In Season Now: Houston Fishing · Oct. 22
In peak season
- Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, Alabama, Guadalupe, spotted) Year-Round
- Crappie (white, black) Year-Round
- Channel and Blue Catfish Year-Round
From this page's species calendar. Check current the state wildlife agency size and creel limits before you fish.
HERE Houston
Houston TX
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, TPWD regulations, and community fishing coverage for Harris County lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 2 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌔
Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 89%
66°F
63°F
5 mph
1022
as of 8:20 AM ET
Fair — bright nights mean fish feed overnight. Try early morning before they drop deep.
Harris County • Greater Houston TX
Your Local Fishing Resource
Houston anglers fish Lake Houston on the San Jacinto River northeast of the city and Lake Conroe to the north. TPWD sets statewide limits; see the regulations below.
Current Conditions • Houston Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
ACTIVE
Pre-spawn or fall pattern. Crappie suspending over deeper structure.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
ACTIVE
Catfish feeding well in spring and fall. Target deeper holes and channel swings.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Harris County waters. Always verify TPWD regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
66F
Clear
Feels like 66°F
as of 8:20 AM ET
Wind
5 mph E
Humidity
82%
Pressure
1022 hPa
Est. Water Temp
63°F
Moon
Waxing Gibbous
Sunrise / Sunset
7:26 am / 6:44 pm
Location
Houston, TX
On-the-Water Tips
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
- Calm winds make for ideal casting conditions. Fish will be spooky in clear water — use light line and natural presentations.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
66°F
Optimal Bite
Wind Speed
5 mph
Calm — Ideal
Barometric Pressure
1022 hPa
Stable — Active
Moon Phase
🌔
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TODAY
Sunny
84° / 60°
5 mph wind
GOOD
FRI
Sunny
85° / 64°
3 mph wind
GOOD
SAT
Sunny
84° / 65°
8 mph wind
FAIR
SUN
Mostly Sunny
81° / 64°
8 mph wind
FAIR
MON
Partly Sunny
80° / 63°
8 mph wind
GOOD
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
2 fishing waters within Harris County — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Lake Houston
11,854
Lake
Largemouth Bass
White Bass
White Crappie
Blue Catfish
Bluegill
An 11,854-acre reservoir on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, up to 45 feet deep. Cover is limited except in the upper west and east forks.
Public access sites around the lake; see TPWD's lake page.
Angler Tip
Head to the upper forks for cover.
Lake Conroe
20,118
Lake
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Channel Catfish
White & Hybrid Striped Bass
A 20,118-acre San Jacinto River Authority reservoir on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.
Public ramps around the lake; see TPWD's lake page.
Angler Tip
Check TPWD for special length limits on bass.
Did We Miss a Spot?
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Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Houston and Greater Houston
Texas
Official
Houston fishing
No new Houston-area fishing stories this week. Check current Texas fishing rules from the state wildlife agency, and watch this page for the next local report.
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Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Houston and Greater Houston TX
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Houston angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Greater Houston TX waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Greater Houston TX Waters
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TPWD Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Harris County waters. Always verify current regulations at tpwd.texas.gov.
TX Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Houston Waters
Regulations shown are for general reference. Special rules apply on many individual lakes and rivers. Always verify current rules with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at tpwd.texas.gov before keeping fish.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Year-Round
Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, Alabama, Guadalupe, spotted)
5 per day combined; largemouth 14-inch minimum statewide. Special regulations apply on some lakes.
Year-Round
Crappie (white, black)
25 per day combined; 10-inch minimum statewide.
Year-Round
Channel and Blue Catfish
25 per day combined; only 10 may be 20 inches or longer.
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Harris County water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. TPWD trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit tpwd.texas.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Houston area, answered.
-
Yes. Anglers need a Texas fishing license to fish public waters. See TPWD at tpwd.texas.gov for current license ages, fees and any free fishing days.
-
Harris County has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult TPWD for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream.
-
The best crappie fishing in Harris County is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Houston lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult TPWD for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
-
Rivers near Houston typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult TPWD for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
-
TPWD stocks select Harris County waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the TPWD website at https://tpwd.texas.gov/ — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current TPWD schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Houston.
FISHING NEWS NEAR HOUSTON TX
Fishing coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.