What fish are at Matagorda Bay?

Fishing Matagorda Bay is most likely to be for Red Drum. Red Drum accounts for 48 of 71 plants on record, ahead of Spotted Seatrout and 2 more. Red Drum was last stocked July 1, 2021. Spotted Seatrout was last stocked July 1, 2021. Black Drum was last stocked July 1, 1988. Striped Bass was last stocked July 1, 1992.

How do you get on Matagorda Bay?

Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and a fee is required. The nearest town is Matagorda, TX. Facilities include restrooms and cleaning station. The Lower Colorado River Authority's Matagorda Bay Nature Park has a fee-based boat ramp and fishing pier on the bay; Matagorda Harbor nearby adds four free public ramps and a fish-cleaning station.

Matagorda Bay fishing

Fishing at Matagorda Bay has Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Black Drum, and Striped Bass on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.7 times a year since 1980, most often in July. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

July 1, 2021

Plants on record

Since 1980

Species recorded

Elevation

0 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Matagorda Bay?: Fishing Matagorda Bay is most likely to be for Red Drum. Red Drum accounts for 48 of 71 plants on record, ahead of Spotted Seatrout and 2 more. Red Drum was last stocked July 1, 2021. Spotted Seatrout was last stocked July 1, 2021. Black Drum was last stocked July 1, 1988. Striped Bass was last stocked July 1, 1992.
When is Matagorda Bay stocked?: Last stocked July 1, 2021. It is stocked about 1.7 times a year since 1980, most often in July. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2021 it was July 1, 2021, about when it usually is. No plants recorded in 1982, 1983, 2018, and 2019.
How do you get on Matagorda Bay?: Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and a fee is required. The nearest town is Matagorda, TX. Facilities include restrooms and cleaning station. The Lower Colorado River Authority's Matagorda Bay Nature Park has a fee-based boat ramp and fishing pier on the bay; Matagorda Harbor nearby adds four free public ramps and a fish-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.

Access and facts

Nearest town: Matagorda, TX
Shore access: Yes
Boat ramp: Yes
Fee required: Yes
Facilities: restrooms, cleaning station

The Lower Colorado River Authority's Matagorda Bay Nature Park has a fee-based boat ramp and fishing pier on the bay; Matagorda Harbor nearby adds four free public ramps and a fish-cleaning station.

Sources: lcraparks.com, accessed September 23, 2026 , lcraparks.com, accessed September 23, 2026 , lcraparks.com, accessed September 23, 2026 , lcraparks.com, accessed September 23, 2026 , portofbaycity.com, accessed September 23, 2026 , lcraparks.com, accessed September 23, 2026

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

How Matagorda Bay is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of July. In 2021 it was July 1, 2021, about when it usually is.

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

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

Fish at Matagorda Bay

Fishing Matagorda Bay is most likely to be for Red Drum. Red Drum accounts for 48 of 71 plants on record, ahead of Spotted Seatrout and 2 more.

Red Drum 48 plants

Plants: 48 of 71
Last stocked: July 1, 2021

Spotted Seatrout 20 plants

Plants: 20 of 71
Last stocked: July 1, 2021

Black Drum 2 plants

Plants: 2 of 71
Last stocked: July 1, 1988

Striped Bass 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 71
Last stocked: July 1, 1992

Seasons and rigs are on the Striped Bass guide.

Fish stocked per year

2,000,0001980
7,297,9371981
200,1451984
951,6761985
1,328,5291986
1,621,9361987
14,828,1631988
1,879,2011989
2,973,5321990
2,589,7511991
3,065,4811992
8,371,9141993
5,687,0411994
7,473,7281995
5,226,2101996
2,060,2891997
6,200,6321998
3,494,5241999
5,521,4532000
6,438,9932001
7,117,8242002
7,073,5952003
3,537,4082004
184,4712005
4,705,7832006
5,092,8352007
4,473,5762008
2,858,0562009
4,531,5442010
2,774,5752011
3,798,2602012
6,028,6932013
8,729,1552014
8,582,4982015
7,036,8542016
4,391,1532017
4,300,0842020
4,934,4682021

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 71 plants Showing 71 plants

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
July 1, 2021	Red Drum	2,356,291	–	report
July 1, 2021	Spotted Seatrout	2,578,177	–	report
July 1, 2020	Red Drum	3,186,436	–	report
July 1, 2020	Spotted Seatrout	1,113,648	–	report
July 1, 2017	Red Drum	2,657,815	–	report
July 1, 2017	Spotted Seatrout	1,733,338	–	report
July 1, 2016	Red Drum	3,342,716	–	report
July 1, 2016	Spotted Seatrout	3,694,138	–	report
July 1, 2015	Red Drum	3,510,224	–	report
July 1, 2015	Spotted Seatrout	5,072,274	–	report
July 1, 2014	Red Drum	3,026,914	–	report
July 1, 2014	Spotted Seatrout	5,702,241	–	report
July 1, 2013	Red Drum	2,893,200	–	report
July 1, 2013	Spotted Seatrout	3,135,493	–	report
July 1, 2012	Red Drum	2,390,331	–	report
July 1, 2012	Spotted Seatrout	1,407,929	–	report
July 1, 2011	Red Drum	2,604,430	–	report
July 1, 2011	Spotted Seatrout	170,145	–	report
July 1, 2010	Red Drum	4,531,544	–	report
July 1, 2009	Red Drum	2,858,056	–	report
July 1, 2008	Red Drum	4,473,576	–	report
July 1, 2007	Red Drum	5,092,835	–	report
July 1, 2006	Red Drum	4,705,783	–	report
July 1, 2005	Red Drum	184,471	–	report
July 1, 2004	Red Drum	3,537,408	–	report
July 1, 2003	Red Drum	7,073,595	–	report
July 1, 2002	Red Drum	7,117,824	–	report
July 1, 2001	Red Drum	6,438,993	–	report
July 1, 2000	Red Drum	5,465,867	–	report
July 1, 2000	Spotted Seatrout	55,586	–	report
July 1, 1999	Red Drum	3,393,693	–	report
July 1, 1999	Spotted Seatrout	100,831	–	report
July 1, 1998	Red Drum	6,200,632	–	report
July 1, 1997	Red Drum	2,060,289	–	report
July 1, 1996	Red Drum	2,470,610	–	report
July 1, 1996	Red Drum	2,755,600	–	report
July 1, 1995	Red Drum	5,282,460	–	report
July 1, 1995	Red Drum	2,191,268	–	report
July 1, 1994	Red Drum	1,343,825	–	report
July 1, 1994	Red Drum	4,343,216	–	report
July 1, 1993	Red Drum	6,059,610	–	report
July 1, 1993	Red Drum	2,312,304	–	report
July 1, 1992	Red Drum	2,566,661	–	report
July 1, 1992	Red Drum	498,747	–	report
July 1, 1992	Striped Bass	73	–	report
July 1, 1991	Red Drum	498,742	–	report
July 1, 1991	Red Drum	2,091,009	–	report
July 1, 1990	Red Drum	1,282,128	–	report
July 1, 1990	Red Drum	1,691,404	–	report
July 1, 1989	Red Drum	1,257,436	–	report
July 1, 1989	Red Drum	551,765	–	report
July 1, 1989	Spotted Seatrout	70,000	–	report
July 1, 1988	Red Drum	235,000	–	report
July 1, 1988	Red Drum	122,373	–	report
July 1, 1988	Red Drum	20	–	report
July 1, 1988	Black Drum	507	–	report
July 1, 1988	Spotted Seatrout	14,256,410	–	report
July 1, 1988	Spotted Seatrout	213,853	–	report
July 1, 1987	Red Drum	1,197,936	–	report
July 1, 1987	Spotted Seatrout	325,000	–	report
July 1, 1987	Spotted Seatrout	99,000	–	report
July 1, 1986	Red Drum	1,319,529	–	report
July 1, 1986	Spotted Seatrout	9,000	–	report
July 1, 1985	Spotted Seatrout	665,700	–	report
July 1, 1985	Spotted Seatrout	285,976	–	report
July 1, 1984	Red Drum	153,000	–	report
July 1, 1984	Red Drum	287	–	report
July 1, 1984	Black Drum	4,249	–	report
July 1, 1984	Spotted Seatrout	42,609	–	report
July 1, 1981	Red Drum	7,297,937	–	report
July 1, 1980	Red Drum	2,000,000	–	report

Show 56 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.