TPWD District Fisheries Office

505 Staples Road
San Marcos, Texas 78666
(512) 353-0072
Patrick Ireland, Biologist

About the Area

Local Information

 

Lake Georgetown

Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics


BOATER ADVISORY: Zebra mussels have invaded this reservoir! CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY your boat, trailer, livewells/bait buckets, and other gear before traveling to another water body. Draining water is required by law and possession and transport of zebra mussels is illegal.

Lake Characteristics

Location: Williamson County, just west of Georgetown, 20 miles north of Austin
Surface area: 1,297 acres
Maximum depth: 85 feet
Impounded: 1980

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation: 791 ft. msl
Fluctuation: 5 - 30 feet annually
Normal Clarity: Clear to slightly stained

Reservoir Controlling Authority

United States Army Corps of Engineers
500 Cedar Breaks Road
Georgetown, Texas 78628
(512) 930-LAKE (5253)

Aquatic Vegetation

None

Predominant Fish Species

Lake Records
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

The USACE (512) 930-5253 offers a map of the lake. This map does not contain lake contours. 

Fishing Regulations

All species are currently managed under statewide regulations.

Angling Opportunities

Lake Georgetown contains a high density largemouth bass population. Several catches of largemouth over 10 pounds have been documented in the past. A moderately low-density smallmouth bass population seems limited to the lower end of the reservoir. The reservoir also has a good white bass population with runs occurring up the North Fork of the San Gabriel River in the spring (February-May). Lake Georgetown also supports a low-density white crappie population. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish are present in the reservoir.

Species Poor Fair Good Excellent
Largemouth bass     yes  
Smallmouth bass   yes    
Catfish     yes  
Crappie yes      
White bass       yes
Hybrid striped bass     yes  
Sunfish     yes  
Fishing Cover/Structure

Lake Georgetown is a typical highland type reservoir with steeply sloping banks covered with limestone rock in sizes ranging from gravel to boulders. Water fluctuations are common and prevent aquatic vegetation from establishing itself. Most of the shoreline is owned by the USACE. As a result, private boat docks and boat houses are not present along the water's edge. As one travels up the reservoir, the water clarity changes from clear to slightly stained. A moderate amount of standing timber can be found in the backs of coves and along some shoreline areas, but most cover/structure is in the form of rock ledges and boulders. Cedar-tree fish habitat have been added to provide additional structure.

Use the Habitat Structure Viewer for an interactive map of fish habitat structures and downloadable GPS coordinates.

Tips & Tactics

Largemouth bass anglers have their best success on this reservoir during the spring and fall. During the hot summer months, largemouth bass anglers will experience greater success fishing at night. In the lower section of the reservoir where the water generally remains clear, topwater lures, metal flake willowleaf spinnerbaits, and shallow- to medium-depth crankbaits work well along rocky banks. Do not be surprised to catch a few smallmouth bass using this technique. In mid and upper sections of the reservoir, casting jigs, soft/hard jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits to wood or rock cover might bring strikes from hungry largemouth bass.

Starting in February, white bass begin their annual spawning run up the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. Productive lures for white bass include twister tail jigs, small hair jigs, small crankbaits, and small topwaters. Live bait fishing with minnows is also productive. Catfish anglers can find channel, blue, and flathead catfish throughout the reservoir. Stinkbaits and cutbaits work well for the blues and channels, while live bait is preferred for large flathead catfish.