Texas offers amazing river fishing opportunities spanning from swift flowing streams to massive drainage systems. Flowing from west Texas down to the Gulf of Mexico, rivers provide outstanding habitat for bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish and more. Wade fishing small creeks or kayak larger rivers allows accessing excellent fishing. Here are five of the top river fisheries every angler should target in the Lone Star State.
Why Fish Texas Rivers?
Texas rivers offer many advantages for anglers:
- Moving water attracts fish and concentrates them around current breaks.
- Diversity of species with bass, catfish, trout, perch, panfish, and more.
- Cooler water temperatures during hot summer months.
- Rivers receive less fishing pressure than lakes and reservoirs.
- Backwaters, oxbows, and flooded timber create excellent spawning and feeding areas.
- Wading or kayaks allow stealthy approaches to fish.
- Outstanding scenery along spring-fed rivers and streams.
Now let’s explore five prime examples of Texas river fishing at its best.
Guadalupe River
Flowing through the Texas Hill Country near San Antonio, the renowned Guadalupe River offers beautiful trout fishing as well as bass and sunfish opportunities. Sections are stocked with sizable rainbow trout during winter months that grow large on abundant forage. Wade fish for trout along limestone ledges, riffles, and deep pools. Bass and panfish hold near fallen trees, rocks, and eddies. State parks provide excellent access.
Devils River
Running through rugged canyons southwest of San Antonio, the unspoiled Devils River offers amazing smallmouth bass fishing. This limestone bottomed river holds thousands of scrappy smallmouth bass that feast on crawfish. Target eddies, current breaks, undercut banks, and mid-river boulder fields. Plastic grubs on jig heads, tube jigs, small crankbaits, and spinnerbaits all produce. Float the river by kayak or canoe for best access.
South Llano River
Located in the Edwards Plateau region west of Austin, the South Llano River is famous for trophy-sized Guadalupe bass. Growing larger than smallmouth, these aggressive battlers put on great topwater strikes on poppers and walking baits. Wade fish using craw-pattern crankbaits bounced off bedrock ledges and downed trees. State and county parks offer fishing access and sandy swimming areas.
Sabine River
On the Texas/Louisiana border, the Sabine River provides excellent fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. Flowing through bayou country, the tannin-stained river holds hearty populations of fish. Target bass around backwater timber with spinnerbaits and soft plastic worms. For cats, soak cut bait in eddy current seams. Crappie congregate near brushy shoreline cover and bridges. State parks offer boat ramp access.
Lower Laguna Madre
Feeding into the Lower Laguna Madre along the southern Texas Gulf Coast, the Arroyo Colorado and other rivers bring nutrients that support fantastic inshore fishing. Redfish, speckled trout, and flounder prowl the shallow bays and backwaters searching for food. Wade fishing allows stealthy approaches to fish holding near grass and mangrove outlets. Top lures include shrimp imitations, soft plastic tails, topwater plugs at dawn, and light jig heads.
Exploring the diversity of river ecosystems found across Texas promises anglers exciting adventures and great fishing stories. River fishing in the Lone Star State has something to offer every freshwater fisherman
