Clear water, granite shorelines, and old-school Hill Country bass fishing on one of Texas’ most dependable lakes

Some Texas lakes announce themselves with miles of flooded timber, grass beds, or sprawling creek arms that disappear into ranch country.

Inks Lake is different.

She doesn’t need to show off.

Tucked quietly in the Highland Lakes chain between Burnet and Llano, just downstream from Lake Buchanan and upstream from Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, Inks feels like a lake built for fishermen who appreciate subtle things.

A rocky secondary point. A cedar-lined pocket. A dock shadow in late afternoon. A bass that doesn’t hit hard, just loads the rod like someone hung a wet boot on your line.

I’ve always had a weakness for lakes like that.

If you grew up fishing Texas reservoirs, sooner or later you learn that some lakes are best understood not by horsepower, electronics, or how fast you can run from point A to point B.

Some lakes reward patience.

And if you’re searching for Inks Lake Texas bass fishing, that’s exactly what this lake still offers.

Not easy bass.

Earned bass.

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Understanding Inks Lake

Inks Lake lies in the Texas Hill Country in Burnet County, created in 1938 by Buchanan Dam as part of the Lower Colorado River Authority’s Highland Lakes system.

Texas Parks and Wildlife lists Inks Lake at approximately:

• 831 surface acres

• Roughly 4.2 miles long

• Maximum depth around 60 feet

• Constant-level reservoir

That last part matters.

Unlike many Texas reservoirs that rise and fall with drought cycles, Inks stays relatively stable, which creates dependable shoreline cover and predictable bass behavior year after year. Texas Parks and Wildlife consistently identifies Inks as a quality fishery for largemouth and Guadalupe bass.

This is not a giant lake.

And honestly?

That’s part of its charm.

You can fish the entire lake in a day, but if you do it right, you’ll realize one day isn’t nearly enough.

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Rivers and Tributaries Feeding Inks Lake

The primary source feeding Inks Lake is the Colorado River.

Additional feeder water comes from:

• Spring-fed coves

• Small granite runoff draws

• Seasonal Hill Country creek channels

• Water released downstream from Lake Buchanan

Because of the spring-fed nature of parts of the Highland Lakes, water clarity can remain excellent even after rain events.

That’s wonderful for scenery.

And occasionally maddening for bass fishermen.

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Fish Species in Inks Lake

Texas Parks and Wildlife surveys show Inks supports:

• Largemouth bass

• Guadalupe bass

• White bass

• Channel catfish

• Bluegill

• Redear sunfish

• Crappie

Largemouth bass are the primary target, but Inks also offers one of the better chances in the Highland Lakes to hook a pure Texas Guadalupe bass on light tackle.

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Current Water Levels

Because Inks is a managed constant-level reservoir, major fluctuations are less common than on nearby Buchanan or Travis.

Water clarity often ranges:

• 4 to 10 feet visibility

• Slight stain after rainfall

• Crystal clear in winter and summer

Current water elevations are generally managed near conservation pool through the Lower Colorado River Authority system.

For bass anglers, that means shoreline cover and dock patterns stay surprisingly consistent.

That’s gold.

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Weather at Inks Lake

The Texas Hill Country keeps fishermen honest.

Winter

40 to 65°F

Spring

55 to 85°F

Summer

75 to 103°F

Fall

55 to 88°F

Prevailing winds often blow south or southeast, but winter northers can sweep through like a barn door left open.

Summer afternoons bring pleasure boat traffic, so most serious bass fishermen do their best work at dawn and dusk.

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Driving Distances to Inks Lake

From Austin

Approximately 65 miles
Route:

US-183 North to TX-29 West

Travel time:

About 1 hour 20 minutes

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From San Antonio

Approximately 105 miles
Route:

US-281 North

Travel time:

About 2 hours

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From Houston

Approximately 220 miles
Route:

I-10 West to US-290

Travel time:

About 4 hours

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From Corpus Christi

Approximately 255 miles
Route:

US-181 North

Travel time:

About 4.5 hours

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From Dallas

Approximately 205 miles
Route:

I-35 South

Travel time:

About 3.5 hours

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From Fort Worth

Approximately 190 miles
Route:

I-35W South

Travel time:

About 3.25 hours

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Marinas and Boat Launches

When fishing a smaller lake like Inks, a quick launch matters.

And a good cup of coffee before daylight doesn’t hurt either.

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Inks Lake State Park Boat Ramp

Inks Lake State Park
3630 Park Road 4 W, Burnet, TX 78611

Phone: (512) 793-2223

Official site:
Texas Parks and Wildlife Inks Lake State Park

Excellent public launch with immediate access to mid-lake structure.

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Inks Marina

3570 Park Road 4 W, Burnet, TX 78611

Phone: (512) 756-6682

Website:
Inks Marina

A longtime local operation serving fishermen, paddlers, and Hill Country lake visitors.

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Lodging Near Inks Lake

After a long day of skipping jigs under docks and fighting Hill Country winds, a good bed feels like heaven.

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Canyon of the Eagles Nature Resort

16942 Ranch Rd 2341, Burnet, TX 78611

Phone: (512) 334-2070

Website:
Canyon of the Eagles Resort

Beautiful Hill Country lodging nearby.

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Best Western Post Oak Inn

908 Buchanan Dr, Burnet, TX 78611

Phone: (512) 756-7644

Website:
Best Western Post Oak Inn

Clean, reliable, and trailer-friendly.

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Seasonal Inks Lake Texas Bass Fishing

Now for the reason you hauled the boat all the way here.

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January and February

Winter Pattern

Water temperatures:

48 to 58 degrees

Bass hold on:

• Granite bluff walls

• Channel swings

• Deep dock posts

• Standing timber

Best Areas

• Dam area

• State park points

• Main channel breaks

Depth

15 to 35 feet

Best Lures

Football Jig

3/8 to 1/2 oz

Colors:

• Green Pumpkin

• Brown Craw

Drop Shot Worm

4 to 6 inch

Colors:

• Morning Dawn

• Watermelon Seed

TPWD reports commonly note bass holding deeper during winter with slower finesse presentations.

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March and April

Prespawn and Spawn

This is prime Inks Lake Texas bass fishing.

Bass move toward:

• Protected coves

• Gravel banks

• State park pockets

• Creek channel flats

Depth

2 to 10 feet

Best Areas

• Devil’s Waterhole area

• Secondary creek pockets

• Upper lake transitions

Best Lures

Texas Rigged Lizard

6 inch

Colors:

• Watermelon Red

• Green Pumpkin

Suspending Jerkbait

4 to 5 inch

Colors:

• Ghost Minnow

• Shad Pattern

Spinnerbait

3/8 oz

Double willow

Because of clear water, long casts matter.

Sometimes the bass see you before you ever see them.

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May and June

Post Spawn

Bass slide toward:

• Secondary points

• Dock corners

• Cedar-lined banks

• Brush piles

Depth

8 to 18 feet

Best Lures

Wacky Worm

5 inch stick bait

Shaky Head

1/4 oz

Small Swimbait

3.8 inch

Colors:

• Green Pumpkin

• Smoke Shad

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July and August

Summer Pattern

This lake becomes a classic dock and shade fishery.

Bass position under:

• Floating docks

• Boat lifts

• Granite ledges

• Timber edges

Early Morning

Target schooling fish on rocky points.

Midday

Skip jigs under dock walkways.

Depth

5 to 20 feet

Best Lures

Walking Bait

4 to 5 inch

Colors:

• Bone

• Chrome

Skipping Jig

3/8 oz

Colors:

• Black Blue

• Green Pumpkin

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September and October

Fall Feed

Shad move shallow.

Bass follow.

Target:

• Main lake pockets

• Windblown points

• Rocky shorelines

Best Lures

Squarebill Crankbait

2.5 size

Colors:

• Sexy Shad

• Citrus Shad

Spinnerbait

3/8 oz

Swimbait

4 inch

Depth

2 to 12 feet

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November and December

Early Winter Transition

Bass begin returning to:

• Bluff walls

• Deep docks

• Main lake structure

Best Lures

Jerkbait

Football Jig

Alabama Rig

Depth

12 to 30 feet

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Aquatic Vegetation and Habitat

Inks Lake isn’t a grass lake like Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

Instead, bass relate to:

• Sparse shoreline grass

• Moss-covered granite

• Brush piles

• Dock pilings

• Cedar timber

• Rock transitions

That’s why electronics help.

But boat positioning still matters more.

Always has.

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Lake Records

While Inks doesn’t regularly make Texas ShareLunker headlines, fish over 7 pounds are landed every year by anglers who understand the lake’s clear-water behavior and structure-oriented patterns.

Tournament bags typically range:

• 14 to 20 pounds

A true five-fish twenty-pound bag here still means you had yourself a memorable day.

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Final Thoughts

If I were launching my Skeeter on Inks tomorrow morning, here’s how I’d approach it.

At first light, I’d start on rocky main lake points with a walking bait.

As the sun climbed, I’d move to deeper docks and skip a jig into every shadow I could find.

By afternoon, I’d slow down with a shaky head and let the lake tell me what mood she was in.

Because that’s really what Inks Lake Texas bass fishing has always been.

Not chasing fish.

Not racing fish.

Listening to the lake.

And if you listen long enough...the bass usually answer.