Lady Bird Lake Fishing Guide
Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Boatsetter Team
Lady Bird Lake, a 468-acre reservoir formed on the Colorado River, sits in downtown Austin, TX yet has amazingly good fishing. The water is surprisingly clean and clear most of the time (heavy rainfall can change this), and there’s plenty of cover along the shorelines and in the form of trees, brush, and bridge pilings. And although you can’t run gasoline outboards on the lake, boats with electric motors and self-propelled fishing machines like kayaks or paddleboards are allowed.
Browse fishing boat rentals around Lady Bird Lake
Fishing Opportunities at Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake has a number of species, but by far the most popular is largemouth bass. This should come as no surprise since largemouth bass also happen to be the nation’s favorite freshwater gamefish. What is surprising, however, is just how many bass are living right in the shadow of Austin’s skyscrapers. In fact, it’s not unusual for anglers to catch a dozen or more fish in a single outing. They have a good average size, too, coming in at two to three pounds with five-pound bass being relatively common.
Another interesting opportunity that draws some attention from anglers here is the carp fishing. While some people frown upon carp, others enjoy targeting this species for its fighting ability and size. The carp here offer a big-game target and 20- to 30-pounders aren’t uncommon. If you want to do battle with the largest beast possible, you should definitely enjoy carp fishing in Lady Bird Lake.
Finally, some anglers will focus on the sunfish fishing. While sunfish may not get the spotlight very often, the ones found in Lady Bird Lake do tend to be much larger than average.
How to Fish Lady Bird Lake
Bass anglers will generally work shoreline structure with lures like topwater, spinnerbaits, and jigs, casting under overhanging tree branches or next to deadfall. An effective technique boat or kayak anglers will often employ is fishing plastic worms over mid-lake structure and around the bridge pilings. You’ll also see kayak anglers slow-trolling crankbaits and lipped plugs through the lake. Shoreline anglers cast lures like crankbaits and spinnerbaits as well, although due to the limited mobility many will simply suspend a minnow under a bobber, cast it out, and wait for a bite.
Those searching for big carp usually cast out a prepared carp bait on a hook, weighted down with a split-shot to two to keep it on bottom. This can be store bought or made at home by mixing cornmeal, flour, and a bit of sugar, adding some water, and making dough balls. Boil the balls for a few minutes in water with a dash of honey or Kero syrup, then sit them out to cool before packing them up for fishing. Sometimes kernels of canned corn or small earthworms will get the carp biting, too.
As for the sunfish, any standard tactic will work. A plain old bit of earthworm under a bobber, micro-jigs, or flies will all get them biting. Sunfish are usually the most cooperative fish around when it comes to getting them to bite, and they’ll strike at virtually any bait or lure small enough for them to eat.
FAQs
What Kind of Fish are in Lady Bird Lake?
Largemouth bass, carp, sunfish, and channel catfish are the dominant species, but there are a number of others that could pop up. Crappie are caught at times, an occasional striped bass gets reported, and even a giant 30-pound koi was documented in Lady Bird Lake
Do I need a license to go fishing in Lady Bird Lake?
Yes, with some exceptions; see the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fishing license webpage for the details.
What else do I need to know to go fishing in Lady Bird Lake?
Lady Bird Lake does have some special regulations, and due to the spread of invasive zebra mussels boats must be fully drained prior to launch and after removal. See the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Fishing Regulations for Lady Bird Lake webpage to get more information.
For more information on fishing near the city of Austin, see Fishing on Lake Travis Guide. For more information on other boating opportunities in the area, see Boating in Austin, Texas.
With over three decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to dozens of boating and fishing publications and websites ranging from BoatU.S. Magazine to BDOutdoors.com. Rudow is currently the Angler in Chief at Rudow’s FishTalk, he is a past president of Boating Writers International (BWI), a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.
