Largemouth bass can be found in lakes LBJ, Buchanan, and Travis in the Highland Lakes chain. Courtesy photos
Check out where and what anglers are reeling in from the Highland Lakes and Llano River.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
In Texas, the largemouth bass is probably the undisputed top target of most anglers. And why not? It’s found in all of the Highland Lakes and known for aggressively hitting a lure or bait.
Lake LBJ gets a lot of attention for its largemouth bass fishing, but don’t overlook the big lake to the north, Lake Buchanan. As largemouth lakes go, it flies under the radar but is a great destination for this favored fish.
To the southwest, Lake Travis gets a nod as a largemouth lake as well.
GUADALUPE BASS
The state fish of Texas, the Guadalupe bass prefers flowing waters. That’s why you’ll find it in the Llano River, particularly from Castell down to Llano. You can also land one in parts of the Colorado River as well as Lake Travis. Though not as large as its cousin, the largemouth, the Guadalupe puts up a fight.
WHITE BASS
Anglers focus on white bass during late winter and early spring when spawning runs begin. The Colorado River above Lake Buchanan is a good place to catch them when spawning, but don’t overlook the Llano and Colorado rivers above Lake LBJ.
STRIPED BASS (HYBRID)
Lake Buchanan ranks as the go-to lake for this species, though it’s found in other Highland Lakes as well. Lake Buchanan Conservation Corp. and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regularly stock hybrid stripers in Lake Buchanan.
CATFISH
The best spot in the Highland Lakes for the biggest catfish is Lake Buchanan, especially in the winter.
Lake Travis and Lake LBJ are good choices as well, but the chain’s biggest lake boasts the biggest fish, whether blue, channel, or flathead.
BLACK AND WHITE CRAPPIE
Crappie (pronounced crop-ee) is the most popular panfish in Texas and only behind bass as an overall favorite. It’s fun to catch and great to eat. Lake LBJ is a good choice for crappie fishing.
SUNFISH (PERCH)
The sunfish group consists of bluegill, redbreast, green, longear, and redear. Catch one with a bobber and a worm or a small lure. Using a fly rod or ultralight gear, sunfishing is a fun outing, especially for kids.
Found in all of the Highland Lakes as well as area rivers, the fish is prolific in Lake Travis and Inks Lake. In fact, Inks Lake State Park has brush piles near the fishing piers to lure in bluegill.
CARP (COMMON)
Classified as a non-game species in Texas, the common carp is a fighter. It’s found in the Highland Lakes as well as in area rivers. Lake Travis and Lake LBJ are good haunts for this fish.
RAINBOW TROUT
A cold-water species, the rainbow trout isn’t typically found in the Highland Lakes. During the winter, however, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stocks them in the Llano River from Castell downstream. It’s a good fighter and colorful.
Since rainbow trout will usually die as spring warms the waters, anglers are encouraged to keep what they catch. Stockings begin in December.
