Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene around Lake Austin as of February 8, 2025.

First off, let's talk about the conditions. The water temperature on Lake Austin has been dropping significantly due to the recent cold fronts, currently sitting around 48 degrees, similar to what we saw earlier in the week. The water level is about 0.57 feet below pool, and it's a bit stained, which can actually work in our favor when targeting certain species.

For today, the weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 62 degrees and a low of 45 degrees. Sunrise is at about 7:15 AM, and sunset will be at around 6:00 PM, giving us a good window to get out there and catch some fish. Since we're dealing with freshwater lakes, there's no tidal report to worry about, but the wind direction can play a crucial role. Today, the wind is expected to be out of the south, which might push the fish a bit shallower to feed.

Now, let's dive into the fish activity. Largemouth Bass have been quite active, especially in the grassy areas on the north end of Lake Austin. You can't go wrong with using worms, spinnerbaits, or rattle traps in these spots. If the bite is slow, try working around brush, ledges, or docks with a creature bait or jig. Lightweight dropshots fished around grass edges and deep docks have also been producing some nice catches. Alabama rigs and jerkbaits are other good options to consider.

For those looking to target other species, Catfish are always a good bet. Lake Austin has a decent population of Catfish, and using stinkbait can be very effective. If you're after something a bit different, you might want to try your luck at catching some Gar, particularly Longnose and Spotted Gar, which are common in these waters.

Here are a couple of hot spots you should consider:

Lake Austin Low Water Crossing is an excellent spot, especially with the crystal-clear and cold water coming from the bottom of Lake Travis. Park at Jessica Hollis Park and walk down to the low water crossing for some great fishing opportunities.

Barton Creek is another great spot, although it can be a bit more challenging due to the clear water and consistent temperature. It's home to some big fish, including Largemouth Bass and Guadalupe Bass, making it a great place to try your luck if you're looking for a fight from some larger fish.

In terms of lures and bait, here's what's been working well lately:

- For Largemouth Bass: Worms, spinnerbaits, rattle traps, creature baits, jigs, lightweight dropshots, Alabama rigs, and jerkbaits.
- For Catfish: Stinkbait.
- For other species like Gar: Use lures that mimic their natural prey or try using live bait.

Remember to always practice catch-and-release fishing where possible and to follow the local regulations, especially the zebra mussel alert which requires draining water from boats and onboard receptacles when leaving or approaching public fresh waters.

Good luck out there, and tight lines