Greetings and salutations, Central Texas Fishcatchers!!!
Just inquiring: Do the Steps on the San Gabriel, and Reimers on the Pedernales, have enough water for a white bass run this year? If so, has it started, or have I already missed it?

Will be in Austin 03/18-20th, and hope to hit a run somewhere.

Would welcome general info and if anyone would like to "guide" me on a trip to either or both rivers, HMU! Guide might merit a visit to Southside Market for hot sausage and bbq!

Appreciate any info!!

Good day sir! the Steps definitely have enough water. I was there last Wedbnesday and Thursday Mar 9th & 10th. I caught 18 Wed. (on fly rod) but only 10 Thu. I saw a limit come out of there Wednesday & Thursday just next to me. the water is very clear. it's the clearest I've seen. I caught mainly males. I caught some small females too. it's only gonna get better as the water warms up. This place is just starting to heat up. You should be at a good time when you come to Austin. As you may or may not know... it will be crowded. Bring hip boots or waders for more uncrowded river access away from the more crowded areas. no fee to fish here.

as for Reimers, I have not been there yet this year. however, Lake Travis is low. there will be some water in the Pedernales River at Reimers. How much? I don't know. I am hoping, by walking downstream, there may be some good deeper fishing holes. I'm headed that way next week to find out. there was an $8/truck fee in 2020

You didn't ask, but Lake Somerville's nails creek SP is "going off" - now. Newman bottom & Irwin Bride area are good places, w/big fish. its only about 80 miles from Austin east on hwy 290. there is a $5/person fee here. but no fishing license is needed here.

Hopefully this info will help. I've been on a quest to catch some whites with my fly rod. These are the places I normally would go to near Austin. Good luck to you wherever you go, when you do come to Austin. Safe Travels & tight lines!

Great info, catchnrelease. I haven't been to the steps this year. Last time I was at Reimer's they had changed the fee to $5 per person. I fear the water is too low there for a white bass run. Lovfldx, I agree that the steps are probably your best bet at catching some fish in the Austin area in late March. And there is now a Southside Market in Hutto!

Man Reimers is one fun place to catch whites when the conditions are right. Waders are required for a successful fishing trip there. You have to get over to the other side in the main channel to do good. Now that you have to park up on the cliff and walk down I'm not sure I'll ever go back there. Maybe take my boat up there and wade fish, that would be my best bet.

Just saw on Doppler radar that a tornado went right over the steps area. Might be a mess down on the river right now. Stay safe.

Willis Creek may have a good run come up it. And if the river comes up a little bit, the bite will be on.

Yeah, I'm curious as to how many trees are down and what the area looks like after the storms. The tornado went right over that whole area.

I'm going over there today so I'll give report later this afternoon.

Water is up a little. It is also a little muddy but very fishable. Caught 12 small whites and 1 crappie. I only fished at the bottom of the steps. Maybe 50 yards of bank is all I fished from. A guy with a fly rod was doing well also. But nothing to write home about in my opinion. Fun, yeah. Quality. NO.

Thanks for the report, fishytx. I appreciate it. It's a shorter drive to this place for me, than the Yegua, but it's still a bit of a drive.

The Tornado crosed hw. 95 about half mile north of the steps road. I took some pictures and will try to post them.

Here are 2 photos

Here are 2 photos. They don't look so good on here.

Thanks for sharing those photos. Crazy storms for sure. I wonder if there is a lot of damage to the parks around Lake Granger.

I don't think so. Just north of the lake.