Lake Austin Fishing Report: Clear Skies, Cooler Temps, Ideal Conditions for Bass and Catfish

Howdy y’all, this is **Artificial Lure** with your Lake Austin fishing report.

We’re sitting on a cool, stable pattern this morning: light north breeze, clear skies, and highs topping out in the low 60s by mid‑afternoon with cooler temps sliding back through the evening, according to the National Weather Service. That bright, high‑pressure air has the water clearing up and pushing bass tighter to cover once the sun gets up.

Sunrise came just after 7, with sunset a little after 5:30 per the U.S. Naval Observatory tables, so your prime feeding windows are that first hour of light and the last hour before dark. Midday bite is still there, but you’ll need to slow down and get more precise.

Tides don’t affect Lake Austin directly since it’s a Colorado River reservoir, but the steady release schedule below Mansfield Dam, as listed by the Lower Colorado River Authority, has the fish acting like there’s a light current most of the day. When they bump releases, the bite noticeably improves on points and constrictions.

Recent local reports from Lake Austin anglers on Texas Fishing Forum and a couple of area guide pages say numbers of **slot and undersized largemouth** have been common, with a sprinkling of **4–6 pounders** and an occasional bigger fish for those grinding all day. Folks are also picking up a few **white bass** and **channel cats** incidentally on cut bait and small jigs.

**Best lures right now:**
- **Shallow to mid‑depth crankbaits** in shad or ghost patterns along riprap and rocky points.
- **Green pumpkin or watermelon red Texas‑rigged worms and creature baits** dragged slowly on ledges and docks.
- **Jigs** in brown/green with a small trailer pitched to dock walkways, cables, and brush.
- **Suspending jerkbaits** over 8–15 feet near bluff banks and marina edges on the lower lake.

For live bait, local bait shops and angler chatter point to **live shiners** and **small bluegill** under a float or on Carolina rigs as top producers for bigger largemouth around deep docks and bridge pilings. For cats, **stink bait**, **cut shad**, and **chicken liver** fished on the bottom near channel bends are doing the work.

Fish activity today should start with bass roaming shallow grass and seawalls at first light, then sliding off to 10–18 feet as the sun gets high. Once that breeze ripples the surface this afternoon, expect a little flurry on wind‑blown points and submerged grass edges.

A couple of local hot spots to consider:
- **Under and around the 360 Bridge**: vertical rock, shade, and consistent current make it a great crankbait and jig zone, especially on the down‑current side.
- **Downlake around Emma Long and the mid‑lake marinas**: docks, cables, and brush piles hold quality fish. Work jerkbaits and jigs parallel to the structure and be patient.

If you’re launching today, I’d start with a moving bait bite at first light on rocky points and seawalls, then slow down with a jig or Texas rig once the sun gets up and the pleasure‑boat traffic builds.

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