Walter E. Long Lake

Photos

Overview

Walter E. Long Lake, also known as Decker Lake, is a 1,269-acre power-plant cooling reservoir just east of Austin in Travis County, controlled by the City of Austin.

Fishing

TPWD says it has excellent largemouth bass and hybrid striped bass populations. It is known for good numbers of slot-size (14-21 inch) bass, and 8-10 pound bass are commonly caught. Hybrids are stocked annually and fish over 5 pounds are prevalent. Bluegill and redbreast often run over 8 inches; channel and flathead catfish are present in low numbers.

Species

Largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish.

Techniques

Pitch or flip plastic worms and jigs into bulrush; topwaters early and late; lipless crankbaits over submerged grass; live shad, bucktail jigs or jigging spoons for hybrids; meal worms, crickets or worm pieces under floats for sunfish.

Seasons

In summer, look for bass and hybrids schooling on shad. Water stays warm in winter when the power plant is running.

Hotspots

Bulrush around the perimeter, edges of hydrilla and pondweed, creek channels, drop-offs and submerged tank dams. Part of the discharge canal is open to boat fishing.

Regulations

Special regulations apply to some species. Check current TPWD bag and length limits before you fish (https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/walter_long/).

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

1,269 acres; max depth 60 ft; impounded 1967; normal level 555 ft msl; nearly constant; most shoreline owned by the City of Austin with no private docks.

Nearby waters

• Onion Creek · 10.3 km (TX)
• Lady Bird Lake · 13.7 km (TX)
• Lake Austin · 21 km (TX)

More in Travis

• Onion Creek (TX)
• Lady Bird Lake (TX)
• Lake Austin (TX)
• Lake Travis (TX)
• Pedernales River (TX)