Fishing Lake Buchanan

AKA: Buchanan Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Buchanan Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
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Lake Buchanan, TX

Popular Fish Species Lake Buchanan, TX

White Bass Fishing

White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. Numerous successful spawn years have increased the population of white bass in Lake Buchanan, and anglers can expect some great fishing this year. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. Fish near the bottom at night with live bait. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. When white bass chase schools of bait near the surface, spinners, spoons and small crank baits work well. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Lake Buchanan Popular Fish - Striped Bass

Striped Bass Fishing

Due to their large size, striped bass are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Lake Buchanan. They are plentiful, run in schools and can grow to bragging size. In Spring and Fall work the upper end of the lake where water is flowing into the lake. Look for deeper water in the river channel, as a holding place for stripers. In Summer and Winter, stripers hang out in deeper water during the day Morning often draws the stripers to much shallower water, look for them from the surface down to around the 20-foot range as they feed on shallow-running schools of bait. The lake is filled with plenty of baitfish and sunfish to to keep the fishery thriving. Being successful at fishing for stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and the wolf packs of stripers which are likely to be nearby. Fish finders, and forward facing sonar, are a big help in locating these roaming schools. Live bait is very effective here, and stripers can be caught year round.

Lake Buchanan Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

To fish for catfish on Lake Buchanan, most any rod and reel will work, as long as the line is strong enough. Flathead catfish and blue catfish also reside in the lake and fishing for them is often good as well. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment improves success. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. Lake Buchanan has a decent population of channel catfish, and they are eager to bite. The typical fish are about 2 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.

Lake Buchanan Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, white bass, hybrid striped bass, longnose gar and spotted gar at Lake Buchanan in Central Texas.

Widely renown for great striper and white bass fishing, Lake Buchanan is a 22,300-acre reservoir in the south-central part of the state. Over 120 miles of shoreline await anglers fishing from the bank or fishing from a boat. Rocks and brush are the primary cover here but don't overlook the many docks and boathouses around the lake. Five boat ramps are available, one on the west side of the lake and four on the east side. Numerous places around the lake provide access to portage a kayak or canoe.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Buchanan

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Buchanan Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Burnet County Park Public Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off Road 2341, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Cedar Point Boat Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, in the Cedar Point Recreational Area, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a gravel parking.

Llano County Park Public Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Road 261, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Marinas

Thunderbird Lodge Marina
200 Greenwood Hills Trail
Burnet, TX 78611
512 756-4878