Fishing Lakes In Central Texas
Guide to fishing in Central TX
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.
- Lakes List & Species
- Belton Lake
- Benbrook Lake
- Canyon Lake
- Choke Canyon Reservoir
- Eagle Mountain Lake
- Falcon Lake
- Grapevine Lake
- Hubbard Creek Lake
- Joe Pool Lake
- Lake Arrowhead
- Lake Austin
- Lake Bridgeport
- Lake Brownwood
- Lake Buchanan
- Lake Corpus Christi
- Lake Granbury
- Lake Kemp
- Lake Kickapoo
- Lake L B Johnson
- Lake Lewisville
- Lake Ray Roberts
- Lake Stamford
- Lake Travis
- Lake Waco
- Lake Whitney
- Lake Worth
- Medina Lake
- O H Ivie Lake
- Possum Kingdom Lake
- Proctor Lake
- Stillhouse Hollow Lake
- Fish Species
- Map
- Central TX Fishing Video
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
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:
Central TX Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Central TX Fishing Video
Contact Information
Texas Parks & Wildlife
Fisheries Management Offices
1601 E. Crest Dr
Waco, Texas 76705
254 867-7974
Fishing lakes in each state.
081924*
TEXAS
Information about fishing lakes in Central Texas