You may categorize the best six trout fishings Spots in Texas into two: freshwater and saltwater venues. If you prefer Freshwater trout in Texas consider places like Garner State Park, the Canyon Tailrace and the 18 Neighborhood lakes. You will be able to get saltwater trout in Texas in Galveston Bay, Sabine Lake, and East and West Matagorda Bay.
Cowboys, horses, and ranches come to mind when I first come to think of Texas. Maybe you do too. However, now I think of the Lone Star State as an all year round trout fishing haven. Trout fishing has been up and running in Texas for the last three decades, thanks to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
Each season trout are stocked into the creeks, State Parks, lakes and rivers all over Texas in both rural and urban settings, populating these places with various kinds of trout.
This article will review the best six fishing venues in Texas to help you plan and familiarize yourself before your trip.
1. Garner State Park
The first thing I like about fishing in Texas state parks is that fishing is free. You only need to hire fishing gear if you forgot or failed to bring your own. The Frio River delivers freshwater into Garner State Park. As a result, rainbow trout thrive here. What’s more, the TPWD stocks it on an annual basis.
Garner State Park is accommodative of all expert levels, including beginners like your kids. You will find this rainbow trout habitat eight miles to the north of Concan City. It features numerous public access points for fishing and has beautiful scenery.
Garner State Park has become a popular spot for families. It also has camping sites. You will be able to set up camp and take a couple of days of fishing. You will also be able to utilize the colder periods of the day, such as dusk and dawn to catch trout.
2. The Canyon Tailrace
The Guadalupe trail race has been a major source of freshwater trout For years. You will find trout almost any time of the year along the Guadalupe River. The temperatures are cool enough to create a habitable place for the freshwater trout throughout out the year. This is because the Canyon Lake dam releases cool water frequently.
The Canyon Tailrace runs along the Guadalupe River. You will find the Canyon Tailrace below Lake Canyon which is the origin of the Guadalupe River. Fishing is allowed on the trail up to the New Braunfels city.
The Guadalupe River used to be the main and only source of freshwater trout in Texas before the TPWD started stocking the Texas water bodies. The Guadalupe River is the only water body in Texas that supplies trout throughout the year. What’s more, the TPWD frequently stocks the river regularly.
There are some restrictions you need to be wary of before fishing along this trail or on the fisheries long the trail. For example, you can only fish thirty minutes after daylight breaks, and you must stop 30 minutes after Dusk sets in. You may also need to use a watercraft without a motor such as a canoe or a raft.
3. The Neighborhood Lakes
Are you looking to fish in the winter or during cooler months? Are you interested in catching Rainbow trout? The 18 Texas Neighborhood lakes are the best place to start. They offer the convenience of location as they are distributed throughout the Lone Star State. The TPWD stocks these lakes with Rainbow trout between November and March at intervals of 2 weeks.
The Neighborhood lakes are in the following towns and Cities: Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Denton, Hurst, Fort Worth, Duncanville, Mesquite City, San Angelo, Abilene, College Station, Waco, San Angelo, Katy, Spring, Pasadena, Missouri City and two lakes in San Antonio.
As an adult, you need to have a license to fish for trout in any of the Neighborhood lakes. However, your kids aged 16 and under get to fish for free. The Neighborhood lakes feature parks, picnic tables, parking, and restrooms.
The TPWD stocks the lakes at intervals of two and four weeks during winter and summer. August is the only month they forgo trout stock replenishment. You can access the TPWD stocking schedules on the official website. TWPD tries to diversify and stock the lakes with catfish as well.
4. Galveston Bay
Sea trout at the Galveston Bay come are present in large numbers and varying sizes. You will most likely find the huge trout you’ve been longing for here as they are a common sighting. Some anglers argue that Galveston is the best place to catch trophy-size sea trout.
Try looking at the West Bay, Fat Rat Pass and Rollover Pass Once you are in this area, as they are like trout banks. The tactics you employ in these areas are influenced by the movement patterns of the trout. For example, during the mornings and evenings, they tend to appear closer to the shore.
They move to deeper waters as the day gets hotter. You will need to be on the lookout for oyster reefs, channels, and grass flats. These are some of the most popular hideouts for trout in Texas during hot weather. Consider surface baits as you fish for trout here.
Be on the lookout for a lovely cite as the leaps out of the aggressively to catch your bait. Feel free to share a picture or video as the citing never gets old.
5. Sabine Lake
Sabine lake has an all year round supply of spotted sea trout. You will find Sabine lake in Port Arthur. Port Arthur is just half an hour from Beaumont. An exciting fact about this lake is you get to stand or instead float on the border of Texas and Louisiana.
How much trout do you think you can catch in 90,000 acres of Lake Sabine water? Unlike other trout that retreat deeper during the winter, Lake Sabine spotted sea trout are attracted by the mullets. Mullets come to the shores of the lake to feed on some algae. I would advise that you visit either in the fall or winter.
You get more than you anticipated for when you visit Lake Sabine. You get to catch Redfish too. You also get to watch as the Redfish pop out and dive back into the water. Both the trout and redfish will compete for your fish. You also get the thrill of facing competition from bull sharks which visit the lake often in search of food.
6. East And West Matagorda Bay
Do you wish for a 36-inch trout? It would be best if you tried your luck in East and West Matagorda bays. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department attests that large trout can be caught in these sections. You may need to use a four-wheeler motorbike or a boat.
Presence of shrimp attracts sea trout to the Matagorda Bay. Your boat will give you access to the coves along the shorelines. These coves constitute a significant feeding habitat for the trout. With a 4WD vehicle or your four-wheeler, try out the beachfront sections along the Matagorda East Jetty.
The shoreline is 24 miles long, and this provides ample time and space for you to source for trout. Try using topwater bait in these areas.
Freshwater Trout Fishing Spots In Texas
It would be best if you watched the seasons for you to be able to get the most out of freshwater trout fishing in Texas. Freshwater trout are more active in early spring, late fall or winter as they prefer cold temperatures. The TPWD stocks freshwater trout between November and March.
Visit the TPWD to confirm whether any of these areas have been stocked before your trip.
Saltwater Trout Fishing Spots in Texas
Are you looking for spotted seatrout? Most sea trout love brackish and shallow water. You will be able to find them along the Texas coast and the bay systems that start in Florida and stretch to Mexico. Experienced anglers will tell you that sea trout tend to smell like mowed grass or watermelon.
The smell arises from undigested food which the trout vomit from excited feeding. However, as a beginner, I advise that you stick to artificial bait and lures, shad, mullet or shrimp. During spring and summer, you will find the seatrout in estuaries and shallow bays.
As winter approaches, they tend to retreat to the Gulf of Mexico or deeper into the water.
Final Thoughts
Texas has a lot of ample fishing ground for trout. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stocks trout in hundreds and thousands at regular intervals. The various fishing grounds in Texas are accommodative of various needs you may be considering. For example, if you and your family want to stay within the town, look up the closest Neighborhood lakes to you or head out to Garner Park. You will even be able to hire fishing gear in these lakes.
If you are in an adventurous mood, try out locations such as Sabine Lake, Galveston Bay, East, and West Matagorda bays, the Canyon Tailrace or Garner Park. You will also need to put into consideration other factors such as the weather, temperatures, accessibility of the fishing venue, and fishing methods.
The TPWD also has some simple regulations you need to adhere to when you are fishing in Texas. For example, an adult will need a fishing license in most cases. However, Children aged 16 and below can fish for free in Texas.
Source: Chasing Texas Rainbow Trout