At 8,240 surface acres, Canyon Lake is exactly what the name implies; i.e., exceptionally deep canyons, filled with “gin” clear water. Impounded in 1964 by the Corps. of Engineers the lake is one of Texas’ most scenic settings. Located just 30 minutes north of San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country, it is a great vacation destination. It is the uppermost and largest of all lakes along the Guadalupe River Chain. While this is a Corps of Engineers lake, management of the water within is under the control of the Guadalupe/Blanco River Authority.
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Map of Canyon Lake Fishing
Depths of over 120′ in some spots near the dam is the summer home of quality stripers and catfish. Most creeks and pockets along the shorline average 20′-40′ with many feeder creeks, gravel flats and steep banklines. Anglers are successful on both largemouth and smallmouth bass using jigs, tube lures, spinnerbaits, worms and crankbaits in Cranes Mill, Tom’s, Potter’s and Jacob’s Creeks. Submerged standing timber is located along some of the steep bluffs in 15′-20′ of water.
Fishermen enjoy the lake from November through April, or until school vacation begins when the lake is invaded by hordes of recreational boaters and sail boats that clog virtually every passage. This is when night fishing becomes the most productive and enjoyable.
Several beautiful Corp. operated RV parks are available as well as numerous resorts, motels and restaurants are available.
Canyon Lake Record Catches
| Species | Weight | Inches |
| LARGEMOUTH BASS | 11.50 | 26.00″ |
| SMALLMOUTH BASS | 6.13 | 21.00″ |
| STRIPED BASS | 38.12 | 41.50″ |
| CRAPPIE | 3.22 | 18.50″ |
| CHANNEL CATFISH | 11.58 | 29.75 |
Canyon Lake Fishing Report
CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 70 degrees; 910.25′ : Largemouth are very good along flats and in creeks using a wtrmelon Snap Back jerkbaits(www.terminatorlures.com), Rat-L-Traps www.rat-l-trap.com), pumk/red/grn Senkos (www.canyonlakefishing.com) and pitching a grn/pump. Terminator Finesse Jig to shallow stumps on creek flats. Upriver, bass are very good early over flats on channel turns throwing 1/8 oz. whit/char. Tiny-T buzzbaits and small propped topwaters like a Rat-L-Top. Later, pitching a 4″ shad colored Super Tube Heavy or Whacky rigged pump/grn. 6″ Scoundrel worms (www.cremelure.com) to laydowns and stumps in 4′-8′ of water.
Smallmouth are good to 4 lbs. over rockpiles and along ledges in 6′-18′ using drop shot rigged Smokin’ Green Devil’s Tongue (www.cremelure.com) pitching a 3/16 oz. grn./pump. Terminator Finesse Jig with a # 23 Uncle Josh pork trailer (www.unclejosh.com), pump/char. Sliding Weight Finesse Craw Fish (www.slidingweight.com)on split shot rigs or a 3″ crawfish Super Tube.
Stripers are fair on Hyper Striper Jigs (www.kgenterprise.com), white/char. Curb’s jigs w/matching plastic trailers and drifting live bait.
White Bass are good in the upper lake on points and channel turns using # 3 Snag-Less In-Line spinners (www.terrminatorlures.com), 1-1/2″ Lit’l Fishies, and Tiny Traps (www.rat-l-trap.com) or a Berkley Frenzy.
Crappie are good upriver over brushpiles and tight to standing timber on 1/16 oz. Tube Jigs, white 1/32 oz. Curb’s crappie jigs and live minnows. (www.canyonlakefishing.com) For area info. or to book a guided trip with the only licensed, fulltime, professional guides on Canyon Lake contact JR’S GUIDE SERVICE www.jrguideservice.com. Call (830) 833-5688 or email [email protected], Or, see us at FISHERMAN’S CORNER www.canyonlakefishing.com, FM 306 at Potter’s Creek Rd., (210) 213-2534. Check out the largest selection of quality tackle and live bait of any dealer in the area; Terminator, Creme,Berkley, Zoom, Tuff Line, Ambassadeur and a full line of trout tackle and bait.
Canyon Lake Fishing Guides
Bubba J’s Guide Service
830-237-3315
Bubba J’s Guide Service is family and kid friendly. On Canyon Lake Texas, We Cater to family and corporate outings. We also accommodate disabled personnel along with veterans. Will work with everyone from the seasoned pro to first time beginners. I will help teach you and work hand in hand to help provide the best experience possible. No matter your experience we will have a great time. – bubbajsguideservice.com
Fisher Fishing
210-394-3925
Bret Fisher grew up in South Texas, where he developed his fishing savvy on some of the best bass lakes in America. An obsessive angler since childhood, Bret has fished every major waterway in the South and Central Texas regions and then some, from Falcon Lake in Zapata to Austin’s Travis Lake, home of the world record Guadalupe bass! All of the major lakes and reservoirs in this prime fishing territory have produced record bass, including some of the more convenient hotspots like Canyon, Medina, Braunig and Calaveras Lakes all located a short drive from San Antonio. – fisherfishing.com
Bones Fishing Guide Service
210-629-7561
Are you looking for a memorable, safe and affordable fishing experience in the Alamo city area, with a San Antonio fishing guide, than I am your fishing guide. Bones Fishing Guide Service Professionally Guiding for 9 yrs. at Calaveras Lake, Braunig Lake, Canyon Lake, Guadalupe River, Nueces River and Choke Canyon Reservoir. – bonesfishing.com
SAN ANTONIO FISHING GUIDES
210-573-1230
Professional, Full Time Fishing Guide. He has over 40 years experience fishing the San Antonio Area Lakes. He Charters at Canyon Lake, Calaveras Lake and Braunig Lake. He also Charters Fishing Trips to the Texas Coast at Port O’ Connor, Texas. – sanantoniofishingguides.com
Teach ‘Em to Fish
(210) 771-0123
First and foremost, each guided fishing outing is catered to you, whether it’s a family day or you’re an experienced angler. Tell me your goals and interest for the outing, then ask all the questions you want and learn all you can during our time together. You should expect to improve your knowledge, skills and catch fish. As a licensed professional freshwater fishing guide in Texas, I primarily guide on Central Texas and Hill Country Highland Lakes. – teachemtofish.net
Reelfly Fishing Adventures
1642 FM-2673
Canyon Lake, TX 78133
Phone: (830) 964-4823
Specializing in fly fishing, ReelFly Fishing Adventures opened it’s doors in 2013 in Sattler, Texas. Since then, it has been our mission to provide the area with successful and memorable guided fly fishing trips throughout the Texas Hill Country as well as the Texas Gulf Coast. With our eyes focused on the future, 2018 has been a big year for ReelFly. We have not only added a few destination travel fly fishing adventures but we are proud to announce the opening of ReelFly Outdoor Co. located in Wimberley, Texas. With the combination of both locations we are able to provide a wide selection of some of the best fly fishing and outdoor apparel brands available. – reelfly.com
Scott Springer of Fish Falcon Lake
361-449-7643
Experience the best Largemouth bass fishing in south Texas with guided trips on Falcon and Choke Canyon Lake. Scott Springer is a seasoned south Texas fishing guide with over 24 years experience. Based in McMullen County, Texas, Scott guides fishing experiences on Choke Canyon Lake and Falcon Lake, outfits dove and hog hunts in Texas, and guides whitetail deer hunts in Mexico. – fishfalconlake.com