Buescher State Park fishing

Fishing at Buescher State Park is on a reservoir, stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, and Hybrid Sunfish. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 1969, most often in July and November. Species guides list dusk and night for Channel Catfish and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Rainbow Trout.

Last stocked

December 7, 2025

Plants on record

84

Since 1969

Species recorded

4

Elevation

348.5 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Buescher State Park?
Fishing Buescher State Park is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 42 of 84 plants on record, ahead of Channel Catfish and 2 more. Rainbow Trout was last stocked December 7, 2025. Channel Catfish was last stocked July 1, 2020. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 1, 2002. Hybrid Sunfish was last stocked July 1, 1999.
When is Buescher State Park stocked?
Last stocked December 7, 2025. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 1969, most often in July and November. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2025 it was November 1, 2025, later than usual. No plants recorded in 9 years between 1969 and 2025.
How do you get on Buescher State Park?
Shore fishing is available, there is no boat ramp, it is float tube friendly, and a fee is required. The nearest town is Smithville, TX. A 30-acre lake inside Buescher State Park. Fishing is limited to shoreline or small paddle/electric vessels from the canoe launch; no conventional boat ramp. Pole-and-line only, up to two poles per angler; TPWD's tip sheet says no license needed inside the park, though an entrance fee applies.
Which lakes near Buescher State Park were stocked more recently?
Somerville (39 mi) and Austin (42.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Somerville is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass and Austin is also stocked with Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, and Channel Catfish.

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Smithville, TX
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
No
Float tube friendly
Yes
Fee required
Yes

A 30-acre lake inside Buescher State Park. Fishing is limited to shoreline or small paddle/electric vessels from the canoe launch; no conventional boat ramp. Pole-and-line only, up to two poles per angler; TPWD's tip sheet says no license needed inside the park, though an entrance fee applies.

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 Buescher State Park is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2025 it was November 1, 2025, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 9 years between 1969 and 2025.

Somerville (39 mi) and Austin (42.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Somerville is also stocked with Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass and Austin is also stocked with Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, and Channel Catfish.

Fish at Buescher State Park

Fishing Buescher State Park is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 42 of 84 plants on record, ahead of Channel Catfish and 2 more.

Rainbow Trout 42 plants
Plants
42 of 84
Last stocked
December 7, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Channel Catfish 38 plants
Plants
38 of 84
Last stocked
July 1, 2020

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Largemouth Bass 3 plants
Plants
3 of 84
Last stocked
July 1, 2002

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Hybrid Sunfish 1 plant
Plants
1 of 84
Last stocked
July 1, 1999

Seasons and rigs are on the Hybrid Sunfish guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2,3001969
  • 1,0001970
  • 5001975
  • 1,0241979
  • 1481980
  • 3,4501982
  • 4,2231983
  • 10,1811984
  • 12,1071985
  • 13,1371986
  • 12,1701987
  • 10,0831988
  • 8,5381989
  • 28,8871990
  • 4,3041991
  • 3,8051992
  • 1,0801993
  • 6,0641994
  • 3,0481995
  • 2,8021996
  • 2,7161997
  • 2,5401998
  • 11,6531999
  • 2,5682000
  • 2,5292001
  • 2,9002002
  • 2,5622003
  • 2,0262004
  • 2,5452005
  • 2,5312006
  • 3,0442007
  • 3,0372008
  • 3,0552009
  • 3,0772010
  • 3,0622011
  • 2,0552012
  • 3,1312013
  • 3,0402014
  • 2,0182015
  • 3,0682016
  • 3,1312017
  • 3,1282018
  • 3,0502019
  • 3,0412020
  • 1,0022021
  • 7682023
  • 1,0102024
  • 2,0242025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 84 plants Showing 84 plants

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
December 7, 2025 Rainbow Trout 1,000 – report
November 1, 2025 Rainbow Trout 1,024 – report
November 1, 2024 Rainbow Trout 1,010 – report
November 1, 2023 Rainbow Trout 768 – report
November 1, 2021 Rainbow Trout 1,002 – report
November 1, 2020 Rainbow Trout 2,011 – report
July 1, 2020 Channel Catfish 1,030 – report
November 1, 2019 Rainbow Trout 2,017 – report
July 1, 2019 Channel Catfish 1,033 – report
November 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 2,075 – report
July 1, 2018 Channel Catfish 1,053 – report
November 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 2,029 – report
July 1, 2017 Channel Catfish 1,102 – report
November 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 2,020 – report
July 1, 2016 Channel Catfish 1,048 – report
November 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 2,018 – report
November 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 2,015 – report
July 1, 2014 Channel Catfish 1,025 – report
November 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 2,012 – report
July 1, 2013 Channel Catfish 1,119 – report
November 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 1,015 – report
July 1, 2012 Channel Catfish 1,040 – report
November 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 2,011 – report
July 1, 2011 Channel Catfish 1,051 – report
November 1, 2010 Rainbow Trout 2,015 – report
July 1, 2010 Channel Catfish 1,062 – report
November 1, 2009 Rainbow Trout 2,012 – report
July 1, 2009 Channel Catfish 1,043 – report
November 1, 2008 Rainbow Trout 2,014 – report
July 1, 2008 Channel Catfish 1,023 – report
November 1, 2007 Rainbow Trout 2,019 – report
July 1, 2007 Channel Catfish 1,025 – report
November 1, 2006 Rainbow Trout 1,506 – report
July 1, 2006 Channel Catfish 1,025 – report
November 1, 2005 Rainbow Trout 1,505 – report
July 1, 2005 Channel Catfish 1,040 – report
November 1, 2004 Rainbow Trout 1,000 – report
July 1, 2004 Channel Catfish 1,026 – report
November 1, 2003 Rainbow Trout 1,537 – report
July 1, 2003 Channel Catfish 1,025 – report
November 1, 2002 Rainbow Trout 1,833 – report
July 1, 2002 Largemouth Bass 39 – report
July 1, 2002 Channel Catfish 1,028 – report
November 1, 2001 Rainbow Trout 1,503 – report
July 1, 2001 Channel Catfish 1,026 – report
November 1, 2000 Rainbow Trout 1,516 – report
July 1, 2000 Channel Catfish 1,052 – report
November 1, 1999 Rainbow Trout 1,511 – report
July 1, 1999 Hybrid Sunfish 9,108 – report
July 1, 1999 Channel Catfish 1,034 – report
November 1, 1998 Rainbow Trout 1,520 – report
July 1, 1998 Channel Catfish 1,020 – report
November 1, 1997 Rainbow Trout 1,501 – report
July 1, 1997 Channel Catfish 1,215 – report
November 1, 1996 Rainbow Trout 1,517 – report
July 1, 1996 Channel Catfish 1,285 – report
November 1, 1995 Rainbow Trout 2,016 – report
July 1, 1995 Channel Catfish 1,032 – report
November 1, 1994 Rainbow Trout 5,026 – report
July 1, 1994 Channel Catfish 1,038 – report
July 1, 1993 Channel Catfish 1,080 – report
November 1, 1992 Rainbow Trout 3,805 – report
November 1, 1991 Rainbow Trout 1,804 – report
July 1, 1991 Channel Catfish 2,500 – report
November 1, 1990 Rainbow Trout 3,782 – report
July 1, 1990 Channel Catfish 25,105 – report
November 1, 1989 Rainbow Trout 6,038 – report
July 1, 1989 Channel Catfish 2,500 – report
November 1, 1988 Rainbow Trout 10,083 – report
November 1, 1987 Rainbow Trout 7,072 – report
July 1, 1987 Channel Catfish 5,098 – report
November 1, 1986 Rainbow Trout 12,117 – report
July 1, 1986 Channel Catfish 1,020 – report
November 1, 1985 Rainbow Trout 12,107 – report
November 1, 1984 Rainbow Trout 10,181 – report
November 1, 1983 Rainbow Trout 4,163 – report
July 1, 1983 Largemouth Bass 60 – report
July 1, 1982 Largemouth Bass 2,200 – report
July 1, 1982 Channel Catfish 1,250 – report
July 1, 1980 Channel Catfish 148 – report
July 1, 1979 Channel Catfish 1,024 – report
July 1, 1975 Channel Catfish 500 – report
July 1, 1970 Channel Catfish 1,000 – report
July 1, 1969 Channel Catfish 2,300 – 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