I will be going to lake austin(ive been told this is downriver of lake travis) in a week. I want to fish alot this trip, what species will i have the best luck with? I will be shore/dock fishing. What bait/techniques should i use? Never been here, thanks for the help fellas.

Well if you are going to fishing from the shore/dock on lake Austin, try ( I emphasize TRY) to find some grass. I would use plastics, such as senkos, but there are other ways. I have seen some nice bass come from around docks and grass.

Fish the dock on the lower end of lake austin off of lake austin blvd. Lots of grass right in front of the boat launch area.

I never understood why people always say there is no grass left in Austin. I guess compared to way back when the grass is not near as good; but this year there is grass nearly everywhere on the lake (especially since they did not draw it down).

If looking for bass....the docks near Butt Hut are a good choice, you can even drink a beer while staring at, well, you know. If you are with wife, family or kids Emma Long/City Park would be an excellent choice. There is tons of grass off the swim docks as well as all along the shore. City Park is a spot that boaters fish as well and it usually is a productive spot. Senkos in and along the grass should get some bites.

If you are fishing for cats, carp or buffs City Park or right under the 360 bridge are good bets. There are lots of carp fisherman on this site that do very well on Austin and can maybe enlighten you on what bait to use.

Good luck out there.

if your intrested in the carp and buffalo at lake austin feel free to ask down in the rough fish section, carp avarage 20lbs and buffalo in the 40lb range are pretty commmon

Fished along city park and the grass is all but gone. Found a little clump here and there but nothing like it was. Mostly mud now.

What colors work well in this area? Chartruse and whites? Also, any suggestions for catfish? Very active in this lake? Crappie?

I haven't heard of many people targeting crappie in Lake Austin. There are some in there - I caught a 2lb crappie there last year on a crankbait while bass fishing. But I don't think it has a large crappie population.

I've caught catfish (up to 15lbs) by accident while bass fishing there so I imagine you can do pretty well on them.

Are there many skiers/wake boarders on this lake? Are there creeks/coves or other ways to stay out of their way? I plan on fishing there this week, but I'm not sure it'll be a good idea considering proximity to Austin/UT on Spring Break.

Unfortunately the lake is full of wakeboarders. It's almost unfishable in the summer, particularly on weekends except very early and at night.

It's a narrow river with a few, but not many, creeks where you can get away from the pleasure boats.

travis also gets crowded but it has quite a few creeks/coves with no wake zones where you can get away from the crowds, even in summer.

Bull Creek can get you out of the boat traffic but it gets pounded pretty bad and there are idiots that don't understand what a no wake zone is in there. At night it is pretty good fishing!! Just have to keep a sharp look out for drunks on the lower end. Up river you don't have to worry as much about it just keep a spot light in the boat so if they get too close just light'em up!

Lake Austin has some huge bass in it. I have the best luck at night after all the parties and stuff get over. The fish come out and bite. My favorite Teqnique is a carolina rig with a black worm with a blue tail. I have had lots of luck on that set up. There isnt a whole lot of crappie in this lake but you can try fish for some under the lights at night on some docks by brush.