Buchanan

Buchanan fishing

Fishing at Buchanan is on a reservoir, stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Striped Bass, Blue Catfish, and Sunshine Bass. It is stocked about 1.7 times a year since 1969, most often in July. Species guides list dusk and night for Channel Catfish, dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Striped Bass, and dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye.

Last stocked

July 1, 2026

Plants on record

96

Since 1969

Species recorded

6

Elevation

1,017.7 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Buchanan?
Fishing Buchanan is most likely to be for Striped Bass. Striped Bass accounts for 50 of 96 plants on record, ahead of Sunshine Bass and 4 more. Striped Bass was last stocked July 1, 2026. Sunshine Bass was last stocked July 1, 2026. Channel Catfish was last stocked July 1, 2023. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 1, 2019. 2 more species are on the stocking report.
When is Buchanan stocked?
Last stocked July 1, 2026. It is stocked about 1.7 times a year since 1969, most often in July. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2026 it was July 1, 2026, about when it usually is. No plants recorded in 8 years between 1969 and 2026.
How do you get on Buchanan?
Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and a fee is required. The nearest town is Burnet, TX. Facilities include camping. Five boat ramps ring the lake; Burnet County Park's 2-lane ramp is free, while Buchanan Dam and Thunderbird Lodge charge a fee. Unimproved ramps are at Cedar Point and Colorado Bend State Park, which gives wade access during the spring white bass run. Zebra mussels have invaded the reservoir.

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Burnet, TX
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
camping

Five boat ramps ring the lake; Burnet County Park's 2-lane ramp is free, while Buchanan Dam and Thunderbird Lodge charge a fee. Unimproved ramps are at Cedar Point and Colorado Bend State Park, which gives wade access during the spring white bass run. Zebra mussels have invaded the reservoir.

Sources: tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , tpwd.texas.gov, accessed September 23, 2026

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How Buchanan is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2026 it was July 1, 2026, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 8 years between 1969 and 2026.

Fish at Buchanan

Fishing Buchanan is most likely to be for Striped Bass. Striped Bass accounts for 50 of 96 plants on record, ahead of Sunshine Bass and 4 more.

Striped Bass 50 plants
Plants
50 of 96
Last stocked
July 1, 2026

Seasons and rigs are on the Striped Bass guide.

Sunshine Bass 25 plants
Plants
25 of 96
Last stocked
July 1, 2026
Channel Catfish 8 plants
Plants
8 of 96
Last stocked
July 1, 2023

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Largemouth Bass 8 plants
Plants
8 of 96
Last stocked
July 1, 2019

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Walleye 3 plants
Plants
3 of 96
Last stocked
July 1, 1977

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Blue Catfish 2 plants
Plants
2 of 96
Last stocked
July 1, 1990

Seasons and rigs are on the Blue Catfish guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 561,4101969
  • 265,0001975
  • 205,0001976
  • 5,075,0581977
  • 503,8001978
  • 69,2281979
  • 285,0461980
  • 229,6381983
  • 343,1781984
  • 587,9501985
  • 297,4721986
  • 232,6081987
  • 230,7281988
  • 463,2701989
  • 474,2861990
  • 350,7061991
  • 153,6731992
  • 262,5291993
  • 465,2971994
  • 236,2101995
  • 128,0521996
  • 232,7051997
  • 215,0001998
  • 239,8701999
  • 235,7332000
  • 580,9002002
  • 137,4722003
  • 127,5122004
  • 150,1002005
  • 1,841,0402006
  • 1,795,8242007
  • 1,553,2122008
  • 2,957,6702009
  • 2,731,0292010
  • 85,0002011
  • 149,6372012
  • 507,8632013
  • 1,329,9352014
  • 1,293,4902015
  • 1,318,8342016
  • 1,094,9202017
  • 1,134,0152018
  • 1,309,8382019
  • 1,133,2362020
  • 1,669,5592021
  • 1,806,6652022
  • 1,135,7612023
  • 1,163,6372024
  • 1,274,0072025
  • 1,207,7452026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 96 plants Showing 96 plants

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
July 1, 2026 Sunshine Bass 1,100,740 – report
July 1, 2026 Striped Bass 107,005 – report
July 1, 2025 Sunshine Bass 1,035,130 – report
July 1, 2025 Striped Bass 238,877 – report
July 1, 2024 Sunshine Bass 1,000,000 – report
July 1, 2024 Striped Bass 163,637 – report
July 1, 2023 Sunshine Bass 950,000 – report
July 1, 2023 Striped Bass 114,304 – report
July 1, 2023 Channel Catfish 71,457 – report
July 1, 2022 Sunshine Bass 1,767,867 – report
July 1, 2022 Striped Bass 38,798 – report
July 1, 2021 Sunshine Bass 1,000,000 – report
July 1, 2021 Striped Bass 521,472 – report
July 1, 2021 Striped Bass 135,331 – report
July 1, 2021 Channel Catfish 12,756 – report
July 1, 2020 Sunshine Bass 1,100,000 – report
July 1, 2020 Channel Catfish 33,236 – report
July 1, 2019 Sunshine Bass 1,000,000 – report
July 1, 2019 Largemouth Bass 193,167 – report
July 1, 2019 Striped Bass 116,671 – report
July 1, 2018 Sunshine Bass 1,000,000 – report
July 1, 2018 Striped Bass 119,200 – report
July 1, 2018 Channel Catfish 14,815 – report
July 1, 2017 Sunshine Bass 1,000,000 – report
July 1, 2017 Striped Bass 94,920 – report
July 1, 2016 Sunshine Bass 1,000,000 – report
July 1, 2016 Largemouth Bass 173,757 – report
July 1, 2016 Striped Bass 93,809 – report
July 1, 2016 Channel Catfish 38,095 – report
July 1, 2016 Channel Catfish 13,173 – report
July 1, 2015 Sunshine Bass 1,000,000 – report
July 1, 2015 Largemouth Bass 40,656 – report
July 1, 2015 Largemouth Bass 132,914 – report
July 1, 2015 Striped Bass 119,920 – report
July 1, 2014 Sunshine Bass 1,000,000 – report
July 1, 2014 Sunshine Bass 35,172 – report
July 1, 2014 Striped Bass 294,763 – report
July 1, 2013 Sunshine Bass 247,728 – report
July 1, 2013 Sunshine Bass 35,516 – report
July 1, 2013 Striped Bass 224,619 – report
July 1, 2012 Sunshine Bass 75,000 – report
July 1, 2012 Channel Catfish 74,637 – report
July 1, 2011 Sunshine Bass 85,000 – report
July 1, 2010 Sunshine Bass 1,250,000 – report
July 1, 2010 Sunshine Bass 60,000 – report
July 1, 2010 Striped Bass 1,253,384 – report
July 1, 2010 Striped Bass 167,645 – report
July 1, 2009 Sunshine Bass 2,500,000 – report
July 1, 2009 Sunshine Bass 105,948 – report
July 1, 2009 Striped Bass 351,722 – report
July 1, 2008 Sunshine Bass 706,971 – report
July 1, 2008 Largemouth Bass 507,165 – report
July 1, 2008 Striped Bass 339,076 – report
July 1, 2007 Sunshine Bass 128,400 – report
July 1, 2007 Striped Bass 1,333,875 – report
July 1, 2007 Striped Bass 333,549 – report
July 1, 2006 Sunshine Bass 500,000 – report
July 1, 2006 Striped Bass 1,070,311 – report
July 1, 2006 Striped Bass 270,729 – report
July 1, 2005 Striped Bass 150,100 – report
July 1, 2004 Striped Bass 127,512 – report
July 1, 2003 Striped Bass 137,472 – report
July 1, 2002 Striped Bass 580,900 – report
July 1, 2000 Striped Bass 235,733 – report
July 1, 1999 Striped Bass 239,870 – report
July 1, 1998 Striped Bass 215,000 – report
July 1, 1997 Striped Bass 232,705 – report
July 1, 1996 Striped Bass 128,052 – report
July 1, 1995 Striped Bass 236,210 – report
July 1, 1994 Striped Bass 464,297 – report
July 1, 1994 Striped Bass 1,000 – report
July 1, 1993 Striped Bass 145,119 – report
July 1, 1993 Striped Bass 117,410 – report
July 1, 1992 Striped Bass 153,673 – report
July 1, 1991 Striped Bass 350,706 – report
July 1, 1990 Striped Bass 238,908 – report
July 1, 1990 Blue Catfish 235,378 – report
July 1, 1989 Striped Bass 232,608 – report
July 1, 1989 Blue Catfish 230,662 – report
July 1, 1988 Striped Bass 230,728 – report
July 1, 1987 Striped Bass 232,608 – report
July 1, 1986 Striped Bass 297,472 – report
July 1, 1985 Striped Bass 587,950 – report
July 1, 1984 Striped Bass 343,178 – report
July 1, 1983 Striped Bass 229,638 – report
July 1, 1980 Striped Bass 285,046 – report
July 1, 1979 Striped Bass 69,228 – report
July 1, 1978 Largemouth Bass 60,000 – report
July 1, 1978 Largemouth Bass 290,400 – report
July 1, 1978 Striped Bass 153,400 – report
July 1, 1977 Walleye 4,843,332 – report
July 1, 1977 Striped Bass 231,726 – report
July 1, 1976 Walleye 205,000 – report
July 1, 1975 Walleye 265,000 – report
July 1, 1969 Largemouth Bass 500,000 – report
July 1, 1969 Channel Catfish 61,410 – report
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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes