Fishing in Texas: Top 10 Destinations, Species & Travel Guide

Fishing in Texas is defined by scale and diversity. With a mix of large reservoirs, river systems, and coastal fisheries, the state offers some of the most varied fishing opportunities in the United States.

What makes Texas different is not just size—it’s system separation. Reservoir fishing, river fishing, and coastal fishing all operate differently, and choosing the right system matters more than the specific location.

This is a state where:

success comes from choosing the right system first—then the destination

How Fishing Works in Texas (What to Know Before You Go)

Fishing in Texas is driven by three key factors: water system, structure, and seasonal heat patterns.

Three Core Fishing Systems

Reservoirs (dominant)
→ bass, catfish, crappie
Rivers (select systems)
→ bass, multi-species
Coastal / bays
→ redfish, trout, flounder

Each fishes completely differently.

Heat Changes Everything

Summer pushes fish deeper or into current
Early morning / late evening become critical
Shallow water is best in spring and fall

Structure Drives Fish Location

Fish relate to:

Points
Drop-offs
Timber
Channel edges
Vegetation

Even in large lakes, fish are not random.

Top Fish Species in Texas (What You’ll Actually Target)

Freshwater Core

Largemouth bass
Smallmouth bass (limited)
Crappie
Bluegill
Channel catfish
Blue catfish
Flathead catfish
White bass
Striped bass

Coastal Core

Red drum (redfish)
Speckled trout
Flounder
Black drum

Best Time to Fish in Texas

Spring: Best overall fishing
Summer: Early/late bite, deeper patterns
Fall: Strong feeding activity
Winter: Trout rivers + slower reservoir fishing

Types of Catch Available

Freshwater

White Bass

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Spotted Bass

Striped Bass

Muskie

Walleye

Brook Trout

Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout

Yellow Perch

Bullhead Catfish

Bluegill

Carp

Crappie

Grass Carp

Saltwater

Atlantic Bonito

Skipjack Tuna

Wahoo

Rockfish

Swordfish

Bonefish

Bluefish

Tarpon

Mackerel

Mahi Mahi

Yellowfin Tuna

Bluefin Tuna

Blue Marlin

Sailfish

Grouper

Halibut

Pacific Cod

Red Drum

Black Drum

State Fishing Records

How to Choose Where to Fish in Texas

Start with your goal:

Want bass → Fork, Choke Canyon, Palestine
Want catfish → Conroe, Palestine
Want striper/white bass → Buchanan
Want trout → Guadalupe River
Want coastal → San Antonio Bay
Want remote river → Devils River

Texas rewards anglers who:

pick the right system—not just a big lake

Top 10 Fishing Spots Across Texas

Lake Conroe

Lake Conroe

Lake Conroe is one of the most consistent catfish and multi-species lakes in Texas, with strong populations of blue and channel catfish.

Fish hold along deeper structure, channels, and drop-offs.

What separates Conroe is its catfish production—it consistently produces high numbers with size potential.

Best for anglers who want focused catfish fishing with steady action.

Choke Canyon Reservoir

Choke Canyon is one of the top bass fisheries in South Texas, known for producing both numbers and size.

Bass hold near vegetation, structure, and shallow-to-mid depth zones.

What separates Choke Canyon is its bass identity—it’s built for largemouth, not general variety.

Best for anglers who want serious bass fishing with trophy potential.

Fort Lake

Fort Lake

Lake Fork is the premier trophy bass fishery in Texas and one of the best in the country.

Bass hold near structure, timber, and depth transitions across the lake.

What separates Fork is its trophy potential—it consistently produces larger bass than almost anywhere else in Texas.

Best for anglers who want a legitimate shot at trophy largemouth bass.

Lake Buchanan

Lake Buchanan is one of the best striper and white bass fisheries in Texas, with strong open-water and structure-driven patterns.

Fish follow bait and relate to deeper zones and transitions.

What separates Buchanan is its striper focus—it offers a different style of fishing than typical bass lakes.

Best for anglers who want striped bass and white bass fishing in a reservoir system.

Lake Palestine

Lake Palestine is one of the most productive multi-species lakes in Texas, especially for catfish and bass.

Fish hold along structure, vegetation, and depth transitions.

What separates Palestine is its size potential—it consistently produces larger catfish and strong multi-species fishing.

Best for anglers who want variety with trophy potential.

Meredith Reservoir

Meredith Reservoir

Meredith Reservoir is a structure-driven lake where fish relate strongly to rocky banks and drop-offs.

Smallmouth bass, walleye, and catfish are primary targets.

What separates Meredith is its structure—fish are concentrated in defined zones rather than spread out.

Best for anglers who want structure-focused fishing in a less pressured system.

Guadalupe River

The Guadalupe River is the top trout fishery in Texas, supported by cold-water releases and seasonal stocking.

Trout hold in seams, runs, and deeper sections.

What separates the Guadalupe is its cold-water identity—it offers trout fishing in a state dominated by warm-water systems.

Best for anglers who want consistent trout fishing in a river environment.

San Antonio Bay

San Antonio Bay is one of the most productive inshore fisheries in Texas, driven by tides, structure, and bait movement.

Redfish, speckled trout, and flounder dominate.

What separates San Antonio Bay is its inshore concentration—fish stack in predictable zones based on tide and structure.

Best for anglers who want coastal fishing with consistent inshore action

Colorado Bend State Park

Colorado Bend State Park

This section of the Colorado River offers a more natural, structure-driven fishing experience compared to reservoirs.

Bass and multi-species fish hold along current seams and structure.

What separates this area is its river feel—it fishes differently than the controlled lake systems across Texas.

Best for anglers who want current-driven fishing in a natural river environment.

Devils River

The Devils River is one of the most remote and pristine river systems in Texas, offering clear water and structure-driven fishing.

Bass hold in defined zones along current and rock structure.

What separates the Devils River is its clarity and isolation—fish behavior is more natural and less pressured.

Best for anglers who want remote fishing with strong smallmouth-style patterns.

Texas State Fishing Records

Species	Weight	Length	Location	Angler	Date
Alligator Gar	279 lbs 0 oz		Rio Grande River	Bill Valverde	1/10/1951
American Eel	1 lbs 8.64 oz	31"	Lake Lavon	Marc Jones	3/30/2000
Bighead Carp	90 lbs 0 oz	55.5"	Lake Kirby	Timothy Conner	7/22/2000
Bigmouth Buffalo	58 lbs 12 oz	40.75"	Lake Sam Rayburn	Allen Chesney	1/29/1994
Bigmouth Sleeper	0 lbs 31.12 oz	13"	Nueces River	Juan Sepulveda	8/27/1994
Black Bullhead	4 lbs 0.32 oz	18"	Navarro Mills Lake	Roy Calame	6/10/1984
Black Crappie	3 lbs 92 oz	18.5"	lake Fork	George Ward	4/27/2003
Blacktail Shiner	0 lbs 0.48 oz	3.98"	Austin Lake	Allen Bradford	8/11/1993
Blue Catfish	121 lbs 5 oz	58"	Lake Texoma	Cody Mullenix	1/16/2004
Blue Tilapia	6 lbs 4 oz	19"	Gibbons Creek Reservoir	Matthew Gross	12/19/1995
Bluegill Sunfish	1 lbs 13 oz	11.5"	Purtis Creek	James Sides	6/12/1993
Bowfin	17 lbs 10.4 oz	36.5"	Lake Fork	Brenda Walsh	2/21/1993
Brook Trout	0 lbs 10.72 oz	12"	Guadalupe River	Bryan Hendricks	2/19/1984
Brown Trout	7 lbs 1.92 oz	24"	Guadalupe River	Jeff Delong	2/7/1986
Chain Pickerel	4 lbs 12 oz	23.75"	Pat Mayse Lake	Robert Finch	2/18/1996
Channel Catfish	36 lbs 8 oz	38"	Pedernales River	Mrs. Joe Cockrell	3/7/1965
Common Carp	41 lbs 8 oz	40"	Town Lake	Vaughn Osmond	3/25/2005
Flathead Catfish	98 lbs 8 oz	53"	Lake Palestine	James Laster	12/2/1998
Freshwater Drum	44 lbs 0 oz	38.5"	Conroe	Jesse Ashley	5/22/2011
Gizzard Shad	2 lbs 10.72 oz	18"	Town Lake	Darryl Freeman	4/12/1997
Golden Shiner	0 lbs 8.32 oz	11"	Lake Placid	Brian Rankin	7/10/1996
Goldeye	2 lbs 5 oz	17.5"	Lake Texoma	Mandy Richmond	5/28/1996
Goldfish	5 lbs 0 oz	15.5"	Lake Conroe	Roy Bishoff	5/16/1994
Grass Carp	44 lbs 0 oz	46"	Bastrop Bayou	Jack Singleton	2/10/1998
Grass Pickerel	0 lbs 7.04 oz	13.75"	Lake Sam Rayburn	Pete Ellis	3/4/1995
Green Sunfish	1 lbs 3.52 oz	9.29"	Tehuacana Creek	Rickie Rivard	4/21/1995
Guadalupe Bass	3 lbs 11 oz	18.25"	Lake Travis	Allen Christenson Jr.	9/25/1983
Hybrid Bass	4 lbs 11 oz	20.39"	San Marcos River	Lance Wester	4/27/1999
Hybrid Bass	19 lbs 10.56 oz	35.16"	Ray Hubbard Lake	John Haney	6/20/1984
Hybrid Corvina	20 lbs 12.8 oz	35"	Lake Braunig	Phillip Mann	4/16/1992
Hybrid Sunfish	1 lbs	12.5 "	Bardwell Lake	Scot Pekrul	4/29/2004
Hybrid Tilapia	3 lbs 12 oz	15"	Gibbons Creek Reservoir	Jim Butler	3/27/1993
Inland Silverside	0 lbs 0.32 oz	4.25"	Lake Benbrook	Del Sowders	6/5/1994
Ladyfish	0 lbs 3.84 oz	10.5"	Trinity River	Mark LaBurt	8/25/2000
Largemouth Bass	18 lbs 2.88 oz	25.5"	Lake Fork	Barry StClair	1/24/1992
Longear Sunfish	0 lbs 7.68 oz	7.5"	Lake Fork	Tyler Russell	6/1/1998
Longnose Gar	50 lbs 5 oz		Trinity River	Townsend Miller	1954
Nile Perch	12 lbs 1 oz	30.5"	Lake Braunig	Mike Saldiver	2/1/1980
Northern Pike	18 lbs 4.48 oz	41"	Town Lake	Mike Sharpe	8/29/1981
Olive Oscar	1 lbs 3.36 oz	11.75"	Greenbelt Reservoir	Marion Eudey	8/29/1998
Orangemouth Corvina	16 lbs 5 oz	36"	Calaveras Lake	Earl L. Tenpenny	11/15/1991
Pacu	1 lbs 12.32 oz	13.5"	Claiborne West Pond	Richard Zerko	10/28/1995
Rainbow Trout	8 lbs 0 oz	26.5"	Nueces River	Timothy Boehm	1/13/2010
Red Drum	36 lbs 13.28 oz	44"	Fairfield Lake	Billy Tyus	5/22/2001
Red-bellied Pacu	6 lbs 0 oz	19.5"	Nooks Lake	James Tant	12/5/1998
Redbreast Sunfish	1 lbs 10.08 oz	12"	Comal River	Alex Labowski	8/30/1997
Redear Sunfish	2 lbs 15.84 oz	14"	Town Lake	John Runnels	4/1/1997
Rio Grande Cichlid	2 lbs 0.32 oz	11.10"	Dunlap	Chuck Dewey	8/2/2011
River Carpsucker	2 lbs 1.6 oz	16.25"	Trinity River	Del Sowders	6/18/1996
Rock Bass	0 lbs 13.28 oz	10.25"	San Marcos River	Chad Thomas	10/9/1997
Saugeye	7 lbs 12.5 oz	27"	Lake Kirby	Robert Quintanilla	1/26/1998
Smallmouth Bass	7 lbs 14.88 oz	23"	Lake Meredith	Timothy Teague	3/13/1998
Smallmouth Buffalo	82 lbs 3.52 oz	43.5"	Lake Athens	Randy Collins	6/13/1993
Southern Flounder	11 lbs 5.6 oz	26"	Brazoria Reservoir	Glenn Comiskey	10/16/1987
Spotted Bass	5 lbs 9.92 oz	22.75"	Alan Henry Reservoir	Erik Atkins	1/15/2011
Spotted Gar	9 lbs 12.8 oz	36.5"	Lake Mexia	Rick Rivard	4/4/1994
Spotted Sucker	0 lbs 11.68 oz	11.5"	Lake Benbrook	Del Sowders	5/13/1994
Spotted Sunfish	0 lbs 0 oz	6"	San Marcos River	Mike Schlimgen	6/20/2008
Striped Bass	53 lbs 0 oz	48"	Brazos River	Ron Venerable	5/27/1999
Suckermouth Catfish	3 lbs 7.2 oz		Guadalupe River	Andrew Cumberland	7/12/2011
Tarpon	10 lbs 1.92 oz	37"	Lake Braunig	Paul Willette	8/6/1986
Threadfin Shad	0 lbs 2.08 oz	7.63"	Richland Chambers Reservoir	Billy Autery	11/16/1998
Tiger Muskellunge	9 lbs 1 oz	32"	Lake Nocona	Mike Gaines	5/27/1979
Walleye	11 lbs 14.08 oz	31.75"	Lake Meredith	Hank McWilliams Jr.	2/26/1990
Warmouth	1 lbs 4.8 oz	10.5"	Town Lake	Ralph Manns Jr.	7/19/1991
White Bass	5 lbs 8.96 oz	20.75"	Colorado River	David Cordill	3/31/1977
White Crappie	4 lbs 9 oz		Navarro Mills Lake	G.G. Wooderson	2/14/1968
Yellow Bass	3 lbs	17.50"	Sabine River	Butch Koehler	3/12/2009
Yellow Bullhead	3 lbs 3.2 oz	16.25"	Lake Fork	Herschell Spears	3/22/1997
Yellow Perch	1 lbs 0.64 oz	12.5"	Lake Meredith	Melvin Vick	5/3/1996

Saltwater

Species	Weight	Length	Date	WaterBody	Angler
Amberjack, Greater	133	68	4-Aug-19	Gulf of Mexico	Tricia Conner
Angelfish, Blue	2.9	14.75	13-Jun-07	Gulf of Mexico	Beverly Stapleton
Angelfish, French	8.7	18.5		Gulf of Mexico	Dennis Daye
Aulopus, Yellowfin	1.31	16	7-Aug-09	Gulf of Mexico	Richard La Bouliere
Barbier, Red	1.81	16.5	8-Jul-86	Gulf of Mexico	Ricky Preddy
Barracuda, Great	52.81	63.43	4-Sep-93	Gulf of Mexico	Kim Calzada
Bass, Hybrid Striped	8.75	25	14-Apr-93	San Antonio Bay	James Potts
Bass, Largemouth	6.81	21.15	8-Feb-18	Sabine River	Matt Bertrand
Bass, Longtail	4.3	22.5	2-Aug-08	Gulf of Mexico	Mike Bednar
Bass, Striped	28	33.5	26-Jan-91	Galveston Bay	Calvin Hinderman Jr.
Beardfish	8.9	25		Gulf of Mexico	Steve Roberts
Bigeye	2.4	17.25		Gulf of Mexico	Suzannah Creech
Bigeye, Short	1	11		Gulf of Mexico	Luis A. Gomez
Bluefish	16.62	36.63	11-Jan-87	Gulf of Mexico	Alex Koumonduros
Boarfish, Deepbody	0.63	7.91		Gulf of Mexico	John Hanson
Bonefish	3.75	23.25	########	Gulf of Mexico	C. W. Morris
Bonito, Atlantic	27	0	1-Jul-69	Gulf of Mexico	Eddie Groth
Bonnethead	24.3	50.12	########	Gulf of Mexico	Pamela Joseph
Bowfin	6.81	25.75	9-Jan-18	Sabine Lake	Robert Vail
Bream, Sea	1.11	12.5	########	Galveston Bay	John Edel
Brotula, Bearded	17.01	37	13-Jul-12	Gulf of Mexico	Richard C. Greer
Burrfish, Striped	1.62	12	########	Gulf of Mexico	Trent Lake
Carp, Grass	8.16	26.42	########	Galveston Bay	Andrew Anthony
Catfish, Blue	42.78	42.5	########	Sabine Lake	Bobby Hutchinson
Catfish, Channel	7.44	23.9	28-Jan-18	Sabine Lake	Betty Vail
Catfish, Flathead	50.15	45.25	########	Sabine Lake	Dale Williams
Catfish, Gafftopsail	13.33	34	########	Gulf of Mexico	Herman Koehne Jr
Catfish, Hardhead	4.06	23	14-Jul-03	Corpus Christi Bay	Federico Garcia
Chub, Bermuda	8.97	23.5	20-Jun-07	Gulf of Mexico	John Godfrey
Chub, Yellow	8.97	24	26-Jun-94	Gulf of Mexico	Christopher McSwain
Cobia	108.44	71	9-May-98	Gulf of Mexico	Michael Albanese
Coney	4.7	21.25	2-Aug-08	Gulf of Mexico	Robert Fouse
Conger, Yellow	21	71	17-Jun-96	Gulf of Mexico	Bradley Poulsen
Cottonwick	2.3	16	########	Gulf of Mexico	Travis McNeil
Creole-fish	1.56	14	########	Gulf of Mexico	Robby Gillis
Croaker, Atlantic	5.47	29	24-Apr-02	Gulf of Mexico	Paul Straw
Cubbyu	1	11.13	16-Apr-87	Gulf of Mexico	Steve Qualia
Cutlassfish, Atlantic	4.7	50	########	Corpus Christi Bay	Travis Colley
Doctorfish	1.26	11.62	14-Apr-97	Gulf of Mexico	Jerry McCullin
Dogfish, Cuban	4.63	30.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Trevin Eckersley
Dogfish, Smooth	26.5	50.88	2-Mar-98	Gulf of Mexico	George Flores
Dogfish, Spiny	21	50.75	########	Gulf of Mexico	Vicki Kusey
Dolphin	65.7	67	21-Jun-08	Gulf of Mexico	Ryan Foster
Dolphin, Pompano	4.1	25.88	3-Aug-90	Gulf of Mexico	Tommy Gueldner
Driftfish, Black	25.37	35.37	10-Jul-10	Gulf of Mexico	Darrell Bezecny
Drum, Black	81	51.18	19-Jun-88	Gulf of Mexico	Wally Escobar Jr.
Drum, Freshwater	33.62	33	########	Sabine Lake	Michael McKinney
Drum, Red	59.5	54.25	30-Jan-00	Gulf of Mexico	Artie Longron
Durgon, Black	3.69	16.75	########	Gulf of Mexico	Jonathan McIntyre
Eel, Shrimp	0.69	24.5	3-Aug-90	Gulf of Mexico	Megan Gower
Eel, Snapper	16.8	67	########	Gulf of Mexico	Taylor Walker
Escolar	35.6	47.25	4-Oct-16	Gulf of Mexico	Chase G. Warburton
Escolar, Roudi	5.38	32	22-Jul-07	Gulf of Mexico	Eric Ozolins
Filefish, Scrawled	4.66	23	2-May-10	Gulf of Mexico	Jason Harries
Filefish, Unicorn	5	21.63	########	Gulf of Mexico	Eugene Foreman Jr.
Flounder, Ocellated	2.63	16.63	6-Dec-01	Galveston Bay	Mark Bond
Flounder, Other	4.3	20.75	########	Lower Laguna Madre	Skipper Ray
Flounder, Southern	13	28	########	Sabine Lake	Herbert Endicott
Flyingfishes, Margined	0.79	14.5	21-Jun-86	Gulf of Mexico	Adolf Schulz
Gag	69.4	51	5-Oct-03	Gulf of Mexico	Tommy Angel
Gar, Alligator	186.19	96.25	########	Galveston Bay	Johnny Gilbert
Gar, Shortnose	3.31	27	5-Apr-19	Sabine Lake	Mathew McBee
Goatfish, Spotted	1.13	10.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Reuben Sherman
Graysby	2.31	14.75	2-Mar-98	Gulf of Mexico	George Flores
Grouper, Black	124	63	11-Jan-03	Gulf of Mexico	Tim Oestreich II
Grouper, Comb	10.88	31	########	Gulf of Mexico	W. Walter Craig
Grouper, Goliath	551	0	29-Jun-37	Gulf of Mexico	Gus Pangarakis
Grouper, Marbled	37.6	39	########	Gulf of Mexico	Shawn T. Ahl
Grouper, Misty	5.69	22	########	Gulf of Mexico	Mike Luchak
Grouper, Red	6.3	24	########	Gulf of Mexico	John R. Veale
Grouper, Snowy	49.81	43.25	########	Gulf of Mexico	Steve Cole
Grouper, Warsaw	302.7	75	########	Gulf of Mexico	Raul Reyes
Grouper, Yellowedge	34.25	41.88	7-Aug-10	Gulf of Mexico	Elmer Lang III
Grouper, Yellowfin	40.75	38.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Karl Loessin
Grouper, Yellowmouth	24.5	39.75	########	Gulf of Mexico	Diane Howe
Grunt, Barred	1.24	13.25	27-Jul-04	Gulf of Mexico	Ronald Lovett
Grunt, White	3.75	18	5-Jul-97	Gulf of Mexico	Dan Schmidt
Guaguanche	4.83	31.75	########	Gulf of Mexico	Ewalt Schneider
Guitarfish, Atlantic	4.44	31.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Byron Noles Jr.
Hake, Carolina	1.6	16	31-Jan-96	Gulf of Mexico	Tony Langston
Hake, Gulf	6.7	28.5	4-Dec-10	Gulf of Mexico	Michael Anzalone
Hake, Spotted	1.68	18	26-Apr-96	Gulf of Mexico	Leonard Maartens Jr.
Hammerhead, Great	1,033.00	173.25	9-Jul-17	Gulf of Mexico	Timothy W. McClellen
Hammerhead, Scalloped	253	115	5-Jun-04	Gulf of Mexico	Davey Wright
Hammerhead, Smalleye	151	95	########	Gulf of Mexico	Louis Kusey III
Herring, Skipjack	3.34	26.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Frank Budd
Hind, Red	8.96	24.25	22-Jul-87	Gulf of Mexico	Adolf Schulz
Hind, Rock	5.03	19	18-Jul-19	Gulf of Mexico	Mark Herdade
Hind, Speckled	43.9	39.38	1-Oct-16	Gulf of Mexico	Joseph Stephenson
Hogfish, Spanish	2.25	15.88	########	Gulf of Mexico	Casey Cundieff
Hogfish, Spotfin	1.07	12.5	24-Jun-99	Gulf of Mexico	Jim Vuichard
Houndfish	4.5	37.4	########	Gulf of Mexico	Gary Long
Jack, Almaco	50.3	49	5-Jul-96	Gulf of Mexico	Billy Winkler
Jack, Black	21.57	32	########	Gulf of Mexico	Roy Aimone
Jack, Cottonmouth	1.25	12.5	14-Jul-84	Gulf of Mexico	Frank Fuller
Jack, Crevalle	50.25	52.25	26-Jun-76	Gulf of Mexico	Francis Lyon
Jack, Horse-eye	32	43.13	8-Sep-12	Gulf of Mexico	Terry Lee Ramsey
Jack, Yellow	15.98	35.75	6-Jun-09	Gulf of Mexico	Greg Cummings
Kingfish, Gulf	2.38	19.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	James Mulhern
Kingfish, Southern	3.62	22	7-Mar-92	Gulf of Mexico	Gilbert Perez
Ladyfish	5.73	28.5	3-Oct-16	Gulf of Mexico	Christopher Cremeen
Lancetfish, Longnose	8.2	53.75	########	Gulf of Mexico	Michael Davis
Lionfish	1.25	14.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Jonathan McIntyre
Lizardfish, Inshore	1.85	20	########	Gulf of Mexico	Winnie Poff
Lookdown	4.2	21	########	Gulf of Mexico	Fayez Nahhas
Mackerel, King	79	58.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Mervin Leppo
Mackerel, Snake	1.88	35.5	6-Jun-07	Gulf of Mexico	Peter Letts
Mackerel, Spanish	8.74	34.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Bobby Tarter
Mako, Longfin	664	128.5	4-May-86	Gulf of Mexico	Donald Ewing
Mako, Shortfin	707.5	128	27-Jan-02	Gulf of Mexico	Jeff Shindle
Margate, Black	12.8	27	24-Jun-00	Gulf of Mexico	Charles Botello
Marlin, Blue	972.7	132.25	11-Jul-14	Gulf of Mexico	Richard Richardson Jr.
Marlin, White	111.5	93	5-Aug-79	Gulf of Mexico	Geo Taggart
Menhaden, Finescale	0.98	13.63	30-Jul-05	Sabine Lake	Richard Constantine Jr.
Midshipman, Atlantic	0.88	33.75	2-Dec-99	Upper Laguna Madre	Thomas Sheehan
Mojarras	0.88	12.25	1-Aug-81	Lower Laguna Madre	Natalie Woods
Moonfish, Atlantic	1.2	14.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Robert Bennett
Moray, Blackedged	3.1	39	########	Gulf of Mexico	Ronnie Vaughn
Moray, Blacktail	2.42	36	########	Gulf of Mexico	George Flores
Moray, Green	7.7	48	1-Aug-98	Gulf of Mexico	George Flores
Moray, Spotted	8.5	50	5-Mar-94	Gulf of Mexico	Louis Kusey III
Mullet, Striped	10.38	29.25	########	Upper Laguna Madre	Scott Lindner
Needlefish, Atlantic	1.25	29.75	1-Jun-15	Lower Laguna Madre	Hayden Mathews
Needlefish, Flat	2.75	38.94	3-Jul-94	Gulf of Mexico	Robin Dunn
Oilfish	61.38	60.75	########	Gulf of Mexico	Keith Johnson
Palometa	1.5	15.81	12-Jun-06	Gulf of Mexico	Henry Flores Jr.
Perch, Sand	0.59	10.67	########	Gulf of Mexico	Robert Lathrop
Permit	1.5	14.75	########	Gulf of Mexico	Jared Guinn
Pigfish	1.04	12.5	########	Galveston Bay	Scott Moss
Pinfish	2.88	17.75	1-Jul-12	Gulf of Mexico	Lucky Rabago
Pinfish, Spottail	1.51	12.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Jeff Kaiser
pomfret, Bigscale	23.12	33.5	23-Jul-17	Gulf of Mexico	Brian S. Cooper
Pompano, African	43.1	52	1-Feb-03	Gulf of Mexico	Hank Cram
Pompano, Florida	6.41	24.63	18-Jun-06	Lower Laguna Madre	Juan Carrillo III
Pompano, Irish	1	12.88	6-Sep-04	Gulf of Mexico	Johnny French
Porgy, Jolthead	1.62	13.63	9-Aug-08	Gulf of Mexico	Derek York
Porgy, Knobbed	5.8	19.75	########	Gulf of Mexico	Stanley Sweet
Porgy, Red	8.18	25.23	4-Jul-09	Gulf of Mexico	Johnny White
Porgy, Whitebone	4.48	18.75	########	Gulf of Mexico	Stan Oftelie
Puddingwife	4.29	19.5	6-Sep-96	Gulf of Mexico	Adolf Schulz
Puffer, Smooth	10.75	30	8-Apr-01	Gulf of Mexico	Daniel Nassiff
Ray, Cownose	50.5	52	########	Gulf of Mexico	Freeman Gage Jr.
Ray, Lesser Electric	0.88	13	########	Gulf of Mexico	Byron Noles Jr.
Ray, Smooth Butterfly	15.42	28.5	3-Jul-04	Lower Laguna Madre	Tom Aubrey
Ray, Spotted Eagle	273.5	82	2-Jun-12	Galveston Bay	Jimmy Anderson
Remora	4	28.25	########	Gulf of Mexico	Barry Osborn
Rosefish, Blackbelly	3.04	17.5	22-Jun-13	Gulf of Mexico	Nicholas Pawlikowski
Runner, Blue	9.57	28.38	3-Oct-01	Gulf of Mexico	Patrick L. Lemire
Runner, Rainbow	28.1	47.94	7-Apr-04	Gulf of Mexico	Keith Banks
Sailfish	95	97.5	12-Jul-72	Gulf of Mexico	Morton Cohn
Sawfish, Largetooth	736	0	1-Jan-39	Gulf of Mexico	Gus Pangarakis
Scamp	28.2	40	6-Jan-19	Gulf of Mexico	Brice Sanchez
Scorpionfish, Highfin	1	12.25	7-Jun-15	Gulf of Mexico	Aaron Adams
Scorpionfish, Spinycheek	3.1	17.5	2-Jul-11	Gulf of Mexico	John Shin
Scorpionfish, Spotted	3.25	16.5	5-May-12	Gulf of Mexico	Allen Lain Schulle
Sea Bass, Rock	0.5	13.63	2-Apr-11	Gulf of Mexico	Kenny Flake
Searobin, Bighead	1.14	13.25	5-Aug-87	Corpus Christi Bay	Wade Kilpatrick
Searobin, Blackwing	0.58	10.75	16-Jan-95	Gulf of Mexico	Robert Pope
Seatrout, Sand	6.25	23.5	########	Galveston Bay	Dennis Herrick
Seatrout, Silver	6.91	24	########	Gulf of Mexico	Gerry L. Tompkins
Seatrout, Spotted	15.6	37.25	########	Lower Laguna Madre	Carl Rowland
Shark, Atlantic Sharpnose	17.14	43.5	5-Apr-00	Gulf of Mexico	Debra Windsor
Shark, Bigeye Sixgill	8.36	40	17-Apr-96	Gulf of Mexico	Christopher Gonzales Jr.
Shark, Blacknose	45	57	29-Apr-93	Gulf of Mexico	Charles Gillispie
Shark, Blacktip	190	97	########	Gulf of Mexico	Davey Wright
Shark, Bull	515	108	########	Aransas Bay	Randall Rickerson
Shark, Dusky	530	129	1-Mar-75	Gulf of Mexico	Raymond Hein
Shark, Finetooth	160	90.35	6-Aug-16	Gulf of Mexico	Jason Armstrong
Shark, Lemon	470	122	########	Gulf of Mexico	Jim Blackburn
Shark, Nurse	83.88	74	########	Gulf of Mexico	Hans Hodell
Shark, Oceanic Whitetip	200	95.75	25-Jul-14	Gulf of Mexico	Blake Oestreich
Shark, Sandbar	226	92	########	Gulf of Mexico	James Wilson
Shark, Silky	556	140	23-Jul-73	Gulf of Mexico	Wolfgang Bushang
Shark, Spinner	212.6	89.75	29-Apr-00	Gulf of Mexico	Howell Kines
Shark, Thresher	333	158.5	2-May-02	Gulf of Mexico	Robert Robinson
Shark, Tiger	1,129.00	162	########	Gulf of Mexico	Chap Cain III
Sharksucker	4.5	30.5	8-Aug-04	Gulf of Mexico	Mariechen Spivey
Sheepshead	15.25	26.5	########	Lower Laguna Madre	Wayne Gilstrap
Sleeper, Bigmouth	1.88	16.75	########	Lower Laguna Madre	Ben Cowan
Snake Eel, King	52	86.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Patrick L. Lemire
Snapper, Black	11.1	26.5	27-Jul-87	Gulf of Mexico	Adolf Schulz
Snapper, blackfin	9	23.75	3-Sep-06	Gulf of Mexico	Dwayne Whitten
Snapper, Cubera	131	56	8-Aug-83	Gulf of Mexico	Ricky Preddy
Snapper, Dog	22.82	33.75	3-Jun-18	Gulf of Mexico	Rene Hernandez
Snapper, Gray	18.67	28.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Steve Pumilia
Snapper, Lane	8.2	25	########	Gulf of Mexico	Rickey Ramirez
Snapper, Mutton	18	32	9-Nov-04	Gulf of Mexico	Roy O'Brian
Snapper, Queen	12	34.75	4-Jun-13	Gulf of Mexico	Robert Kirschner
Snapper, Red	38.75	40	1-Jun-14	Gulf of Mexico	Joseph L. Beaver
Snapper, Silk	10.01	28	6-Jul-19	Gulf of Mexico	Tyler A. Young
Snapper, Vermilion	5.71	23	########	Gulf of Mexico	Tim Oestreich II
Snapper, Yellowtail	9.87	29.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Steve Kinzel
Snook, common	57.5	0	1-Jan-37	Gulf of Mexico	Louis Rawalt
Spadefish, Atlantic	12.94	22.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Edgar Artecona
Spearfish, Longbill	60	86.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Kari Ann Alberthal
Spot	1.13	12.5	########	Upper Laguna Madre	Casimir I. Vital Sr.
Squirrelfish	1.56	15.25	########	Gulf of Mexico	Seth Holbert
Stargazer, Southern	3.3	15.75	29-Jan-93	Gulf of Mexico	Julian Sanchez
Stingray, Atlantic	10.75	41.5	3-Jul-94	Galveston Bay	David Lee Anderson
Stingray, Bluntnose	36.66	0	########	Galveston Bay	Richard Olszak Jr.
Stingray, Roughtail	241	84	2-Sep-91	Gulf of Mexico	Rick A. Jansky
Stingray, Southern	246	96	30-Jun-98	Galveston Bay	Carissa Egger
Swordfish	493	145.75	4-Jun-13	Gulf of Mexico	Brian K. Barclay
Tarpon	229	90	########	Gulf of Mexico	Michael Shane LaRue II
Tiger, Sand	520	119	4-Apr-76	Gulf of Mexico	Joey Vermuelem
Tilefish	31.3	40.35	6-Jun-15	Gulf of Mexico	Jordan Silva
Tilefish, Blueline	8.63	27.5	########	Gulf of Mexico	Trevin Eckersley
Tilefish, Goldface	4.5	21.25	6-Aug-10	Gulf of Mexico	Bruce Slaven
Tilefish, Sand	2.81	24	########	Gulf of Mexico	Steve Andognini
Toadfish, Gulf	3	15.88	17-Jun-89	Gulf of Mexico	Gay Landry
Toadfish, Leopard	3.13	16.31	16-Jul-91	Aransas Bay	Tanya Page Fain
Tomtate	2.03	15.75	3-Mar-90	Gulf of Mexico	Donald McCarty
Triggerfish, Gray	12.46	27.5	19-Jun-96	Gulf of Mexico	Jason Waligura
Triggerfish, Ocean	11.2	25.5	12-Jun-11	Gulf of Mexico	Billy Sheridan
Triggerfish, Queen	10.49	24.5	15-Jul-89	Gulf of Mexico	Bruce F. Goates
Tripletail	33.5	34	29-Jun-84	Matagorda Bay	Edie Pruitt
Trunkfish, Smooth	0.76	9	########	Gulf of Mexico	Alan Miller
Tuna, Bigeye	92.6	50	26-Jun-15	Gulf of Mexico	Cody Stitt
Tuna, Blackfin	38.89	41.75	23-Jun-88	Gulf of Mexico	John Alvarez Jr
Tuna, Bluefin	808	103	4-May-85	Gulf of Mexico	Trina Isaacs
Tuna, Skipjack	28.25	33.88	20-Jun-81	Gulf of Mexico	Jimmy Welder
Tuna, Yellowfin	216.2	80	########	Gulf of Mexico	Jim Dickson
Tunny, Little	15.44	32.5	14-Jul-13	Gulf of Mexico	Robert Wilson
Wahoo	124	73.5	5-Jul-87	Gulf of Mexico	Terry Crider

Brown Trout

Appearance

Brown trout vary greatly in appearance, but are generally olive green to brown on top, shading to a creamy, golden yellow on the sides and an off- white along the belly. Most brown trout are covered with black spots along their sides, back, and dorsal fin with each spot surrounded by a light halo. Frequently, the spots near the lateral line are red. Unlike other trout species, brown trout tails have few if any spots.

Habitat

Brown trout occupy a range of aquatic systems and habitats from Coldwater mountain streams to larger rivers, ponds and lakes.

Diet

Brown trout feed on several animal prey species, aquatic invertebrates being the most abundant prey items. However, brown trout also feed on other prey such as land-based invertebrates (e.g. Hymenoptera) or other fish. Moreover, in brown trout, as in many other fish species, a change in the diet composition normally occurs during the life of the fish, and piscivorous behavior is most frequent in large brown trout.

Fishing for Brown Trout

Fishing for brook trout with a Bubble Fly or Bubble Bait rig is a great way to catch brook trout. The Bubble allows for easy casting or float and release to get to the hard bends and deep pools. Using a spinning reel or fly rod the bubble can help get to the fish. For lake fishing the Bubble works great with a nightcrawler and letting the bubble troll the bait for you using water current or wind.

Top 5 Bubble Fly Combos for Brown Trout

Ant, Cricket, Hopper, Adams Parachute, Wullf Royal

Top 5 Bubble Bait Combos for Brown Trout

Nightcrawler, Wax Worms , Corn, Power Bait, Salmon Eggs

Bubble Fly Challenge Games for Brown Trout

Panfish & Trout