Trout Released in Canyon Trailrace

Canyon Lake anglers will have plenty of cool-weather fishing opportunities to look forward to in the coming months.

Some 17,666 rainbow trout will be released in Canyon Trailrace starting in December. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) says the fish will be stocked at Guadalupe Park just below Canyon Dam through March.

Click here for a map showing the popular fishing area on the Guadalupe River between the Canyon Lake dam and the City of New Braunfels. Many camps and resorts in this area offer river access to paying guests. Free public fishing access is available year-round at Guadalupe Park just below the dam. During trout stocking season, free access may be offered via temporary lease agreements at other locations.

Some sections of the Guadalupe are subject to special harvest regulations on rainbow and brown trout.

TPWD stocks rainbow trout in approximately 100 locations each winter.

Each year, the Inland and Coastal Fisheries divisions of TPWD stock approximately 40 million fish in public lakes, ponds, and saltwater bays. Many of these fish are produced in the state’s three saltwater and five freshwater hatcheries.

Trout anglers will need the $5 Freshwater Fishing Stamp, which is included in all freshwater license packages. Anglers under 17 years of age are not required to have a license and don’t need to purchase a stamp. Licenses and stamps are not required when fishing within a Texas State Park. No Minimum Length Limit; Daily Bag = 5 trout

Rainbow trout have a salmon-like shape and make for great eating. They prefer cold water, so in most parts of Texas they can survive only in winter. They love cheese, kernel corn, nightcrawlers, red wigglers or mealworms. Anglers who prefer lures can try small inline spinnerbaits or spoons.

To learn more about trout fishing, click here to see TPWD’s Winter Trout Stocking Program Angling Tips.