What Lake LBJ Offers and Where to Fish It

Lake Lyndon B. Johnson is a 6,400-acre reservoir on the Colorado River between Burnet and Kingsland, about 45 minutes north of Austin. The lake holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, and striped bass, with the best fishing in the deeper channels and around submerged structure. The main body runs roughly north to south, and the Colorado River arm extends east toward Burnet—that arm tends to hold more smallmouth and stripers than the main lake.

The lake sits at elevation, so water temperature swings sharply between seasons. Summer surface temps hit the low 80s, pushing bass deep during midday. Winter can drop to the 40s, concentrating fish in the deepest holes. Spring and fall are the most consistent times to find active fish across a range of depths.

Key Takeaways

  • Lake LBJ holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, and stripers, with the Colorado River arm favoring smallmouth and stripers over the main lake.
  • The lake has three public boat ramps—Burnet Park, Bluffton, and Kingsland Park—each serving different parts of the lake and offering different amenities.
  • Summer fishing requires deep-water tactics and early morning or evening trips, while spring and fall allow you to work shallower structure throughout the day.
  • Catfish bite year-round on cut shad and chicken liver, especially at night, and stripers respond to live shad and topwater lures during low-light periods.
  • The lake is managed by Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), and current conditions, water level, and any temporary closures are posted on their website.

Public Boat Ramps and Where They Put You

Burnet Park, on the north end near Burnet, is the smallest and quietest of the three ramps. It has a single lane, limited parking, and no amenities beyond the ramp itself. Use it if you want to fish the Colorado River arm or the upper lake and prefer fewer boats. There is a small day-use fee.

Bluffton, on the west side roughly midway down the lake, is the most developed. It has two lanes, a fish cleaning station, picnic areas, and better parking. This ramp puts you in the middle of the main lake and is the best choice if you want access to the widest range of water. Day-use fees apply.

Kingsland Park, on the south end near Kingsland, is the largest and busiest. It has multiple lanes, a marina with fuel and supplies, a restaurant, and the most parking. If you need gas, bait, or tackle, this is your stop. It also serves the lower lake and the dam area, where stripers often hold in the deeper water below the spillway.

Bass Fishing: Largemouth and Smallmouth Tactics

Largemouth bass on Lake LBJ respond to the same structure you would target anywhere in Texas—rocky points, submerged timber, and channel ledges. In spring, work the shallower flats and creek channels in 4 to 8 feet of water with crankbaits and soft plastics. As water warms into summer, move deeper and slower. Jigs and Texas-rigged worms in 15 to 25 feet of water produce better than faster presentations.

Smallmouth bass prefer the rockier, clearer water of the Colorado River arm and the upper lake. They hold tighter to structure than largemouth and respond well to drop-shot rigs, small crankbaits, and finesse worms. The river arm has more natural rock and current breaks than the main lake, so if you are targeting smallmouth specifically, spend your time there. Early morning and late evening are most productive year-round.

Fall is the most reliable season for both species. Water cools into the 60s, fish move shallower, and they feed aggressively in preparation for winter. Work the same structure you would in spring, but expect faster action and fewer dead periods during the day.

Catfish and Night Fishing

Catfish bite year-round on Lake LBJ, and night fishing is the standard approach. Cut shad, chicken liver, and stink baits all work. Set out multiple rods along the deeper banks or channel ledges and wait. The best catfish water is usually 20 to 40 feet deep, but they will move into shallower water at night to feed.

Summer nights are most productive because the water is warmest and catfish are most active. Fish from sunset to midnight, then again from 3 a.m. to sunrise. Bring a headlamp, a cooler, and patience. A single night can produce 10 to 20 catfish if you are in the right spot. The dam area below Kingsland Park is a reliable catfish location because deep water is close to shore.

Striped Bass and Live Shad

Stripers on Lake LBJ are most active during spring and fall, and they respond to live shad and large topwater plugs. The dam area and the lower lake hold the most stripers because that is where the deepest, coolest water sits. In summer, stripers retreat to 40+ feet of water and are difficult to reach without specialized electronics and deep-jigging techniques.

Spring striper fishing (March through May) is the most accessible. Fish early morning and late evening with live shad suspended under a float or on a simple slip-sinker rig. Topwater plugs like Zara Spooks and Pencil Poppers work well at dawn and dusk. Fall (September through November) mirrors spring conditions and is equally productive.

If you do not have live shad, you can catch them with a cast net near the dam or buy them at Kingsland Park Marina. Stripers are aggressive feeders, so a 6 to 8-inch shad will draw strikes from fish 15 to 30 pounds.

Seasonal Patterns and Water Conditions

Spring (March to May) brings warming water and active fish across all species. Bass move shallow, stripers feed in the shallows at dawn and dusk, and catfish become more aggressive. This is the easiest season for a visiting angler because fish are not yet pushed deep by heat.

Summer (June to August) is the hardest season. Surface water reaches the low 80s, and most fish retreat to deeper structure. Bass fishing slows dramatically during midday. Early morning (before 8 a.m.) and evening (after 6 p.m.) are your only reliable windows. Catfish and stripers bite better at night.

Fall (September to November) is the most consistent. Water cools into the 60s and 70s, fish move shallower, and they feed aggressively. All species bite throughout the day, and you can cover more water and try more presentations than in summer.

Winter (December to February) slows the bite but does not stop it. Fish are concentrated in the deepest holes. Bass fishing requires patience and slow presentations. Catfish still bite at night. Check the LCRA website before you go—water level can fluctuate significantly in winter due to dam operations.

What to Bring and What to Know

Lake LBJ is clear enough that polarized sunglasses will help you spot structure and fish in shallow water. Bring a good map or GPS unit—the lake has many coves and creek channels, and it is easy to waste time exploring dead water. A depth finder is essential for locating the channel ledges and deeper structure where fish hold in summer.

The lake is open year-round, but wind can make it rough, especially in spring. Check the forecast before you launch. The LCRA manages the lake and posts water level, temperature, and any temporary closures on their website. Fuel and supplies are available at Kingsland Park Marina. Burnet and Kingsland both have restaurants and lodging if you want to make a weekend of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to fish Lake LBJ?

Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are most consistent. Water temperature is moderate, fish are active throughout the day, and you can catch largemouth, smallmouth, catfish, and stripers. Summer is hardest because heat pushes fish deep, but early morning and night fishing still work.

Do I need a boat to fish Lake LBJ?

A boat gives you access to the best structure and deeper water, but you can fish from shore at Bluffton and Kingsland Parks. Shore fishing works best for catfish at night and for bass along the banks in spring and fall. The dam area below Kingsland Park is a good shore-fishing spot for stripers.

Where should I start if I have never fished Lake LBJ before?

Launch at Bluffton if you want to explore the main lake, or Kingsland if you want access to fuel and supplies. Fish the channel ledges in 15 to 25 feet of water with jigs and soft plastics. If you are there in spring or fall, work the shallower banks and creek channels in the morning and evening.

Can I catch stripers without live shad?

Yes. Large topwater plugs and swimbaits work, especially at dawn and dusk. You can also catch live shad with a cast net near the dam, or buy them at Kingsland Park Marina. Live shad is the most reliable option for consistent striper action.

Is there a fish cleaning station at the ramps?

Bluffton and Kingsland Parks both have fish cleaning stations. Burnet Park does not. If you plan to keep catfish or bass, launch at Bluffton or Kingsland.