Fishing
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- Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Water Resources
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PO Box 116
Mathis, Texas 78368
(361) 547-9712
Dusty McDonald, Biologist
Local Information
- The Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce
390 S. Seguin Avenue
New Braunfels, Texas 78130
(800) 572-2626
Nearby State Parks
More Texas Lakes
Lake Dunlap
Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics
BOATER ADVISORY: Zebra mussels have invaded this reservoir! CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY your boat, trailer, livewells/bait buckets, and other gear before traveling to another water body. Draining water is required by law and possession and transport of zebra mussels is illegal.
Public Access Facilities
Lake Characteristics
Location: On the Guadalupe River just east of New Braunfels, off IH 35 between San Antonio and Austin
Surface area: 410 acres
Maximum depth: 40 feet near the dam
Impounded: 1928
Water Conditions
Conservation
Pool Elevation: 575.8 ft. msl
Fluctuation: 3-5 feet
Normal Clarity: Clear to partly stained
Reservoir Controlling Authority
Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
933 E. Court St.
Seguin, Texas 78155
(830) 379-5822
Aquatic Vegetation
Native aquatic plant species present include spatterdock, water willow and strap-leaf sagittaria. These species are restricted to shallow water areas of the lake and adjacent to the river channel. Exotic vegetation present is currently limited to sparse amounts and floating fragments of hygrophila species. Hydrilla and water hyacinth have also been problematic in the past, but due to a series of high-flow events in the late 90’s these plants have not been observed until the spring of 2024. Since the re-pooling of the reservoir in fall of 2023, spatterdock was found sparsely throughout the reservoir.
Predominant Fish Species
Lake Records
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report
Lake Maps
Maps are available from the GBRA (830) 379-5822.
Fishing Regulations
Currently sportfish are managed under statewide regulations.
Angling Opportunities
Largemouth bass are the most popular and sought after species in the reservoir. These bass are abundant with frequent reports of large fish being boated. Spotted and smallmouth bass are also present, but in lower numbers. Although quality of crappie fishing can vary year to year, respectable catches are not uncommon in the cooler months. Channel catfish are the most abundant of the catfish species, with blue and flathead catfish present in moderate numbers. Bluegill, redear, and other sunfishes are abundant. They provide excellent angling opportunities, with some growing to 12 inches.
Species | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
---|---|---|---|---|
Largemouth Bass | ||||
Spotted Bass | ||||
Channel Catfish | ||||
Blue Catfish | ||||
White Crappie | ||||
Sunfish |
Fishing Cover/Structure
Habitat in Lake Dunlap consists primarily of boat docks, piers, bulkheads, overhanging brush, and floating-leaf vegetation. Submerged trees, stumps, and brush can be found throughout the reservoir, providing excellent ambush and resting cover for most game fish species. The upper portion of the lake contains rock and gravel within the river channel, while the lower portion consist more of steep banks with a mud/clay substrate. Lake Dunlap was dewatered from the spring of 2019 due to dam failure, however the dam was replaced and the lake re-pooled in the fall of 2023. Since the refilling, a lot of terrestrial growth was left around the perimeter of the lake that will offer fish habitat for a few years. Fish habitat structures were added to Lake Dunlap after it re-pooled, in early 2024.
Use the Habitat Structure Viewer for an interactive map of fish habitat structures and downloadable GPS coordinates.
Tips & Tactics
Largemouth bass anglers are most successful on Lake Dunlap during the spring, fall, and winter months. Spawning period is late February to mid-April. Popular baits include spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, rattletraps, crankbaits, and soft-plastic worm or creature baits. Topwaters such as buzzbaits, Zara Spooks and Pop-R’s presented very early or late in the day near cover such as lily pads or blowdowns are very popular and can be productive throughout the day if cloud cover is present. Flipping jigs, tubes, or creature baits is another proven technique when worked in and around vegetation and boat docks.
Crappie fishing is usually best with live minnows near submerged brush and boat docks during the cooler months. Small jigs in white, pink, or black-chartreuse also can produce nice catches near submerged debris or vegetation. Catfish anglers can find channel catfish throughout the reservoir. While most catfish anglers prefer deeper water, blue and channel cats can often be found in relatively shallow timber flats or flooded terrestrial vegetation. Cheesebait and cutbait produce good catches, while live perch and shad can pay off for larger fish. Sunfish species such as bluegill, redear, and redbreast are abundant in the reservoir with several in the 12 inch class range. Target these fish with worms or crickets under a small bobber. Small artificials such as tiny crankbaits or beetlespins can also be very productive providing hours of enjoyment fishing.