Lake Travis is a 63-mile-long reservoir built for flood control and power generation, and it holds some of the best largemouth bass and striped bass fishing in Texas

Lake Travis stretches from the Mansfield Dam northwest of Austin all the way up the Colorado River to Burnet County. The lake covers roughly 18,500 acres at full pool and reaches depths over 200 feet in the main channel. Because it's a flood-control project run by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), water levels swing significantly — sometimes 30 to 40 feet between summer and winter — which changes where fish hold and how you fish them.

The largemouth bass here run large and hungry. Striped bass (often called stripers) school aggressively in the main channel and deeper structure. Catfish, crappie, and sunfish fill out the roster. The lake's size means you can find solitude on weekday mornings, but weekends and holidays draw heavy boat traffic, especially near the dam and popular launch ramps.

Key Takeaways

  • Lake Travis has two distinct seasons: spring spawning runs (February through May) when bass move shallow, and summer through fall when they retreat to deep channel structure and stripers hunt in open water.
  • Water level changes of 30 to 40 feet per year mean the shoreline and shallow structure shift constantly, so ask other anglers or check LCRA's daily lake level before you fish a familiar spot.
  • Public boat ramps operate at multiple locations around the lake, but some close temporarily when water levels drop below certain thresholds, so call ahead during drought or winter drawdown.
  • The main channel from the dam north holds the deepest water and the most stripers; the upper arms and creek channels hold largemouth bass and structure-oriented species.
  • Weekday mornings offer calmer water and fewer boats; weekends and holidays see heavy traffic near the dam and popular parks.

Where to Launch and Which Ramps Stay Open

The LCRA maintains public boat ramps at several locations around Lake Travis. The most reliable year-round ramp is at Mansfield Dam Park, on the south shore just below the dam. This ramp has good parking, restrooms, and a bait shop nearby. Pace Bend Park (northwest of Austin on the west shore) offers a large ramp and day-use facilities, though it can get crowded on weekends.

Burnet Park, further north on the west shore, provides access to the upper lake and is less crowded than the southern ramps. Walnut Creek Park on the east shore is smaller but useful if you want to avoid the main-dam traffic. During winter drawdown or drought, water levels can drop enough to close some ramps temporarily. Before you drive out, call the LCRA at their main line or check their website for current lake level and ramp status — a closed ramp wastes a morning.

Private marinas around the lake (such as those at Lakeway and near Burnet) offer fuel, tackle, and sometimes guide services, though they charge launch fees. If you're new to the lake, a guide can show you where fish are holding given the current water level and season.

Spring: Largemouth Bass Move Shallow to Spawn

From February through May, largemouth bass move into water 2 to 8 feet deep to spawn. The best fishing happens in the creek channels and coves on the upper lake — areas like Cypress Creek, Walnut Creek, and the San Gabriel River arm. These shallow, weedy areas warm faster than the main lake and attract spawning bass early in the season.

Fish soft plastics (4- to 6-inch worms or creature baits) on light Texas rigs around submerged timber, grass beds, and rocky banks. Early morning and late afternoon produce the most strikes. As water warms through April and May, bass move slightly deeper and become less aggressive, but the upper lake remains more productive than the main channel during spring.

Striped bass also move shallow in spring, but they're less predictable than largemouths. Look for them in the main channel where creeks enter, especially where current flows from the dam. Live shad or large swimbaits work better for stripers than soft plastics.

Summer Through Fall: Deep Structure and Open Water

By June, water temperatures climb above 85 degrees and largemouth bass retreat to deeper structure — submerged timber, rock ledges, and channel drops in 15 to 30 feet of water. The main channel from the dam north becomes the most productive zone. Fish early and late in the day; midday heat pushes bass deeper and makes them less active.

Striped bass school in open water during summer and fall, hunting shad in the main channel and around the dam. Trolling large swimbaits or live shad works well, as does casting to schooling fish when you spot them breaking the surface. Stripers are aggressive and will chase baits, so you don't need finesse — power and speed matter more than in spring.

Catfish bite well all summer, especially at night. Fish cut shad or stink baits on the bottom in deeper holes. Many anglers fish from shore near the dam or from boats anchored in 20 to 40 feet of water. Crappie and sunfish hold around submerged brush and fallen trees; light spinning gear and small jigs or live minnows work well.

How Water Level Changes Affect Your Fishing

Lake Travis drops significantly in winter (November through January) as the LCRA releases water for downstream needs. This drawdown can lower the lake 30 to 40 feet, exposing old creek channels and changing where fish hold. Shallow coves that held bass in fall become too shallow or dry out entirely. Fish move to the main channel and deeper holes.

During drawdown, focus on the old creek channels and the deepest parts of the main lake. Stripers concentrate in these deep zones and bite well on live shad or large swimbaits. Largemouth bass scatter but are less active in cold water, so fish slowly and deliberately.

When water levels rise again in spring (usually March through May), the reverse happens: shallow areas refill, vegetation grows back, and bass move shallow to spawn. The LCRA publishes daily lake levels on their website. Check the level before you fish a familiar spot, especially if you haven't been out in a few weeks — a 10-foot change can make a productive area unproductive.

Tackle and Techniques for Lake Travis Species

For largemouth bass, bring a medium-power spinning or baitcasting rod (6 to 7 feet) with 10- to 15-pound braided line. Soft plastics (worms, creature baits, swimbaits) on Texas rigs or jigheads work year-round. Crankbaits and topwater lures produce in spring and early summer. Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits work well around shallow cover.

For striped bass, use a heavier rod (7 to 8 feet, medium-heavy power) with 15- to 20-pound braided line. Live shad (4 to 6 inches) on a simple slip-sinker rig is effective. Large swimbaits (6 to 8 inches) on jigheads or weighted hooks work for casting and trolling. Stripers hit hard and run fast, so strong gear prevents break-offs.

For catfish, a medium-heavy spinning or conventional rod with 20- to 30-pound line handles cut shad and stink baits. Fish on the bottom with a simple three-way rig or slip-sinker setup. Catfish don't require finesse, but they do require patience — set the rod in a holder and wait.

Avoiding Crowds and Finding Quiet Water

Weekday mornings, especially Tuesday through Thursday, offer the calmest conditions and fewest boats. Launch early (before 7 a.m.) and head to the upper lake or side creeks away from the main dam area. Cypress Creek, Walnut Creek, and the San Gabriel River arm see far less traffic than the southern ramps.

Holidays and summer weekends bring heavy boat traffic, particularly near Mansfield Dam and Pace Bend Park. If you fish these times, launch very early or fish the upper lake where fewer people venture. Evening fishing (two hours before sunset through dark) also reduces boat traffic and can produce excellent results, especially for stripers and catfish.

Winter weekdays are often the quietest time on the lake. Water is cold and fewer recreational anglers fish, so you'll have long stretches of shoreline and open water to yourself. The trade-off is slower fishing and the need for patience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of year to fish Lake Travis?

Spring (February through May) offers the most consistent largemouth bass action as they move shallow to spawn. Summer through fall produces excellent striped bass fishing in open water and deep structure. Winter is quieter and less crowded, but fish are less active and require slower presentations. Choose based on what species you want and how much boat traffic you can tolerate.

Do I need a guide to fish Lake Travis?

No, but the lake's size and water-level changes make a guide valuable if you're new to it. A guide can show you current structure, where fish are holding given the season and water level, and which techniques work best. Many guides operate out of marinas around the lake and charge by the half or full day.

What happens if my boat ramp closes due to low water?

Check the LCRA website or call ahead before you launch. If your preferred ramp is closed, use an alternative ramp on the same shore or drive to a different part of the lake. Some private marinas stay open at lower levels because they have deeper channels, though you'll pay a launch fee.

Can I fish from shore at Lake Travis?

Yes. Mansfield Dam Park, Pace Bend Park, and several other LCRA parks allow shore fishing. The dam itself and the areas immediately below it are popular for catfish and stripers. Shore fishing is free and requires no boat, though you'll have less access to deep structure and open water than boat anglers.

What's the difference between largemouth and striped bass on Lake Travis?

Largemouth bass are solitary or in small groups, prefer shallow cover and structure, and bite soft plastics and crankbaits. Striped bass school in open water, hunt shad aggressively, and prefer live bait or large swimbaits. Stripers grow larger and fight harder, but largemouths are more predictable and easier for beginners to catch.