Fishing Lake Waco

AKA: Waco Lake, Waco Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Waco Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Lake Waco, TX

Popular Fish Species Waco Lake, TX

Lake Waco Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Good fisheries management by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has maintained a quality bass fishery for both quantity and quality. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers. Lake Waco continues to deliver great catches of largemouth bass, as it has for several years now. Recent results by locals, and bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been quite rewarding lately. A significant number of larger bass also roam these waters, so there is always the potential for catching a lunker. Bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If you find them shallow, and they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good options. In winter, spend your time fishing Lake Waco on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Fishing for largemouth bass can range from fair to very good here, year round.

Blue Catfish Fishing

Again this year blue catfish are running in the big to monster size in Lake Waco. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. The lake record is over 80 pounds. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive during spring through summer around any kind of structure. 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. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with cut bait or other popular catfish baits. Other catfish in the lake include channel and flathead catfish.

White Bass Fishing

After numerous, successful spawn years, white bass are again flourishing in Lake Waco and anglers should expect some great fishing this year. White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. 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. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. 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.

Waco Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

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

Located within the city limits of Waco, Lake Waco is a convenient place to wet a line any time you have a short time for fishing. This 7,200-acre lake in the east-central part of the state offers fishing for bass, hybrid striped bass, catfish, white bass, crappie, gar and bluegill.

While the lake does have small amounts of aquatic vegetation, the primary cover for fish and baitfish is the structure of the lake itself - points, humps, islands, creek channels, ledges and old road beds. White bass, hybrids, and to some extent, bass tend to follow schools of baitfish as they move shallow in spring and fall, then when winter or summer sets in they move deeper for more comfortable water conditions and temperature. Spring and early summer is prime time for all three. Catfish are available year round with activity peaking in late spring. Crappie fishing can be very good, especially February through April when they move extremely shallow to spawn. Fish shallow cover for sunfish in spring, then a bit deeper the rest of the year. Several boat ramps make easy launching of pleasure and fishing boats. Numerous places around the lake have access to sections of the 60 miles of shoreline for fishing from the bank and portage of a kayak or canoe.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Waco

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Waco Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Lake Waco Marina and Cove Marina
Rentals: Kayaks
254 717-1901

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Airport Park Boat Ramp
Located on the north side of the lake, off Airport Park, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Airport Park Boat Ramp #2
Located on the north side of the lake, off Airport Park, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Airport Park Boat Ramp #3
Located on the north side of the lake, off Airport Beach Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Flat Rock Boat Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, off Flat Rock Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Koehne Park Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Koehne Park Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Lacy Point Access
Located mid lake, west side, off Classic Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lake Waco Marina Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off McLaughlin Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Midway Park COE Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, southeast side, at the east end of the W Highway 6 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Reynold's Creek Campground Boat Ramp #1
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, south side, off Speegleville Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Reynold's Creek Campground Boat Ramp #2
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, south side, off Speegleville Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Tennant Creek Boat Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, south side, off Classic Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Twin Bridges Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the southwest side of the lake, off Over Flow Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Lake Waco Marina and Cove Marina
3201 Over Flow Rd
Waco, TX 76712
254 717-1901