Best Fishing Spots on the Upper Texas Coast
Who doesn’t love a little quiet time in nature with a fishing pole in hand and baited with your favorite lure or bait? The Upper Texas Gulf Coast offers great fishing spots for anglers to enjoy. So if you’re looking for easy-to-reach fishing spots on the Upper Texas Coast, we’ve got you covered.
Don’t forget that Texas fishing licenses are required for almost everyone over 17, and in public waters except in Texas State Parks, details and purchase options can be found here.
Let’s start with Jefferson County with the Big Thicket National Preserve, operated by the National Park Service. This park spreads across six counties, including Jefferson County. Kayak launch areas are popular spots for fishing along with the bay side. Staff also recommends Collier’s Ferry Park in Beaumont and Lower Neches Valley Authority’s Saltwater Barrier as good spots. During the summer, the Preserve offers two free family fishing days on Saturday, June 3 and Saturday, Aug. 26. While the Preserve doesn’t provide kayaks or canoes, there are nearby rentals. Check their calendar for details on the family fishing days. Texas Fishing license is required.
And look for Sea Rim State Park in Sabine Pass in Jefferson County. It has 5.2 miles of Gulf shoreline and 4,000 marshlands. Visitors are welcome to fish in the surf or marsh areas. No Texas Fishing License is required.
“Who doesn’t love a little quiet time in nature with a fishing pole in hand and baited with your favorite lure or bait? The Upper Texas Gulf Coast offers great fishing spots for anglers to enjoy.”
Next up in Galveston County, aim for the Galveston Island State Park on the island’s west end. The State recently completed a $10.6 million redevelopment project at the park, including new campsites and three kayak launch locations. You can fish on the bay side or the beach side. In addition, the park offers canoe and kayak launches and a fish-cleaning station. No Texas Fishing license is required.
Another popular spot for fishing is Seawolf Park on Pelican Island also in Galveston. The fishing pier at Seawolf Park is one of the most popular spots for fishermen on the island. The fishing pier is open to anglers 24 hours a day with a wristband. A fishing pass gives access to fish anywhere at the park. The park offers bathroom facilities, but anglers should bring their food and beverages. Seawolf Park is also home to the Galveston Naval Museum. Texas Fishing license is required.
In Brazoria County, look for the Bastrop Bayou Public Fishing Area and the Salt Lake Public Fishing Area in Freeport. The parks are part of the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. The Bastrop Bayou Fishing Area offers a 200-foot pier, paved parking, and lights for night fishing. The Salt Lake Public Fishing Area is located near the Discover Center in the Big Slough Public Use Area. Texas Fishing license is required.
Another option in Brazoria County is to fish at “one of the best-kept secrets on the Gulf Coast,” Quintana Beach County Park. This park is on Quintana Island. The small park offers a lighted fishing pier, an expansive boardwalk, covered pavilions, a full-service RV park, and quaint cabins available for rent. Texas Fishing license is required.
In Matagorda County, you’ll want to fish at the Matagorda Bay Nature Park, operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). The park offers kayak rentals for paddling in the river, a boat launch, waterfront campsites, full RV hookups, and bungalow and airstream rentals. Texas Fishing license is required.
Another option for Matagorda County is Riverside Park in Bay City. The Park is on the Colorado River and is south of LCRA Dam. The city completed a $1.2 million renovation to the park and reopened in July 2020. Texas Fishing license is required.
This list offers a sampling of things to do on the Upper Texas Coast. For more ideas, click Things to Do and search by category.
Lone Star Coastal Alliance is committed to promoting nature and heritage tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities in Jefferson, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties.
