Gonzales Lake

Largemouth bass and white crappie are the most popular fish in the reservoir. Largemouth bass are abundant with frequent reports of large fish being boated. Crappie fishing can be excellent, especially in the fall. Blue and channel catfish are the most abundant catfish species, although flathead catfish are present in moderate numbers.

Lake Gonzales contains overhanging trees, submerged brush, and shaded edges, all providing excellent habitat for game fish. It is dominated by the main river channel which provides steep dropoffs in the upper portion of the reservoir and deeper holes in the lower portion. Many shallow areas in the lower portion of the reservoir, adjacent to the river channel, concentrate baitfish and provide excellent feeding areas for largemouth bass and catfish.

Largemouth bass fishermen are most successful on Lake Gonzales during the spring, fall, and winter months. Popular baits include spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, rattletraps, crankbaits, and unweighted soft plastic worms or jerkbaits. Topwater baits such as: buzzbaits, Zara Spooks, or Pop-R's, presented very early or very late in the day near visible cover, are popular and can be productive throughout the day if cloud cover is present. Flipping jigs, plastic worms, or tube baits in shaded cover are often productive when other baits fail to produce. Crappie fishing is usually best with live minnows near submerged brush in the cooler months of the year, although small jigs in white, pink, or black and chartreuse also produce nice catches when dabbled near submerged brush or vegetation.

All species at Gonzales Lake are managed under standard Texas statewide regulations.