Early Fall Heat Hits Lake Austin - Topwaters, Crankbaits, and Shad-Imitating Plastics

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Austin fishing report for Wednesday, October 1st, 2025. If you’re headed out this week, you’ll be greeted by classic early fall Texas heat. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s latest Prairies & Lakes Region report, lake surface temps are running hot—at or just above 90 degrees—and the shad are moving up onto main lake flats and the backs of creeks, triggering those first real signs of the fall migration.

Expect a warm day with highs in the upper 80s, and a muggy morning in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise hit at 7:25 a.m., and sunset’s set for 7:12 p.m., so you’ve got roughly twelve hours of daylight to get your lines wet. Winds should stay mild out of the south, and you might catch a touch more shade on the creek banks as the days inch shorter. No notable tide swings here in the river-reservoir, but currents will be present below the Mansfield Dam or if LCRA’s releasing water.

This week, reports say the bass action is starting to build. Schooling activity is up around the main lake and especially near deeper docks and bridge pilings. School-sized largemouth are busting shad early, especially just after sunup. Your best bet is a small topwater like a Zara Puppy, or a popper thrown close to feeding activity. Once that sun gets up, transition to mid-depth with a white or sexy shad crankbait along secondary points. For those deeper bass suspending in the timber or off channel bends, try a drop shot with a small watermelon or green pumpkin worm, or drag a Carolina rigged fluke through the schools of shad.

Catfish action remains strong. Nightcrawlers or punch bait around deep ledges and outside bends are producing solid channel and blue cats, especially just before dusk. There’s word from regulars at Emma Long Park that some bigger blues are chasing cut shad around the marina points.

Bluegill and sunfish are plentiful around shallow brush and riprap edges—bring the kids and a box of worms. According to the staff at Lake Austin Pier, these species are biting strong all day, especially in the shaded pockets.

Crappie aren’t as thick as on some north Texas lakes, but if you can find submerged brush or standing timber in 12-18 feet, work a bright crappie jig or live minnow just above the cover for your best shot.

For lures, think shad imitations this week—topwaters at dawn, then 3-4 inch swimbaits and silver or white spinnerbaits midday. Later in the morning and through the afternoon, switch to soft plastics; green pumpkin, watermelon red, and motor oil have been reliable. If you’re after bigger bass, a Texas rigged 7-inch worm worked slow along the docks and bulkheads south of Tom Miller Dam has been the ticket.

Hot spots right now include the cove near Walsh Landing—schooling bass are pushing shad tight to the docks at first light—and the creek mouth at Bull Creek, where cooler inflow and shaded banks are congregating active fish. Don’t overlook the rocky shoreline below Mount Bonnell for both bass and cats, especially with a little moving water.

A final reminder: Lake Austin remains catch-and-release for large bass—let those trophies swim for another day.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake Austin fishing report! Be sure to subscribe for more updates, and good luck on the water.

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