Most Austinites prefer to find ourselves near a body of water whenever possible.
Paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming all have their places, but really, who doesn't love finding a shady spot to post up with a fishing pole? We found some of the best places in and around Austin to cast your line.
Remember, if you're over 17, you need a fishing license to fish public waters - you can buy one at the Texas Parks and Wildlife site. You do not need a license to fish from shore in a Texas state park.
Contributed By Kelly McComas
photo credit: @get_the_net_angler
18216 Weiss Ln.
Several fishing piers dot the shores of Lake Pflugerville, which also offers kayak and canoe rentals and walking trails. Cast a line here and you could bring in a largemouth bass, channel catfish, or bluegill. Either way, you'll be surrounded by some beautiful water.
photo credit: @gurltek
6614 Blue Bluff Rd.
Catfish, sunfish, largemouth and hybrid striped bass roam the waters at this conveniently located park, which also boasts picnic tables and grassy park space. Walter E. Long Lake is warm, even in winter, due to its function as a power plant cooling water, which keeps the fish big and the vegetation lush. Entry costs $5 on weekdays and $10 on weekends.
photo credit: @malitajradwan
15108 Wells Port Dr
Mills Pond is a quiet escape from city life with a fishing pier, walking trails, and a floating boat dock that welcomes all non-motorized boats. It's also dog-friendly provided your pup is on a leash. This pond holds mostly catfish, but has been stocked with rainbow trout in the past.
photo credit: @TOASTYTREAT
5808 McKinney Palls Parkway
A short drive from Austin proper, McKinney Falls State Park is a Texan oasis - here, a fishing trip could turn into a multi-day affair, if you choose to set up a tent in one of the park's 81 campsites with electric and water hookups. Bank fishing along Onion Creek offers opportunities to catch bass, sunfish, and catfish. If you get bored of fishing, there are miles of hiking trails - plus, you can take a dip in the falls to cool off. Reservations are recommended!
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photo credit: ATX_Ariel
4529 S SH 130
Barkley Meadows Park contains two bodies of water: the Berdoll pond, where the fishing policy is catch and release only, and Onion Creek, where you can bring your trophies home. The park is shady and peaceful, and allows leashed dogs and kayaks.
photo credit: @TexasFishBum
3300 Brushy Creek Lake Road
Head up to Cedar Park to cast a line in the Brushy Creek Lake, which boasts picnic amenities and pavilions for rent. Non-motorized boats can be launched here if you want to take to the waters, and kayaks are available for rent as well. These waters contain mostly bass.
photo credit: @its_vegas_jay
Access at several points
If you're from Austin, you might call it Town Lake... And you probably know it's actually the Colorado River. Whatever you want to call this body of water, it's got pretty good fishing, and pretty great views of the city, too. Just watch out for paddleboarders!
photo credit: @hello_rooftop
Access at several points
Largemouth bass and more roam these conveniently located waters; Lake Austin is known as a place to snag a trophy in the form of an 8-10 pound fish. For the best luck, cast a line over some underwater vegetation in the morning or evening, as recreational boats can crowd the lake a bit during daytime hours.
photo credit: @Mayvictorian
3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd.
Old Settlers Park is a local favorite with Round Rock residents, and for good reason. A sunset viewed from Bright Lake's fishing pier is almost as memorable as the catfish, perch, and bass stocked by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. And if you don't have any luck on the waters, head to the disc golf area and forget your woes on 600+ acres of courses.
Photo Credit: @crawfather
3401 Redbud Trail
Part amazing dog park, part hidden fishing gem, Red Bud Isle is reachable via car, paddleboard, or kayak, and contains a variety of fish just ripe for the catchin'. One of the reasons this spot is so choice for casting a line is its close proximity to the Tom Miller Dam. Smaller fish such as the shad come through the dam's turbines and are temporarily disoriented, allowing bigger fish like bass, spotted gar, and longnose gar to post up under the dam at Red Bus and feast. That means bigger fish around for you to catch!
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