Fishing Lake Austin
AKA: Lake McDonald, Austin Reservoir
Popular Fish Species Lake Austin, TX
Largemouth Bass Fishing
A history of careful fisheries management by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has helped to maintain a good bass fishery for anglers at Lake Austin. Numerous bass weighing over 8 pounds are caught each year, including some over 10 pounds. Because of the quality of these bass here, this is a popular bass tournament lake. Weekend and tournament anglers find the fishing to be slow at times, yet pretty good at other times. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. Anglers can also catch smallmouth bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.
Bluegill Fishing
Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition at Lake Austin. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat bluegill. This year, much like recent years, the bluegill population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Bluegill fishing is as basic as fishing gets. Any pole, reasonably small line and small hooks baited with anything edible, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Bluegill hang around brush, rocks, vegetation or any cover available.
Redear Sunfish Fishing
Fishing for redear sunfish, also known as shellcrackers, is popular here at Lake Austin. Like most bream, they are a popular species with young and old, as well as beginners and seasoned anglers alike. This year, much like recent years, the redear sunfish population is healthy and always looking for something edible. Redear sunfish fishing is about as simple as fishing gets. Any lighter fishing pole, reasonably light line, small hooks baited with anything eatable, creates a great setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Redear prefer clear, warmer water and hang around brush, rocks, vegetation, docks or any cover available.
Lake Austin Fishing Video
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish and longnose gar at Lake Austin in Central Texas.
Known locally for trophy bass and quality sunfish, Lake Austin is a 1,600-acre lake (a section of the Colorado River) that flows through the city of Austin, Texas. The lake is home to catfish, crappie, numerous species of sunfish and longnose gar. Created by the Tom Miller Dam, Lake Austin was formerly known as Lake McDonald. Largemouth bass is the most sought-after species in the lake.
Primary fish species residing in Lake Austin
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Lake Austin Amenities
Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Lake Austin Boat Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
512 957-1444
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Greenshores Boat Launch
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Greenshores Drive, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with no parking.
Loop 360 Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, at the south end of the Highway 360 Bridge, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.
Quinlan Park Boat Ramp
Located in the west end of the lake, north side, off S Quinlan Park Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.
Marinas
Lake Austin Marina
2215 Westlake Dr
Austin, TX 78746
512 306-9100
Fishing Guides On Lake Austin
Austin Fishing Guide Service - bass
If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.
Click here for a Texas Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Midtown RV Park - 512 385-2885
Emma Long Metropolitan Park Campground - 512 974-1831
Covenant Canyon RV Park Campground - 512 331-0900
Pecan Grove RV Park - 512 472-1067
Lake Austin TX Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Lake Austin
Lower Colorado River Authority
3700 Lake Austin Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78703
512 473-3200
Fishing lakes in each state.
021125
Lake Austin in Central Texas.
TEXAS
Information about fishing lakes in Central Texas
Trophy bass fishing in downtown Austin.
