Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Houston (Complete Guide)

The Houston area offers some of the best fishing in Texas and needs to be a go-to spot for serious anglers. Knowing the best time of year to fish in these rich waters can lead to more fish caught.

The best fishing times in Houston are around sunrise and sunset, with spring being excellent for bass and white bass, fall for redfish and flounder migrations, and winter and summer providing unique opportunities for species like sheepshead and catfish, respectively.

Month	Houston Fishing Location
January	Galveston Bay: Galveston Bay’s jetties are great for winter Sheepshead fishing.
February	Matagorda Bay: Black Drum abound in the shallow flats here.
March	Trinity Bay: Spring brings Redfish to the grassy areas of this bay.
April	Brazos River: Upstream, it’s White Bass spawning season.
May	Lake Conroe: Largemouth Bass bite near the vegetation in spring.
June	Lake Houston: Catfish love the deep, warm waters here in summer.
July	Galveston Bay: Speckled Trout prefer the deeper channels during the heat.
August	Trinity Bay: Summer’s end still sees Redfish in the shallows.
September	Galveston Bay: Flounder start to migrate through the bay.
October	Lake Conroe: Largemouth Bass are biting near the docks in fall.
November	Sabine Lake: Flounder run through this coastal lake in late fall.
December	Lake Livingston: Winter Crappie fishing is great near submerged timber.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Houston. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis. Click here to find out the ideal times for angling in Texas.

Best Times: Creeks/Rivers to Fish near Houston

Brazos River (Below Lake Whitney): A great spot for White Bass, especially during the spawning run in March and April.

Guadalupe River (Below Canyon Lake Dam): Target Rainbow Trout in winter months, particularly December and January.

Lower Colorado River: A haven for Largemouth Bass, especially productive in the spring, around May.

San Marcos River: Try for Smallmouth Bass in the summer, particularly June and July.

Llano River: Cast for Guadalupe Bass in the spring, typically around April.

Barton Creek: Fly fishing for Sunfish proves rewarding here, especially in the warm summer months.

Trinity River: Catch Alligator Gar in the hot summer months of July and August.

Blanco River: Target Rio Grande Cichlids here in late spring, typically around May.

Cypress Creek: Fish for Carp in the summer, usually in July.

Pedernales River: Try for Catfish here in the fall, particularly October.

Spring Creek: Winter is the time for Crappie, especially in January.

Buffalo Bayou: Fly fish for Sunfish in the summer months.

Lake Conroe (Caney Creek): Bass bite well here in the spring, around April.

Lake Houston (East Fork San Jacinto River): Great for Crappie in the fall, usually around September.

Lake Livingston (Trinity River): Striped Bass fishing is good in the spring, especially around March.

Check out this helpful guide to a best times for Dallas fishing. You may also be interested in this article on the fishing in Austin in the best times.

Best Times: Lakes & Reservoirs near Houston

Lake Conroe (Northern End): Largemouth Bass are prominent in spring, especially in May.

Lake Livingston (Western Side): Crappie fishing is good in winter, particularly December and January.

Lake Houston (East Fork San Jacinto River): Great for Catfish in the summer, typically around July.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir (Northern Shores): Target White Bass in spring, particularly during March.

Toledo Bend Reservoir (Southern End): It’s a haven for Largemouth Bass, especially in April.

Fayette County Reservoir (West Side): Try for Catfish in the fall, usually around October.

Lake Texana (Sandy Creek): The summer, especially August, is excellent for White Crappie.

Lake Somerville (Yegua Creek): Cast for Hybrid Striped Bass in the winter, particularly in January.

Braunig Lake (Dam Area): Redfish thrive here in the spring, around April.

Choke Canyon Reservoir (South Shore): Largemouth Bass bite well in the fall, particularly around September.

Lake Corpus Christi (Wesley E. Seale Dam): Try for Alligator Gar in the summer, typically in June.

Lake Falcon (Main Lake): Target Largemouth Bass in the spring, especially in March.

Calaveras Lake (Hot Water Discharge Canal): Redfish are prominent in winter, particularly in February.

Lake Travis (Pedernales River Arm): Guadalupe Bass are excellent in the summer, typically around July.

Canyon Lake (North Side): Rainbow Trout are targeted here in winter, especially in December.

Best Times: Saltwater Fishing near Houston

Galveston Bay (East Bay Flats): Redfish are abundant in fall, particularly in October.

Trinity Bay (Anahuac): Flounder are common in November, especially around the marshes.

Matagorda Bay (East Matagorda Bay): Speckled Trout are plentiful in summer, particularly in June.

Freeport (Brazos River Inlet): Tarpon can be found during late summer, usually in August.

San Luis Pass (West End): Sheepshead are prominent in winter, particularly in February.

Sabine Lake (Louisiana/Texas Border): Redfish are prolific in the fall, usually in September.

Port O’Connor (Espiritu Santo Bay): Redfish are abundant in fall, typically around October.

Aransas Bay (Rockport): Flounder fishing is great in spring, usually in April.

Corpus Christi Bay (Oso Bay): Black Drum are abundant in winter, especially in December.

Upper Laguna Madre (Baffin Bay): Speckled Trout are common in summer, usually in July.

Port Isabel (Lower Laguna Madre): Snook fishing is good in the summer, typically around August.

Buffalo Bayou (Central Houston): Catfish are common in summer, especially in June.

West Galveston Bay (North Jetty): Sheepshead are prolific in winter, particularly in January.

Christmas Bay (Follets Island): Redfish are plentiful in the fall, typically in November.

Seadrift (San Antonio Bay): Speckled Trout are abundant in spring, especially in May.

Recommended Fishing Guides near Houston

These Houston-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Clear Lake Fishing Charters II	Houston, TX
Clear Lake Fishing Charters I	Houston, TX
Extremecasting Fishing Guide	Houston, TX
Bow To Stern Fishing Tours	Houston, TX
Kemah Fishing Charters – Houston	Houston, TX
Knot Working Fishing Charters	Houston, TX
Terry’s Guide Service	Houston, TX

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Flounder

The best time to fish for flounder near Houston is during the fall months, specifically October and November. Flounder are more active during the nighttime and early morning hours. Great locations for flounder fishing near Houston include Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay, East Matagorda Bay, and Sabine Pass.

Redfish

The best time to fish for redfish near Houston is fall and winter, particularly September to December. Redfish are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Top locations for redfish fishing near Houston include Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay, West Galveston Bay, and East Matagorda Bay.

Sea Trout (Speckled & Spotted)

The best time to fish for sea trout near Houston is during the cooler months, from October to March. Sea trout are often more active during low-light conditions, such as early morning or late evening. Prime locations for sea trout fishing near Houston include Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay, West Galveston Bay, and East Matagorda Bay.

Sheepshead

The best time to fish for sheepshead near Houston is during the colder months, from November to February. Sheepshead are more active during daylight, so fishing during the morning or afternoon is recommended. Great locations for sheepshead fishing near Houston include Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay, and the jetties along the Gulf of Mexico.

Tarpon

Tarpon fishing near Houston is most successful during summer, particularly June through August. Early mornings and evenings are the prime times to target tarpon. Head to popular locations such as Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Sabine Pass for the best chances.

Snook

Snook fishing near Houston is most productive during the warmer months, from May to September. Early morning or late evening is the ideal time to catch snook. Look for them in popular spots like Galveston Bay, Sabine Pass, and Matagorda Bay.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass are most active near Houston in the spring, particularly in March, April, and fall. Prime fishing times are early morning or late evening. Check out prime fishing locations such as Lake Houston, Sheldon Reservoir, and Lake Conroe.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing near Houston is best in spring and fall, especially April-May and September-October. Fish early mornings or late afternoons for optimal catches. Top spots include Lake Livingston, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, and Lake Conroe.

Striped Bass

Striped Bass in Houston are most active in the cooler months, especially from October to April, with dawn and dusk being peak feeding times. Prime locations for Striped Bass include Lake Livingston, the Trinity River, particularly near the Lake Livingston dam, and the Sabine River.

Hybrid Striped Bass

Hybrid Striped Bass are most active in Houston from April to June, usually feeding in the early morning and late afternoon. Prime fishing locations include Lake Livingston, Lake Conroe, and Sam Rayburn Reservoir, known for their hybrid striped bass populations.

White Bass

White bass fishing near Houston is excellent during their spring spawning run, usually from February to April, with early morning and late afternoon being peak times. The Brazos River, Lake Livingston, and Lake Conroe are key locations known for their white bass populations.

Carp

In Houston, carp are most active from April to October, particularly at dawn and dusk. Buffalo Bayou, Cypress Creek, Brays Bayou, and Lake Houston are prime locations due to their deep, slow-moving waters and grassy shallows.

Catfish

Catfish in Houston are most active from late spring to early fall, often feeding at night or early morning. Prime locations include Lake Houston, known for its channel and blue catfish, the San Jacinto River, and the deeper sections of Buffalo Bayou.

Crappie

Crappie fishing near Houston is prime in the cooler months, especially from February to April, and they’re most active during dawn and dusk. Key spots for crappie are Lake Livingston, Lake Conroe, and Lake Houston, known for their submerged structures where crappie often hide.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout are typically stocked in Houston waters during the cooler months, primarily December through February. They’re most active in the early morning and late afternoon. Key stocked locations include Mary Jo Peckham Park, the ponds at Burroughs and Bane Park, and the stretch of Guadalupe River below Canyon Lake Dam.

Alligator Gar

Alligator gar are most active in Houston from late spring to early fall, often feeding at night. Prime locations include the Trinity River, known for its sizable gar population, Brazos River, and the bayous within the city like Buffalo Bayou.

Best Fishing near Houston on a Seasonal Basis

Winter

Galveston Bay: The Sheepshead fish thrives here in winter. Crab is the preferred bait.
Matagorda Bay: Black Drum fish can be caught here during the colder months. They prefer shrimp or crab for bait.
Lake Livingston: A popular location for Crappie in winter. Minnows or jigs work well as bait.
Sabine Lake: This lake is a winter haven for Redfish. Preferred bait includes cut bait or crab.

Spring

Galveston Bay: This bay is perfect for Flounder fishing in spring. Use live bait, like mud minnows or shrimp.
Trinity Bay: You can find loads of Redfish here during spring. They like cut bait or crab.
Lake Conroe is an excellent place to catch Largemouth Bass in the spring. They respond well to plastic worms or crankbaits.
Brazos River: Here you can catch White Bass as they spawn upstream in the spring. Try using live minnows or jigs as bait.

Summer

Galveston Bay: This place is fantastic for Speckled Trout in summer. They like live shrimp or artificial lures.
Trinity Bay: Here, you’ll find a good population of Redfish. These fish are abundant during the summer months. Preferred bait: cut bait or crab.
Lake Houston: A great spot for Catfish. Summer is prime time for these guys. They love stink bait or cut bait.
Lake Livingston: This lake is renowned for White Bass. Summertime is excellent for catching these fish. Use minnows or small spoons as bait.

Fall

Galveston Bay: A popular spot with plenty of Redfish to catch during the fall. Preferred bait: live shrimp or mullet.
Trinity Bay: This spot is excellent for Spotted Seatrout. The fall season is great for catching these fish. They respond well to live baitfish or artificial lures.
Lake Conroe: Located north of Houston, this lake is known for Largemouth Bass. Fall is a good time to find them biting. Use plastic worms or crankbaits.
Sabine Lake: On the border between Texas and Louisiana, Sabine Lake has a healthy population of Flounder. Fall is the best time to catch them. Use live bait like shrimp or mud minnows.