Matagorda Bay fishing

Matagorda Bay fishing: not stocked since 2021. It was stocked with Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Black Drum, and Striped Bass. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Matagorda Bay
Photo: BrianGrunberger, CC BY-SA 4.0
Last stocked
2021
Red Drum
Plants on record
71
Since 1980
Species recorded
4
Elevation
0 ft

Fish at Matagorda Bay

4 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Red Drum Stocked · 48 plants · last 2021

Last stocked 2021 · 48 plants

Spotted Seatrout Stocked · 20 plants · last 2021

Last stocked 2021 · 20 plants

Black Drum Stocked · 2 plants · last 1988

Last stocked 1988 · 2 plants

Striped Bass Stocked · 1 plant · last 1992 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked 1992 · 1 plant

Best: dawn, dusk

Striped Bass species guide

How Matagorda Bay is stocked

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

No plants recorded in 1982, 1983, 2018, and 2019.

Fish stocked in 1980

2,000,000

Fish stocked in 1981

7,297,937

Fish stocked in 1984

200,145

Fish stocked in 1985

951,676

Fish stocked in 1986

1,328,529

Fish stocked in 1987

1,621,936

Fish stocked in 1988

14,828,163

Fish stocked in 1989

1,879,201

Fish stocked in 1990

2,973,532

Fish stocked in 1991

2,589,751

Fish stocked in 1992

3,065,481

Fish stocked in 1993

8,371,914

Fish stocked in 1994

5,687,041

Fish stocked in 1995

7,473,728

Fish stocked in 1996

5,226,210

Fish stocked in 1997

2,060,289

Fish stocked in 1998

6,200,632

Fish stocked in 1999

3,494,524

Fish stocked in 2000

5,521,453

Fish stocked in 2001

6,438,993

Fish stocked in 2002

7,117,824

Fish stocked in 2003

7,073,595

Fish stocked in 2004

3,537,408

Fish stocked in 2005

184,471

Fish stocked in 2006

4,705,783

Fish stocked in 2007

5,092,835

Fish stocked in 2008

4,473,576

Fish stocked in 2009

2,858,056

Fish stocked in 2010

4,531,544

Fish stocked in 2011

2,774,575

Fish stocked in 2012

3,798,260

Fish stocked in 2013

6,028,693

Fish stocked in 2014

8,729,155

Fish stocked in 2015

8,582,498

Fish stocked in 2016

7,036,854

Fish stocked in 2017

4,391,153

Fish stocked in 2020

4,300,084

Fish stocked in 2021

4,934,468

Stocking history

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
2021Red Drum2,356,291–report
2021Spotted Seatrout2,578,177–report
2020Red Drum3,186,436–report
2020Spotted Seatrout1,113,648–report
2017Red Drum2,657,815–report
2017Spotted Seatrout1,733,338–report
2016Red Drum3,342,716–report
2016Spotted Seatrout3,694,138–report
2015Red Drum3,510,224–report
2015Spotted Seatrout5,072,274–report
2014Red Drum3,026,914–report
2014Spotted Seatrout5,702,241–report
2013Red Drum2,893,200–report
2013Spotted Seatrout3,135,493–report
2012Red Drum2,390,331–report
2012Spotted Seatrout1,407,929–report
2011Red Drum2,604,430–report
2011Spotted Seatrout170,145–report
2010Red Drum4,531,544–report
2009Red Drum2,858,056–report
2008Red Drum4,473,576–report
2007Red Drum5,092,835–report
2006Red Drum4,705,783–report
2005Red Drum184,471–report
2004Red Drum3,537,408–report
2003Red Drum7,073,595–report
2002Red Drum7,117,824–report
2001Red Drum6,438,993–report
2000Red Drum5,465,867–report
2000Spotted Seatrout55,586–report
1999Red Drum3,393,693–report
1999Spotted Seatrout100,831–report
1998Red Drum6,200,632–report
1997Red Drum2,060,289–report
1996Red Drum2,470,610–report
1996Red Drum2,755,600–report
1995Red Drum5,282,460–report
1995Red Drum2,191,268–report
1994Red Drum1,343,825–report
1994Red Drum4,343,216–report
1993Red Drum6,059,610–report
1993Red Drum2,312,304–report
1992Red Drum2,566,661–report
1992Red Drum498,747–report
1992Striped Bass73–report
1991Red Drum498,742–report
1991Red Drum2,091,009–report
1990Red Drum1,282,128–report
1990Red Drum1,691,404–report
1989Red Drum1,257,436–report
1989Red Drum551,765–report
1989Spotted Seatrout70,000–report
1988Red Drum235,000–report
1988Red Drum122,373–report
1988Red Drum20–report
1988Black Drum507–report
1988Spotted Seatrout14,256,410–report
1988Spotted Seatrout213,853–report
1987Red Drum1,197,936–report
1987Spotted Seatrout325,000–report
1987Spotted Seatrout99,000–report
1986Red Drum1,319,529–report
1986Spotted Seatrout9,000–report
1985Spotted Seatrout665,700–report
1985Spotted Seatrout285,976–report
1984Red Drum153,000–report
1984Red Drum287–report
1984Black Drum4,249–report
1984Spotted Seatrout42,609–report
1981Red Drum7,297,937–report
1980Red Drum2,000,000–report

Access and facts

Nearest town
Matagorda, TX
Facilities
restrooms, cleaning station

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before you go.

About Matagorda Bay

Photo of Matagorda Bay
BrianGrunberger, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo of Matagorda Bay
CusterDome, CC0
Photo of Matagorda Bay
Doug, CC BY 2.0

Nearest lakes

Espiritu Santo Bay 24.4 mi last stocked 1985 East Matagorda Bay 26 mi last stocked 2021 Texana 31.6 mi last stocked 2016 San Antonio Bay 36.8 mi last stocked 2021 Coleto Creek Reservoir 49.6 mi last stocked 2025

Common questions

What fish are at Matagorda Bay?

Fishing Matagorda Bay usually means Red Drum: Red Drum accounts for 48 of 71 plants on record, ahead of Spotted Seatrout and 2 more. Red Drum was last stocked 2021. Spotted Seatrout was last stocked 2021. Black Drum was last stocked 1988. Striped Bass was last stocked 1992.

When is Matagorda Bay stocked?

Not stocked since 2021. No plants recorded in 1982, 1983, 2018, and 2019.

How do you get on Matagorda Bay?

The nearest town is Matagorda, TX. Facilities include restrooms and cleaning station.

Which lakes near Matagorda Bay were stocked more recently?

Coleto Creek Reservoir (49.6 mi) was stocked more recently. Coleto Creek Reservoir is also stocked with Red Drum.

Sources (2) +