You don't need a boat to fish the Highland Lakes. Anglers can stand on the banks of the area's lakes, rivers, and creeks and drop a line to catch the big one. All you need is a rod and reel, lures or bait, and your own shoreline spot.

Bank fishing is also great for first-time anglers and kids.

The Highland Lakes boasts plenty of places to cast off from the bank, including city, county, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Lower Colorado River Authority parks as well as a few private facilities such as Long’s Fish and Dig.

Anglers 17 and older will need a current Texas fishing license for public waters unless they're casting from the shore inside a state park. Check with parks for any required fees or rules before heading out.

Fishing locations across the Highland Lakes include, but are not limited to:

CITY/TOWN/COUNTY PARKS

Find a shady spot at Hamilton Creek Park in Burnet. Staff photo by Jennifer Greenwell

• Lakeside Park, 305 Buena Vista Drive in Marble Falls
• Johnson Park and Backbone Creek, 230 Avenue J South in Marble Falls
• Hamilton Creek Park, 118 W. Jackson St. in Burnet
• Robinson City Park, 100 Robinson Park Drive in Llano
• Badu Park, 300 Legion Drive in Llano
• Leonard Grenwelge Park, 199 E. Haynie St. in Llano
• City of Cottonwood Shores boat launch, 3729 Lakeview Drive
• Robin Hood Park, Robin Hood and Belaire East Lane in Granite Shoals
• Bluebriar Park, West Bluebriar and North Shorewood drives in Granite Shoals
• Kingsland Community Park, 119 Christopher St. in Kingsland
• McNair Park, 211 Park Road in Sunrise Beach Village

The Slab in Kingsland is a popular spot for locals. Staff photo by Jennifer Greenwell

• The Slab, RR 3404/Slab Road in Kingsland
• Burnet County Park on Lake Buchanan, 11800 block of FM 2341 in Silver Creek

TPWD STATE PARKS

The Pedernales River in Pedernales Falls State Park. You don't need a fishing license to fish from the shore in state parks. Staff photo by Jennifer Greenwell

• Inks Lake State Park, 3630 Park Road 4 in Hoover’s Valley
• Pedernales Falls State Park, 2585 Park Road 6026 in Johnson City
• Blanco State Park, 101 Park Road 23 in Blanco

Along with lots of shoreline, Inks Lake State Park has two fishing piers that stretch out over the lake. The Friends of Inks Lake State Park group has created fish habitat near the piers over the years by sinking brush piles.

While fishing in Pedernales Falls State Park, always remain vigilant of river levels, especially during and after rain, as the water can rise quickly.

LCRA PARKS

• Cedar Point Recreation Area on Lake Buchanan, 545 RR 3014 in Tow
• Black Rock Park on Lake Buchanan, 3400 Texas 261 in Buchanan Dam
• Pedernales River Nature Park, 404 U.S. 281 in Johnson City

The LCRA has a number of parks along the Highland Lakes. Visit its parks webpage for a complete list.

OTHER SPOTS

Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery, 345 Clay Young Road in Hoover’s Valley, offers shoreline access to the upper stretch of Lake LBJ on the Colorado River. Entrance is free, but call the facility at 512-793-2474 for operating hours as they are subject to change.

Long’s Fish and Dig, 822 CR 321 in Kingsland, offers access to the Llano River above Lake LBJ for a fee. Call 325-388-6131 for more information.

For more fishing on the Llano River, cast off for Castell. This tiny charming community also has a general store that serves delicious food and maybe some insider angling tips.

If you do land the big one, be sure to share it with us by emailing a photo and information to editor@thepicayune.com or tagging @101HighlandLakes on your social media posts.

Read more about what fish are found in the Highland Lakes.

daniel@thepicayune.com

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