02/21/2026
Weekly fishing report per TPWD for week of February 18
B.A. Steinhagen
FAIR. Water stained; 40 degrees; 0.12 below pool. Very few anglers on the water. Target bass in shaded areas or submerged vegetation with a slow approach.
Conroe
GREAT. Water stained; 54.4 degrees; 1.19 feet under pool. Catfish are biting well in baited holes from 2-30 feet on Catfish Bubblegum, liver, worms, and punch bait; drifting creek channels and wind-blown flats with natural bait is also producing solid fish. Buck bass are stacked in the grass fanning beds and acting territorial, with some larger females easing in behind them; with shad thick in the shallows, rattle traps and swimbaits that mimic nervous baitfish are getting hammered. Report by Brad Doyle with Bradley’s Guide Service. Crappie are beginning to move shallow up north with warmer water, though some remain on structure in 3-20 feet, while down south they’re still holding deeper on 12-25 foot structure but starting to transition; minnows and jigs are working across all areas. Hybrid stripers are being caught in 10-26 feet on slabs, spoons, large minnows, and shad, with many juveniles mixed in among schooling whites or moving shallower–check the tooth patch for identification via Texas Parks and Wildlife or the Outdoor Annual app. Always wear your life jacket. Report by Mike Cason, Fishical Therapy.
Livingston
GOOD. Light stain; 45 degrees; 0.30 feet above pool. On Lake Livingston, water levels remain low and continue to fall, with many ramps closed or limited–-boaters should check access conditions before launching. Recent warm, stable weather with light winds has improved fishing activity, particularly in protected creeks and along main-lake structure. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits worked around timber, drop-offs, and creek edges in 4-12 feet. White bass are staging up the river and in creek channels, hitting jigs, slabs, and minnows. Crappie action is still slow overall with scattered fish on deeper brush piles and structure in 12-20 feet. Catfish are fair on baited holes, creek mouths, and channel edges in 10-25 feet using punch bait, liver, and cut shad.
Sam Rayburn
SLOW. Water muddy; 51 degrees; 9.15 feet below pool. Water temperatures are warming into the 55-61 degree range, and some fish are beginning to move up toward slumps, edges, and the backs of pockets with the improving weather. Spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits are effective for covering water and locating active fish. Crappie and white bass remain up the river, where minnows and Road Runners are producing. Report by Captain Lynn Atkinson, Reel Um N Guide Service
Houston
GOOD. Water clear; 57 degrees; 0.29 feet above pool. Fishing on Lake Houston is excellent overall, led by outstanding largemouth bass action–recent tournament results topped 22 pounds for five fish, reflecting strong populations. Bass are aggressively striking crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and especially chatterbaits, with white skirts and green paddle tails producing best around drop-offs, docks, back lakes, and cypress trees in 4-6 feet. Crappie are abundant in Lucious Bayou and the East Fork, holding tight to structure despite slightly off-colored water; live minnows, small hand-tied jigs, and plastics are all effective. White bass have moved into the creeks and are staging in holes and channel drop-offs ahead of the spawn, white catfish are active near creek mouths and river inflows on punch bait and fresh shad. Always wear your kill switch and stay prepared for changing weather conditions. Report by Captain Zackary Scott, Zack Attack Fishing.
