Houston is the perfect place for many outdoor activities, including fishing. Our guide to the top 8 fishing spots in Houston, Texas, will highlight some of the best places you can go, from beginners to experts.
Best Places to Go For Fishing in Houston
We’ve collected info on some of the best spots to go fishing in Houston. And here, we’ll list out the species you can find, the facilities you can take advantage of, and any relevant information you may need to know. Everyone should have something to do, from specialized nature reserves to the action-packed Galveston Island.
So, without further ado, here are our top recommendations for places to go fishing in Houston!
1. Lake Anahuac
| Address | 4017 FM 563 Anahuac, TX |
| Website | http://fws.gov/refuge/anahuac |
| Facilities | Three fishing piers, saltwater and freshwater fishing, boating |
| Species | White crappie, black drum, flounder |
Around 45 miles east of Houston, there is an incredible wildlife refuge, housing many species, from alligators to butterflies to coyotes and bobcats. The refuge has a large lake, one of the only lakes in Houston to offer saltwater and freshwater fishing.
There are three fishing piers for freshwater fish and a concrete bridge along the East Bay Bayou. You can catch crappie, largemouth bass, gar, bowfin, channel, and blue catfish here. In addition, you may launch some small (non-motorized) boats from the canoe launch at Skillern Tract if you wish.
For saltwater fishing, you can enjoy the shoreline of East Galveston Bay. You can launch a boat here from one of the two boat ramps, and you can find speckled trout, redfish, and southern flounder.
The nature reserve has two visitors centers, with maps, brochures, and checklists. However, these may be closed depending on local Covid restrictions. The nature reserve is free to explore.
2. Mary Jo Peckham Park
| Address | 5597 Gardenia Ln Katy, TX 77493 |
| Website | pct3.com/Community-Centers/Mary-Jo-Peckham-Aquatic-Fitness-Center |
| Facilities | Pier and bank access, picnic tables, park, recreation center |
| Species | Trout, catfish |
Located in Katy, the Mary Jo Peckham Park contains a community center with exercise facilities, a large park with playgrounds, a miniature golf course, and a picnic pavilion, so there is plenty to do here.
The 5-acre lake contains catfish in the summer and trout in the winter. It’s well-stocked, and it’s a nice place to go if you want to teach your kids how to fish. You can fish from piers or the bank, and you can feed the ducks here too.
There are plenty of facilities here, including bathrooms in the community center, making it a good location for families. Also, there’s a nice walking trail here.
Fishing here is free, with no entry fee to pay to get into the park.
3. McGovern Lake
| Address | 6201 Hermann Park Dr. Houston, TX 77030 |
| Website | hermannpark.org/poi/34/ |
| Facilities | Catch-and-release fishing, pedal boats, park amenities |
| Species | Catfish |
McGovern Lake is located in the beautiful Hermann Park, with plenty of facilities to keep you comfortable on a day-long fishing trip.
The key thing to note here is that the eight-acre lake, fully stocked with catfish, is catch-and-release only. Plus, it is limited to children under 12 and senior citizens over 65 at Bob’s Fishing Pier. So if you were looking to introduce your grandkids to the art of fishing, this is a nice quiet place to go.
There are plenty of other facilities here. You can take a pedal boat ride to watch the birds, some beautiful trails to walk along, and art exhibitions. There are plenty of restrooms too.
4. Lake Conroe
| Address | 14968 TX-105 Montgomery, TX 77356 |
| Website | lake-conroe.org/lake-conroe-park/ |
| Facilities | Fishing pier, pavilions, swimming lake, picnic tables, restrooms |
| Species | Catfish, bass |
It’s located in Lake Conroe Park, with pavilions, a swimming lake, and picnic tables nearby. It is indeed a beautiful spot with a park that spans 13 acres, is a peaceful way to spend the day.
You can head to the fishing pier to catch some pretty big fish here. Known for big catches, Lake Conroe produced a largemouth bass weighing nearly 16 pounds and a whopping 52-inch catfish in the past. You never know; this could be the place that allows you to break your own record for the biggest catch!
There’s plenty to do here too. You can have a picnic here or fire up a grill, go swimming in the lake, and play volleyball or softball. There are plenty of restrooms too. It costs $2 per person to enter the park, with children aged five and under allowed for free. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that dogs are not permitted on the park grounds.
5. Tom Bass Park
| Address | 3452 Fellows Rd Houston, TX 77047 |
| Website | hcp1.net/Parks/TomBass.aspx(not online at the time of writing) |
| Facilities | Fishing pier, barbeque pavilion, playgrounds, restrooms |
| Species | Largemouth bass, catfish, rainbow trout |
Close to Downtown, this park in Houston is an excellent destination for all ages, with playgrounds, volleyball courts, and some superb fishing facilities.
You can head to the fishing pier to catch catfish, rainbow trout, or largemouth bass here. It’s a pretty popular destination but still makes for a relaxing fishing trip.
Other facilities include barbeque pavilions, a playground, and a volleyball court. There are plenty of senior-friendly activities here, such as the Senior Gardening Program classes.
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6. Sheldon Lake
| Address | 14140 Garrett Rd Houston, TX 77044 |
| Website | tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/sheldon-lake |
| Facilities | Catch-and-release fishing, environmental learning center, boating, nature walks, and wildlife observation |
| Species | Catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, sunfish |
Sheldon Lake is located within Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center. It’s a 2,800-acre facility located in Harris County, with plenty to do and learn.
You can enjoy some catch-and-release fishing here. A few species to fish include sunfish, crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, and catfish. Fishing poles are provided here, so you won’t need to bring your own. Sounds interesting?
This is an excellent place to go if you want to learn more about the local environment. You can take a small boat or canoe out to go birdwatching, or you can go on nature walks, learning about habitats and native species. You can also learn about renewable energy, gardening, composting, and recycling here.
7. Galveston Bay
| Address | Located on Galveston Island, Texas |
| Website | galveston.com |
| Facilities | Fishing piers and fishing camps, fishing charters |
| Species | Bullshark, flounder, redfish, trout, tuna |
Galveston Bay is a hot fishing destination in Texas. Located on the beautiful Galveston Island, there are plenty of things to do here, with tons of facilities for fishing. There’s a good reason why so many people new to the hobby want to head here!
There are several spots to head to on Galveston Island. There are fishing piers and camps, charter boats operated by experts who know just where to go to find the biggest catches, and tons of other facilities, like bait-and-tackle shops. You need a Texas Fishing License to fish here, but you can purchase these on the island.
With 32 miles of beaches, Galveston Island is a beautiful spot to spend the day, whether fishing or otherwise. It’s worth heading down here with a group of friends if you want to see who can get the biggest catch. There are tons of facilities such as restrooms and places to eat here, too.
You may have to pay for some fishing spots or facilities. It’s a good idea to check the website before you go to make sure. The website details fishing charters, so if you do want to take advantage of this, you can find out more about their schedules there.
Keep Reading: 5 Best Beaches in Houston, TX
8. Lake Livingston
| Address | Lake Livingston State Park, 300 Park Road 65 Livingston, TX 77351 |
| Website | tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-livingston |
| Facilities | Fishing pier, fish cleaning stations, bank fishing, boat ramps |
| Species | White bass, catfish, crappie, perch |
Lake Livingston is one of the largest lakes in Texas, and it is notable for the large number of white bass living here. The park has plenty of fishing facilities, plus opportunities for hiking, swimming, camping, picnicking, and mountain biking.
You can camp here if you would like to enjoy a weekend fishing trip, and you might do, given the number of fish you can catch! You can fish from the pier or the bank, and they have fish cleaning stations and boat ramps for small boats. The shop also includes fishing supplies as well as food and drink and camping equipment.
There are tons of things to do here. It’s a great place to go and study nature and the ideal destination for outdoors-loving families. There are many facilities like restrooms and spots to eat a picnic, too.
To Sum Up
We hope this has helped you plan your next fishing trip to Houston! Whether you plan to go on a full-blown fishing weekend away (and maybe take in some other local attractions while you’re there) or you just want to spend your next day off at a fishing spot with plenty of fish to catch, there should be something in Houston that suits your needs.
If you want to keep exploring, you can check out our other in-depth guides. You may like to read our guide to 7 Best Places to Go Kayaking in Houston – Our Ultimate Guide.