Rainbow Trout fishing at Canyon Lake

Spring rainbow trout on Canyon Lake hold shallow, usually 5 to 20 ft. They move out to 8 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 40 ft. The spot to know is La Barge Creek inflow, a inflow / creek mouth in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Canyon Lake

Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Canyon Lake

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 45 ft. La Barge Creek inflow is the standout, a inflow / creek mouth at roughly 8 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at Canyon Lake

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 15 to 35 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it La Barge Creek inflow: a inflow / creek mouth around 8 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Channel Catfish fishing at Canyon Lake

Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it La Barge Creek inflow: a inflow / creek mouth around 8 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.

Flathead Catfish fishing at Canyon Lake

In spring, flathead catfish run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 45 ft. If you only fish one area, make it La Barge Creek inflow: a inflow / creek mouth around 8 ft that scores good in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.

How deep is Canyon Lake?

Canyon Lake is about 128 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Canyon Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, tilapia, smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, rainbow trout, flathead catfish, common carp on Canyon Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Canyon Lake?

La Barge Creek inflow is the top-rated area: a inflow / creek mouth in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Canyon Lake?

For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.