Summertime Largemouth, Crappie, and Catfish Bite on Lake Austin

Lake Austin woke up warm and hazy this morning, with air temps pushing 80 before sunrise and staying steady all day—expect a high around 93, so bring water and pack a sun buff. Sunrise hit at 6:29 AM, and sunset rolls in at 8:30 PM, giving you a wide window to chase that bite. We’re between moon phases this week, so tidal swings aren’t a factor; boat traffic will be your biggest variable as folks shake loose for the weekend.

Water is stained but clearing up—right around 81 degrees and 0.63 feet below pool, making for prime summer patterns according to the most recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department update. The shallow bite is still reliable right up until that sun breaks free: schoolie largemouths blitzing shad around creek mouths and flats, especially along the east bank and just upstream of Pennybacker Bridge. Toss small shad-profile crankbaits high in the water column, or try a weightless fluke when you spot surface activity. Once the light gets up, big worms on Texas rigs and shaky heads down deep near brush piles and hydrilla lines are catching better fish—a six-pounder was reported last week north of Emma Long Park, caught on a green pumpkin ribbon-tail.

For trophies, June’s got a reputation for sleeper big fish on swimbaits—slow roll a glide bait parallel to the grass, particularly on the upper end by Steiner Ranch. Crappie and sunfish have been steady but smaller this week, hitting live worms and micro-jigs on submerged timber near Walsh Boat Landing and the Bull Creek outflow. A handful of channel cats were caught overnight on punch bait and cut shad near the deeper ledge at St. Stephens.

Bass remain top billing; a few solid stripers have been reported closer to Mansfield Dam, but most folks are focused on largemouths. Early topwater is still popping: bone-colored walking baits and classic poppers get the edge at first and last light, especially near docks and shaded coves. By mid-morning, switch over to deep structure tactics—Carolina rigs and football jigs in 14-22 feet seem to be key, particularly on points with irregular bottom contour.

As far as hot spots, focus on:

- Just above the 360 Bridge (Pennybacker) for schooling bass at dawn and dusk
- Hydrilla flats near Steiner Ranch for numbers and the shot at a trophy
- Brush piles and timber off Emma Long for both largemouth and crappie
- Deep holes off St. Stephens for after-dark catfish

Boat traffic ramps up fast after 10 AM, so get out early or target the last light for quieter fishing. Remember that zebra mussels are a concern—drain and clean your boat before and after you launch, per Texas Parks and Wildlife guidance.

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