Lake Austin, Texas  

Lake Austin Texas Facts & Features

Lake Austin, formerly Lake McDonald, is an artificial lake in the western part of Austin on the Colorado River in west central Travis County. Lake McDonald, the first large reservoir in Texas, was formed by the construction of Austin Dam, which was begun in 1890 and completed in 1893.

Lake Austin contains an excellent population of largemouth bass bass with the potential for a trophy including entries into the Sharelunker program.

Many bass weighing 8-10 pounds are caught each year. The reservoir also has some good quality bluegill, redbreast, and redear fishing, and has low-density populations of flathead and blue catfish.

Fishing during the summer months is best done at night due to heavy recreational boating activity in the daytime. Anglers should use caution when fishing at night.

Alamo Dam was built in 1968 for flood control and has turned into a fisherman's paradise, well known as one of the outstanding bass fisheries in Arizona.

Lake Austin Emma Long Park

A 1,147-acre park named after Emma Long, the first woman elected to the city council of a large Texas city, is Austin's largest city park, and offers a variety of recreation opportunities including excellent mountain biking.

Nearly two dozen RV campsites are available, as well as fifty primitive (tent) campsites. Facilities include restrooms with showers, a day use picnic area, and basketball and volleyball courts.

Lifeguards patrol the swimming beach on Lake Austin during weekends and holidays from May 26 through September 3 from noon to 6 PM. A one-lane boat ramp provides access to Lake Austin, and one mile of Lake Austin's shoreline is located within the park. All water recreation activities are popular on Lake Austin, including waterskiing, sailing and fishing.

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Austin Lake Map & Directions

Located in the heart of Austin, just west of downtown.

Directions to Austin Lake, Texas.

Lake Austin Texas Weather Forecast