Aransas River

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 1
Species: 15

The Aransas River is a scenic waterway located in South Texas that flows approximately 40 miles southeast through San Patricio and Refugio counties before emptying into Copano Bay and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. Named after the Native American group that originally inhabited the area, the Aransas River creates a diverse marine ecosystem at its confluence with the Gulf, making it a prime destination for anglers. The river rises at the confluence of Olmos, Poesta, and Aransas creeks, and played an important historical role during Spanish colonial times and the American Civil War as a strategic boundary and logistics port. Today, the Aransas River and surrounding bay system attract recreational anglers seeking various game fish species in its productive waters.

Texas licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Aransas River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Alligator Gar

Atractosteus spatula

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Rio Grande Cichlid

Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Smallmouth Buffalo

Ictiobus bubalus

Spotted Gar

Lepisosteus oculatus

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Aransas River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Highway 77 Bridge Boat Ramp

Boat Ramp

Know where you can legally fish on Aransas River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Texas licenses and regulations

Texas Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Texas Fishing License

All residents and visitors over the age of 17 require a Texas fishing license to reel in fish, mussels, clams, and crayfish across the state. In addition, you’ll need specific tags or endorsements based on the size of the catch and its location.

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Texas Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Texas Stream Access Laws

Access must usually be obtained through the use of public property. The typical access may be from the right of way of a public road that crosses the stream, through a publicly owned boat launch area, or from some other public land (a park, for example) adjacent to the stream. There is no general right to cross private property to get to a navigable stream. There are a number of privately owned parks or campgrounds where members of the public may have access to a navigable stream by paying a small fee to the landowner. If the private landowner forbids access, an attempt to use the private land would be a trespass. Texas courts have recognized that a member of the public may engage in a variety of lawful activities along a navigable stream. Besides boating, persons may swim, float, walk, wade, picnic, camp, and (with a license) fish. Public use must be confined to the stream bed and, to a limited extent, the banks. State law prohibits parking on a highway bridge and generally forbids (with certain exceptions) parking in the main traveled part of a highway. Within a public road’s right of way, private fencing that restricts public passage to the stream is illegal.

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Take Aransas River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Aransas River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Aransas River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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