Fishing Mathisen Lake in Gillespie County, Texas

• Overview

  Gillespie County, Texas, is where Mathisen Lake sits. The water sits 1,631 feet up. Surface area runs to about 14 acres — small enough to read in one session. It sits higher than most water we list in Texas. The nearest place of any size is Fredericksburg, 4.7 miles away. It is 63 miles to Austin, the nearest city. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Mathisen Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover gray redhorse, green sunfish, redbreast sunfish, largemouth bass and bluegill. Use it to know what is possible here, not what is certain. Mathisen Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 47°F to 81°F. The surface stays open the year round. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Plan around that when you fish Mathisen Lake. Cool nights slow the mornings but sharpen the evenings.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Douglass Lake at 6.2 miles is the sensible second choice. For Mathisen Lake in particular, ask before you travel.