Fishing Season: Spring

Colorado River - TX

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

72

Alvin Dedeaux's Tip of the Week

As we move into summer, there are a lot of options available to catch fish on the Colorado River. Early mornings will be the best time to fish slow and low with sinking tip lines and weighted flies. As things warm up weighted streamers on floating lines should produce. As the heat of the day warms the water a few fish are starting to eat poppers.

Directions open in app

Map of Colorado River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

All Water Guides

5-Day Outlook as of 7/21/25

High flows from heavy rains in central Texas will make th Colorado River muddy for the next week.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/21/25

Time to leave the sinking lines at home. As the water warms during the summer. Fis early and late to take advantage of cooler temperatures and the opportunity for some topwater action. As the day warms plan on fishing subsurface patterns.

Local Species Available Spring

  • Fish Icon

    Black Bass

  • Fish Icon

    White Bass

  • Fish Icon

    Catfish

  • Fish Icon

    Freshwater drum

  • Fish Icon

    buffalo

Alvin Dedeaux's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Gulley Fish N/A 2
Gulley Ultra Craw N/A 2
Rattlin' Baitfish olive 4
Gulley Fish pearl 3/0
Clouser Minnow yellow and white 2
Clouser Minnows chartreuse and white 2

Gulley Fish

Image Not Found

Item #17PC

Buy Now

Alvin Dedeaux's Recommended Gear

Description: About Colorado River

The Colorado River is the 18th longest river in the United States and the longest river with both its source and mouth within Texas; however its drainage basin and some of its usually dry tributaries do extend into New Mexico. The 862 mile long river flows generally southeast from Dawson County through Marble Falls, Austin, Bastrop, Smithville, La Grange, Columbus, Wharton, and Bay City before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico at Matagorda Bay. The Colorado River below Austin offers some of the best bass fishing in the central Texas area. Despite the proximity to Austin, most days we have the river to ourselves. Bass in the Colorado River between Austin and Webberville will typically be larger on average than most other hill country rivers. There is always a possibility to catch a 5 plus pound bass on the Colorado. The catfish in the Colorado can be very aggressive and we catch quite a few of them on flies. Lady Bird Lake and the Lower Colorado River below Austin provide some of the best urban fishing in the nation. Largemouth bass, Guadalupe bass, catfish and several different species of sunfish can all be caught on the same trip. Both of these trips make great half day quick get away fishing options. We float the Colorado River in a custom made wooden drift boat or a whitewater raft designed for fishing.Both boats are very comfortable and stable.

Nearest Airport:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Hatches:

Shad Crawfish

Best Time to Fish:

All day

Best Stretch:

Austin to Smithville

Best Access:

Webberville county parks and Fisherman's Park in Bastrop