Fall · September 8, 2026

San Antonio, Texas

Prairies & Great Plains·Hardiness zone 9a

Now

38°C · Clear

Today

38° / 26°

Sun

07:15 – 19:47

Moon

Waning Crescent · solunar good

Fishing around San Antonio

AI field guide · refreshed weekly

San Antonio Fishing: Early Fall on the Colorado, Guadalupe & Local Lakes

What's biting

  • Largemouth Bass

    Where: Colorado River backwaters, Medina Lake, Calaveras Lake, and shallow coves in local reservoirs; look for structure near fallen timber and aquatic vegetation.

    Early fall is prime time as water temps drop slightly and bass move shallower. Fish dawn and dusk with topwater plugs or soft plastics (4–6 inch worms) in 1–3 m (3–10 ft) of water. Midday, switch to deeper structure.

    Caution: Verify current regulations and bag limits with TPWD; seasons vary by water body.

  • Catfish (Channel & Blue)

    Where: Colorado River main channel, Medina Lake, Calaveras Lake, and slower pools; best in deeper holes (4–7 m / 13–23 ft).

    September heat keeps catfish active at night. Use live shad, chicken liver, or stink bait; fish 30 min after sunset through dawn. Expect steady action this week despite heat.

    Caution: Check TPWD for species-specific limits and any water-quality advisories.

  • Crappie (Black & White)

    Where: Medina Lake and Calaveras Lake structure—brush piles, dock pilings, and submerged timber in 2–4 m (6–13 ft).

    Early fall transition brings crappie into mid-depth zones. Use small jigs (1/8–1/4 oz) with live minnows or soft plastics; vertical jigging near structure is most effective.

    Caution: Confirm current season and creel limits with TPWD before fishing.

  • Sunfish (Bluegill & Redear)

    Where: Shallow bays and vegetated margins of Medina Lake, Calaveras Lake, and Colorado River oxbows; 0.5–2 m (2–6 ft) depth.

    Sunfish remain active in warm water. Small spinners, crickets, or 1/16 oz jigs work well. Early morning and late evening are best; midday fish deeper structure.

    Caution: No special regulations typically apply, but verify with TPWD.

  • Carp (Common & Grass)

    Where: Colorado River main channel, Medina Lake shallows, and slow-moving backwaters; often in 1–3 m (3–10 ft).

    Carp are active year-round in Texas heat. Use corn, dough balls, or specialized carp pellets; fish early morning or evening for best results. Sight-fishing in clear shallows can be productive.

    Caution: Carp are not regulated as game fish in Texas; check TPWD for any local restrictions on specific waters.

Best times

Early morning (06:00–08:00) and late evening (18:00–21:00) are best this week; avoid midday heat 12:00–16:00. The waning crescent (10% lit) favors low-light fishing. Light rain expected 10–11 September may trigger feeding activity.

Waters to try

  • Colorado River (main channel and backwaters near San Antonio), Medina Lake (15 km northwest), Calaveras Lake (8 km south), Braunig Lake (15 km southeast)

Regulations

Texas Parks & Wildlife sets all seasons, bag limits, and size restrictions. Visit https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/ to confirm current regulations for each water body—rules vary by lake and species. Always check for water-quality advisories before fishing.

Texas Parks & Wildlife

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