Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine  

Archives

Home
Fly_Fishing_Hero

STATE PARK ADVENTURES

fish on the Fly 


Most people come to swim, but Guadalupe River State Park offers more than a great swimming hole. The cool, clear, blue-green waters of the river are also home to our state fish, the Guadalupe bass, and are a winter home to trout. 

Unlike their largemouth cousin’s preference for the still waters of Texas’ lakes and reservoirs, Guadalupe bass are adapted to the swift-flowing waters of small streams. This means they’re smaller, but they’re big fighters; their ability to utilize fast water to their advantage when hooked makes them a desirable sportfish species. In a word, fun!

Most fly-rod anglers fish the Guadalupe River for trout during the colder months — the river is one of Trout Unlimited’s 100 Best Trout Streams. The majority of
the trout are stocked below Canyon Lake, but the state park gets its own allocation each January.

Bring your hip waders, a fly rod and a selection of flies to the state park, take advantage of the park’s easy bank access and try to find a place beyond the crowds. You might just have the river to yourself.

Well, you and the fish.

Non-fin Fun

In addition to great fishing, beautiful scenery and colorful history await, and it’s just a short drive from San Antonio and Austin.

Camping

 Chase Fountain | TPWD

Camping Made Easy

Texas Park Outfitters provides camping equipment rental and setup at this park.

Paddling

 Chase Fountain | TPWD

Wet Your Paddle

The park is the starting point for the new 5-mile Guadalupe River State Park Paddling Trail.

Hiking

 Sonja Sommerfeld | TPWD

Hit the Trail

The Bauer Unit day-use area has moderate to challenging remote hiking and biking trails.

Guadalupe River State Park

  3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, TX

  Admission fee $7; Kids 12 & under free

  tpwd.texas.gov/guadalupe-river

  (830) 438-2656

Passes reserved online or by phone are recommended.

 Nathan Adams   Top: Jonathan Vail

back to top ^


» Like this story? If you enjoy reading articles like this, subscribe to Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine.

Share

Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine 
Sign up for email updates
Sign up for email updates