TPWD District Fisheries Office

505 Staples Road
San Marcos, Texas 78666
(512) 353-0072
Patrick Ireland, Biologist

About the Area
 

Inks Lake

Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics


ALGAE ALERT: Aug. 18, 2023 - The LCRA has posted an alert of blue-green algae blooms at Inks Lake and Lake LBJ. Testing has revealed high toxic concentrations within the algae. Be water safe around algae blooms. Read details from the LCRA.

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.

Lake Characteristics

Location: On the Colorado River in Burnet County, west of the town of Burnet
Surface area: 831 acres
Maximum depth: 60 feet
Impounded: 1938

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation: 888.22 ft. msl
Fluctuation: 1 foot annually
Normal Clarity: Clear to slightly stained

Reservoir Controlling Authority

Lower Colorado River Authority
3700 Lake Austin Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78703
(512) 473-3200 or 1(800) 776-5272

Aquatic Vegetation

No significant aquatic vegetation present

Predominant Fish Species

Lake Records
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

Good commercial maps are available at area map, tackle, and sporting goods stores. A free, downloadable camping guide of the Highland Lakes area is available in the map section of the LCRA website.

Fishing Regulations

All species are currently managed under statewide regulations. Bow fishers on this lake are subject to special regulations enforced by the LCRA.

Angling Opportunities

Inks Lake is noted for its picturesque scenery, but fishing can be good as well. It contains under-rated largemouth bass and Guadalupe bass populations, along with several species of sunfish (bream). White bass are regularly caught in the reservoir, and a low density white crappie population is present. Channel and flathead catfish occur throughout the reservoir.

Species Poor Fair Good Excellent
Largemouth Bass     yes  
Catfish   yes    
Crappie yes      
White & Striped Bass   yes    
Sunfish     yes  
Fishing Cover/Structure

Inks Lake offers a variety of cover and structure. The shoreline contains numerous rock piles, ledges, and chunk rock banks. Brush piles and gravel beds have been placed near fishing piers and other strategic locations to attract more fish. Several private boat docks, especially on the west side of the lake, hold fish year-round. Water color in the reservoir is fairly clear. Although the lake remains at a near constant level, no significant aquatic vegetation is present.

Use the Habitat Structure Viewer for an interactive map of fish habitat structures and downloadable GPS coordinates.

Tips & Tactics

Largemouth bass anglers may find success by fishing topwater lures, metal flake willow leaf spinnerbaits and shallow- to medium-depth crankbaits worked along rocky banks. Flipping boat docks with jigs and plastic worms can also be productive. Bluegill and redbreast sunfish up 8 inches in length can be caught using meal worms, crickets, or pieces of earthworms fished under floats almost anywhere along the shoreline. Often, the larger sunfish can be caught in slightly deeper water without the use of a float.

Starting in February, white bass begin congregating in the upper end of the reservoir as the urge to spawn motivates their movements. Productive lures for white bass include using twister tail jigs, small hair jigs, small crankbaits, and small topwaters. Live bait fishing with minnows is also productive, and usually catches crappie simultaneously. Catfish anglers can find channel and flathead catfish throughout the reservoir. Stinkbaits and cutbaits work well for channel cats, while live bait is preferred for large flathead catfish.