Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) says it will release 19,564 rainbow trout into the Canyon Tailrace or Guadalupe River directly below Canyon Lake dam starting in December.
In what it describes as an “annual Texas winter tradition,” TPWD stocks numerous lakes around Texas with “catchable-sized fish” to create unique angling opportunities.
Trout will be released into the tailrace on Dec. 6, Dec. 13, Dec. 20, and Dec. 27. In 2025, TPWD said it will release trout on Jan. 3, Jan, 10, Jan. 17, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 21 and March 2.
This stretch of the Guadalupe River is considered by Trout Unlimited to be one of the top 100 trout streams in North America. It’s also the southernmost trout fishery in the United States.
Rainbow trout will be delivered from TPWD’s A.E. Wood Fish Hatchery in San Marcos.
TPWD plans to stock 342,373 rainbow trout in Texas ponds and lakes from Nov. 26 — March 9. Because rainbow trout are unable to survive in most areas of Texas after winter due to the warm water temperatures, anglers are encouraged to keep up to their daily bag limit of five trout.
Exceptions exist within special trout management zones on the Guadalupe River downstream of Canyon Lake, which often remains cool enough for rainbow trout to survive year-round.
For rainbow and brown trout and their hybrids and subspecies there is no minimum length and daily bag limit is five trout in any combination, TPWD said in a statement.
In Trout Zone 1, which extends from 800 yards downstream from Canyon Dam release downstream to east bridge on FM 306, length limit is a 12 to 18-inch slot for rainbow and brown trout. Trout 12 inches and less or 18 inches or longer may be retained. Harvest of trout is by artificial lures only.
In Trout Zone 2, which extends from east RFM 306 bridge crossing downstream to the 2nd crossing on River Road, the minimum length for rainbow and brown trout is 18 inches and daily bag limit is one fish. Harvest of trout is by artificial lures only.
“Rainbow trout love cold water and can be caught on a variety of baits and lures (worms, commercially available pastes, corn, spinners, spoons, flies and more), and are great to take home and eat,” said TPWD Rainbow Trout Program Director Carl Kittel. “Our winter rainbow trout program has been a favorite of anglers for over 40 years.”
The fish can be bagged using simple, light tackle or hand-tied flies on a fly rod, but anglers are advised to keep an array of baits and lures nearby as well as ice to keep trout fresh.
