Lady Bird Lake fishing

Fishing at Lady Bird Lake is on a river section, stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, Palmetto Bass, Spotted Bass, and 7 more. It is stocked about 0.7 times a year since 1966, most often in July. Species guides list dusk and night for Channel Catfish, dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, and Smallmouth Bass, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Bluegill.

Last stocked

July 1, 2025

Plants on record

44

Since 1966

Species recorded

13

Elevation

427.9 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Lady Bird Lake?
Fishing Lady Bird Lake is most likely to be for Largemouth Bass. Largemouth Bass accounts for 11 of 44 plants on record, ahead of Palmetto Bass and 11 more. Largemouth Bass was last stocked July 1, 2025. Palmetto Bass was last stocked July 1, 1986. Channel Catfish was last stocked July 1, 2018. Northern Pike was last stocked July 1, 1981. 9 more species are on the stocking report.
When is Lady Bird Lake stocked?
Last stocked July 1, 2025. It is stocked about 0.7 times a year since 1966, most often in July. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2025 it was July 1, 2025, about when it usually is. No plants recorded in 36 years between 1966 and 2025.
How do you get on Lady Bird Lake?
Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, it is ADA accessible, and no fee is required. The nearest town is Austin, TX. The City of Austin maintains free public boat ramps and an ADA-accessible hike-and-bike trail loop around this Colorado River impoundment through downtown Austin; motorized boats are prohibited.
Which lakes near Lady Bird Lake were stocked more recently?
Austin (6.4 mi) and Travis (23.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Austin is also stocked with Palmetto Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Channel Catfish and Travis is also stocked with Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass.

Access and facts

Water type
river section
Nearest town
Austin, TX
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
No

The City of Austin maintains free public boat ramps and an ADA-accessible hike-and-bike trail loop around this Colorado River impoundment through downtown Austin; motorized boats are prohibited.

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 Lady Bird Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2025 it was July 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 36 years between 1966 and 2025.

Austin (6.4 mi) and Travis (23.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Austin is also stocked with Palmetto Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Channel Catfish and Travis is also stocked with Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass.

Fish at Lady Bird Lake

Fishing Lady Bird Lake is most likely to be for Largemouth Bass. Largemouth Bass accounts for 11 of 44 plants on record, ahead of Palmetto Bass and 11 more.

Largemouth Bass 11 plants
Plants
11 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Largemouth Bass guide.

Palmetto Bass 8 plants
Plants
8 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 1986
Channel Catfish 7 plants
Plants
7 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 2018

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Northern Pike 4 plants
Plants
4 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 1981

Seasons and rigs are on the Northern Pike guide.

Striped Bass 3 plants
Plants
3 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 1983

Seasons and rigs are on the Striped Bass guide.

Hybrid Sunfish 2 plants
Plants
2 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 1969

Seasons and rigs are on the Hybrid Sunfish guide.

Smallmouth Bass 2 plants
Plants
2 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 1978

Seasons and rigs are on the Smallmouth Bass guide.

Walleye 2 plants
Plants
2 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 1975

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Atlantic Croaker 1 plant
Plants
1 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 1975
Bluegill 1 plant
Plants
1 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 1981

Seasons and rigs are on the Bluegill guide.

Red Drum 1 plant
Plants
1 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 1975
Redear Sunfish 1 plant
Plants
1 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 1981

Seasons and rigs are on the Redear Sunfish guide.

Spotted Bass 1 plant
Plants
1 of 44
Last stocked
July 1, 1974

Seasons and rigs are on the Spotted Bass guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 95,0501966
  • 7,4501967
  • 27,4001969
  • 8,0001973
  • 20,3841974
  • 1,035,5401975
  • 23,4001976
  • 118,4691977
  • 15,3401978
  • 6,1401980
  • 30,0031981
  • 15,7671983
  • 27,8801984
  • 21,1941986
  • 6,3001987
  • 21,2091988
  • 161,4601998
  • 29,9882000
  • 24,9742001
  • 3222012
  • 11,1742014
  • 47,3522016
  • 126,0272018
  • 14,7872025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 44 plants Showing 44 plants

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
July 1, 2025 Largemouth Bass 14,787 – report
July 1, 2018 Channel Catfish 126,027 – report
July 1, 2016 Largemouth Bass 47,352 – report
July 1, 2014 Largemouth Bass 11,174 – report
July 1, 2012 Channel Catfish 322 – report
July 1, 2001 Channel Catfish 24,974 – report
July 1, 2000 Channel Catfish 29,988 – report
July 1, 1998 Largemouth Bass 108,660 – report
July 1, 1998 Largemouth Bass 52,800 – report
July 1, 1988 Largemouth Bass 21,209 – report
July 1, 1987 Largemouth Bass 6,300 – report
July 1, 1986 Palmetto Bass 21,194 – report
July 1, 1984 Largemouth Bass 15,980 – report
July 1, 1984 Palmetto Bass 11,900 – report
July 1, 1983 Palmetto Bass 10,450 – report
July 1, 1983 Striped Bass 5,317 – report
July 1, 1981 Bluegill 5,000 – report
July 1, 1981 Redear Sunfish 2,000 – report
July 1, 1981 Northern Pike 23,003 – report
July 1, 1980 Palmetto Bass 6,140 – report
July 1, 1978 Smallmouth Bass 15,000 – report
July 1, 1978 Striped Bass 340 – report
July 1, 1977 Palmetto Bass 9,994 – report
July 1, 1977 Striped Bass 108,475 – report
July 1, 1976 Palmetto Bass 13,000 – report
July 1, 1976 Northern Pike 10,400 – report
July 1, 1975 Red Drum 100 – report
July 1, 1975 Atlantic Croaker 250 – report
July 1, 1975 Walleye 1,011,500 – report
July 1, 1975 Smallmouth Bass 301 – report
July 1, 1975 Palmetto Bass 20,000 – report
July 1, 1975 Northern Pike 3,389 – report
July 1, 1974 Walleye 2,500 – report
July 1, 1974 Spotted Bass 14,400 – report
July 1, 1974 Palmetto Bass 500 – report
July 1, 1974 Northern Pike 2,984 – report
July 1, 1973 Largemouth Bass 8,000 – report
July 1, 1969 Hybrid Sunfish 300 – report
July 1, 1969 Channel Catfish 27,100 – report
July 1, 1967 Largemouth Bass 5,050 – report
July 1, 1967 Channel Catfish 2,400 – report
July 1, 1966 Hybrid Sunfish 300 – report
July 1, 1966 Largemouth Bass 94,350 – report
July 1, 1966 Channel Catfish 400 – report
Show 29 more plants Show less

Species stocked here

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

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