TPWD District Fisheries Office

8684 LaVillage Avenue
Waco, Texas 76712
(254) 666-5190
John Tibbs, Biologist

About the Area

Nearby State Parks

 

Lake Brazos

Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics


Lake Characteristics

Location: Downtown Waco
Surface area: 523 acres
Maximum depth: 12 feet
Impounded: 1965

Water Conditions

Fluctuation: 1-3 feet
Normal Clarity: Somewhat turbid

Reservoir Controlling Authority

City of Waco
City Hall, 1st floor
300 Austin Avenue
PO Box 2570
Waco, Texas 76702-2570
(254) 750-5740

Aquatic Vegetation

Water willow, cattail, bulrush, button bush, Arundo species

Predominant Fish Species

Lake Records
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

None available

Fishing Regulations

All species are currently managed under statewide regulations.

Angling Opportunities
Species Poor Fair Good Excellent
Largemouth bass   yes    
Channel & blue catfish       yes
Crappie     yes  
White bass   yes    
Striped/palmetto bass   yes    
Sunfish     yes  
Fishing Cover/Structure

Stained to murky water, with a variety of shallow emergent aquatic vegetation, overhanging terrestrial vegetation, isolated laydowns, rip-rap, and submerged artificial structures near fishing piers. Coordinates are available for the artificial structures.

Use the Habitat Structure Viewer for an interactive map of fish habitat structures and downloadable GPS coordinates.

Tips & Tactics

Largemouth bass fishing is at its best in March and April. Areas of the lake protected from the north wind are an excellent place to look for spawning bass at this time of year. Spinner baits and soft plastics are excellent choices. From May through September, look for bass in downed timber next to the river channel. Spinner baits, buzz baits, chuggers, and plastic worms are popular baits.

Crappie fishing can be quite good on Lake Brazos. White crappie predominate, but black crappie are occasionally caught. In the spring, from late February through April, crappie move into water less than two feet deep. The best places to look for spawning crappie are shallow flats next to creek channels. Keep moving to find concentrations of fish. Best catches are usually around standing timber, submerged brush, or aquatic vegetation. In summer, anglers fishing deep brush piles can be successful.

Fishing for channel catfish is generally best in the spring and early summer. Drift fishing from boats as well as bank fishing is popular among rod and reel anglers. Shrimp, blood bait, and stinkbait work well for channel catfish. Anglers after blues and flatheads have their best success with live shad, sunfish, or fresh cut bait. Larger blues are often caught in the winter months.

White bass fishing is best from February through April. Spawning runs up the rivers result in dense concentrations of fish. Trolling or casting jigs and other small baits work well for these schooling fish. Sunfish can be caught using live worms or crickets most of the year, although late spring is best. Fish cover along the shoreline for best results, although bigger fish are usually found on submerged woody cover in deeper water.