Fishing Lakes In Central Texas

Guide to fishing in Central TX

Fish species to fish for...

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, rainbow trout, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, longear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, tilapia, warmouth, white bass, yellow bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, alligator gar, longnose gar and spotted gar at lakes in Central Texas.

The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the central part of the state, and the species found in each lake.

Central Texas is a treasure trove for fishing enthusiasts, offering a variety of lakes that cater to different angling preferences. One popular destination is Lake Travis, a large reservoir known for its warm water species. Bass fishing is especially popular here, with anglers targeting largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. The lake also supports healthy populations of catfish, sunfish, and crappie, providing a well-rounded fishing experience.

Another notable warm water lake in Central Texas is Lake LBJ. This picturesque lake is famous for its bass fishing, with largemouth bass being the primary target. Anglers can also find catfish, sunfish, and crappie in its waters. Lake Belton is yet another warm water lake worth mentioning, offering excellent bass fishing opportunities. This lake is also home to white bass, catfish, and sunfish, making it a favorite among anglers.

In terms of cold water lakes, Central Texas has a few options for those seeking a different fishing experience. Inks Lake, located in the scenic Texas Hill Country, is a popular destination for trout fishing. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout during the winter months, providing anglers with a chance to catch these prized fish. Lake Buchanan, another cold water lake in the area, offers opportunities for white bass fishing, as well as catfish and sunfish.

Central Texas's fishing lakes provide a range of options for anglers to explore. Whether it's warm water lakes like Lake Travis and Lake LBJ, where bass fishing takes center stage, or cold water lakes like Inks Lake and Lake Buchanan, offering opportunities for trout and white bass, there is something for everyone. These lakes not only provide excellent fishing experiences but also offer beautiful natural surroundings that enhance the overall enjoyment of the angling adventure.

Major Central Texas Lakes & Species

Central Texas major lakes and fish chart

Lake & Fish Chart For Central Texas

This chart shows the major fishing waters in Central Texas, cross referencing these waters with the major types of fishing to be found in each of the lakes or impoundments.

For a more complete list of fish species in Central Texas, see the list below, which also includes state records.

Central Texas Fishing Lake Sizes & Locations

Belton Lake is a 12,400-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Temple.

Benbrook Lake is a 3,700-acre lake in the central part of the state, on the southwest outskirts of Fort Worth.

Brady Creek Reservoir is a 2,020-acre lake in the central part of the state, at the town of Brady.

Braunig Lake is a 1,350-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, 1 mile west of Elmendorf.

Canyon Lake is an 8,300-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, at Canyon Lake.

Choke Canyon Reservoir is a 26,000-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, at Three Rivers.

Eagle Mountain Lake is an 8,700-acre lake in the Fort Worth area, at Azle.

Falcon Lake (Falcon International Reservoir) is a 83,800-acre lake on the southern border of the central Texas, at Falcon State Park.

Granger Lake is a 4,064-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at the town of Granger.

Grapevine Lake (Lake Grapevine) is a 7,000-acre lake in the Dallas area, at Grapevine.

Hubbard Creek Reservoir (Hubbard Creek Lake) is a 14,900-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Breckenridge.

Inks Lake is a 830-acre lake in central TX, 10 miles west of Burnet.

Joe Pool Lake is a 7,500-acre lake in the Dallas area, at Cedar Hill.

Lady Bird Lake is a 470-acre lake in the central part of the state, in Austin.

Lake Arrowhead is a 15,000-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, 5 miles southwest of Henrietta.

Lake Austin is a 1,600-acre lake in Central Texas, at Austin.

Lake Bridgeport is a 12,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Lake Bridgeport.

Lake Brownwood is a 6,500-acre lake in the central part of the state, at Brownwood.

Lake Buchanan is a 22,300-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, at Bluffton.

Lake Corpus Christi is an 18,000-acre lake in the Corpus Christi area, at Lake City.

Lake Granbury is a 8,300-acre lake southwest of Fort Worth, at Granbury.

Lake Kemp is a 15,500-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, 10 miles north of Seymour.

Lake Kickapoo (Kickapoo Reservoir) is a 6,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, 10 miles west of Archer City.

Lake L B J (Lake Lyndon B Johnson) is a 6,500-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, at Marble Falls.

Lake Lewisville is a 30,000-acre lake in the North Dallas area.

Lake Ray Roberts (Ray Roberts Lake) is a 25,000-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, at Pilot Point.

Lake Stamford (Stamford Reservoir) is a 5,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Stamford.

Lake Travis is an 18,600-acre lake in the southeast part of the state, at Lakeway.

Lake Waco is a 7,200-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Waco.

Lake Walter E. Long is a 1,270-acre lake in the central part of the state, 8 miles east of Austin.

Lake Whitney (Whitney Lake) is a 23,500-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Whitney.

Lake Worth is a 3,500-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Fort Worth.

Medina Lake is a 5,400-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, at Mico.

O H Ivie Lake (O H Ivie Reservoir) is a 19,000-acre lake in the central part of the state, at Concho.

Possom Kingdom Lake is a 17,500-acre lake northwest of Fort Worth, at Pickwick.

Proctor Lake is a 4,500-acre lake in the central part of the state, at Proctor.

Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir) is a 6,400-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Temple.

Click here for a list of popular marinas on fishing lakes in Central Texas.

See lists of lakes in West Texas, or and East Texas.

Fish Species & State Records in Central Texas

Primary fish species residing in West Texas Lakes

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Fishing for bass in Central Texas

Largemouth bass

World record: 22 lbs 4 oz

State Record: 18.18 lbs

Smallmouth bass

World record: 11 lbs 15 oz

State Record: 7.93 lbs

Spotted bass

World record: 9 lbs 8 oz

State Record: 5.56 lbs

Fishing for catfish in Central Texas

Channel catfish

World record: 58 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 36.5 lbs

Flathead catfish

World record: 123 lbs 9 oz

State Record: 98.5 lbs

Blue catfish

World record: 143 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 121.5 lbs

Fishing for crappie in Central Texas

Black crappie

World record: 6 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 3.92 lbs

White crappie

World record: 5 lbs 3 oz

State Record: 4.56 lbs

Fishing for trout in Central Texas

Rainbow trout

World record: 42 lbs 2 oz

State Record: 8.92 lbs

Fishing for panfish in Central Texas

Bluegill

World record: 4 lbs 12 oz

State Record: 2.02 lbs

Green sunfish

World record: 2.2 lbs

State Record: 1.30 lbs

Hybrid sunfish

World record: N/A

State Record: 1.73 lbs

Longear sunfish

World record: 1.75 lbs

State Record: 0.84 lbs

Redbreast sunfish

World record: 2 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 1.63 lbs

Redear sunfish

World record: 5.4 lbs

State Record: 2.99 lbs

Tilapia

World record: 9.6 lbs

State Record: 7.75 lbs

Warmouth

World record: 2.4 lbs

State Record: 1.30 lbs

White Bass

World record: 6.8 lbs

State Record: 5.56 lbs

Yellow bass

World record: 2 lbs 15 oz

State Record: 3.46 lbs

Fishing for striped bass in Central Texas

Striper

World record: 81 lbs 14 oz

State Record: 53.0 lbs

Hybrid Striped Bass

US record: 27 lbs 5 oz

State Record: 19.66 lbs

Fishing for other species in Central Texas

Alligator gar

World record: 279.0 lbs*

State Record: 279.0 lbs

Longnose gar

World record: 50 lbs 5 oz

State Record: 50.31 lbs

Spotted gar

World record: 9 lbs 12 oz

State Record: 9.81 lbs

Click here for a Texas Fishing License.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby Lakes In Central TX

Each major lake in the central third of the state is featured in this website with an entire page dedicated to everything you need to know about that lake. On those pages are lists of camping facilities at, or nearby, each lake. Begin your search by clicking here: