Lake Travis

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, Lake Travis is noted for producing good numbers of largemouth bass, although they tend to run small. Very few trophy largemouth bass have been caught. White bass runs occur in the spring (February-May) in the major creek arms and in the Pedernales River. A low-density striped bass fishery is available in the extreme lower end of the reservoir. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish occur throughout the reservoir.

Lake Travis is dominated by rocky banks, steep cliffs, and clear water typical of a highland reservoir. The water tends to become more stained as one moves up the lake, with some portions of the upper end more closely resembling a flatland type impoundment. In the lower end of the reservoir marinas, floating boat docks, rockpiles, ledges, and steep drop offs provide cover for game fish. When the water is high, largemouth bass anglers should concentrate on the flooded terrestrial vegetation that lines the banks. The upper end of the reservoir will have more flooded vegetation. Many large creeks enter the lake and hold game fish year round.

Largemouth bass anglers have their best success on this reservoir during the spring and fall months. Bass fishing from June through August can be difficult for even the most experienced anglers. Topwater baits such as Zara Spooks, Jumping Minnows, Pop- R's, and suspended jerkbaits are popular with bass anglers. Double willowleaf spinnerbaits with metal flake blades also work well. In Lake Travis, largemouth bass are famous for suspending over points, along drop offs, and in the major marinas. Often a topwater, jerkbait, or spinnerbait pulled near the surface will call them to the top. During the spring, sight fishing for spawning bass is popular among anglers. A jerkbait pulled along the shoreline this time of the year will catch some of the bigger female bass that are waiting to go on the nest. In fall, a big topwater worked on windy main-lake points can be deadly for both numbers and quality-sized largemouth bass. For live-bait fishing, try minnows suspended under corks in the same places where an artificial would work.

For white and striped bass, fishing at night around the lighted boat docks in the lower end of the lake has become popular during winter months. White bass start to run up the major creek arms and into the Pedernales River on their annual spawning run starting in late February or early March. They may stay in these areas until May as they slowly trickle back to the main lake. Anglers can catch these fish using small spinners, jigs, and crankbaits. Striped bass anglers should concentrate their efforts in the lower lake from the dam to the mouth of Sandy Creek. In April and May, these fish often school to chase shad and can be caught using a topwater bait. During the summer, downrigging with bucktail jigs and trailers over submerged humps and deepwater points is often effective. Stripers are not stocked in this lake. They depend entirely on the movement from upstream reservoirs, so their population levels can fluctuate from year to year.

Catfish anglers can find channel, blue, and flathead catfish throughout the reservoir. Blue catfish dominate. Stinkbait and cutbait work well for the blues and channels, while live bait is preferred for large flathead catfish.