Granger Lake

Photos

Overview

Granger Lake is a 4,009-acre, shallow, turbid reservoir on the San Gabriel River northeast of Austin near Granger and Taylor in Williamson County, controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Fishing

Crappie are the most popular sportfish, with large numbers of legal-size fish, according to TPWD. Channel, flathead and blue catfish are present in good numbers, white bass give a consistent fishery, and largemouth bass are marginal.

Species

Crappie, catfish, white bass, largemouth bass.

Techniques

Crappie: 1/16-1/8 oz tube jigs or small and medium minnows. Catfish: stinkbait or cutbait for channels and blues, live bait for flatheads; trotlines and juglines are popular. White bass schooling on shad in summer and early fall.

Seasons

Crappie are best in spring, moving shallow in February and spawning around 56°F; fall is good too. White bass run up the San Gabriel River and Willis Creek arm in spring if inflows allow.

Hotspots

Flooded willows, stumps and laydowns in creeks and the upper end; main-lake humps, ridges and brushy drop-offs in summer; snags in the river portion for catfish.

Regulations

Statewide regulations apply. Check current TPWD bag and length limits before you fish (https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/granger/).

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

4,009 acres; max depth 50 ft; impounded 1980; conservation pool 504 ft msl; moderate fluctuation; no aquatic vegetation. USACE office: (512) 859-2668.

More in Williamson

• Lake Georgetown (TX)