LAKE AUSTIN– Texas

Size: 1,600 Acres

Max Depth: 75 feet

Impounded: 1939

Biggest Known Carp: 40+lbs

Biggest Known Buffalo: 70+lbs

Biggest Known Grass Carp: 65+lbs

Best Time: Fall thru Winter, Spring

Features: River-like, featuring quick dropoffs and continuous mussel beds, beautiful Central Texas scenery

LADY BIRD LAKE– Texas (Also known as Town Lake)

Size: 500 Acres

Max Depth: 30 feet

Impounded: 1960

Biggest Known Carp: 46 lbs (Texas State Record)

Biggest Known Buffalo: 72 lbs 6oz

Biggest Known Grass Carp: 60+lbs

Features: One of the most well known carp waters in the United States, used to support the Austin Team Championship carp tournament each year. Located in the center of downtown Austin, Lady Bird represents city carpin’ at its finest! Known for one very large buffalo we call Star that has been caught by more than 8 different anglers dating back over 12 years. I caught her in June 2024 at 71lbs 10oz and my good friend Jacob recently landed the same fish at an even bigger weight! Could we be looking at a potential 75+ soon? Only time will tell

Decker Lake- Texas (Walter E. Long Lake)

Size: 1,269 Acres

Max Depth: 60 feet

Impounded: 1967

Biggest Known Carp: 30 lbs +

Biggest Known Buffalo: 71lbs 4oz

Features: This is hands-down the best buffalo fishery in the United States. More buffalo over 60lbs came from this water in 2024 than anywhere else in the nation. We’ve seen a couple fish recently knocking on the door of the lake record including a 68lb specimen caught by Art Weston last year during a guided trip. Any time is a good time to go to Decker, but the colder months tend to produce the best big-fish action.

*Currently the dam at Decker lake is undergoing repairs so the water level has been drawn down about 7 feet to facilitate the repairs. Decker is still fishable from the bank during the repairs but since the boat ramps are closed I cannot currently offer boat trips at this location until the repairs are completed in fall 2027*

LAKE FORK RESERVOIR- Texas

Size: 27,500 Acres

Max Depth: 70 feet

Impounded: 1980

Biggest Known Carp: 40+lbs

Biggest Known Buffalo: 71+lbs

Best Time: Year Round, Especially Fall thru Spring

Features: Extensive forests of flooded timber, submerged vegetation, emergent vegetation

SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR- Texas

Size: 114,500 Acres

Max Depth: 80 feet

Impounded: 1965

Biggest Known Carp: 40+lbs

Biggest Known Buffalo: 80+lbs

Best Time: Year Round, especially Summer

Features: Another Texas Giant! Vast expanses of flooded timber, covered by submerged and emergent vegetation, a diverse range of aquatic ecosystems in different parts of the lake, including sloping cliff walls and open water on the south end to swamps and snag-covered waters on the north end

TOLEDO BEND RESERVOIR- Texas/Louisiana

Size: 181,600 Acres (Largest Lake in Texas)

Max Depth: 110 feet

Impounded: 1967

Biggest Known Carp: 50+lbs

Biggest Known Buffalo: 85+lbs

Best Time: Year Round, especially Summer

Features: Toledo is huge! Inland ocean by proportions, vast expanses of flooded timber, covered by submerged and emergent vegetation, a diverse range of aquatic ecosystems in different parts of the lake. Mid lake area contains the largest amount of aquatic vegetation  and standing timber(Six Mile, Housen, Indian Mounds). South area contains extreme depth access, aquatic vegetation, and easy access to swims. The north end contains lots of standing timber, emergent and submerged vegetation transitioning to a cypress swamp. Keep in mind that the wind is a huge factor on these inland oceans! Quite often it can be too rough to keep lines in the water during windy days!