Stillhouse Hollow Bass Fishing Guide
Stillhouse Hollow (fishing really good this year)
Surface area: 6,429 acres - Maximum depth: 107 feet - Impounded: 1968
Lake Record Largemouth: 13.00 lbs - Junior: 10.75 lbs
Lake Level: Click here for Stillhouse Hollow's water level
About an hour north of Austin. Meeting spot confirmed when you book.
Today's Date: Sat Jul 11 2026
Sunrise time : 6:35 am Safe light: 30 minutes before sunrise
Stillhouse has been, by far, one of the most productive lakes in the area over the last 26 years. It's about an hour north of Austin, but worth the drive. If you like grass, this is your lake - that's where the quality fish live. There are rocky areas that produce good fish too, just usually not the same quality the grass gives up. It's also one of the rare Central Texas lakes with a small smallmouth population, so there's a chance at a big smallie - the biggest from my boat being 6 pounds.
See how this lake stacks up against the others near Austin
What you'll catch on Stillhouse Hollow
Largemouth bass are the main event, and Stillhouse produces them in numbers - in spring and summer anyone can catch plenty around the right grass. There's a small but real shot at a smallmouth bass, which you won't find on most lakes around here. The fish also school up well at times, and some of those deeper schools are white bass, so you can get into those too. I release the bass; white bass make fine table fare.
Seasonal patterns on Stillhouse Hollow
Spring (Mar-May) - grass and schools
The grass comes alive and so does the bite. Bass set up around the right grass and school up at times, which makes for a great topwater and moving-bait bite. One of the most productive windows of the year.
Summer (Jun-Aug) - numbers and night tournaments
Plenty of bass around the grass, with strong schooling activity. This is tournament season here - it often takes three bass over 20 pounds to win the weekly night events, which tells you what the lake's capable of.
Fall (Sep-Nov) - chasing bait
As it cools, bass and white bass follow shad, keeping that reaction-bait and topwater bite going around the grass edges and points.
Winter (Dec-Feb) - rock and structure
The bite slides toward the rocky areas and deeper structure. Fewer fish, but a slow, deliberate approach can turn up some quality.
How we fish it
On Stillhouse it's all about the grass - that's where the better fish live, and we target it with the baits that draw them out. When the fish school up, a topwater or moving bait can be a blast, and we'll keep a rod ready for the smallmouth and white bass that make this lake a little different from the rest. Plenty of rock to work too when the grass bite slows. For more detail, here are the best lures to use on Stillhouse Hollow.
Best for
Anglers who want numbers and an active grass bite, anyone hoping to catch a rare Central Texas smallmouth, and folks who don't mind a short drive north for one of the most productive lakes around. See trip rates and book a Stillhouse Hollow trip, or if you'd rather stay closer to Austin, Lake Travis is a great pick.
Stillhouse Hollow fishing FAQs
When is the best time to bass fish Stillhouse Hollow?
Spring and summer are excellent - anyone can catch plenty of bass around the right grass, and the fish school up well at times for a great topwater and moving-bait bite. It's been one of the most productive lakes in the area over the last 26 years.
Are there smallmouth bass in Stillhouse Hollow?
Yes - there's a small smallmouth population, which is rare for Central Texas, so there's a real chance at a big smallie. My biggest from the boat was 6 pounds.
Is Stillhouse Hollow good for numbers?
It's one of the best numbers lakes around. In the warmer months you can catch plenty of bass in the grass, and the weekly night tournaments often take three bass totalling over 20 pounds to win.
How far is Stillhouse Hollow from Austin?
It's about an hour north of Austin - a bit of a drive, but well worth it for how productive this lake is.
Do I need my own boat or gear?
No. All rods, reels and tackle are provided. Just bring a valid Texas fishing license (17+), sunglasses, a hat, and food and drinks.
Is Stillhouse Hollow good for kids or beginners?
The high catch rate makes it a lot of fun for kids and first-timers once you're there. The only catch is the hour drive from Austin - if you'd rather stay close to town, Lake Travis is my go-to for families. But if you don't mind the drive, Stillhouse keeps everybody bending rods.
What are the best lures for Stillhouse Hollow?
Since it's a grass lake, I focus on baits that fish the grass - Texas-rigged worms and craws, weightless flukes, frogs over the mats, and topwater or a swim jig when the fish are schooling. There's a full breakdown in my Stillhouse Hollow lures article.