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Texas · Fishing
Los Fresnos sits in the southern tip of Texas, close enough to the coast that your fishing options shift from freshwater to brackish within a short drive. The three main spots in and around town each fish differently.
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Los Fresnos sits in the southern tip of Texas, close enough to the coast that your fishing options shift from freshwater to brackish within a short drive. The three main spots in and around town each fish differently. Resaca de los Fresnos is a classic Rio Grande resaca — a slow, oxbow-style water body that holds largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish and is accessible without a boat. Russel Lake 1 offers similar freshwater lake fishing in a compact setting that works well for beginners or anyone who wants a low-key outing close to town. Then there is Laguna Madre, the shallow, hypersaline bay system that stretches along the lower Texas coast — a completely different fishery where redfish, speckled trout, and flounder are the main targets and a kayak or shallow-draft boat opens up a lot more water. None of these are remote destinations requiring serious logistics, but each rewards a little local knowledge about tides, seasons, and access points. If you are driving down from further north, the combination of a resaca session in the morning and an afternoon wade or kayak on Laguna Madre is a realistic one-day plan.
In the resacas and Russel Lake 1, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and various sunfish are the most common catches. On Laguna Madre, redfish and speckled trout are the primary targets, with flounder showing up especially in fall. The bay also holds black drum and sheepshead along structure.
Not necessarily. Resaca de los Fresnos and Russel Lake 1 can both be fished from the bank. Laguna Madre is technically wadeable in many areas given its shallow flats, but a kayak or shallow-draft skiff will get you to less pressured water and makes navigating the grass beds much easier.
Resaca de los Fresnos
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TX.
Laguna Atascosa
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TX.
Russel Lake 1
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TX.
Laguna Madre
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TX.
San Martin Lake
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TX.
San Juan (La Burrita)
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop nearby.
Laguna Madre
~43 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TX.
Laguna Madre
~48 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TX.
Llano Grande Lake
~1h 2m drive
A worthwhile stop near TX.
Fall and spring are generally the most productive seasons. On Laguna Madre, redfish and trout feed aggressively in October and November as water temperatures drop. Spring brings pre-spawn bass activity in the resacas. Summer fishing is possible but the heat pushes fish deeper or into shade early, so early morning outings matter more in July and August.
Light to medium spinning tackle in the 10-17 lb range handles most situations. Weedless soft plastics, gold spoons, and topwater lures work well over the grass flats. Polarized sunglasses are close to essential for sight-fishing redfish in the clear, shallow water. Wading boots with good grip help if you plan to get out of a kayak.
Yes, a valid Texas fishing license is required for anyone 17 or older fishing any of these waters. Laguna Madre falls under Texas Parks and Wildlife coastal regulations, which set size and bag limits for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder — check the current TPWD Outdoor Annual before your trip since limits and seasons can change year to year. The resacas and Russel Lake 1 fall under standard freshwater regulations.
