Lake Buchanan Fishing
Where to launch, what TPWD rates as the best fishing, the lake records and today's level on 22,211 acres in Burnet County County and Llano County.
- 22,211acres
- 132 ftmax depth
- 6boat ramps
- 11.73 lbrecord bass
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
Lake Buchanan, Texas at a glance
Lake Buchanan covers 22,211 acres with a maximum depth of 132 feet and has held water since 1937. TPWD lists it in the Hill Country region, in Burnet County County and Llano County. Location: on the Colorado River in Burnet County and Llano counties, west of the town of Burnet.
TPWD biologists rate catfish and white & striped bass as excellent here; largemouth bass rate good.
A 11.73 pound largemouth from 2026 still stands as the Lake Buchanan bass record.
Water clarity is usually clear at the dam; gradually becomes more turbid as you move upstream; vegetation includes no significant aquatic vegetation; water level fluctuation is described as considerable.
Controlling authority: Lower Colorado River Authority (512) 473-3200 or 1(800) 776-5272. Lake Buchanan facts from the TPWD lake page, checked October 2026.
Water level at Lake Buchanan today
TWDB reservoir data for Lake Buchanan, refreshed each hour.
Texas Water Development Board, Water Data for Texas, reading dated 2026-10-09. Retrieved Oct 9, 2026 5:07 am ET. 30 day chart on TWDB.
USGS has no current reading for these gauges.
What bites at Lake Buchanan
TPWD survey ratings for Lake Buchanan, species by species.
Excellent is 4 and poor is 1 on this chart.
Predominant species: Largemouth bass, White bass, Striped Bass, Catfish.
Lake Buchanan lake records
Record fish from Lake Buchanan, heaviest first.
| Species | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue catfish | 65.2 | 44 | 2008-03-08 |
| Flathead catfish | 45.4 | 42.5 | 2024-03-30 |
| Smallmouth buffalo | 45 | 40 | 2008-02-20 |
| Striped bass | 27.8 | 41 | 1990-04-08 |
| Longnose gar | 18.2 | 55 | 2020-07-16 |
| Freshwater drum | 17.5 | 31 | 2004-08-07 |
| Common carp | 12.75 | 31 | 2011-04-10 |
| Largemouth bass | 11.73 | 2026-03-06 | |
| Channel catfish | 9.5 | 28.75 | 2003-06-09 |
| Hybrid striped bass | 7.9 | 26.25 | 2016-04-15 |
| White bass | 3.55 | 21.5 | 2018-03-10 |
| Guadalupe bass | 3.3 | 18 | 2021-03-18 |
Lake Buchanan records: TPWD water body records, list updated October 8, 2026. Retrieved October 2026.
Boat ramps and access on Lake Buchanan
TPWD lists 7 access points on this lake, 6 with a boat ramp and 0 with a marina.
Buchanan Dam
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas.
Burnet County Park
Two lane ramp; no fee; parking, picnic areas.
Thunderbird Lodge
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, courtesy docks. (512) 756-4878
Canyon of the Eagles
Fee charged; restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas. (800) 977-0081
Colorado Bend State Park
Boat ramp; fee charged. (915) 628-3240
Cedar Point
Boat ramp; restrooms, parking, camping. (800) 776-5272
Llano County/Blackrock Park
Two lane ramp; no fee; restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping. (800) 776-5272
TPWD access layer (4 points) and the TPWD Lake Buchanan ramp list, checked October 2026.
Fishing limits at Lake Buchanan
Lake Buchanan follows the statewide freshwater limits below.
| Species | Daily bag | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | 5 | 14 in minimum |
| Striped bass | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| Hybrid striped bass | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| White bass | 25 | 10 in minimum |
| Flathead catfish | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| White crappie | 25 | 10 in minimum |
| Black crappie | 25 | 10 in minimum |
Limits for Lake Buchanan from the TPWD Outdoor Annual, 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027), checked October 2026.
Fish stocked in Lake Buchanan
| Year | Species | Number | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunshine bass | 1,100,740 | Fry |
| 2026 | Striped bass | 107,005 | Fingerling |
| 2025 | Sunshine bass | 1,035,130 | Fry |
| 2025 | Striped bass | 238,877 | Fingerling |
| 2024 | Sunshine bass | 1,000,000 | Fry |
| 2024 | Striped bass | 163,637 | Fingerling |
Lake Buchanan stocking: TPWD stocking by water body, retrieved October 2026.
Tournaments on Lake Buchanan
| Date | Event | Organizer | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-22 | 2026 TBN North Central Region Club Qualifier – Lake Buchanan | Texas B.A.S.S. Nation | completed |
Tournament dates for Lake Buchanan from each organizer, retrieved October 2026.
Shops and guides near Lake Buchanan
- Paradise Point Fishing DockTow, 7 miles north of the lake, (325) 379-2222
- Red Top Bait Shop Inc.Burnet, 8 miles east of the lake, (512) 756-4606
- Bosstriper Guide ServiceFreshwater guide, (512) 529-7429
Shops within 30 miles of Lake Buchanan: OpenStreetMap contributors and store lists, retrieved October 2026.
Lakes and towns near Lake Buchanan
Inks Lake
2 miles southeast, 831 acres
Lake Lyndon B. Johnson
14 miles south, 6,449 acres
Lake Marble Falls
17 miles southeast, 611 acres
Lake Travis
39 miles southeast, 18,622 acres
- Buchanan DamLlano County, 5 miles northwest
- KingslandLlano County, 6 miles south
- TowLlano County, 10 miles north
- BurnetBurnet County, 11 miles east
- Llano CountyFishing access across the county
Questions about fishing Lake Buchanan
How big is Lake Buchanan?
Lake Buchanan covers 22,211 surface acres and is 132 feet deep at its deepest point, according to TPWD.
When was Lake Buchanan built?
The reservoir was impounded in 1937 on Colorado River.
What is the Lake Buchanan record largemouth bass?
The lake record largemouth bass weighed 11.73 pounds, caught 2026-03-06, per TPWD water body records.
What other lake records does Lake Buchanan hold?
Blue catfish 65.2 lb; Flathead catfish 45.4 lb; Smallmouth buffalo 45 lb.
What fish are best at Lake Buchanan?
TPWD rates largemouth bass good; catfish excellent; crappie fair; white & striped bass excellent; sunfish fair.
How many boat ramps are on Lake Buchanan?
TPWD lists 6 boat ramps on Lake Buchanan, and 2 of them charge no fee.
How do I check the water level at Lake Buchanan?
The Lake Buchanan level box on this page refreshes hourly from TWDB and shows the gap to full pool.
What are the fishing limits at Lake Buchanan?
No special rules at Lake Buchanan. The statewide largemouth limit is 5 fish, 14 inch minimum.
Is Lake Buchanan stocked?
Yes. TPWD stocked 1,100,740 fry sunshine bass in 2026, and 6 stocking events are on record since 2024.
Are there fishing tournaments on Lake Buchanan?
Most recent: 2026 TBN North Central Region Club Qualifier – Lake Buchanan on 2026-02-22, run by Texas B.A.S.S. Nation.
What town is closest to Lake Buchanan?
Buchanan Dam is 5 miles northwest of the lake center, in Llano County.
Where can I buy bait near Lake Buchanan?
Paradise Point Fishing Dock in Tow is about 7 miles from Lake Buchanan, one of 2 shops listed above.
Plan a day on Lake Buchanan
Look over the nearby lakes in case the wind or the water level changes your plans.