The time of year has finally come for us to restock our tackle boxes, find our lucky lure, and untangle the line we said we would untangle last year. It’s fishing time! And we’re all looking for the best places, starting with San Antonio.
In San Antonio, the best rivers and lakes to fish at are:
- Medina Lake
- Guadalupe River
- Canyon Lake
- Lost Maples River
- Boerne City Lake Park
These waters are renowned in Texas either for their size, variety of fish, access, flexibility for fishing styles, features such as stocking, or a combination of these factors.
To find out more about the locations of your next fishing tour, and to find out if they have a spot just for you, read below.
Article Contents
Is There Good Fishing in San Antonio?
San Antonio is one of those locations that fishermen drool over because wherever you go, there is a productive fishing spot next to you. You could be in the city center, cast a line, and get a nice catch! It’s one of the few places that doesn’t really have a bad location for fishing, just good, better, and amazing locations! Take a look!
Where is the Best Fishing in San Antonio
When there’s good fishing wherever you go, it can be hard to find out where the best fishing spot is, especially if you are a visiting tourist and all the bodies of water seem great or as good as any body of water next to it. Fear not! There is an answer for you.
There is a lake 40 miles northwest from San Antonio that has a surface area of 5,426 ACRES, and a maximum depth of 152ft!
Now, every one who fishes knows that it isn’t size alone that makes a great fishing spot. That’s why Medina Lake is also the best because it has sparse aquatic vegetation, so that there’s practically nothing to get your line caught in, and the pièce de résistance is the fact that Medina Lake is routinely stocked with fish. After it’s stocked is absolutely the best time to go fish there.
Do You Need a Fishing License in Texas?
Yes, from the time a visitor or local in Texas is 17 and older, you are required to have a fishing license in order to fish in public waters in the entire state. Those who are 16 and younger do not need a license and neither do those who were born before 1931.
The 5 Best Places to go Fishing Near San Antonio
San Antonio is packed full of good fishing locations, but as an avid fisherman, you want to know what the best fishing locations are, the waters that will make traveling to Texas and enduring the hot, hot sun amidst all the tourists, worth it. I have good news for you. San Antonio is a large place, and these 5 waters below are sure to have everything you want from a fishing location.
1. Medina Lake
Like we said before, Medina Lake is large, with enough room for everyone to fish (see Texas.gov for more info), it has minimal aquatic vegetation so practically the only risk of getting your line caught is by fishing too close to each other.
There’s plenty of opportunities to fish at Medina Lake from both boat and the shoreline. Most of the property surrounding the lake is public property and gets stocked up with fish from local hatcheries.
2. Guadalupe River
The Guadalupe River has a reputation known far and wide as an excellent fishing location, but it’s trickier to find a good location than on Medina. It has your pick of Large and Smallmouth Bass, Rio Grande Perch, Guadalupe Bass, Rainbow Trout, and even Sunfish.
Upriver (above the Canyon Lake dam), you can find good fishing locations west of the town of Kerrville, Texas and near the towns of Spring Branch, Comfort, and Boerne because you’ll encounter fewer tourists. Other spots with potential are along Lane Valley Rd., and Guadalupe State Park.
3. Canyon Lake
If you thought Medina was large, Canyon Lake in central Texas is 8,300 acres that comes with an impressive array of fish. You have your selection between,
- Large and Smallmouth, White, and Striped Bass
- Channel, Blue, and Flathead Catfish
- Black and White Crappies
- Bluegills
- Redbreast and Redear Sunfish
- And Longnose and Spotted Gar
It’s especially renowned for the bass. The water is also exceptionally clear, making it easy to do topwater fishing. This is an area where boat fishing is a huge advantage.
4. Lost Maples
Are you more of a fly-fisherman? Lost Maples is the river for you! Bass, bluegills, catfish and sunfish are plentiful here and it’s another location that gets stocked from local hatcheries. Overnight stays are even available though you have to bring in your gear and camp, not just wait in the car. There’s enough room to back cast in some places, just watch out for the trees. You can lose a lot of dry flies that way.
Fishermen are able to enjoy a day full of catches with enough challenge to make it interesting, such as the 25mph running water, or faster in some areas, and again, the trees.
5. Boerne City Lake Park
Last, but definitely not least, Boerne City Lake Park is another location with a tremendous variety of fish including, but not limited to,
- Black and White Bass
- Guadalupe Bass
- Sunfish
- Crappie
- White and Flathead Catfish
- Bream and Bluegill
- Carp
- Gar
- And Panfish
What’s great about this last option on our list is that it’s an ideal location for casual fishing, bait fishing, and even fly fishing. It may be one of the few fishing locations where the fishing is just as good mid morning as it is early. Check out the Boerne City Lake Park site for hours and more info.
Final Thoughts
Are these locations making you itch to cast your line as soon as possible? You still have time to make your dream vacation plans organized, your key spots at each location chosen, and to gather together all the snacks you can carry in the trunk of your car.
