In Texas the next great catch is never far away. Every cast carries a spark of possibility, whether you’re exploring winding rivers, quiet coves, still lakes or miles of accessible shoreline, these destinations promise a peaceful escape, plenty of adventure, and stories worth sharing.

South Llano River

The spring-fed South Llano River near Junction is a quintessential “Texas Hill Country” stream. Bank fishing is available at South Llano River State Park, about two-hours from both San Antonio or Austin, but the river is best experienced from a canoe or kayak.

South Llano River Canoes & Kayaks offers rentals for a relaxing float suitable for all skill levels. With 6 public access points along 17 miles of river, you’ll be on the water in no time. Bring an ultralight spinning rod or fly rod for a chance at Guadalupe bass largemouth bass and panfish.

Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA)

Just 15 minutes from DFW International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown Dallas, LLELA is a step back into a pre-urban wonderland of wildflower-filled meadows, wetlands, and stately bottomland forest. About one mile of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, the learning area is easily accessible from well-maintained trails, and the firm gravel and sand bottom is easy wading when flows from Lewisville Lake are below 500 cubic feet per second.

Largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, yellow bass, catfish, and a variety of sunfish provide good sport, and the shallows along the banks and over the sand flats provide some of the best opportunities anywhere in the state to sight-cast to smallmouth buffalo and common carp.

Rowlett Creek

On the eastern edge of Dallas, Rowlett Creek is a major tributary of Lake Ray Hubbard. Starting when the redbuds bloom sometime in March, or just a little before, and running through the latter part of April, it becomes what locals call a “white bass factory.” White bass are prolific lake dwellers that are closely related to striped bass. They provide great sport on ultralight spinning gear or light fly rods. Each spring, some magical combination of daylight hours and water temperature sends them up area creeks and rivers to spawn. Outside of the annual white bass run, the creek is an excellent carp fishery, with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and sunfish in good numbers.

Lake Texoma

An hour or so north of Dallas, Lake Texoma’s white sand, limestone bluffs, and rocky coves offer plenty of bank and wade fishing spots. Texoma is striper water, and he quickest way to the lake’s legendary stripers is by boat, especially when schools are on the move in the spring. For an easy place to start, Eisenhower State Park near Denison offers multiple access points, including a lighted pier when the sun drops.  This top-tier spot is one of the few freshwater lakes in the country with a self-sustaining population, a big reason it’s earned the title of Striper Capital of the World. White bass, catfish, crappie, and sunfish also swim these waters. For a quieter stretch of shore, Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge offers bank access, boat ramps, and small stock ponds that are great for families.

Packery Channel Jetties

With 350 miles of Gulf Coastline, the Texas coast can be formidable for the DIY angler. Focusing on fishing in the Packery Channel jetties, between Mustang and Padre Islands in Corpus Christi, however, offer relatively easy access to every species an angler can catch from shore in Texas, and a few more that are exceedingly rare farther north.

There’s nothing like going out and experiencing the water firsthand in the epic battle between fish and man. Get ready to reel in redfish, black drum, spotted seatrout, flounder, sharks, mangrove snapper, kingfish, snook, and tarpon, depending on the season. You’ll be eating like a king after a day angling on the water.

Imagine looking out over the water and seeing schools of redfish glistening just below the surface. In Texas, you can make it a fishing trip you’ll be telling stories about for years.

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