Lake Buchanan / Inks Lake Chamber
Fishing Report
Week of February 16, 2026
Lake Buchanan
As of early February 2026, post cold fronts, fishing conditions on Lake Buchanan for striped and hybrid striped bass are picking up with this warming trend. Water temperatures around 51 degrees on the main body of lake to 43 degrees in the back tributaries and on the Colorado River. You should be seeing fish primarily holding in 28 to 40 feet. The striped bass action is fair, with increases in activity noted in the mid-lake regions. Trolling with live shad or using vertical jigging techniques with 1/2-3/4 ounce jigging slabs has been effective. Best pattern is to target humps and drop-offs where fish are often found chasing shad. Look out for birds indicating schooling fish, particularly during the early morning or late afternoon hours.
Utilize electronics to find schools and adjust depth accordingly. Live bait works well, but artificial lures such as swimbaits and crankbaits are also effective during this time. With these cooler water temps don’t pass an opportunity to finesse fish with small flukes AKA dead sticking. Keep an eye on weather patterns, as water clarity and temperature fluctuations can impact fish activity. Overall, you can expect a decent experience targeting stripers and hybrids this time of year. Happy fishing!
Report by Seth Hobbs, Labelle Fishing Guide Service. Phone: 512-970-3434 or email for more information or to book a guided fishing trip.
As of early February 2026, post cold fronts, fishing conditions on Lake Buchanan for striped and hybrid striped bass are picking up with this warming trend. Water temperatures around 51 degrees on the main body of lake to 43 degrees in the back tributaries and on the Colorado River. You should be seeing fish primarily holding in 28 to 40 feet. The striped bass action is fair, with increases in activity noted in the mid-lake regions. Trolling with live shad or using vertical jigging techniques with 1/2-3/4 ounce jigging slabs has been effective. Best pattern is to target humps and drop-offs where fish are often found chasing shad. Look out for birds indicating schooling fish, particularly during the early morning or late afternoon hours.
Utilize electronics to find schools and adjust depth accordingly. Live bait works well, but artificial lures such as swimbaits and crankbaits are also effective during this time. With these cooler water temps don’t pass an opportunity to finesse fish with small flukes AKA dead sticking. Keep an eye on weather patterns, as water clarity and temperature fluctuations can impact fish activity. Overall, you can expect a decent experience targeting stripers and hybrids this time of year. Happy fishing!
Report by Seth Hobbs, Labelle Fishing Guide Service. Phone: 512-970-3434 or email for more information or to book a guided fishing trip.
Inks Lake
GOOD. Water stained; 48 degrees; 0.76 feet below pool. The lake is now firmly set up in winter patterns. Bass are being caught on crankbaits and drop-shot rigged finesse worms fished around rocky areas and submerged vegetation in up to 15 feet of water. Fish are grouped tightly and relating closely to these areas, so slowing down and thoroughly working productive zones has been key under the colder conditions. Report by Ander Meine, Bassquatch Fishing, (435) 313-1838, andermeine.com. Report by Ander Meine, Bassquatch Fishing.
GOOD. Water stained; 48 degrees; 0.76 feet below pool. The lake is now firmly set up in winter patterns. Bass are being caught on crankbaits and drop-shot rigged finesse worms fished around rocky areas and submerged vegetation in up to 15 feet of water. Fish are grouped tightly and relating closely to these areas, so slowing down and thoroughly working productive zones has been key under the colder conditions. Report by Ander Meine, Bassquatch Fishing, (435) 313-1838, andermeine.com. Report by Ander Meine, Bassquatch Fishing.
Lake LBJ
FAIR. Water stained; 50 degrees; 0.28 feet below pool. Crappie are fair in 25-30 feet of water with chartreuse jigs and minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair in 25-30 feet of water on midlake points with shad. Report by Jess Rotherham, Texas Crappie Fishing Service. Bass are slow but improving on deeper rocky banks. Fishing super slowly with a worm or craw has been productive. Report by Evan Coleman, Big Bassin Fishing Tours.
FAIR. Water stained; 50 degrees; 0.28 feet below pool. Crappie are fair in 25-30 feet of water with chartreuse jigs and minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair in 25-30 feet of water on midlake points with shad. Report by Jess Rotherham, Texas Crappie Fishing Service. Bass are slow but improving on deeper rocky banks. Fishing super slowly with a worm or craw has been productive. Report by Evan Coleman, Big Bassin Fishing Tours.
Lake Marble Falls
FAIR. normal stain; 45 degrees; 0.66 feet below pool. Crappie are fair in 25-30 feet of water with chartreuse jigs and minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair in 25-30 feet of water on midlake points with shad. Report by Jess Rotherham, Texas Crappie Fishing Service.
FAIR. normal stain; 45 degrees; 0.66 feet below pool. Crappie are fair in 25-30 feet of water with chartreuse jigs and minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair in 25-30 feet of water on midlake points with shad. Report by Jess Rotherham, Texas Crappie Fishing Service.
Lake Travis
FAIR. Water normal stain; 57 degrees; 13.81 feet below pool. Bass are fair to good on jerkbaits fished around windblow points have been working well. Also, targeting rocky gradual sloping banks where the wind is pushing into, throwing medium diving craw colored crankbaits has been good. Report by Tyler Torwick, Torwick’s Guiding Service.
FAIR. Water normal stain; 57 degrees; 13.81 feet below pool. Bass are fair to good on jerkbaits fished around windblow points have been working well. Also, targeting rocky gradual sloping banks where the wind is pushing into, throwing medium diving craw colored crankbaits has been good. Report by Tyler Torwick, Torwick’s Guiding Service.
Lake Austin
SLOW. Water stained; 51 degrees; 0.50 feet below pool. Bass are good fishing spinnerbaits and swimbaits over grass flats. Target brush piles in 10-20 feet of water throwing a jig with a craw trailer. Report by Tyler Torwick, Torwick’s Guiding Service.
SLOW. Water stained; 51 degrees; 0.50 feet below pool. Bass are good fishing spinnerbaits and swimbaits over grass flats. Target brush piles in 10-20 feet of water throwing a jig with a craw trailer. Report by Tyler Torwick, Torwick’s Guiding Service.
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Chamber Members - Local Fishing License Retailers
BUCHANAN DAM J & S FOOD MART EXXON | Phone: (512) 793-2040 | Address: 2045 RANCH ROAD 261, 78609
BUCHANAN DAM LOS CAZADORES | Phone: (325) 956-6208 | Address: 15395 E STATE HIGHWAY 29, 78609
KINGSLAND ACE HOME IMPROVEMENT | Phone: (325) 388-4526 | Address: 2607 HIGHWAY 1431, 78639
BURNET INGRAM BAIT AND TACKLE | Phone: (512) 756-4606 | Address: 3751 WEST STATE HIGHWAY 29, 78611
BURNET INKS LAKE SP (512) 793-2223 3630 PARK RD 4 WEST 78611
BUCHANAN DAM J & S FOOD MART EXXON | Phone: (512) 793-2040 | Address: 2045 RANCH ROAD 261, 78609
BUCHANAN DAM LOS CAZADORES | Phone: (325) 956-6208 | Address: 15395 E STATE HIGHWAY 29, 78609
KINGSLAND ACE HOME IMPROVEMENT | Phone: (325) 388-4526 | Address: 2607 HIGHWAY 1431, 78639
BURNET INGRAM BAIT AND TACKLE | Phone: (512) 756-4606 | Address: 3751 WEST STATE HIGHWAY 29, 78611
BURNET INKS LAKE SP (512) 793-2223 3630 PARK RD 4 WEST 78611