I am new to the fishing scene around Austin. Anyone know of a good catfish lake in the Austin area?

Try lake Travis or any of the Highland lakes

Water clear; 56 degrees; 0.20' high. Black bass to 3 pounds are good on black jigs and chrome crippled herring spoons in 22 - 48 feet. Striped bass to 6 pounds are slow on large minnows in 35 - 50 feet. White bass to 1 pound are fair shad rap crankbaits and silver crippled herring spoons in 25 - 45 feet. Crappie to 1 pound are fair on minnows and pink tube jigs in 15 - 40 feet. Channel and blue catfish to 7 pounds are fair on bait shrimp and nightcrawlers in 35 - 45 feet. Yellow catfish are slow.

Thanks, but I forgot to mention, I am fishing out of a kayak and Lake Travis is too big and has too many big boats. I am a scardy cat. Anyone know of a small lake nearby with catfish?

Try Town Lake. Peaceful, calm, no powerboats (I think).

Several years ago, caught many stringers of catfish at mouth of Barton Creek,and near Deep Eddy Pool

How ya doin' Jerry? Granger Lake over by Taylor is supposedly a great catfish lake. I've never caught a whisker out of there, but it looks promising. It looks like there would be a lot of channels and flatheads in that lake.

Hey, Phillip! I took my kayak out for the first time Sunday. Town lake for about 3 hours. Didn't do any fishing, just checking the water with my fishfinder and cruising around. TP&W says the lake is 18' deep. Lots of 20' and over in there. Your kayak should be in soon. Next week or so right?
Jerry

It came in early last week, I was down at Town Lake too Sunday, around the Red Bud Island area. Saw some whites busting the surface, but they didn't take anything I threw at them.

Check out some of the community lakes or ponds. They have stocked channel catfish. Plus you should be able to use your Kayak....

Depending if you live in Travis or Williamson County.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/cfllist/?r=6

I live in NW Austin and fish the Brushy Creek park (30 acres) North off Parmer lane and Highway 620. Also they are several ponds in Round Rock area that have plenty of catfish.

GOOD LUCK, and post your reports!


Another map:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/gofishing/austinfish/austinspots/index.html

If you want some good catfish action, try kayaking the Pedernales River at Pedernales Falls State Park near Drippin' Springs. Fun and theres some nice ones. Catch your own minnows in the river and clean up. Also, try Decker Lake just east of Austin. Good Luck

Decker would be my suggestion. I have catfished every lake around here, and even though Granger is a great crappie lake, and the old timers there can catch catfish like nothing, I cannot seem to find any catfish there over 5 inches long.

Decker, near the dam or in the reeds with a cork and punchbait. You should get plenty of action. You might also happen up on some whites or hybrids out there. There's also some good LMB action.