58 public waters in the South Texas & Rio Grande region — 54 lakes/reservoirs and 4 rivers. Every one is fishable on a Texas licence.
See every public fishing venue in Texas on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Laguna Madre is one of the few hypersaline lagoons in the world and one of the best redfish and speckled trout fisheries on the Texas coast. Its shallow grass flats produce trophy 'gator trout' exceeding 7-8 lbs, and slot redfish of 20-28 inches are common; snook and tarpon occasionally show up in the Lower Laguna near South Padre Island.
The Rio Grande corridor in Cameron County spans 11,033 acres and supports an exceptional catfish fishery—channel, blue, and flathead species thrive in this South Texas river system. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, longnose and alligator gar, and Rio Grande chub provide diverse angling options across the region's most expansive warmwater resource.
In Cameron and Erath Counties, Texas, Cross Lake is a 7,722-acre lake, managed by City Land. An East Texas Piney Woods reservoir — trophy largemouth over the timber and hydrilla, spotted and Yellow Bass, Chain Pickerel, Crappie by the thousands, and giant blue and Flathead Catfish.
Laguna Atascosa Lake (3,530 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
South Texas's 3,258-acre Laguna Atascosa in Cameron County is a shallow coastal lagoon system prized for spotted seatrout and redfish, with southern flounder and largemouth bass rounding out the saltwater-influenced fishery. This Rio Grande region water rewards anglers familiar with tidal and wind-driven patterns.
Kleberg and Cameron Counties, Texas — Laguna Larga Lake is a 3,191-acre lake, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
At just over 1,900 acres in Cameron County, South Bay punches above its weight as a premier South Texas saltwater fishery, especially for anglers targeting red drum, spotted seatrout, and black drum. The bay's shallow structure also holds tarpon and snook—prizes that make South Bay worth the trip for serious light-tackle hunters.
Laguna Larga, a 1,573-acre lake in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Vadia Ancha (1,120 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron County, Texas — Vadia Ancha Lake is a 1,046-acre lake, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
In Cameron County, Texas, Cayo Atascoso is a 897-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
San Martin Lake, a 735-acre lake in Cameron County, Texas, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
Resaca de La Palma Reservoir (583 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
Loma Alta Lake, a 564-acre lake in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron Company WCID 2 Reservoir 1 (537 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
Cameron County, Texas — Adams Winter Garden Reservoir is a 403-acre lake, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
Cameron Company WCID 2 Reservoir 2 (333 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
Harlingen Ship Channel (295 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron County, Texas — La Feria Reservoir is a 290-acre lake, managed by City Land: A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
In Cameron County, Texas, Cameron Company Fwsd Reservoir 1 is a 234-acre lake, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
Cameron County, Texas — Cameron County FWSD Reservoir 1 is a 232-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron County, Texas — Arroyo Colorado is a 230-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron County District Number One Reservoir (164 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
In Cameron County, Texas, Reservoir Number Seven is a 128-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Boca Chica Bay, a 89-acre lake in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
El Tular Lake, a 69-acre lake in Cameron County, Texas, managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
Cameron County, Texas — El Tular is a 69-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron County, Texas — McCloud Hood Reservoir is a 69-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron County, Texas — Dana-Tule Reservoir 2 is a 69-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Resaca de las Antonias (61 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Sweeney Lake, a 60-acre lake in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
City of Harlingen Reservoir (60 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by City Land. A Rio Grande border reservoir — a legendary big-largemouth fishery, white and Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, and Alligator Gar. A Texas licence covers the whole US side.
In Cameron County, Texas, Reba Bass Lake is a 60-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron County, Texas — Bayside Lake is a 58-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Cameron County, Texas, Cain Reservoir 1 is a 49-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Laguna de los Patos (46 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Cameron County, Texas, Mercer Reservoir 2 is a 40-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Cameron County, Texas, Esperanza Farms Lake is a 36-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Cameron County, Texas, Russel Lake 1 is a 29-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Fort Brown Resaca (29 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Roos Reservoir, a 28-acre lake in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Cameron County, Texas, Cain Reservoir 2 is a 27-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron County, Texas — Resaca de los Fresnos is a 27-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Resaca de los Cuates, a 25-acre lake in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Abbott Reservoir (24 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron County, Texas — Olmito Lake is a 24-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Cameron County, Texas, Resaca de las Flores is a 23-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron County, Texas — Cuates Lake is a 22-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Montgomery Reservoir (21 acres) sits in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Cameron County, Texas, El Preseno Lake is a 19-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Resaca Reparo, a 18-acre lake in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cameron County, Texas — Roos Reservoir C is a 17-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Cameron County, Texas, Lake Harlingen is a 16-acre lake, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Dana-Tule Reservoir 1, a 16-acre lake in Cameron County, Texas, managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Arroyo Colorado (102 km) flows through Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties, Texas. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Pilot Channel runs 24 km through Cameron and Willacy Counties, Texas: Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Cameron County, Texas, Resaca de los Cuates is a 21 km river or creek. Public lakes and reservoirs in this part of the country typically hold largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, black and white crappie, and bluegill and other sunfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway runs the length of the Texas coast and is prime brackish-water fishing -- redfish are the standout target, tailing in shallow flats along the edges, with spotted seatrout, black drum, flounder and sheepshead (around pilings and posts) all regular catches. A Texas saltwater fishing license/endorsement is required.
Across its mapped waters, Cameron County holds 34 species on PiscaMaps, including Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass and White Crappie.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Texas map Join PiscaMapsOne Texas fishing licence covers every public water in the state. Resident annual is about $34, non-resident about $50, with 3-day and 10-day non-resident permits available. TPWD agency lakes and the Beech River lakes need an extra lake permit. Buy at gooutdoorstexas.com.