About Mad Island Lake, TX

Mad Island Lake is a 1.35-mile freshwater lake found in Matagorda County in Texas. The lake and its surrounding wetlands are a nursery of many animals like the alligators. To its north is the Mad Island Marsh Preserve, designed to maintain the balance of the region’s natural function by protecting the ecosystem of the coastal wetlands. The Mad Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is east of the lake, an 11.25-mile marshland bought to preserve coastal wetland habitat for wintering waterfowl and biological conservation for all wildlife resources found in Texas central coast for the people’s benefit.

Aside from fishing, there are many activities in and around Mad Island Lake, waiting for locals and visitors alike. The WMA alone offers a wide variety of fun and informational activities to enjoy. The WMA offers wildlife and conservation tours that allow visitors to see hundreds of different bird species along the Texas coastline. The WMA also has hunting sites prepared for specific seasons of waterfowl, alligator, feral hog, and white-tailed deer hunting. To the west of Mad Island Lake is Oyster Lake County Park, an excellent place to camp, among many other sites. Whether people visit Mad Island Lake or the WMA alone or with their families, there are many fantastic lodge options around the area for staying the night apart from camping.

All About Fishing in Mad Island Lake, TX

Mad Island Lake shares common fish species with Mad Island Bayou. Both water bodies are good spots to fish for local southerners and other anglers who like to visit Matagorda County. Although the Matagorda Bay is a power spot for anglers, Mad Island Lake is an option for those who want peace and quiet when fishing. Glass minnows and mullets are commonly found in the lake, making it a good option spot to gather live bait for angling. The most common game to be discovered in Mad Island Lake are sea trout, southern flounder, bonnethead shark, shovelnose guitarfish, bluefish,  blue marlin, wahoo, black drum, largemouth bass, and redfish. Sometimes, anglers also catch sea catfish in the lake. Shrimps and crustaceans are the most common food for fish species in the lake. As Mad Island Lake is almost secluded, not many fish go in and out of the lake to migrate.

It is easy to determine where to catch some good live bait for angling with live lures. Anglers should pick spots with many pelicans, as these birds are indicators that many glass minnows and mullets are in the area. 

Baitcasting is the most common way to fish in Mad Island Lake. As the lake has still waters, drift fishing is also used by many anglers in the area.

Fishing Seasonality

High tide is when redfish and largemouth bass are best caught at Mad Island Lake. They often go to shallow places along with the tide to look for crabs, shrimps, mullets, and minnows. It rains in Mad Island Lake all year round, where April to September are the months that get 60% of the rainfall. During these months, especially in September, the lake is a wet site due to high levels of rainfall. On the other hand, March gets the least precipitation.

Fishing Seasonality

High tide is when redfish and largemouth bass are best caught at Mad Island Lake. They often go to shallow places along with the tide to look for crabs, shrimps, mullets, and minnows. It rains in Mad Island Lake all year round, where April to September are the months that get 60% of the rainfall. During these months, especially in September, the lake is a wet site due to high levels of rainfall. On the other hand, March gets the least precipitation.

All About Fishing in Mad Island Lake, TX

Mad Island Lake shares common fish species with Mad Island Bayou. Both water bodies are good spots to fish for local southerners and other anglers who like to visit Matagorda County. Although the Matagorda Bay is a power spot for anglers, Mad Island Lake is an option for those who want peace and quiet when fishing. Glass minnows and mullets are commonly found in the lake, making it a good option spot to gather live bait for angling. The most common game to be discovered in Mad Island Lake are sea trout, southern flounder, bonnethead shark, shovelnose guitarfish, bluefish,  blue marlin, wahoo, black drum, largemouth bass, and redfish. Sometimes, anglers also catch sea catfish in the lake. Shrimps and crustaceans are the most common food for fish species in the lake. As Mad Island Lake is almost secluded, not many fish go in and out of the lake to migrate.

It is easy to determine where to catch some good live bait for angling with live lures. Anglers should pick spots with many pelicans, as these birds are indicators that many glass minnows and mullets are in the area. 

Baitcasting is the most common way to fish in Mad Island Lake. As the lake has still waters, drift fishing is also used by many anglers in the area.