Lake Georgetown in Williamson County, 20 miles north of Austin, Texas is a fine fishing lake. It covers almost 1300 acres and is 85 feet deep. This manmade lake, controlled by the Corps of Engineers, is home to large and small mouth bass, catfish, and white and hybrid bass. If you want to find a good catch, read on to learn how to fish on Lake Georgetown in Texas.
Launch your boat at a public ramp. The ramps are located at Cedar Breaks Park and Jim Hogg Park and are open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Know the fishing limit and size regulations. The state regulations apply except for a 14- to 18-inch slot limit for largemouth bass. Bass 14 inches and less or 18 inches and greater can be retained. The daily limit for all four species of black bass is five of all types together.
Fish for bass. Lake Georgetown contains a high density largemouth bass population. Bass weighing more than 10 lbs. have been recorded. A low-density smallmouth bass population is limited to the lower end of the lake. There is also a good white bass population with runs occurring up the North Fork of the San Gabriel River in the spring. Hybrid striped bass have been stocked annually since 2003.
Know the lake. Lake Georgetown has steeply sloping banks covered with limestone rock in sizes ranging from gravel to boulders. The lake is relatively clear, but staining appears as one travels up the reservoir. There is no aquatic plant life because of water level fluctuations. Most fish cover is in the form of rock ledges and boulders. Because the lake is owned by the government, private boat docks and boat houses are not present along the water, so you must truck your boat in from elsewhere to fish there.
Fish in the spring and fall. Largemouth bass fisherman have their best success on Lake Georgetown during the spring and fall. During the hot summer months, largemouth bass anglers should fish at night for better success. In the lower section of the reservoir where the water generally remains clear, top water lures, metal flake willowleaf spinnerbaits, and shallow- to medium-depth crankbaits work well along rocky banks. Use casting jigs, soft/hard jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits to wood or rock cover in the mid and upper sections of the reservoir to catch the huge largemouth bass.
Fish in February. White bass begin their annual spawning run up the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. Try twister tail jigs, small hair jigs, small crankbaits, and small topwaters for white bass. Live bait fishing with minnows is also good. Catfish anglers can find channel, blue, and flathead catfish throughout the lake. Stinkbaits and cutbaits work well for the blues and channels, while live bait is preferred for large flathead catfish. After you have caught your limit, go back to your camping site and put your catch in pan and enjoy your dinner.
