Lady Bird Lake

Photos

Overview

Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) is a 468-acre reservoir on the Colorado River in downtown Austin, controlled by the City of Austin.

Fishing

TPWD says Lady Bird Lake has an excellent largemouth bass population; anglers often catch and release 20-30 bass a day in the 2-3 pound range. Panfishing is good, the lake holds some very large redear and redbreast sunfish, and it is a popular fishery for common carp over 30 pounds.

Species

Predominant species: largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish and common carp.

Techniques

Clear water makes this a good night-fishing lake for bass: cast white spinnerbaits and topwaters or pitch jigs to shoreline cover. Fish minnows under corks along the bank. Use a fly rod or light spinning tackle for sunfish and prepared baits for big carp.

Seasons

Sight fishing for bass during the spring spawn is popular. Barton Creek, which is spring-fed, stays warm in winter.

Hotspots

Shoreline cover (laydown logs, overhanging brush, cypress roots, bulrush and cattails); vegetation on offshore humps near Longhorn Dam; weedbeds in the upper end; the Barton Creek inflow mid-lake on the south side.

Regulations

Special regulations apply to some species. Outboard motors are not allowed; electric trolling motors are. Check current TPWD bag and length limits before you fish (https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/lady_bird/).

Licensing

Texas requires a fishing license with a freshwater endorsement to fish public fresh water. Residents and non-residents under 17 are exempt (TPWD Outdoor Annual: tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses/).

Water facts

468 acres; max depth 18 ft; impounded 1960; conservation pool 428 ft msl; stable level; clear to slightly stained; Eurasian watermilfoil present.

Safety & advisories

TPWD boater advisory: zebra mussels have invaded this reservoir. Clean, drain and dry boats, trailers, livewells and bait buckets before moving to another water; draining is required by law and possessing or transporting zebra mussels is illegal.

Nearby waters

• Lake Austin · 13 km (TX)
• Walter E. Long Lake · 13.7 km (TX)
• Onion Creek · 14.7 km (TX)
• Pedernales River · 37.4 km (TX)
• Lake Travis · 38.3 km (TX)

More in Travis

• Onion Creek (TX)
• Lake Austin (TX)
• Lake Travis (TX)
• Pedernales River (TX)
• Walter E. Long Lake (TX)