Fresh and Salt Water Fishing in Texas

Padre Island National Seashore stretches from Corpus Christi south some 75 miles to the Port Mansfield Cut - offering some of the most remote seashore to be found anywhere.

Held at Corpus' downtown marina, the Texas International Boat Show features both in-the-water and on-shore exhibits, as well as a variety of entertainment events and vendor booths.

Held at Austin Convention Center, the Austin Boat Show begins just four days after the Houston Boat Show ends, giving visitors to the Lone Star State an opportunity to take in two of the largest boat shows in the nation.

During the four-day San Antonio Boat Show, Alamo City residents and visitors are treated to a wide-array of boats and watercraft, as well as fishing tackle and boating accessories.

Texas is well known for its quality bass fishing. In fact, hundreds of thousands of anglers head to the Lone Star State each year in search of trophy bass. Thanks to good management and conservation practices, Texas has dozens of lakes capable of producing trophy bass. So, what is the best bass fishing lake in Texas?

Texas boasts quality freshwater fishing in lakes across the state. These high quality fisheries draw hundreds of thousands of fishermen to the Lone Star State each year. Of course, all of these anglers are in search of places to stay. Here's a few of Texas finest lakeside fishing lodges.

Located in Falfurrias, Poco Loco Lodge offers South Texas dove and deer hunting as well as saltwater fishing in fabled Baffin Bay. The lodge also offers a pool, hot tub and lighted skeet range for relaxing after a day on the water.

Located right on the water in Port Mansfield, anglers fishing out of Getaway Adventures Lodge have quick access to great shallow water trout and redfish action in the Lower Laguna Madre. Additionally, Getaway offers some of the best guides in the business, fine meals, and plenty of creature comforts.

Sept. 20, 2008 is the date for the second annual Lower Laguna Madre Redfish Championship tournament in Port Isabel. Both pro and amateur anglers will be competing for their share of $5,000 in cash in this live release format tournament. Last year's event saw close to a dozen participants cash checks for overall prize money or hourly payouts.

Port Aransas' annual Deep Sea Roundup is one of the largest fishing tournaments on the Texas coast and includes fly fishing, surf, offshore and junior divisions.

Located just outside of San Antonio, Lake Calaveras has become a favorite destination for fishermen and water sport enthusiasts. The lake also boasts plenty of shoreside amenities such as picnic and camping areas, as well as a fishing pier - everything you need for a great 'day at the lake.'

On July 14, 2007 young anglers from across the state will have an opportunity to compete for the title of Texas Junior Angler State Champion. The first annual TJASC tournament, which includes three competitive age divisions, is set to be held on that date at the South Padre KOA and Fish Bones Pier on South Padre Island.

Texas is home to hundreds of miles of coastline and some of the absolute best salt water fishing in the country. Texas is also home to several top-shelf fishing lodges that cater to the needs of anglers heading to the coast.

Texas is well known for its outstanding inshore salt water fishing. And, the state's extensive coastline, which runs from the US/Mexico border to the Louisiana state line, encompasses many diverse bay systems. This diverse habitat also affords anglers the opportunity to catch a wide variety of salt water species.

South Padre Island, Texas will be the location for what is being billed as the "World's Largest Surf Fishing Tournament." Hundreds of competitors are expected to take part in the event, which is attempting to set the world record for most surf fishing competitors in a single day event. The tournament is set for Feb. 21, 2009.

Set to be held April 22 on South Padre Island, the 2006 Kids Cup Fishing Tournament will give young anglers a taste of competitive fishing, with an all expense paid trip to the Junior Angler World Championships in Key West, Florida on the line.

Texas has long been a hotbed for bass fishing tournaments. However, with the proliferation of salt water tournament trails, Texas has also become a favorite destination for coastal tournament fishing.

After shuffling the tournament schedule to adjust venues following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup has chosen South Padre Island to host its season-ending championship tournament.

Texas offers some of the best fresh and saltwater fishing to be found anywhere. As the weather and water begins to cool in fall, sport fishing in the Lone Star State is at its best. Anglers hoping for a world class angling experience would be wise to pack their rods and head to Texas during autumn.

Held the first weekend in August in the waters around Port Isabel and South Padre Island, the Texas International Fishing Tournament is the largest salt water fishing tournament in Texas, attracting over 1,200 participants every year.

Black bass are the most popular freshwater gamefish in the nation. And, Texas is one of the top states when it comes to producing trophy largemouths. Although practically every lake in Texas has the capability of producing trophy bass, there are a few that are clearly above the rest.

Saltwater fishing in Texas is as good as anywhere along the U.S. coastline. More and more anglers have been discovering this in recent years and packing their bags and rods to take advantage of the Lone Star State's world-class saltwater fishery.

Few anglers realize South Texas is home to the only viable snook population outside of Florida in the entire United States. If you have designs on landing a linesider, why not head to South Texas, rather than South Florida, and join the growing ranks of fishermen who can claim to have caught a Texas snook?

Texas is not known for rainbow trout fishing. However, in addition to excellent year around rainbow trout fishing in the Canyon Lake Tailrace section of the Guadalupe River, Texas residents and visitors have literally dozens of locations to fish during the winter months as Texas Parks and Wildlife goes about their winter trout stocking program.

Winter Texans, spending two to four months in the Lone Star State, have developed a penchant for many saltwater sportfish often overlooked by resident Texas anglers.

One of Texas' most popular water sports destinations, Lake Travis is located among the rolling hills just outside Austin.

Fishing information from Texas Parks and Wildlife, including license information, bag and length limits, species identification charts and more.

Held at Corpus' new downtown marina, the Texas International Boat Show features both in-the-water and on-shore exhibits, as well as a variety of entertainment events and vendor booths.

Make sure you know how to identify what you catch before you head to the lake.

A thorough identification chart of saltwater fish found swimming in Texas coastal waters.

Looking for a place to fish or ski? Check out this complete listing of public lakes in Texas.

Guide listings, fishing reports, hotel and marina information and more for visitors looking to do some saltwater fishing in Texas.

Clear, cold rivers criss-cross the Texas Hill Country, offering anglers a fly fishing experience they may sooner expect to find in Colorado than Texas. Black bass, smallmouth bass, Rio Grande perch, sunfish, and rainbow trout are among the favored target species.

Known as one of the top trophy bass lakes in the nation, Lake Fork draws anglers from across the US and beyond.

Fishing reports and area information for Falcon Lake. Located in Zapata, TX, on the Texas/Mexico border, Falcon is famous for producing "braggin' size" largemouth bass.

"Big Sam" is the largest impoundment situated completely within the confines of Texas. Look here for area information, fishing reports, weather information and more.

Toledo Bend is so big it sprawls across Texas and into Louisiana. Before heading to T-Bend, check here for area information, license requirements (from both states), lodging and dining information and more.

Choke Canyon Lake was formed by backing up nearly 26,000 acres of water from the Frio River over a variety of creekbeds, timber, and other structure. This combination, plus South Texas' temperate weather, has resulted in Choke Canyon consistently producing quality black bass.

How can you be surrounded by water and not want to go fishing? South Padre Island boasts some of the nation's top inshore and offshore sport fishing.

Although a few stretches of river in the Texas Hill Country play home to rainbow trout on a year around basis, the majority of Texas trout fishing is on a put and take basis, with Texas Parks and Wildlife stocking fish in a variety of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs across the state each winter. Check out this list of stocking locations so you can plan your next Texas trout fishing trip.

Before you hit the water in Texas, make sure you have everything in proper order.

The winter Dallas Boat Show offers a chance to escape the cold winter weather while still getting a chance to look at a wide variety of boats and tackle, plus listen to experts giving seminars.

Located in Falfurrias, Poco Loco Lodge offers South Texas dove and deer hunting as well as saltwater fishing in fabled Baffin Bay.

Located right on the water in Port Mansfield, anglers fishing out of Getaway Adventures Lodge have quick access to great shallow water trout and redfish action in the Lower Laguna Madre.

Located on the upper reaches of Falcon Lake, the famous South Texas big bass reservoir, Beacon Lodge offers accommodations and guided fishing for people wishing to fish in South Texas or cross the border to wet a line in Mexico.

Port Aransas' annual Deep Sea Roundup is one of the largest fishing tournaments on the Texas coast and includes fly fishing, surf, offshore and junior divisions.

Located near the border town of Del Rio, Lake Amistad was formed when the Rio Grande was dammed in 1969. It's remote location is part of its charm, as are its clear, sprawling waters. Massive Lake Amistad encompasses neary 70,000 surface acres, which are shared between Mexico and the United States.

Created in 1941, Lake Travis is over 60 miles long, winding through the scenic Texas Hill Country. Lake Travis' clear waters, scenic surroundings and close proximity to Austin have made it one of the most popular lakes for recreational boaters.

Lake Conroe's 21,000 acres lie just a short drive from Houston. It's quick access to the nation's fourth largest city has made it one of the busiest lakes in the state when it comes to recreational boating traffic.

Formed by damming the cool, clear waters of the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels, Canyon Lake is a favorite among boaters, skiers, fishermen, jet skiers and sailors.

A favorite spot for Dallas watersport enthusiasts, Lake Lewisville offers visitors a variety of activities, including fishing, swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, sailboarding, and more.

Located in Rockport, Redfish Lodge boasts some of Texas' best saltwater fishing guides as well as a full-service lodge with plenty of ammenities.

Located in Seadrift, just a few miles from Port O'Connor, Bay Flats Lodge is a full-service lodge that offers both saltwater fishing trips as well as a variety of wing shooting adventures.

The only Orvis-endorsed lodge in Texas, Port Aransas' Shoalgrass Lodge and Conference Center offers light-tackle and fly-fishing charters inshore, as well as offshore charters and wing shooting trips. Shoalgrass also boasts an impressive conference center.

In-depth information for fishermen headed to Texas lakes and bays. Includes feature articles and fishing reports for fresh and salt water anglers.

Located an hour north of Houston, Quantum Lakes are semi-private and well-managed for bass and panfish anglers. Although many anglers are members, day trip rates are available.

Co-owned by BASS pro and The Bachelor television star Byron Velvick, Lake Amistad Resort offers first class fishing accommodations on one of the nation's top bass fishing lakes.

Advertising 'Bass and Breakfast' on one of the nation's top bass fishing destinations, Lake Fork Lodge offers everything they need in pursuit of the trophy bass Lake Fork is famous for.

Located on the shores of Lake Whitney, one of Texas' top smallmouth bass lakes, the Redwood Lodge is also one of Texas' original lakeside lodges, having been in business continously since 1955.