They say that a bad day of fishing is better than a good day doing anything else. Obviously, a good day of fishing is better yet, but if you want a good day of fishing, it helps to know where the good fishing spots are. If you’ve been itching to break out the rod and tacklebox and reel in some local bass, catfish, rainbow trout, sunfish, or bluegill, we’ve assembled a list of some of the best fishing spots in Austin (and around the area) where you can toss in a line.
Blue Hole Park, Georgetown
This scenic lagoon is just five blocks north of the downtown square in Georgetown, meaning that it’s convenient to eateries and plenty of other things to do. If the family wants an outing in Georgetown while you reel in a few rainbow trout, everything is right nearby!
Cedar Breaks Park, Georgetown
Situated on a picturesque bluff overlooking Lake Georgetown, Cedar Breaks Park is a perfect place to pitch a tent or enjoy a picnic lunch. It’s also a great place to catch bass, stripers, white crappie, catfish, and more from the fishing dock located just off the campground.
Chandler Park, Georgetown
The south fork of the San Gabriel River winds along the middle of Georgetown, but if you head out toward Lake Georgetown you’ll find Chandler Park, situated along the river’s northern fork. During the warmer weather of spring and summer, it’s a great place to toss in a line and catch some bass.
Ed’s Lake, Santa Rita Ranch
Always good for catch-and-release fishing, Ed’s Lake has the advantage of being right outside your front door, so you’ll never have to fight traffic to reel in a big one! You can meet up with some neighbors at the Hub Clubhouse or the Ranch House either before or after, grab a bite to eat, or just get together to swap fish stories.
Headwaters Preserve, Santa Rita Ranch
When it comes to the best fishing north of Austin, there are few places more breathtaking than the unspoiled beauty of the headwaters of the San Gabriel River. Toss in a line at the Headwaters Preserve right here at Santa Rita Ranch and then stop by the BBQ Barn afterward to tell us about the ones you caught—or the ones that go away!
Lake Georgetown, Georgetown
Cedar Breaks Park isn’t the only place you can reel in a few on Lake Georgetown. In fact, all parts of the lake are open for fishing with a minimal entry fee for day visitors.
Meadow Lake Park, Round Rock
Looking for bass, catfish, panfish, and others? You can always throw in a line at Meadow Lake or even row out to enjoy an afternoon of fishing on the open water. Only boats without onboard motors are allowed, meaning that fishing on the lake is always peaceful and serene.
Old Settlers Park, Round Rock
Another great fishing spot in Round Rock is located in scenic Old Settlers Park. Bright Lake has plenty of easy bank access as well as a fishing pier, so there’s always someplace to catch some largemouth bass, rainbow trout, or catfish. While you’re there, try some disc golf, hit the trails, or enjoy a picnic in one of the park’s many shelters.
Trail Lake, Santa Rita Ranch
Try out your bait and tackle at Trail Lake right here on the Ranch. It’s close enough that you can be home for dinner no matter when you call it a day, and you might even be able to talk your family members into bringing you a snack while you fish.
If you’re fishing north Austin outside the bounds of Santa Rita Ranch, keep in mind that you’ll want to have a valid fishing license that covers whatever you’re hoping to catch. If you’ve got questions, you can always check out the Texas Parks & Wildlife page for more info. If you want to keep up to date with all the fun and exciting stuff that there is to do around the Ranch and throughout our community, just fill out the contact form to subscribe to our Ranch newsletter!
