Pedernales River

Photos

Overview

The Pedernales River flows into Lake Travis. Upstream, Pedernales Falls State Park, about 30 miles west of Austin, is the main public place to fish the river.

Fishing

The state park lists fishing among river activities (with swimming, wading and tubing). TPWD notes white bass run up the Pedernales River from Lake Travis each spring.

Seasons

White bass begin their spawning run into the Pedernales from Lake Travis in late February or early March and may stay until May (TPWD Lake Travis page).

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/).

Access

Pedernales Falls State Park: paddlers put in at the swimming area or Trammell's Crossing Trail; no put-ins or take-outs in the Falls area. Swimming-area access is a strenuous 1/4-mile hike with steep stairs. You do not need a fishing license to fish from the shore in a Texas state park (TPWD Inks Lake State Park page).

Amenities

The park offers campsites with water and electricity, primitive sites, a youth group camp, an equestrian group camp, a bird blind and a park store.

Safety & advisories

The river can rise from a placid stream to a raging torrent in minutes. If water rises or turns muddy, leave the river immediately. Swimming and wading are not allowed in the Pedernales Falls area.

Nearby waters

• Lake Travis · 1.2 km (TX)
• Lake Austin · 25.5 km (TX)
• Lake Lyndon B Johnson · 32.3 km (TX)
• Lady Bird Lake · 37.4 km (TX)
• Lake Georgetown · 40.1 km (TX)
• Inks Lake · 45.6 km (TX)

More in Travis

• Onion Creek (TX)
• Lady Bird Lake (TX)
• Lake Austin (TX)
• Lake Travis (TX)
• Walter E. Long Lake (TX)