Top 6 Carp Fishing Lakes in Texas: Records, Access & Rules

Last updated: October 27, 2026 · Written by Erni, World Classic Baits

The best place to catch a big carp in Texas is Lady Bird Lake in Austin. It holds the state record, and Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) calls it a popular fishery for carp over 30 pounds. This guide covers six public lakes where TPWD lists a rod-and-reel carp record, plus the 2026-27 license fees, the rules and the baits behind those records.

Not fishing in Texas? Start with our guide to carp fishing in the USA, or see our state guides for New York, Pennsylvania and California.

The short version

• The Texas state record carp is 43.75 lb, caught at Lady Bird Lake in 2009 on maize.
• No statewide limit on common carp. Lady Bird Lake is the exception: you may keep one carp of 33 inches or more per day.
• No rod limit in fresh water, but no more than 100 hooks on all devices combined.
• A freshwater package costs $30 for residents and $58 for non-residents, valid until August 31.
• Corn, tiger nuts and boilies all appear in TPWD’s carp records.

Where are the best carp lakes in Texas?

We picked lakes where TPWD lists a common carp in its water body records and describes public access. A record shows that a big carp was caught there and verified, not how many fish a lake holds.

1. Lady Bird Lake (Austin)

This 468-acre reservoir on the Colorado River runs through downtown Austin. TPWD says it is “a popular fishery for large carp (over 30 pounds)” and that large carp have been caught on prepared baits. Its 2019 survey adds that anglers come “from around the country and from abroad” for 30- to 40-plus-pound fish.

The Texas state record came from here: 43.75 lb, caught by K.C. Crawford on 03/28/2009 on maize. TPWD’s lake listing shows a heavier fish, 44.25 lb on a tiger nut in 2021, but the state record table still shows the 2009 carp.

• Where to fish from the bank: TPWD names Auditorium Shores, Festival Beach Park and Red Bud Island. The hike and bike trail circles most of the lower two thirds of the lake.
• The carp limit: you may keep one carp of 33 inches or more per day. There is no limit on smaller carp. Most big fish go back.
• Boats: outboard motors are not allowed. The City of Austin also bans fishing from bridges over the Colorado River in city limits.
• Old name: this is the lake many maps still call Town Lake. The Austin City Council renamed it on July 26, 2007.

2. Walter E. Long Lake (Austin)

Also known as Decker Lake, it sits just east of Austin and has the freshest carp records on this list. TPWD lists a 28.00 lb carp caught on 12/17/2025 on fake corn and tiger nut. A junior angler’s record from November 2025, 25.94 lb, was caught on a boilie.

The City of Austin owns the whole shoreline. TPWD says bank angling is “limited but available” at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park. The park is day use only, with a $5 entry fee Monday to Thursday and $10 on weekends. There is no limit on carp.

3. Lake Arlington (Dallas-Fort Worth)

Lake Arlington is the boilie water on this list. Its TPWD record is a 21.15 lb carp caught on 04/02/2023 on a tutti frutti boilie. The lake has three boat ramps. The City of Arlington requires a boat usage permit ($45 a year, $25 for seniors, $5 a day). TPWD’s access page does not describe bank fishing, so check with the city before you go.

4. Lake Bryan (Bryan)

This 829-acre lake, 5 miles west of Bryan, has the best survey evidence after Lady Bird. TPWD’s 2021-2022 survey caught common carp both by electrofishing (6 fish) and in gill nets (17 fish). The lake record is 20.00 lb, from 1998.

TPWD says you can fish from a boat or the bank. The recreation area charges $5 per vehicle. It is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. from March to November and until 8 p.m. from December to February. There is no limit on carp.

5. White Rock Lake (Dallas)

White Rock is a city lake on White Rock Creek in Dallas, with several fishing piers. Its carp record is 15.00 lb, caught on 09/15/2012 on pineapple maize. The park curfew runs from midnight to 5 a.m., and outboard motors are capped at 10.5 HP.

6. Calaveras Lake (San Antonio)

Calaveras, 20 miles south of San Antonio, has the newest corn record on this list: 12.00 lb on 07/14/2024. TPWD says its public park offers camping, boat ramps and “good shoreline access”. A fee receipt from nearby Braunig Lake also gets you into Calaveras. There is no limit on carp.

Which other Texas lakes have carp records?

TPWD also lists rod-and-reel carp records at three more lakes. We left them out of the top six because TPWD’s access pages do not describe bank fishing there.

• Lake Conroe (Montgomery and Walker counties): 28.20 lb (2010).
• Lewisville Lake (Denton County): 21.84 lb on a dough ball (2010).
• Lake Bastrop (near the town of Bastrop): 9.80 lb on bread (2015).

What bait catches big carp in Texas?

TPWD’s record entries list the bait, and they point the same way. Corn shows up most: the state record (maize), White Rock (pineapple maize) and Calaveras (corn). Tiger nuts took the biggest fish at Lady Bird and Walter E. Long. Boilies appear at Lake Arlington and in two junior records from Austin. A 39.20 lb junior record from Lady Bird came on pack bait.

New to carp? Our guide on how to fish for carp covers rigs, pre-baiting and how to play a big fish.

Do you need a fishing license for carp in Texas?

Yes, if you are 17 or older. For carp you need a freshwater package, which TPWD sells as a license plus a freshwater endorsement. It is valid from the day you buy it until August 31.

On Free Fishing Day, the first Saturday in June, anyone can fish public water without a license. The next one is June 5, 2027.

What are the carp fishing rules in Texas?

• Limits: for freshwater fish not listed in the rules, there are no statewide daily bag or length limits. Common carp is not listed. Check each lake’s page for local rules, like the one at Lady Bird.
• Rods and hooks: you may fish with multiple poles, but no more than 100 hooks on all devices combined in fresh water. Snagging is illegal.
• Park hours: Austin city parks are generally open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. unless posted otherwise. Other lakes set their own hours.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Texas state record carp?

TPWD’s state record is a 43.75 lb common carp caught at Lady Bird Lake in Austin on 03/28/2009 by K.C. Crawford, on maize.

Are boilies legal in Texas?

We found no rule against boilies or groundbait in TPWD’s 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, and boilies appear in TPWD’s carp records. Local park rules still apply, so check signs at the lake.

Can I fish for carp at night in Texas?

It depends on the lake. Austin city parks generally close at 10 p.m., Walter E. Long is day use only, and Lake Bryan closes at 10 p.m. or earlier. White Rock Lake has a park curfew from midnight to 5 a.m.

Is Town Lake the same as Lady Bird Lake?

Yes. The Austin City Council renamed Town Lake to Lady Bird Lake on July 26, 2007, in honor of former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson.

About the author

Erni is the bait maker behind World Classic Baits, which has made groundbaits, boilies, and pellets for carp in the USA since 2008. Every recipe is tested in real fishing sessions before it reaches you.

Sources

• TPWD – Texas state freshwater fish records
• TPWD – Fishing Lady Bird Lake
• TPWD – Lady Bird Reservoir 2019 Survey Report
• TPWD – Lake Bryan 2021 Survey Report
• TPWD Outdoor Annual – Fishing licenses and packages
• TPWD Outdoor Annual – Legal devices, methods and restrictions
• TPWD Outdoor Annual – Freshwater bag and length limits
• City of Austin – Lady Bird Lake

Records, fees and rules were read on 10/27/2026. TPWD updates its records and regulations every season – confirm with TPWD before you fish.