Lake Travis Fishing
Where to launch, what TPWD rates as the best fishing, the lake records and today's level on 18,622 acres in Travis County and Burnet County.
- 18,622acres
- 190 ftmax depth
- 9boat ramps
- 15.32 lbrecord bass
Photo: Trey Perry, CC BY 3.0
Lake Travis, Texas at a glance
Lake Travis is a 18,622 acre reservoir, 190 feet deep at the dam, first filled in 1942. On the Colorado River northwest of Austin in Travis and Burnet counties.
The fish to target, going by TPWD ratings: largemouth & guadalupe bass, catfish, white bass and sunfish.
The lake record largemouth weighed 15.32 pounds and was caught in 2021.
The water normally runs clear to slightly off-color in upper sections; you will see no significant aquatic vegetation along the banks and flats; levels swing high, 10-20 feet.
Controlling authority: Lower Colorado River Authority (512) 473-3200 or 1(800) 776-5272. Lake Travis facts from the TPWD lake page, checked October 2026.
Water level at Lake Travis today
TWDB reservoir data for Lake Travis, 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 Travis
TPWD survey ratings for Lake Travis, species by species.
Scale used for Lake Travis: excellent 4, good 3, fair 2, poor 1.
Predominant species: Largemouth bass, Guadalupe bass, White bass & striped bass, Catfish, Sunfish.
Lake Travis lake records
Record fish from Lake Travis, heaviest first.
| Species | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead catfish | 54.78 | 48.5 | 2007-03-30 |
| Blue catfish | 49.7 | 46 | 2011-07-04 |
| Striped bass | 30.5 | 42 | 1990-06-07 |
| Smallmouth buffalo | 29.81 | 34 | 2011-01-02 |
| Common carp | 27.45 | 2023-04-23 | |
| Black buffalo | 23.75 | 35 | 2006-05-28 |
| Longnose gar | 20.08 | 52 | 2015-03-31 |
| Channel catfish | 16.12 | 30.5 | 2004-06-01 |
| Largemouth bass | 15.32 | 28 | 2021-02-28 |
| Hybrid striped bass | 13.75 | 32.25 | 1989-06-17 |
| Freshwater drum | 8 | 22.75 | 2011-01-30 |
| Hybrid tilapia | 5.78 | 19.5 | 2021-05-25 |
Lake Travis records: TPWD water body records, list updated October 8, 2026. Retrieved October 2026.
Boat ramps and access on Lake Travis
TPWD lists 16 access points on this lake, 9 with a boat ramp and 0 with a marina.
Camp Creek Park
Fee charged; parking, camping. (800) 776-5272
Shaffer Bend Recreation Area
Fee charged; parking, camping. (800) 776-5272
Narrows Recreation Area
Fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas. (800) 776-5272
Grelle Recreation Area
Fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping. (800) 776-5272
Turkey Bend Recreation Area
Fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping. (800) 776-5272
Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area
Fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping. (800) 776-5272
Gloster Bend Recreation Area
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas. (800) 776-5272
Pace Bend/Collier Cove
One lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping. (512) 854-7275
Pace Bend/Tatum Cove
One lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping. (512) 854-7275
Arkansas Bend
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, camping. (512) 854-7275
Mansfield Dam Park
Four lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas. (512) 854-7275
Bob Wentz at Windy Point
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas. (512) 854-7275
Sandy Creek Park
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping. (512) 854-7275
Cypress Creek Park
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping. (512) 854-7275
Hippie Hollow
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, picnic areas. (512) 854-7275
Tom Hughes Park
Fee charged; restrooms, parking. (512) 854-7275
Map: 14 TPWD access points. Ramp facts: TPWD Lake Travis page, October 2026. Low water can close ramps.
Fishing limits at Lake Travis
TPWD posts no special rules for Lake Travis. These statewide limits cover it.
| 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 Travis from the TPWD Outdoor Annual, 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027), checked October 2026.
Fish stocked in Lake Travis
| Year | Species | Number | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lone star bass | 274,853 | Fingerling |
Lake Travis stocking: TPWD stocking by water body, retrieved October 2026.
Tournaments on Lake Travis
| Date | Event | Organizer | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-14 | 2025 TBN Kayak Division Event 8 – Lake Travis | Texas B.A.S.S. Nation | completed |
| 2026-02-21 | 2026 TBN North Central Region Club Qualifier – Lake Travis | Texas B.A.S.S. Nation | completed |
| 2026-05-02 | Bass Champs 2026 Stop #5 – Lake Travis | Bass Champs | completed |
| 2026-06-27 | 2026 TBN Kayak Division Event 9 – Lake Travis | Texas B.A.S.S. Nation | completed |
Tournament dates for Lake Travis from each organizer, retrieved October 2026.
Shops and guides near Lake Travis
- Marshall Ford MarinaAustin, 1 mile east of the lake, (512) 266-1559
- Austin Yacht Club, 2 miles north of the lake
- Lake Travis MarinaAustin, 3 miles northwest of the lake, (512) 266-3290
- Nautical Boat Club Hudson BendAustin, 3 miles northwest of the lake, (512) 309-1261
- Paradise Cove MarinaAustin, 3 miles northwest of the lake, (512) 266-8006
- Rock MarinaLago Vista, 3 miles northwest of the lake, (512) 267-1680
- Sail & Ski Yacht Club & MarinaAustin, 3 miles west of the lake, (512) 266-2507
- Riviera MarinaLeander, 3 miles northeast of the lake, (512) 250-8321
- Lake Travis Yacht ChartersFreshwater guide, (512) 636-7381
Shop and guide sources for Lake Travis: OpenStreetMap, store locators and guide websites (October 2026).
Lakes and towns near Lake Travis
Lake Austin
10 miles southeast, 1,599 acres
Lady Bird (formerly Town Lake)
15 miles southeast, 468 acres
Walter E. Long Lake
20 miles east, 1,269 acres
Lake Georgetown
22 miles northeast, 1,297 acres
- Steiner RanchTravis County, 2 miles south
- LakewayTravis County, 5 miles southwest
- Lago VistaTravis County, 7 miles northwest
- Cedar ParkWilliamson County, 10 miles northeast
- Travis CountyFishing access across the county
- Burnet CountyFishing access across the county
Questions about fishing Lake Travis
How big is Lake Travis?
Lake Travis covers 18,622 surface acres and is 190 feet deep at its deepest point, according to TPWD.
When was Lake Travis built?
The reservoir was impounded in 1942 on Colorado River.
What is the Lake Travis record largemouth bass?
The lake record largemouth bass weighed 15.32 pounds and measured 28 inches, caught 2021-02-28, per TPWD water body records.
What other lake records does Lake Travis hold?
Flathead catfish 54.78 lb; Blue catfish 49.7 lb; Striped bass 30.5 lb.
What fish are best at Lake Travis?
TPWD rates largemouth & guadalupe bass good; catfish good; crappie poor; white bass good; striped bass fair; sunfish good.
How many boat ramps are on Lake Travis?
TPWD lists 9 boat ramps on Lake Travis.
How do I check the water level at Lake Travis?
Look at the water level section of this page: it pulls the Lake Travis reading from TWDB every hour.
What are the fishing limits at Lake Travis?
Lake Travis uses the statewide rules. Largemouth: 5 a day, 14 inches or longer.
Is Lake Travis stocked?
Yes. TPWD stocked 274,853 fingerling lone star bass in 2026.
Are there fishing tournaments on Lake Travis?
Most recent: 2026 TBN Kayak Division Event 9 – Lake Travis on 2026-06-27, run by Texas B.A.S.S. Nation.
What town is closest to Lake Travis?
Steiner Ranch is 2 miles south of the lake center, in Travis County.
Where can I buy bait near Lake Travis?
Marshall Ford Marina in Austin is about 1 mile from Lake Travis, one of 8 shops listed above.
Heading to Lake Travis?
Look over the nearby lakes in case the wind or the water level changes your plans.