Texas fishing reports
152 reports for Texas — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
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.
East Texas bass locked into summer feeding mode on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn
Lake Fork Trophy Bass reports that East Texas bass are in a robust post-spawn feeding cycle for 2026, describing May as 'outstanding' with fish catchable 'from shallow to deep' as they replenish after the spawn. That same summer feeding pattern is now fully underway on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn heading into mid-June. The Sabine River system is running at 1,980 cfs per USGS gauge 08030500, a moderate summer reading that should keep the upper reservoir arms in decent shape without significant water-clarity issues. No water temperature reading was available in today's dataset, but midsummer East Texas conditions typically push surface temps into the low-to-mid 80s°F. With the New Moon on June 14, low ambient light favors shallow dawn bites before bass drop to ledges and points by mid-morning. Wired 2 Fish notes summer bass shift from shallow early feeders to deep-structure fish once the sun climbs, a transition that defines the daily June rhythm on both Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn.
Hill Country lakes prime for summer bass as June new moon opens the dawn bite
With the Colorado River gauging 454 cfs at Austin (USGS gauge 08158000) and nearby Hill Country reservoirs sitting roughly eight feet above their year-ago levels per My Canyon Lake Fishing, mid-June conditions across Lake Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan point to a classic early-summer transition. Note that TPWD has paused its weekly fishing reports pending a format change (My Canyon Lake Fishing), leaving anglers to lean on regional sources for current intel. Wired 2 Fish notes that summer bass split between pre-dawn topwater on shallow flats and a pull to deep offshore structure once the sun climbs, making timing the primary variable right now. Tactical Bassin spotlights swing-head jigs and wobble heads as the early-summer go-to technique, with deep-diving crankbaits covering the midday offshore bite. Tonight's new moon sets up the darkest sky of the month, a window that typically extends low-light feeding activity for bass and white bass into the first couple hours after sunrise.
Blue catfish limits and white bass action heating up on North Texas lakes
Water at USGS gauge 08211200 on the Nueces River has climbed to 87°F, signaling full summer conditions across Texas freshwater. On Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth, North Texas Catfish Guide is flagging May and June as one of the best windows of the year. The lake is nearly at full pool, fresh inflows are pushing fish into active feeding mode, and the guide reports fish are moving and biting fast when you get on them. The June 2024 pattern from the same guide saw limits of blue catfish, channel catfish, and white bass on most trips, and current conditions closely mirror that setup. The new moon this weekend removes surface light, which typically favors catfish during dawn, dusk, and overnight windows. Bass anglers should plan early starts. At 87°F, largemouth will typically hold shallow at first light before pulling to deep structure as the sun climbs.
Highland Lakes slip into summer mode as bass push deep with June heat
With the Colorado River at Austin logging 1,000 cfs (USGS gauge 08158000) on June 13, flows through the Highland Lakes chain are steady as the Hill Country moves into its summer fishing pattern. Worth noting: Texas Parks & Wildlife has temporarily suspended its weekly fishing reports while a new format is finalized, per My Canyon Lake Fishing, putting extra weight on local intel this season. Regional reservoir levels are running healthier than last year; Canyon Lake, a comparable Hill Country impoundment, sat at 886.46 feet, roughly eight feet above its level at this time in 2025, and was drawing positive conditions assessments according to My Canyon Lake Fishing. On the species front, Wired 2 Fish's summer bass guide confirms what Travis and LBJ regulars already know: largemouth that staged shallow during the spawn have shifted to offshore structure once the sun climbs. The new moon (June 14) opens a prime low-light window for topwater and crankbaits at dawn and dusk, with overnight catfish runs a natural add-on for anglers willing to stay late.
Blue catfish on the feed as Texas lakes hit summer temps
Water temperatures have reached 88°F on Texas freshwater (USGS gauge 08211200), and North Texas Catfish Guide reports that Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth is positioned for some of the best fishing of the year. The lake is nearly full, with fresh inflows pushing fish into an active feeding mode. The guide notes: fish are moving, fish are feeding, and once you locate them the action happens fast. Blue catfish are the primary target in June, with the guide calling this window one of the best opportunities of the year. Channel catfish and white bass round out the Eagle Mountain mix based on the guide's historical June pattern. On the cichlid front, Lone Star Outdoor News reports that anglers statewide are pivoting to Rio Grande cichlids now that trout season has wrapped. Bass anglers face a textbook summer split: early topwater action before the sun climbs, then a transition to deep structure once temps spike. Tonight's New Moon offers an extended low-light feeding window worth planning around.
Hill Country bass go deep as summer heat arrives at Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan
The Colorado River at Austin (USGS gauge 08158000) registered 457 cfs at dawn June 13, a baseline read on inflows feeding the Highland Lakes chain. No dedicated on-water reports from Travis, LBJ, or Buchanan surfaced this cycle; My Canyon Lake Fishing notes that TPWD has paused its weekly fishing report format while a new release plan is finalized, leaving a gap in official updates for the region. Seasonal patterns remain reliable: mid-June in the Hill Country means largemouth bass are firmly in summer mode. Wired 2 Fish's summer bass breakdown confirms fish are tracking deep structure as surface temperatures climb, with productive topwater windows narrowing to first light and last light. Tactical Bassin recommends a wobble head jig paired with a shaky head worm for June offshore bass, proven confidence baits when fish are holding on structure in 15 to 25 feet. The New Moon on June 13 sets up peak feeding windows this weekend worth planning around.
North Texas Catfish Prime Time: Eagle Mountain Bite Running Hot Through June
Water temperatures have climbed to 87°F (USGS gauge 08211200), placing North Texas freshwater systems firmly in midsummer mode. North Texas Catfish Guide reports Eagle Mountain Lake is running near full pool with steady fresh inflows, describing June as "one of the best opportunities of the year" — fish are actively moving and feeding on current breaks throughout the reservoir. North Texas Catfish Guide's June 2024 field report from Eagle Mountain detailed limits of channel catfish and blue catfish on most trips, with white bass running the main lake body; conditions this year closely mirror that template. For largemouth bass, the summer shift is underway: Wired 2 Fish notes that bass push shallow at dawn on topwater before retreating to deep structure and offshore humps as heat builds through the day. Lone Star Outdoor News flags Rio Grande cichlids as a rising warm-weather target in South Texas river stretches now that rainbow trout season is closing out. The new moon today sharpens the overnight catfish bite — a timing edge worth planning around this weekend.
Sharks and Whiting Peak as Lower Laguna Madre Enters Full Summer Mode
Per Lone Star Outdoor News, summer sharks are picking up along the Texas coast, marking the arrival of peak warm-season patterns on the lower Laguna Madre and South Padre flats. Whiting are also reported biting well across the region, offering fast, table-ready action for surf casters. TexasFishingTips' Capt. Kevin Navid ran the Baffin Bay and Laguna Madre area on June 11 — one of several active captain reports from the greater Coastal Bend this week. Port Mansfield Harbor hosted the Getaway Lodge Reel Lifesaver Invitational recently, with ten tournament boats working the lower lagoon corridor under gray, overcast skies. The CCA-Texas STAR Tournament, per Texas Fish & Game Magazine, kicked off May 23 and runs through September 7, adding competitive stakes for anglers up and down the coast. No buoy or gauge readings are available this cycle. With New Moon tides arriving today, expect the most productive feeding windows around dawn and dusk on the expansive seagrass flats.
Red Snapper Running Strong and STAR Redfish Entries Building on the Texas Gulf Coast
The first two weeks of the Texas Gulf red snapper season have delivered steady quality, with Galveston Daily News — Reel Report noting fish averaging 10 to 20 pounds at the cleaning tables, with the majority falling in the 12- to 15-pound range. Inshore, the CCA-Texas STAR Tournament — which runs through September 7 — is already generating results: one red-tag redfish and one blue-tag red have been confirmed, with several more entries pending polygraph results, per Texas Fish & Game Magazine. Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing adds that whiting are running extremely well along the surf and summer sharks are picking up on nearshore structure. Salt Strong had the Upper Texas Coast on its regional weekend game plan for June 12–14, pointing to active inshore conditions. Weather is favorable to start the weekend, but tropical moisture pushing up from the Bay of Campeche may bring rain and wind by Sunday, per Galveston Daily News — Reel Report — prioritize your offshore window early.
Summer Bass Patterns Lock In Across the Highland Lakes
Colorado River gauge 08158000 at Austin is logging 1,550 cfs as of June 12, reflecting active managed releases through the Highland Lakes chain. My Canyon Lake Fishing reports a nearby Hill Country impoundment — Canyon Lake — sitting at 58.6% capacity with boat ramps open and conditions described as 'still ideal for boating, fishing, tubing, and lakeside recreation.' With mid-June heat now dominant across the region, bass across Lakes Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan are pressing toward deeper offshore structure once the morning bite fades. Tactical Bassin's June bass coverage points to swing-head jigs and shaky-head worms as the reliable one-two punch for fish holding on main-lake points and submerged timber in the 15–25-foot zone. Wired 2 Fish notes that crankbaits — running shallow at first light, then progressively deeper as temps climb — are another high-percentage summer option. Catfish activity is at its seasonal peak across these central Texas reservoirs.
Hill Country bass push offshore as summer heat settles over Travis and LBJ
The Colorado River is running 259 cfs at the Austin gauge (USGS 08158000) as of June 12 — a low-moderate summer baseflow reflecting typical seasonal conditions feeding into the Highland Lakes chain. Direct on-the-water reports from Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan are sparse this cycle, but the broader Texas picture points clearly to a classic early-summer transition. Wired 2 Fish describes the June bass dynamic precisely: fish are shallow in the early morning chasing surface bait, then slide offshore to deep structure once the sun climbs. Tactical Bassin echoes that, flagging swing-head jigs and crankbaits as the high-percentage tools for reaching bass on submerged ledges and offshore humps. Lone Star Outdoor News notes that Central Texas anglers are now pivoting away from rainbow trout — with stocking season closing out — and turning attention to warm-water species. On the Highland Lakes, that means largemouth, stripers, and catfish are the primary targets through the summer months.