Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) just made it easier for anglers to go rainbow trout fishing in Canyon Lake and New Braunfels during the peak of the winter stocking season.
Free public access to Camp Huaco Springs between Sattler/Canyon Lake and New Braunfels opens Friday, Dec. 6, and runs through March 30, 2025. Hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
“This lease location provides great bank-angler-access to river trout fishing coupled with gorgeous Guadalupe River scenery,” said Patrick Ireland, supervisor of TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division San Marcos and Austin District.
TPWD will stock this and other sections of the Guadalupe River, also known as the Canyon Reservoir Tailrace, with more than 20,000 rainbow trout during weekly stockings from early December through late February 2025.
The stocking locations also include Guadalupe Park at the dam and the fourth and third river crossings on River Road.
Anglers may find public access to the river in other areas being stocked with trout – including nearby Guadalupe Park, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Canyon Lake office – but should note that special regulations and limits are in effect starting 800 yards downstream from the Canyon Dam release to the second bridge crossing on River Road.
Camp Huaco Springs falls under statewide trout regulations so that anglers can keep up to their daily bag limit of five trout with no minimum length limit. Trout anglers ages 17 and older need a valid fishing license with a freshwater fishing endorsement.
The 30-acre campground features nearly a half mile of bank access along alternating pools and riffles on the Guadalupe River.
Anglers can use the bank, which is gently sloped and rocky, or wade fish both upstream and downstream to take advantage of a low-water dam at the upper end of the property or a deep pool at the lower end. They can also launch non-motorized boats, canoes, kayaks, or other floatable devices for fishing.
The Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited Chapter (GRTU), a partner of TPWD, also stocks Rainbow Trout throughout the river during the colder months. The GRTU trout are typically larger than TPWD stock. Anglers should check the 2024-25 Trout Stocking Schedule online before fishing to confirm the date and to find other winter trout stocking program angling locations and tips.
Camp Huaco Springs is located at 4150 River Road (at the first crossing) in New Braunfels.
It offers primitive and electric camping. RVs of all sizes are welcome. Cabins also are available.
