Fishing Lake Austin: Bass, Crappie, Catfish Bites - Ideal Conditions & Top Spots for a Productive Day on the Water

Good morning, y’all. It’s Thursday, November 20, 2025, and the sun’s just peeking over the hills around Lake Austin. Sunrise was at 7:08 AM, and sunset tonight will be at 5:40 PM, so you’ve got a solid day ahead if you’re looking to get out on the water. The weather’s mild—temps are hovering in the low 70s, and the water’s running about 72 degrees, with decent clarity but a bit of stain throughout the lake. No major tides to worry about here, since we’re inland, but the lake’s sitting about 0.59 feet below pool, so keep that in mind when you’re planning your spots.

Bass are still active, but the bite is slowing a bit as we head deeper into fall. Most of the action’s been midlake, where bass are schooling up and feeding on baitfish. You’ll find some nice ones in the 3-5 pound range, especially if you’re working the outside grass lines with flukes, wacky worms, frogs, or dropshots. Punching rigs are still pulling fish out of the thicker mats, and Texas-rigged soft plastics under deeper docks are producing, even at night. Skip jigs are a solid choice, too, especially if you’re targeting the bigger ones.

Crappie are excellent right now, with catches up to 12 inches reported on minnows and jigs around scattered brush piles in 12-20 feet of water. White bass are slow, but you can still pick up a few up to 1.5 pounds on crappie jigs and crankbaits, especially out near the lights at night. Catfish are good on jug lines with cut shad or perch, mainly on the main lake flats and drains in 10-20 feet.

If you’re looking for the best lures, stick with paddle tail swimbaits, mid-strolling minnow-style plastics, and weightless stick worms for bass. For crappie, minnows and jigs are your go-to. And if you’re after catfish, cut shad or perch on jug lines is the way to go.

Two hot spots to check out: the main lake brush piles for crappie and the outside grass lines midlake for bass. Both have been consistent lately, and you’ll find plenty of action if you work them right.

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