20 Texas fishing spots worth the weekend road trip

Fischer Park
1935 Hilltop Summit Rd, New Braunfels, (830) 221-4378, nbtexas.org
Fischer Park has two fishing ponds which are stocked annually with channel catfish. Visitors 17 or older must provide a fishing license and may use no more than two poles while fishing.
Photo via Instagram / nbtexasphotos

Paluxy River
Near Bluff Dale, tshaonline.org
Paluxy River is well-known for the amount of dinosaur footprints and fossils within its rock layers, but a hidden gem of the area is the river’s fishing hole. Fly fishing is the most popular form of fishing in the river as anglers are treated with large populations of perch and catfish.
Photo via Instagram / instagramtexas

Mother Neff
1680 Texas 236 Hwy, (254) 853-2389, tpwd.texas.gov
Due to current weather conditions, swimming and fishing is now allowed in Mother Neff at this time. Hiking, camping and geocaching are other activities guests can enjoy in this area.
Photo via Instagram / floyd.pierce

Choke Canyon Reservoir
Live Oak and McMullen Counties, (512) 800-3000, tpwd.texas.gov
Choke Canyon hosts a large population of catfish, bass and sunfish. While this has made the location excellent for fishermen, the amount of fish in the area has also attracted another species looking to make a catch. The American alligator has been known to show up in the area, so while you’re highly encouraged to check out this great fishing spot, those thinking of heading out to the reservoir should prepare for an unwanted visitor.
Photo via Instagram / rgv_outdoorsman

Devils River State Natural Area
21715 Dolan Creek Rd, Del Rio, (830) 395-2133, tpwd.texas.gov
Fishing is encouraged in this natural area, but it’s a one-mile hike from the parking lot to the river, so pack lightly! The location requires all anglers to drain water from their boats and on board receptacle when leaving or entering the waters to stop the spread of zebra mussels, which have become an invasive species in the area.
Photo via Instagram / hikingtexas

Brazos River
brazos.org
The Brazos river is the 11th-longest river in the United States and flows through a number of Texas towns. Fishermen will have the most luck in the area from Possum Kingdom Lake downstream to the Gulf of Mexico. This area of the river, which covers several hundred miles of water, is easily accessible by canoe or kayak. Largemouth and Kentucky spotted bass populate the area, as well as catfish, drum and carp.
Photo via Instagram / bdunay

Lake Placid
On the Guadalupe River watershed in Guadalupe County, tpwd.texas.gov
Not to be confused with the movie of the same name, this Texas fishing spot is bustling with family-friendly activities and easy-to-catch fish. Fish species of the area include white crappie, spotted bass and catfish. The only free public boat ramp is available off exit 605 of Interstate Highway 10.
Photo via Instagram / clos09

South Llano River
1927 Park Rd 73, Junction, (325) 446-3994, tpwd.texas.gov
The headquarters of this river allows visitors to borrow fishing gear and does not enforce a license policy. Younger anglers are encouraged to fish for the first time in this family-friendly spot.
Photo via Instagram / jayce.parkey

Lake McQueeney
Seguin, (830) 379 -5822, gbra.org
Lake McQueeney is located on the Guadalupe River, about five miles west of Seguin. The lake is home to dozens of fish species that will make a normal day on the lake one to remember. Catfish, sunfish and an array of bass all swim in these waters, which is perfect for any fisherman looking to reel in a fine catch.
Photo via Instagram / lakelifeservice

Palmetto State Park
78 Park Rd 11 S, Gonzales, (830) 672-3266, tpwd.texas.gov
Palmetto State Park allows fishing in its portion of the San Marcos River as well as Oxbow Lake, where a fishing pier is available for on-shore fishermen. The park offers fishing equipment to loan and does not require a fishing license.
Photo via Instagram / liz_lens

Falcon State Park
146 Park Rd 46, Roma, (956) 848-5327, tpwd.texas.gov
Falcon State Park offers 84,000-acre fishing area located on the Rio Grande. As with all state parks, fishing licenses are not required. The park has a boat ramp and cleaning station available.
Photo via Instagram / dmun96

Lake Dunlap
New Braunfels, (830) 379-5822, gbra.org
Lake Dunlap is a wildlife lover’s dream. It is home to a variety of aquatic life that range from largemouth bass to catfish, while also hosting a variety of native plant species such as water willow, strap-leaf sagittaria and spatterdock. The only free public access to the lake is a boat ramp located at the overpass of Interstate Highway 35 in New Braunfels, but that shouldn’t stop you from making a visit. The lake hosts calm waters perfect for a number of aquatic activities.
Photo via Instagram / nbhomegirl

Lake Kyle
700 Lehman Rd, Kyle, (512) 262-3939, cityofkyle.com
Lake Kyle’s goal is to have anglers catch at least four fish per hour. This is done by maintaining a strict Catch & Release policy as well as stocking their waters with well-fed fish. A proper license must be displayed.
Photo via Instagram / ashtullis

Boerne City Lake Park
Boerne, (210) 324-9959, ci.boerne.tx.us
Boerne’s beautiful lake is equipped with a boat dock, fishing pier and picnic tables. State fishing laws apply at the lake but trot lines, throw lines and set lines are not allowed.
Photo via Instagram / keglyam

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historical Site
199 Park Rd 52, Stonewall, (830) 644-2252, tpwd.texas.gov
LBJ State Park boasts herds of buffalo, longhorn and white tail deer, but the park’s most interesting wildlife can be found underwater. Unlike many Texas fishing areas, this park offers more than just bass and catfish. Bullheads, carpsuckers and the central stoneroller can be found within the waters of this State Park.
Photo via Instagram / ben.walther

Hill Country State Park
10600 Bandera Creek Rd, Bandera, (830) 796-4413, tpwd.texas.gov
Due to extremely low water levels, fishing and swimming are not available during this time. However, the park still allows visitors to camp and hike.
Photo via Instagram / teri_fields31

Medina River Natural Area
15890 TX-16, (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov
Sprawled across 511 acres, this greenway is a go-to for a quick getaway. Though you’re only able to fish in certain spots, a fishing license lets you spend some time on the water without making the trek outside of SA.
Photo via Instagram / allison_sue_

McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, (512) 243-1643, tpwd.texas.gov
McKinney Falls allows fishing of bass, catfish and sunfish in Onion or Williamson creeks. The falls do not require a fishing license, but the park is a favorite of Austin hikers so fishermen are encouraged to get to the creeks early during its busy seasons.
Photo via Instagram / mmmgolly

Colorado Bend State Park
2236 Park Hill Drive, Bend, (325) 628-3240, tpwd.texas.gov
Colorado Bend State Park offers a large population of white bass, a feature that has given the park the reputation of being one of the best locations to bass fish in Central Texas. The park does not require a fishing license and offers a fish cleaning station.
Photo via Instagram / danielthedoggo11

Live Oak Park
18001 Park Dr, Live Oak, (210) 653 - 9140, liveoaktx.net
Restaurants and shopping malls will entice urban dwellers, while those who need a breath of fresh air are welcome to spend time at the Live Oak Park. The area does not charge a fishing fee but does insist on fishermen providing their fishing licenses.
Photo via Instagram / khnfrhn