About Arroyo Colorado Cutoff, TX 

The Arroyo Colorado Cutoff is a cultural water feature or otherwise known as a dredged channel in Cameron Country. It is approximately 90 miles long and this is where the Arroyo Colorado River enters towards the Laguna Madre lagoon. It has an elevation of 1 meter and can be found between east of Arroyo City Subdivision Colonia and southwest of McGilvery Island. 

As a channel, it is one of the deepest parts of the Arroyo river. It’s also part of the Arroyo Colorado River, which flows eastward at about 89.000 miles. Its length allows it to pass through the Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties in Texas. The river, and by extension, the channel, get their waters from the Llano Grande lake.  

The origin of the Arroyo Colorado comes from the Spanish language. When roughly translated to English, it means “red creek bed", hinting at the color of the creek bed as observed by the early settlers. Very near the channel is Arroyo City, which at 17 miles southwest, would be a short 20-minute drive. You’ll be able to find a variety of fish camps if you decide to visit.    

All About Fishing in Arroyo Colorado Cutoff, TX

The water coming from Llano Grande lake allows the Arroyo Colorado Cutoff to have a healthy population of freshwater fish. Its depth also lets it have enough underwater vegetation to provide both food and stable habitat for the species here. In these running waters, you’ll find that the three most prominent species available here are the spotted sea trout, black drum, and red drum. Many other species have also been caught by locals such as the hardhead sea catfish, channel catfish, and alligator gar. 

With a population as varied as this, you’ll need to arm yourself with bait that is up to par for the fishing expedition ahead, so you’ll have to gather the appropriate live bait for the most prominent species in the channel. Thankfully, the big three are all very receptive to live shrimp. Make sure to bring a bucket or more of them if you want a surefire catch. But if you want to go really big and go for something like the alligator gar, you’ll need to bring some cut slices of common carp. 

Fishing Seasonality

The Arroyo Colorado Cutoff’s deep waters from the nearby lagoon allow it to have a large selection of fish. This doubles if you choose the right season or time of day when the fish are most vulnerable. The best season for you to fish is during spring, in the months from March to June,  when most fish species are active again after winter hibernation. The cold waters during the winter leave many fish sluggish, but when the water becomes warmer, their energy and metabolism are revitalized. These fish then go to shallower waters to use their newly found energy to hunt and feed. 

Before you go to the channel, make sure you have with you your fishing license. Reports show that the best fishing times are very early in the morning, starting from 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM. The other option for fishing time is to go night fishing, starting from 10:30 PM to 12:36 AM. 

Fishing Seasonality

The Arroyo Colorado Cutoff’s deep waters from the nearby lagoon allow it to have a large selection of fish. This doubles if you choose the right season or time of day when the fish are most vulnerable. The best season for you to fish is during spring, in the months from March to June,  when most fish species are active again after winter hibernation. The cold waters during the winter leave many fish sluggish, but when the water becomes warmer, their energy and metabolism are revitalized. These fish then go to shallower waters to use their newly found energy to hunt and feed. 

Before you go to the channel, make sure you have with you your fishing license. Reports show that the best fishing times are very early in the morning, starting from 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM. The other option for fishing time is to go night fishing, starting from 10:30 PM to 12:36 AM. 

All About Fishing in Arroyo Colorado Cutoff, TX

The water coming from Llano Grande lake allows the Arroyo Colorado Cutoff to have a healthy population of freshwater fish. Its depth also lets it have enough underwater vegetation to provide both food and stable habitat for the species here. In these running waters, you’ll find that the three most prominent species available here are the spotted sea trout, black drum, and red drum. Many other species have also been caught by locals such as the hardhead sea catfish, channel catfish, and alligator gar. 

With a population as varied as this, you’ll need to arm yourself with bait that is up to par for the fishing expedition ahead, so you’ll have to gather the appropriate live bait for the most prominent species in the channel. Thankfully, the big three are all very receptive to live shrimp. Make sure to bring a bucket or more of them if you want a surefire catch. But if you want to go really big and go for something like the alligator gar, you’ll need to bring some cut slices of common carp.