Town Lake
Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics
Lake Characteristics
Location: On the Colorado River in the
heart of the city of Austin
Surface area: 468 acres
Maximum depth: 18 feet
Impounded: 1960
Water Conditions
Conservation Pool Elevation: 428 ft. msl
Fluctuation: Stable
Normal Clarity: Clear to slightly stained
Reservoir Controlling Authority
City of Austin
124 W. 8th
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 974-6700
Aquatic Vegetation
Water stargrass
Predominant Fish Species
Lake Maps
No detailed contour maps are available through the controlling authority. A few commercial maps are available.
Fishing Regulations
Statewide regulations apply to all species with the exception of largemouth bass, which has a 14-21 inch slot limit. Bass between 14 and 21 inches must be immediately released. Five bass under 14 inches or four bass less than 14 inches and one bass greater than 21 inches may be retained per day. Only one bass greater than 21" in length may be kept per day.
Angling Opportunities
Town Lake contains an excellent population of largemouth bass. It is not uncommon for anglers to catch and release 20-30 bass per day in the 2-3 pound size range. Quality panfishing is also available. This reservoir contains some very large redear and redbreast sunfish. Prospects for catfish are poor.
| Species | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass |  |
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| Catfish |  |
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| Sunfish |  |
Fishing Cover/Structure
Most of the cover on this reservoir is located along the bank and consists of laydown logs and trees, overhanging brush, cypress tree roots, bulrush, and cattails. Some submerged aquatic vegetation can be found in the lower end of the lake near the Longhorn Dam. This vegetation grows on humps located offshore. There are also some weedbeds in the upper end of the lake. Holly Street Power Plant at the lower end of the reservoir generates warm water that attracts fish during the winter months. Barton Creek enters on the south side at approximately mid-lake. The water temperature in this spring-fed creek remains warm during the winter.
Tips & Tactics
Because of the clear water conditions, this can be an excellent night fishing lake for largemouth bass. Casting white spinnerbaits and topwaters or pitching jigs with medium to medium-heavy bait casting tackle to the shoreline cover often works well. For live-bait fishing try minnows suspended under corks along the shoreline cover. In winter, the lower end of the lake near the Holly Street Power Plant can be excellent due to the influx of warm water. When current is being generated, look for bass to position themselves among the numerous laydowns along the bank and be actively feeding. Sight fishing for bass during the spring spawn is also popular. Sunfish are fun to catch on a fly rod or with light spinning tackle.
