Colorado River Fishing
The Colorado River in Texas: access, flow and shops.
- 44access points
- 12counties
- 16flow gauges
Photo: Billy Hathorn at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
What the Colorado River offers anglers
TPWD maps 44 public access points on the Colorado River across 12 counties.
Top counties for access are Bastrop (6), Runnels (6), Matagorda (5), Travis (5) and Colorado (4).
Reservoirs along this river include Lake Austin, Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, J.B. Thomas Reservoir, Lady Bird (formerly Town Lake) and Lake Lyndon B. Johnson.
TPWD River Access adds 4 private access sites on this river, open to walk in or paddle use: Texas River School, Horseshoe on the Colorado, WJF River Access and Hidden Shores.
Colorado River data: TPWD public water access layer and USGS gauges.
How the Colorado River is flowing
How much water the Colorado River is moving right now, by gauge.
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Rv Nr Gail, Tx | 0 cfs, 0.16 ft gage height | Oct 10 8:00 am |
| Colorado Rv At Hwy 350 Nr Ira, Tx | 301 cfs, 3.70 ft gage height | Jun 30 8:15 pm Not updated since Jun 30, 2025. |
| Colorado Rv At Colorado City, Tx | 0 cfs, 3.01 ft gage height | Oct 10 7:15 am |
| Colorado Rv Abv Silver, Tx | 0 cfs, 1.82 ft gage height | Oct 10 8:00 am |
| Colorado Rv At Robert Lee, Tx | 0 cfs, 0.83 ft gage height | Oct 10 8:00 am |
| Colorado Rv Nr Ballinger, Tx | 1 cfs, 4.03 ft gage height | Oct 10 7:00 am |
| Colorado Rv Nr Stacy, Tx | 6 cfs, 3.84 ft gage height | Oct 10 7:15 am |
| Colorado Rv Nr San Saba, Tx | 79 cfs, 2.13 ft gage height | Oct 10 7:35 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 10, 2026 8:15 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Where the public reaches the Colorado River
- Bastrop County6 access points on the Colorado River
- Runnels County6 access points on the Colorado River
- Matagorda County5 access points on the Colorado River
- Travis County5 access points on the Colorado River
- Colorado County4 access points on the Colorado River
- San Saba County4 access points on the Colorado River
- Coke County3 access points on the Colorado River
- McCulloch County3 access points on the Colorado River
- Mills County3 access points on the Colorado River
- Coleman County2 access points on the Colorado River
- Fayette County2 access points on the Colorado River
- Wharton County1 access point on the Colorado River
TPWD lease sites on the Colorado River
| Site | Segment | County | Lease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas River School | Colorado River downstream from Lady Bird Lake | through August 31, 2027 | |
| Horseshoe on the Colorado | Colorado River near Bastrop | through August 31, 2026 | |
| WJF River Access | Colorado River upstream from Smithville | Bastrop | through August 31, 2026 |
| Hidden Shores | Colorado River upstream from Smithville | Bastrop | through August 31, 2027 |
Colorado River lease sites: TPWD River Access and Leasing Program. Your fishing license is the entry pass.
Still water near the Colorado River
Lady Bird (formerly Town Lake)
under a mile from the Colorado River, 468 acres.
See detailsNew Ballinger Lake
2 miles from the Colorado River, 591 acres.
See detailsLake E.V. Spence
2 miles from the Colorado River, 14,640 acres.
See detailsLake Bastrop
4 miles from the Colorado River, 906 acres.
See detailsLake Austin
5 miles from the Colorado River, 1,599 acres.
See detailsO.H. Ivie Lake
5 miles from the Colorado River, 19,149 acres.
See detailsWalter E. Long Lake
6 miles from the Colorado River, 1,269 acres.
See detailsFayette County Reservoir
9 miles from the Colorado River, 2,400 acres.
See detailsLakes within 15 miles of a Colorado River access point that TPWD rates good or excellent, by species.
Where to stay near the Colorado River
- BastropBastrop County, under a mile from the nearest Colorado River access
- SmithvilleBastrop County, under a mile from the nearest Colorado River access
- La GrangeFayette County, 1 mile from the nearest Colorado River access
- Bay CityMatagorda County, 2 miles from the nearest Colorado River access
- MatagordaMatagorda County, 2 miles from the nearest Colorado River access
- PalaciosMatagorda County, 7 miles from the nearest Colorado River access
- TowLlano County, 9 miles from the nearest Colorado River access
- AustinTravis County, 4 miles from the nearest Colorado River access
Shops close to the Colorado River
- Academy Sports + Outdoors BastropBastrop, (512) 321-8200
- Grassy Point BaitPalacios, (361) 972-5053
- Serendumpity Marina
- Paradise Point Fishing DockTow, (325) 379-2222
- Academy Sports + Outdoors AustinAustin, (512) 486-6000
- Lake Austin MarinaAustin, (512) 329-6640
- Hog-Eye Bait ShopAustin, (512) 926-3522
- Line Stripper LuresEl Campo, (979) 543-1006
Shops within 12 miles of a Colorado River access point; OpenStreetMap contributors and store lists.
Things anglers wonder about the Colorado River
How many public access points are on the Colorado River?
TPWD counts 44 public access points along the Colorado River.
In which counties can I reach the Colorado River?
The most access is in Bastrop County, Runnels County, Matagorda County, Travis County, Colorado County and San Saba County.
How is the Colorado River running today?
Check the table above, which reads 8 USGS gauges hourly.
Which lakes does the Colorado River form?
Lake Austin, Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, J.B. Thomas Reservoir, Lady Bird (formerly Town Lake) and Lake Lyndon B. Johnson.
Does TPWD lease river access on the Colorado River?
The River Access and Leasing Program covers 4 sites here.
What towns line the Colorado River?
Bastrop, Smithville, La Grange, Bay City, Matagorda and Palacios.
Is there a bait shop near the Colorado River?
Stop at Academy Sports + Outdoors Bastrop in Bastrop, one of 8 listed shops inside 12 miles of an access point.
What lakes are near the Colorado River?
Lady Bird (formerly Town Lake) lies under a mile off a Colorado River access point, followed by New Ballinger Lake and Lake E.V. Spence.
What bites in lakes near the Colorado River?
The best TPWD ratings nearby go to largemouth bass, catfish and sunfish.
How many counties does Colorado River access cover?
From Coke south to Matagorda County, access covers 12 counties.
What season is best on the Colorado River?
The Colorado River fishes best at moderate, clear flow in spring and fall.
Can I wade the Colorado River across private land?
On navigable stretches of the Colorado River the bed is public while the land beside it usually is not, so start at an access point.