offshore bass, while Wired 2 Fish recommends dialing crankbait depth based on where fish are staging: shallow cover in the morning, deeper structure as the sun climbs. The New Moon today reduces lunar pressure and can sharpen dawn bite windows. No USGS gauge data was available for this report cycle; anglers should check local marina boards for current lake-level status at Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn before launching.
Eagle Mountain Lake blue catfish fire up as June water levels peak
The North Texas Catfish Guide reports Eagle Mountain Lake is nearly full heading into mid-June 2026, with fresh water inflows pushing blue catfish into an aggressive feeding mode. Per the guide, fish are actively moving through the water column, and once you locate them, the action can be fast: limits of blue catfish are coming regularly, with quality fish in the mix. Channel catfish are biting well alongside the blues, and white bass have been spotted working the main lake. Tonight's new moon creates favorable low-light conditions for night catfishing, typically one of the best windows of the summer for targeting big blues. Lone Star Outdoor News notes that Rio Grande cichlids are drawing attention from freshwater anglers now that the rainbow trout season has wrapped. No USGS gauge data was available for this cycle; check local lake levels before heading out.
Go deep for bass as summer locks in on Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan
The Highland Lakes (Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan) are firmly in summer mode as of mid-June, with bass behavior shifting to the thermal-stratification patterns that define Texas reservoir fishing through the hottest months. No water temperature reading is available from our gauges this cycle, but mid-June conditions in the Hill Country routinely push surface temps into the upper 80s, sending largemouth and striped bass off the shallows and onto offshore structure by midday. The Colorado River at Austin (USGS gauge 08158000) is recording 700 cfs, reflecting moderate Highland Lakes system releases. Wired 2 Fish notes that summer bass success hinges on targeting fish shallow at dawn, then following them to deep structure as the sun loads the water column. Tactical Bassin specifically calls out the wobble-head jig and shaky-head worm as a reliable June one-two punch for offshore bass, a pattern that translates well to the chain's submerged creek channels and points. The New Moon this weekend may suppress topwater surface activity but opens productive feeding windows around low-light transitions.