Best Fishing Spots in South Texas

South Texas is one of the most diverse fishing regions in the United States. Within a few hours of the Rio Grande Valley you have world-class largemouth bass on international reservoirs, trophy catfish in border rivers, and saltwater action in the Laguna Madre that rivals anything the Gulf Coast offers. Whether you are a local angler or planning a trip into the region, knowing where to focus your time makes the difference.

FishingHuntingTV has filmed across South Texas for years, and this guide pulls together the spots our crew returns to season after season.

Falcon Lake

Falcon Lake sits on the US-Mexico border between Zapata, TX and Nuevo Guerrero, Tamaulipas. It is consistently ranked among the top largemouth bass fisheries in North America and produces fish in the double-digit range with regularity. The lake covers roughly 87,000 acres at full pool and is fed by the Rio Grande.

The best bass fishing on Falcon runs from late winter through spring when fish move shallow to spawn. Target the rocky points, submerged brush, and creek arm flats. Summer bass push deeper, and anglers who work structure with dropshots and deep-diving crankbaits continue to land quality fish into July. The lake also carries excellent catfish populations throughout the year.

Amistad Reservoir

Amistad sits further north near Del Rio, but South Texas anglers make the drive for good reason. The reservoir holds largemouth, smallmouth, and striped bass along with catfish and crappie. The clear blue-green water and canyon structure make it visually unlike anything else in the region, and the clear water demands finesse presentations that reward skilled anglers.

Smallmouth fishing at Amistad is among the best in Texas, concentrated around rocky drop-offs and points throughout the main lake. Largemouth stack in the creek arms, particularly in the Pecos River and Devils River tributaries. Night fishing for catfish under the canyon walls produces large flatheads and blues during summer months.

Laguna Madre and South Padre Island

The Lower Laguna Madre is the shallow saltwater flat running between South Padre Island and the mainland. It is a world-class destination for wade fishing and sight fishing. Speckled trout and redfish are the primary targets, and the shallow, clear water allows anglers to spot fish before casting.

The flat's shallow depth, rarely exceeding four feet, means a shallow-draft boat or waders are the access methods. Morning low tides on clear days produce the best sight fishing conditions. The Laguna also holds flounder, black drum, and sheepshead, and guide operations out of Port Isabel and South Padre have made the area accessible to visiting anglers for decades.

Lake Casa Blanca

Lake Casa Blanca in Laredo is a 1,680-acre public lake managed by TPWD and one of the most accessible fishing destinations in the RGV region. It holds largemouth bass, channel and blue catfish, carp, and crappie. The lake is stocked regularly and provides solid fishing for anglers who want to stay closer to home rather than making the longer drive to Falcon or Amistad.

Casa Blanca is also a consistent tournament lake with active bass club activity throughout the year. If you are newer to South Texas fishing and want to learn the region without committing to a long trip, this is the starting point.

The Rio Grande Below Falcon

The stretch of the Rio Grande below Falcon Dam through the Rio Grande Valley produces catfish that rarely get the attention they deserve. Blue catfish in the 20 to 40 pound range are not unusual in the deeper channel holes. Local bank anglers and trotliners have worked this water for generations, and it remains a productive but underrated resource.

Access points vary, and much of the riverbank is on private ranch land. Public access points exist in several city and county parks along the river in Hidalgo County. Always confirm access and current regulations with TPWD before fishing.

Licenses and Regulations

All Texas anglers 17 and older require a Texas fishing license. Falcon Lake and Amistad are on the international border with Mexico, and different rules apply depending on which side of the lake you are fishing. The US waters require a Texas license; fishing Mexican waters requires a Mexican fishing license. Border lakes have agreements in place that allow fishing a defined zone, but confirm the current rules with TPWD before heading out.