Braunig Lake Fishing: Redfish Rules, Fees & Catfish Tips

Location

About 17 miles south of San Antonio on I-37 in Bexar County, in the San Antonio River watershed.

Lake Size

TPWD lists Braunig at 1,350 acres, with a maximum depth of 50 feet.

Cooling Reservoir

Braunig was impounded in 1964 and functions as a CPS Energy cooling reservoir.

Stable Water

Normal fluctuation is about 1–2 feet, with stained water and 1–2 feet of visibility.

Red Drum

The main draw. TPWD says red drum are the most popular sport fish at Braunig.

Catfish

Good practical target for families, bank anglers and slow redfish days.

Hybrids

Possible, but current planning should treat hybrids as condition-dependent.

Largemouth

Side target only unless current local reports say bass are active.

Adult Entry

CPS currently lists adult daily entry, ages 16–64, at $12.

Boat Launch

CPS currently lists boat launch at $12, separate from entry.

Late Stay Rule

CPS says visits extending beyond 8 p.m. require a camping fee.

Quick Cost Examples

• Solo bank adult: $12 entry before bait/license/fuel.
• Two adult bank trip: $24 entry before bait/license/fuel.
• Two adults + boat launch: $36 before fuel/bait/license.
• Two adults + two youth + boat launch: $56 before other costs.

Annual Permit Decision

• CPS lists day annual permits and day/night annual value permits.
• Regular visitors should compare annual permit cost against repeated entry + ramp payments.
• Boat anglers should compare “individual + boat” or “family with boat” options.
• Check CPS current fee page before buying, because prices can change.

Most Adults Need a License

• Most anglers age 17+ need a Texas fishing license unless exempt.
• Freshwater or all-water coverage fits Braunig.
• Nonresidents should use nonresident freshwater or all-water unless exempt.
• Children under 17 are generally license-exempt, but limits still apply.

Carry This

• Texas license proof saved offline or printed.
• Valid ID with your license proof.
• Park entry receipt and ramp receipt if boating.
• Screenshot of current Braunig regulations.

Before Keeping Fish

• Measure red drum before placing in cooler/livewell.
• Separate blue/channel catfish count from flathead count.
• Do not use old park-map limits as legal proof.
• Use TPWD’s current Victor Braunig regulation page.

Bird Signal

Gulls and pelicans can reveal active redfish. Watch the whole lake, not only your rod tip.

Wind Signal

Safe wind can push bait into a bank or riprap edge. Calm dead water is often less useful.

Measure First

Red drum must be 20 inches or longer before keeping.

Bring a Real Net

Braunig redfish can be heavy. A weak net loses fish at rocks, bank or boat.

Bank Redfish Setup

• Start where wind pushes into riprap or deeper bank edges.
• Cast spoons or rattle traps to cover water.
• Use tilapia/crawfish bait if fish are not chasing lures.
• Watch birds and bait movement across open water.
• Move after 30–45 minutes if the area has no signs of life.

Bank Catfish Setup

• Bring cheese bait, liver, shad, or cut tilapia.
• Fish deeper edges, riprap, cormorant-roost influence areas, and wind-blown banks.
• Use a simple bottom rig and fresh bait.
• Keep bait cool in summer.
• Use a measuring board before putting fish on ice.

Boat Launch

Use the two paved ramps at Braunig Park. Expect separate ramp fee and ramp traffic on busy mornings.

Kayak/Canoe

The CPS map marks a kayak/canoe launch area. Check wind before committing to open water.

Search Pass

Boat anglers can troll deep-diving crankbaits to find redfish schools, then cast spoons or rattle traps.

Strong Spring Window

TPWD says channel catfish are good all year, with some of the best fishing in spring.

Cormorant Clue

TPWD points anglers toward cormorant roosts as possible catfish areas.

Bring Backup Bait

Cheese bait, liver, shad and cut tilapia are useful catfish baits.

Season Note

TPWD’s lake page says hybrid striped bass fishing is good January through August and peaks in spring.

Survey Warning

TPWD survey notes say hybrid stocking ceased after 2017 after poor survival, and recent evidence showed a weak hybrid fishery.

When to Try

Try hybrids when birds, bait, warm-water discharge, or current local reports show active fish.

Best Window

TPWD says largemouth bass fishing is best January through April, with most fish from February on.

Vegetation

Bulrush and cattails provide important shoreline cover.

Riprap

Rock riprap along the dam and peninsulas is key structure.

Lures

Carolina-rigged worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and grubs are useful.

Redfish Are the Main Plan

Red drum accounted for 80% of total fishing effort in the TPWD survey summary. Build the trip around redfish first.

Redfish Success Improved

The survey says red drum angling success averaged 0.5 fish per hour in 2021.

Annual Stocking Matters

TPWD strategy says red drum should continue to be stocked annually to maintain the population.

Hybrids Are Not the Core Plan

Hybrid stocking ceased after 2017, and recent survey results showed a weak hybrid fishery.

Catfish Still Help Users

Even with lower survey effort, catfish remain a practical backup for families and bank anglers.

Bass Are Secondary

Few legal-length largemouth were available during the survey period, so bass should be a side plan.

Useful Map Details

• Park store area.
• Boat ramp and fish-cleaning symbols.
• Fishing pier and kayak/canoe launch.
• North Shore, Buena Vista, Las Brisas and Gopher Cove camping areas.
• Dead Tree Point and Big Oak Group Site labels.
• Parking, rest rooms, picnic areas and playground symbols.

Map Rules to Notice

• Valid permit must be visible on each vehicle windshield.
• Reservation camping areas are for reservation use only.
• Campfires only in provided fire rings.
• Pets must be leashed and cleaned up after.
• Firearms and fireworks prohibited.
• No glass containers and no swimming.

Use Advisory Viewer

Texas DSHS maintains fish consumption advisory information. Check it before eating a lot of recreationally caught fish.

Extra Care Groups

Children, pregnant people, nursing people and frequent fish eaters should be especially careful with advisory guidance.

Rules Are Separate

Harvest legality and consumption safety are different. A fish can be legal to keep while still needing advisory review.

Drain Boat Water

Texas law requires draining water from boats and onboard receptacles when leaving or approaching public fresh waters to help stop invasive species spread.

Boat Safety

Wear PFDs, check lights, manage ramp speed, avoid crowding bank anglers, and respect wind.

Heat Safety

Bring extra water, sunscreen, shade, electrolytes and a plan to stop before heat symptoms become serious.

Before You Fish

• Do not use old lower-fee pages for your budget.
• Do not arrive late on a busy weekend and expect the best bank spot.
• Do not forget entry fee, ramp fee, license proof and ID.
• Do not assume “redfish” means coastal saltwater rules.
• Do not skip wind check if kayaking or using a small boat.
• Do not throw away the receipt if you may also visit Calaveras.
• Do not rely on phone signal for rules or license proof.

Before Keeping Fish

• Do not keep red drum under 20 inches.
• Do not keep more than 3 red drum.
• Do not use the older CPS map’s fish-limit box as current law.
• Do not mix flathead catfish limits with blue/channel catfish limits.
• Do not forget all black bass species count toward the 5-fish combination bag.
• Do not leave without draining boat and onboard receptacle water.