Lake Travis or Lake Austin: Which Is Better for Bass Fishing

It’s easy for anglers to spend hours debating which fishing spot in the Austin area offers them the best chance for reeling in a largemouth bass. Two popular areas in Central Texas are Lake Travis and Lake Austin, which each have their own benefits.

However, choosing between the two for your next fishing tour may be difficult. This blog will review Lake Travis and Lake Austin and discuss which is better for bass fishing. Whether you are prioritizing numbers or size, one of these lakes will probably fit your vibe better than the other.

Lake Travis

Situated northwest of the state capital and covering more than 18,000 acres, Lake Travis’s history goes back to the 1930s, when the Colorado River Authority began work on Mansfield Dam. Previously, the city of Austin had experienced several tragic floods .

Workers finished the reservoir in 1942. Now known as Lake Travis, this water body has plenty to offer anglers searching for bass. Read on to learn about the various benefits of visiting the reservoir.

Diverse Bass Population and Geography

When you drop a line in Lake Travis, you’ll be angling in one of the most diverse bass fisheries in the region. Largemouth bass get most of the attention from anglers, but spotted, white, and Guadalupe bass also call these waters their home. If you like variety in your fishing trips, this spot has you covered.

The size and shape of the lake also make each trip worthwhile. Steep rocky banks, submerged brush piles, and underwater ledges present unique spots to find fish. The varied terrain means you’ll never run short of locations to try. Some anglers may find that the diversity of both fish and structure on Travis keeps them coming back, just to see how the day’s conditions change the bite.

Another benefit of choosing Lake Travis for bass fishing is that you may find yourself hooking a trophy fish while you’re out on the water. Previous anglers have set records of catching bass in sizes ranging from 13 to more than 15 pounds! This helps make the reservoir an ideal destination for your next fishing trip.

Clear Water

Those who enjoy sight fishing should consider heeding the call of Lake Travis. Water in this reservoir runs on the clear side, so watching a big largemouth cruise through a submerged brush pile on a sunny morning introduces a different element to your fishing game. You’ll get immense satisfaction out of catching a bass you spotted and targeted deliberately in the lake’s transparent areas.

Perfect for First-Time Bass Fishers

Another advantage of Lake Travis is that it is an excellent spot to try bass fishing for the first time. Newbies may find it less challenging to hook a fish when they take a tour in this reservoir, due to the sheer abundance of bass that reside in the lake. However, veteran bass fishers will enjoy their time on the water in Lake Travis as well.

Lake Austin

Spanning nearly 1,600 acres, Lake Austin sits in the Colorado River. Like Lake Travis, it is also an artificial lake. People originally knew it as Lake McDonald, and it was formed when builders constructed the Austin Dam in 1893.

Although that dam eventually broke and repairs were never finished, a second dam, Tom Miller Dam, was completed to provide the city with electricity. Today, Lake Austin is a frequent tourist and fishing site. However, it has a history that has detracted from its legacy as a healthy provider of fish, which you can read more about below.

Many Trophy Largemouth Bass

If you’re looking to catch a trophy largemouth bass, consider visiting Lake Austin. Although the catch rates may not be as frequent as they are at Lake Travis, this reservoir is dependable for catching fish that weigh up to 10 pounds.

The lake’s stretches of shoreline also feature multiple built structures, shady overhangs, and fishable current. Largemouth pile into these spots when the sun gets high, and casting under a dock or into heavy grass may bring a strike few other lakes can touch.

Vegetation Shortage

One downside of fishing on Lake Austin is that it has had issues with vegetation. Although the lake was previously a high-profile destination for bass enthusiasts, an attempt to eliminate hydrilla by adding Asian carp to the lake resulted in it losing all other vegetation that is critical to sustaining aquatic life.

However, that does not mean Lake Austin is not worth your time. In recent years, the lake has been on the road to recovery and still stands as a good source of trophy bass. So, if you’re hunting for that wall-hanger, you may want to consider taking a trip to Lake Austin to have a chance at a monster.

Summer Activity Makes Fishing Challenging

One other disadvantage of fishing at Lake Austin comes during the summertime. As you fish during summer afternoons, you may find yourself sharing the water with wakeboarders, paddleboarders, and pontoon flotillas.

You may have to switch your schedule to fish during nighttime hours or on cooler days, since boat wakes chop up the water and force fish into new patterns. In addition, the pressure from boats, personal watercraft, and party barges keeps bass on edge and less likely to bite during prime hours.

How To Choose Your Fishing Destination

After learning about Lake Travis and Lake Austin, you may still wonder which is better for bass fishing. In some cases, it comes down to preferences.

For example, if you’re relatively new to bass fishing but want to gain experience with a wide variety of bass, a fishing tour of Lake Travis is a great option. However, if you’re specifically focused on largemouth bass and want to target your next trophy, go with Lake Austin. Both offer some of Central Texas’s best bass fishing experiences.

Book a Trip to These Lakes With Bassquatch Fishing

Now that you know about Lake Travis and Lake Austin, you can choose a destination that will allow you to plug into the wider community of Texas bass fishing. Both lakes guarantee plenty of opportunities for fun fishing experiences.

Bassquatch Fishing can take you on unforgettable trips to each of these locations. We employ Austin fishing guides who will provide you with high-quality fishing equipment and give you pointers on your angling skills. You’re sure to have a more enjoyable experience on the water with us. Reach out today to schedule your next bass fishing adventure!