Fishing
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8684 LaVillage Avenue
Waco, Texas 76712
(254) 666-5190
John Tibbs, Biologist
Nearby State Parks
Lake Brazos
Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics
Lake Characteristics
Location: Downtown Waco
Surface area: 523 acres
Maximum depth: 12 feet
Impounded: 1965
Water Conditions
Fluctuation: 1-3 feet
Normal Clarity: Somewhat turbid
Reservoir Controlling Authority
City of Waco
City Hall, 1st floor
300 Austin Avenue
PO Box 2570
Waco, Texas 76702-2570
(254) 750-5740
Aquatic Vegetation
Water willow, cattail, bulrush, button bush, Arundo species
Predominant Fish Species
Lake Records
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report
Lake Maps
None available
Fishing Regulations
All species are currently managed under statewide regulations.
Angling Opportunities
Species | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
---|---|---|---|---|
Largemouth bass | ||||
Channel & blue catfish | ||||
Crappie | ||||
White bass | ||||
Striped/palmetto bass | ||||
Sunfish |
Fishing Cover/Structure
Stained to murky water, with a variety of shallow emergent aquatic vegetation, overhanging terrestrial vegetation, isolated laydowns, rip-rap, and submerged artificial structures near fishing piers. Coordinates are available for the artificial structures.
Use the Habitat Structure Viewer for an interactive map of fish habitat structures and downloadable GPS coordinates.
Tips & Tactics
Largemouth bass fishing is at its best in March and April. Areas of the lake protected from the north wind are an excellent place to look for spawning bass at this time of year. Spinner baits and soft plastics are excellent choices. From May through September, look for bass in downed timber next to the river channel. Spinner baits, buzz baits, chuggers, and plastic worms are popular baits.
Crappie fishing can be quite good on Lake Brazos. White crappie predominate, but black crappie are occasionally caught. In the spring, from late February through April, crappie move into water less than two feet deep. The best places to look for spawning crappie are shallow flats next to creek channels. Keep moving to find concentrations of fish. Best catches are usually around standing timber, submerged brush, or aquatic vegetation. In summer, anglers fishing deep brush piles can be successful.
Fishing for channel catfish is generally best in the spring and early summer. Drift fishing from boats as well as bank fishing is popular among rod and reel anglers. Shrimp, blood bait, and stinkbait work well for channel catfish. Anglers after blues and flatheads have their best success with live shad, sunfish, or fresh cut bait. Larger blues are often caught in the winter months.
White bass fishing is best from February through April. Spawning runs up the rivers result in dense concentrations of fish. Trolling or casting jigs and other small baits work well for these schooling fish. Sunfish can be caught using live worms or crickets most of the year, although late spring is best. Fish cover along the shoreline for best results, although bigger fish are usually found on submerged woody cover in deeper water.