Decker Lake Bass Fishing Guide
Walter E. Long
Decker Lake (Walter E. Long) - (great choice for largemouth and some panfish like crappie and bluegill)
Surface area: 1,269 acres - Maximum depth: 60 feet - Impounded: 1967
Lake Record Largemouth: 12.21 lbs - Junior: 11.14 lbs
Address: 6798 Blue Bluff Rd, Austin, TX 78724
Today's Date: Sat Jul 11 2026
Sunrise time : 6:36 am Safe light: 30 minutes before sunrise
Decker Lake, officially Walter E. Long, is a power-plant lake (the plant no longer runs) just east of Austin. It's a great place for quality largemouth bass, with lots of cover - especially hydrilla. Largemouth are the target, but there's a good mix of bycatch too - crappie, catfish and big panfish like bluegill and sunfish, plus the occasional hybrid striper that turns up as a hard-pulling bonus. It's a 14-21 inch slot-limit lake, so those fish can't be kept or put in the livewell; most local tournaments here are run as paper tournaments, where you record the length and convert it to weight for results.
What you'll catch on Decker Lake
Quality largemouth are the main draw, holding in all that hydrilla and cover. My trips here have also picked up some huge bluegill and crappie, and every so often a hybrid striper, so there's always a chance at a hard-pulling or great-eating bonus fish while we're chasing bass. The warm power-plant water historically kept it productive into the cooler months.
Current status
Decker is closed to larger boats for now - the ramps are out of the water while the level is held low to work on the dam and extend the boat ramps. Once all of that is complete in 2027, I'll be back offering guided trips here. Can't wait!
Where we can go in the meantime
There's plenty of great fishing nearby while Decker is down. Lake Travis, Buchanan, LBJ and Austin all fish well year-round, and Bastrop and Fayette County are excellent warm-water options.
Decker Lake fishing FAQs
Is Decker Lake open for fishing right now?
Not by boat for now. The ramps are out of the water while the level is held low for work on the dam and to extend the boat ramps, so I'm not running guided trips there currently. Once that's complete in 2027, I'll be back offering guided trips here. In the meantime there are plenty of other lakes I fish near Austin, like Lake Travis.
What kind of lake is Decker Lake?
It's a warm-water power-plant lake (the plant no longer runs) just east of Austin, officially Walter E. Long. It holds lots of cover, especially hydrilla, and has historically fished well for largemouth, including through the cooler months thanks to the warm water.
Can you fish Decker Lake right now?
Not by boat for now. The ramps are out of the water while the level is held low for work on the dam and to extend the boat ramps. Once that's complete in 2027, I'll be back offering guided trips here.
Is Decker Lake good for bass?
Yes - it's a great place for quality largemouth, with lots of cover, especially hydrilla. It's a power-plant lake (the plant no longer runs) that has historically fished well, including through the cooler months.
What else can you catch on Decker Lake?
Largemouth are what we're after, but there's a good mix of bycatch here - crappie, catfish, and big panfish like bluegill and sunfish, and the occasional hybrid striper as a hard-pulling bonus. My trips have caught some huge bluegill and crappie along with the bass.
Where can I fish instead of Decker Lake?
Plenty of options near Austin while Decker is closed - Lake Travis, Buchanan, LBJ and Austin all fish well year-round, and Bastrop and Fayette County are great warm-water choices.
Do I need my own boat or gear?
No. On any lake I guide, all rods, reels and tackle are provided. Just bring a valid Texas fishing license (17+), sunglasses, a hat, and food and drinks.