Lake Buchanan Bass Fishing Guide
Lake Buchanan (almost always fishes good - white bass and the occasional striper here too)
Surface area: 22,211 acres - Maximum depth: 132 feet - Impounded: 1937
Lake Record Largemouth: 11.73 lbs - Junior Lake Record: 11.50 lbs
My Client: 11.75 lbs 3/24/2018
Lake Level: Click here for Lake Buchanan's water level
Addresses:
North - 11710 Ranch Road 2341, Burnet, TX 78611
South - 3758 Ranch Road 261, Buchanan Dam, TX 78609
Today's Date: Sat Jul 11 2026
Sunrise time : 6:39 am Safe light: 30 minutes before sunrise
Lake Buchanan is my favorite lake in Central Texas, and if you're after a quality fish, it's where I'd send you. It's big water with all the right cover, it fishes shallow, and it's about as good a winter lake as we have - when a lot of the area slows down, Buchanan is just getting good. You'll also run into white bass, and there's the occasional striper in here for a bonus fish - but largemouth are what we're after.
See how this lake stacks up against the others near Austin
What you'll catch on Lake Buchanan
This is a quality largemouth lake first and foremost - it almost always takes over 20 pounds to win a tournament here, and I've put clients on some of the biggest bass in the lake, including one that beat the lake record. Beyond the largemouth, there's a healthy white bass population and the occasional striper, so a hard-pulling bonus fish is always possible - though largemouth are what I target. I release the bass; if you want some for the table, we can keep white bass.
Where the bass live on Lake Buchanan
Buchanan is big water - over 22,000 acres - so knowing where to start matters, and that's a big part of what you're paying a guide for. The number one thing I look for here is rock. The largemouth love it, partly because it lets them tuck away from the striper in the lake, and the best rock holds the best fish. Jigs, crankbaits, swimbaits and a shaky head with a trick worm all shine around the rock, and when it's just under the surface a frog can be deadly. Beyond the rock, I fish the trees and brush piles with flukes, craw worms and straight worms, and run swimbaits, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits through the wood for reaction bites. Points and ledges - especially ones with rock on them - are classic big-fish spots for a jig, Carolina rig or deep crankbait. We fish both ends of the lake depending on conditions: the north end out of Burnet and the south end down by Buchanan Dam.
Seasonal patterns on Lake Buchanan
Winter (Dec-Feb) - the headliner
This is when Buchanan separates itself. While other lakes get tough, the quality bite here stays strong, and it's my top pick in the cold months for a real shot at a big one. We'll work the rock and the right cover slow and deliberate - a jig or a craw worm crawled along the rock is hard to beat - because the bigger fish won't chase in cold water. When you think you're fishing slow enough, slow down more; that's how the giants come.
Spring (Mar-May) - spawn and the white bass run
Bass move shallow to spawn around the rock, trees and flats, and this is a great time to flip the hardwoods and cover with a worm or craw worm for a lot of bites. At the same time, the white bass run up the river arms - a fun, fast bite if you want numbers and a cooler of filets.
Summer (Jun-Aug) - early and shallow
Fish early for largemouth on topwater and reaction baits before the sun gets high, then slide out to the deeper rock, points and ledges with jigs and deep cranks as it heats up. You may also pick up a white bass or the occasional striper as a bonus while we're after the largemouth.
Fall (Sep-Nov) - chase the bait
Bass follow shad into the creeks and coves as it cools, setting up some of the most exciting reaction-bait fishing of the year - run-and-gun with crankbaits, swimbaits and topwater when you find them schooling.
How we fish it
Buchanan sets up beautifully to target big fish - it's full of the right cover, and a lot of what we do is putting you in the right water with the right bait for the conditions that day. We'll usually start on the rock, since that's where the quality lives, and adjust to the trees, points and ledges as the day and the season dictate. The one constant is patience - I slow everything down for the bigger bites. You might also pick up a white bass or the occasional striper cruising the same water. If you'd like to learn more of what to look for on Lake Buchanan, check out my article on that.
Best for
Anglers chasing a quality or trophy fish, winter trips when other lakes slow down, and anyone who wants big water and a real shot at a quality largemouth. See trip rates and book a Lake Buchanan trip. Want numbers over a trophy? Stillhouse Hollow is a great option.
Lake Buchanan fishing FAQs
When is the best time to bass fish Lake Buchanan?
Buchanan is one of the best lakes in Central Texas in winter, which is my favorite time to fish it for a big bite. It fishes well much of the year, but the cold-water months are when this lake really shines for quality bass.
Is Lake Buchanan a good lake for big bass?
It's a genuine trophy lake - it almost always takes over 20 pounds to win a tournament here. I've put clients on some of the biggest bass in the lake, including one that beat the lake record.
What else can you catch on Lake Buchanan?
White bass are the main bonus here - they school up well and make good table fare. There are striper in the lake too, so an occasional hard-pulling fish is always possible while we're bass fishing, but largemouth are what I guide for.
Do I need my own boat or gear?
No. All rods, reels and tackle are provided. Just bring a valid Texas fishing license (required at 17+), sunglasses, a hat, and food and drinks.
Where do we meet to launch on Lake Buchanan?
On the north end at 11710 Ranch Road 2341, Burnet, or the south end at 3758 Ranch Road 261, Buchanan Dam, depending on conditions. I'll confirm when you book.
Do you target striper on Lake Buchanan?
No - I'm a largemouth guide first and foremost, so striper aren't something I set out to target. Buchanan does have them, and while we're bass fishing you might hook the occasional striper or a white bass as a bonus. If a dedicated striper trip is what you're really after, a striper-specific guide would be the better call.
Do I really need a guide on a lake this big?
Buchanan is over 22,000 acres, so knowing where to start is most of the battle - that's a big part of what you're paying a guide for. I know which rock, trees and points are holding fish in a given season, so instead of burning a day searching, we spend it fishing the right water.