Lake Travis, TX Fishing Report & Live Conditions

Lake Travis, TX fishing report

Lake Travis is a long, canyon-shaped Highland Lakes reservoir on the lower Colorado River, and it holds a solid mix of largemouth, white bass, and striped bass that each peak at different times of year. Largemouth dominate the upper, shallower creek arms and tend to be most active during the spring spawn and again in fall when water cools into the low 60s. White bass and striped bass are the real draw in late winter and early spring when they stage in big schools and push shad toward the surface, often producing fast, aggressive action. Summer stratification pushes stripers deep, and they can be sluggish until temperatures drop again in October.

During the striper and white bass runs, follow diving birds and watch your electronics for suspended shad schools near main-lake points and the deeper river channel. Jigging chrome or silver spoons, swimbaits, and topwater lures through breaking fish is highly effective. For largemouth, work rocky bluff walls and submerged cedar structure in the creek arms with Texas-rigged soft plastics, finesse worms, or jigs. When surface temperatures climb above 85 degrees in summer, shift to early-morning or night fishing and target largemouth tight to shaded docks and deeper brush piles. Let water temperature and baitfish location drive every decision on this lake.