An old Texas SportsGuide field journal from the heart of the Highland Lakes
There are Texas lakes that make you work.
Then there are Texas lakes that make you smile.
Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, better known to generations of bass fishermen as Lake LBJ, somehow manages to do both.
She sits in the heart of the Texas Hill Country like a ribbon of polished glass, winding through granite outcroppings, cedar ridges, waterfront docks, old ranch country, and enough bass-holding structure to keep a fisherman thinking long after he’s loaded the Skeeter back on the trailer.
Some lakes rise and fall with drought and flood.
LBJ doesn’t play that game.
That’s one of the things anglers love about her. As a constant-level reservoir managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority, Lake LBJ stays remarkably stable compared to most Texas reservoirs. That steady water level keeps boat docks in place, shoreline grass growing, and bass patterns more predictable than many of her Highland Lakes cousins.
For anglers searching for Lake Lyndon B. Johnson Texas bass fishing, this guide is built to help you plan your trip, locate productive water, understand seasonal bass movements, and maybe save yourself a few hours of running and gunning.
Because while Lake LBJ isn’t always easy...
She’s almost always worth it.
Getting to Know Lake LBJ
Lake Lyndon B. Johnson lies about 45 miles northwest of Austin in Burnet and Llano Counties, in the scenic Texas Hill Country.
Created in 1951 when Wirtz Dam impounded the Colorado River, Lake LBJ originally carried the name Granite Shoals Reservoir before being renamed in honor of President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965.
Lake Statistics
Texas Parks and Wildlife lists Lake LBJ at:
-
6,534 surface acres
-
Approximately 21 miles long
-
Maximum depth around 90 feet
- Normal pool elevation of roughly 825 feet
Unlike many Texas lakes, LBJ generally remains near constant pool.
That consistency helps aquatic vegetation establish stable growth and keeps bass patterns surprisingly reliable.
Rivers and Tributaries Feeding Lake LBJ
Lake LBJ draws its life from two historic Texas rivers:
-
Colorado River
- Llano River
The Colorado enters from upstream through Inks Lake.
The Llano River joins near Kingsland on the upper end of the lake, creating some of the most productive bass water on the reservoir.
Secondary feeder creeks include:
-
Sandy Creek
-
Cottonwood Creek
-
Antelope Creek
-
Granite Creek
- Beaver Creek
These tributaries become bass magnets during spring and fall.
Fish Species in Lake LBJ
Texas Parks and Wildlife surveys show Lake LBJ contains:
-
Largemouth bass
-
Guadalupe bass
-
White bass
-
Crappie
-
Channel catfish
-
Blue catfish
-
Flathead catfish
- Sunfish
Lake LBJ maintains a moderate population of largemouth and Guadalupe bass.
For serious bass anglers, largemouth are king.
But don’t be surprised if a hard-fighting Guadalupe grabs your crankbait around rocky banks.
Weather on Lake LBJ
Central Texas weather changes quickly.
Spring
55 to 82°F
Summer
78 to 102°F
Fall
60 to 88°F
Winter
38 to 68°F
Prevailing south winds dominate spring and summer.
During winter cold fronts, north winds can make open water near Horseshoe Bay downright sporty.
Driving Distances to Lake LBJ
From Austin
Approx. 55 miles
Via US-281 North
About 1 hour
From San Antonio
Approx. 100 miles
Via US-281 North
About 1 hour 45 minutes
From Houston
Approx. 220 miles
Via I-10 West then US-290
About 4 hours
From Corpus Christi
Approx. 250 miles
Via US-181 then I-37
About 4.5 hours
From Dallas
Approx. 210 miles
Via I-35 South
About 3.5 hours
From Fort Worth
Approx. 190 miles
Via I-35W South
About 3.25 hours
Marinas and Boat Launches
After decades fishing Texas, I’ve learned one truth:
A smooth launch at daylight can set the tone for the whole day.
Lake LBJ Yacht Club & Marina
4.2•Boating•Closed
Phone: (830) 598-2571
Website: Lake LBJ Yacht Club & Marina
One of the better lower lake launch options near Horseshoe Bay.
Kingsland Community Park Boat Ramp
Phone: (325) 388-6211
Solid public launch near upper lake fishing water.
Granite Shoals City Park Boat Ramp
3.0•Lakes
Phone: (830) 598-2424
Excellent access to mid-lake docks and shoreline grass.
Lodging Around Lake LBJ
After a long summer day skipping docks, these places make fine headquarters.
Horseshoe Bay Resort
2.8•Resorts•Open
Phone: (877) 611-0112
Website: Horseshoe Bay Resort
Luxury waterfront lodging.
Sunset Point RV Resort
4.0•RV Parks•Open
Phone: (830) 798-8191
Website: Sunset Point RV Resort
Excellent trailer parking and direct lake access.
Seasonal Lake Lyndon B. Johnson Texas Bass Fishing
Now we get to the part bass fishermen really care about.
January and February
Winter Pattern
Water temperatures usually run 48 to 58 degrees.
Bass hold:
-
Bluff walls
-
Deep docks
-
Channel swings
- Brush piles
Best Areas
-
Horseshoe Bay
-
Granite Shoals
- Wirtz Dam area
Depth
15 to 35 feet
Best Lures
Football Jig
3/8 to 1/2 oz
Colors:
-
Green Pumpkin
- Peanut Butter & Jelly
Drop Shot Worm
4 to 6 inch
Jigging Spoon
3/4 oz chrome
TPWD reports consistently show winter bass on plastics and slower presentations.
March and April
Prespawn and Spawn
This is prime Lake Lyndon B. Johnson Texas bass fishing.
Bass push into:
-
Llano River pockets
-
Sandy Creek flats
-
Protected marinas
- Boat docks with grass nearby
Depth
2 to 10 feet
Best Lures
Texas Rigged Lizard
6 inch
Colors:
-
Watermelon Red
- Green Pumpkin
Suspending Jerkbait
4 to 5 inch
Colors:
-
Ghost Minnow
- Pro Blue
Spinnerbait
1/2 oz double willow
This is also when hydrilla and shoreline vegetation become major bass magnets. Lake LBJ has historically supported hydrilla growth.
May and June
Post Spawn
Bass begin recovering around:
-
Secondary points
-
Brush piles
-
Marina edges
- Deeper dock walkways
Depth
8 to 18 feet
Best Lures
Wacky Worm
5 inch stick bait
Swimbait
3.8 inch paddle tail
Shaky Head
1/4 oz
July and August
Summer Pattern
Lake LBJ becomes a textbook dock lake.
Bass bury under:
-
Floating docks
-
Cable supports
-
Boat lifts
- Brush piles
Early Morning
Topwater around seawalls.
Midday
Skip docks.
Best Lures
Walking Bait
4.5 inch
Bone or chrome
Skipping Jig
3/8 oz
Texas Rig Creature Bait
4 inch
Colors:
-
Black Blue
- Green Pumpkin
Depth
5 to 20 feet
September and October
Fall Feed
Shad migrate into tributaries.
Target:
-
Llano River mouth
-
Sandy Creek
-
Beaver Creek
- Granite Shoals shoreline
Best Lures
Squarebill Crankbait
2.5 size
Spinnerbait
3/8 oz
Swimbait
4 inch
Depth:
2 to 12 feet
November and December
Early Winter Transition
Bass return to:
-
Main lake points
-
Bluff walls
- Deeper docks
Best Lures
Jerkbait
Football Jig
Alabama Rig
Depth:
12 to 30 feet
Best Areas on Lake LBJ
After years fishing similar Highland Lakes, these sections deserve attention:
Llano River Arm
Excellent spring prespawn bass.
Granite Shoals
Heavy dock fishing.
Horseshoe Bay
Deep structure and marina bass.
Sandy Creek
Excellent fall baitfish migration area.
Lake Records
Lake LBJ doesn’t produce ShareLunker numbers like Fork or O.H. Ivie, but double-digit largemouth are caught every year by anglers who understand structure, patience, and boat positioning.
Most tournament winning bags typically range from 18 to 24 pounds depending on season.
Final Thoughts
If I were launching my Skeeter on Lake LBJ tomorrow morning, I’d keep it simple.
At daylight I’d start on rocky points with a walking bait.
Once the sun climbed, I’d start skipping docks.
And when the afternoon heat settled over the Hill Country and most pleasure boaters headed for lunch, I’d slow down with a jig and let the lake tell me what she wanted.
Because that’s really what Lake Lyndon B. Johnson Texas bass fishing has always been.
Not brute force.
Not luck.
Just reading water...dock by dock...shadow by shadow...until that rod loads up and another Texas bass reminds you why you came.
0 Comments