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State Highway 9 Bridge spanning the Llano River in Mason County, Texas, photographed in July 2010.
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Llano River Fishing Report — Mason to Castell, Texas

Photo: Larry D. Moore Opens in a new tab. · CC BY 4.0; historical photograph, not today's conditions; converted to WebP with a display crop Opens in a new tab.

Should I go fishing?

Check the notice first.

Fishable with caution. Confirm Castell today; check Maso-Llan with TPWD.

Check Maso-Llan's current status before using it. The reviewed Maso-Llan status needs a fresh TPWD check. Do not use that access unless TPWD confirms it has reopened; confirm Castell separately.

Check first: This call is Medium confidence at best because the Mason gauge does not measure water temperature, clarity, access, local depth, footing, or safe crossings, and Maso-Llan has a separate TPWD access status.

Rating updatedRiver local time:

Why this recommendation?

The current NWS air forecast is about 81F, and the next 24-hour high reaches about 100F. This is an air forecast, not a water-temperature reading. This gauge has no live water temperature. Fish early and check the river with a stream thermometer.

Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Confidence in this recommendationMediumThis call is Medium confidence at best because the Mason gauge does not measure water temperature, clarity, access, local depth, footing, or safe crossings, and Maso-Llan has a separate TPWD access status.
Usually checks again about every 15 minutes

Restrictions and advisories

Check Llano River before fishing.

These notices match this river report. No notice here does not mean the river is open. Always check the agency before you fish.

Last known active — check nowOfficial restrictionAccess restriction

Maso-Llan Road access temporarily closed due to flooding

Area
Maso-Llan Road River Access and Conservation Area
Link checked
Link status
Check the agency now
Check again by
What to know about this notice

This restriction applies only to the named Maso-Llan access; it is not a fishing closure for the entire Llano River.

The notice does not establish that Castell or another access is open, safe, or suitable for wading or launching; each access and the exact water still need a current check.

Open the official notice: TPWD Maso-Llan Road leased-access status Opens in a new tab.

If you go

Check
TPWD marked Maso-Llan temporarily closed in the August 29 review. Confirm its current status, Castell, the weather, and the exact bank before leaving.
Fish
Start from a legal bank or protected edge at Castell after checking depth, current, clarity, and footing.
Leave
Leave rising, muddy, storm-exposed, dangerously hot, or unconfirmed access. Do not force a crossing or float.

Flow and weather

Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.
Flow
190 cfs
Stable over about 6 hoursU.S. Geological Survey may revise this reading
Air forecast
81°F
Next 24h high
100.0°F

NWS air forecast near

Rain chance
0%

This is an air forecast, not a river-temperature reading. Use a short early plan, carry water and sun protection, and leave when heat makes the outing unsafe.

7-day U.S. Geological Survey chart

USGS 08150700 near Mason · Mason-to-Castell flow context · discharge in cfs

Discharge

201 cfs186 cfs
Sep 5Sep 12

Latest reading: 190 cfs. Stable over about 6 hours. Chart covers Sep 5 through Sep 12; readings are provisional and may be revised.

Latest stored weather check

Mostly Clear

Wind
10 mph
Weather checked
More forecast and source details

Mostly Clear

National Weather Service

Llano River near Mason, Texas

The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.

Live data

Where these readings come from

Current U.S. Geological Survey gauge: Llano River near Mason — USGS 08150700

Stable over about 6 hoursU.S. Geological Survey may revise this readingObserved
Official U.S. Geological Survey station Opens in a new tab.Official NWS forecast Opens in a new tab.

Flies for this time of year

Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.

See flies for every season

Llano flies by season.

Carry a compact streamer, one surface fly, and a slower subsurface option. Let clear water, visible feeding, and the lane you can reach decide what to use.

SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try

Every pictured choice opens its matching Fly Box guide. These are seasonal planning options, not a live hatch or bite report.

More fishing tips

Methods, fish species and trip notes

Use the Mason gauge for flow—not access or safe wading.

Keep the plan short and easy to change. Stable flow can support a warmwater trip, but rising water, mud, dangerous heat, storms, or unresolved access should shorten or cancel it.

Mason flow · live report-reach context

USGS 08150700 measures discharge and stage near Mason. The seven-day chart shows trend at that station, not access, water temperature, clarity, local depth, or safe wading.

Stable or changing

A stable trend is easier to plan around. Rising water, storms, debris, or new mud can end a bank, wade, or float plan before the score changes.

Heat

The forecast is air temperature, not measured river temperature. Shorten hot-weather sessions, carry water, and stop if heat makes the trip or fish handling unsafe.

Onsite check

Inspect the exact entry for current, depth, clarity, footing, debris, and an easy exit. No universal Mason cfs value clears a crossing or float.

Wading, bank fishing or floating?
Verify accessBank fishing

The reviewed Maso-Llan status needs a fresh TPWD check. Do not use that access unless TPWD confirms it has reopened; confirm Castell separately.

WadingCheck

Wade only after checking legal entry, depth, current, clarity, footing, and an easy exit at the exact access. Avoid forced crossings.

Bank fishing · Best fit76/100

Use a confirmed legal Castell bank or protected edge with stable footing. Check posted access, depth, current, and clarity before fishing.

FloatingNot recommended

This report does not recommend floating this reach.

Full river report

This report covers the Llano from the USGS Mason gauge corridor through Castell. USGS 08150700 measures discharge and stage near Mason; it does not measure water temperature, clarity, access, or safe wading at every stop.

USGS 08150700 updates flow and stage near Mason. It does not measure water temperature, clarity, access, local depth, or safe crossings at Maso-Llan or Castell. TPWD marked Maso-Llan temporarily closed in the August 29 review, so check its current status and confirm Castell before building the day around either access.

Fishing words used on this page
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge
A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
Cubic feet per second (cfs)
Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
Seam
A seam is the line where fast and slow water meet.
Streamer
A streamer is a fly that looks like a small fish, leech, or other swimming food.
Terrestrial
Terrestrials are land insects, such as ants, beetles, and grasshoppers.
Why this call

Why this score

HeatUse caution

The current NWS air forecast is about 81F, and the next 24-hour high reaches about 100F. This is an air forecast, not a water-temperature reading. This gauge has no live water temperature. Fish early and check the river with a stream thermometer.

FlowHelps

USGS shows 192 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1968-2025, 53 readings) show a typical middle range of 80 cfs to 235 cfs. USGS 08150700 reports provisional discharge and stage near Mason. It does not measure water temperature, clarity, access, local depth, footing, or safe crossings at Maso-Llan, Castell, or Kingsland. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.

SeasonHelps

September through November: Cooling weather can support a mixed streamer and surface plan; recheck the rules edition for your trip date.

Public alertsHelps

No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.

Fishing usefulnessHelps

Skip or leave for rising or muddy water, debris, unsafe heat or storms, an unconfirmed access, poor footing, or a float route that is missing any launch, takeout, shuttle, craft, PFD, or obstruction check.

Trip notes

Four checks before you go.

Best flows

Use the live Mason trend as a planning signal. Stable water is easier to assess, but no universal cfs number proves good clarity, local depth, safe wading, or an open access.

When to leave

Skip or leave for rising or muddy water, debris, unsafe heat or storms, an unconfirmed access, poor footing, or a float route that is missing any launch, takeout, shuttle, craft, PFD, or obstruction check.

Local plan

Check USGS 08150700, confirm Castell's current status, then inspect the exact bank and water. Do not use Maso-Llan without a current TPWD reopening notice.

Backup water

Compare the Medina, San Gabriel, or San Marcos only after starting a separate gauge, access, rules, and weather check for that river.

What you can fish for

Guadalupe bass

Primary fish

When: Warmwater plan; adjust to flow, clarity, and heat

Start with a compact Clouser or Woolly Bugger along a reachable current edge.

Largemouth bass

Primary fish

When: Warmwater plan; adjust to local cover

Try a streamer or surface fly around accessible pool cover when feeding supports it.

Sunfish

Also present

When: When bank conditions and visible fish support it

Downsize to an ant, beetle, or small subsurface fly near a legal bank.

Llano access and rules.

Choose a named, currently open access and stay within public-water law. A gauge reading never opens a gate, parking area, launch, or private bank.

Before you go

Use the TPWD Outdoor Annual edition effective on the day you fish, plus posted access rules and license requirements. The 2025–26 rules run through August 31, 2026. The next edition begins September 1, 2026. Check the current species limits before fishing or keeping fish.

Rules by reach

Rules by reach: fishing rules by reach and season
River section and seasonFishing rules
USGS Highway 87 / Mason gauge

Use the seven-day chart for discharge and stage near Mason. The station is about 5.8 river miles upstream of Maso-Llan and about 12.4 river miles upstream of Castell. It is a flow check, not a public-access listing or safe-level clearance.

Official rule
Maso-Llan Road access

TPWD places this site 5.8 river miles below the Highway 87 gauge and marked it temporarily closed due to flooding in the August 29 review. Do not use it unless a current TPWD notice confirms reopening.

Official rule
Castell Crossing

This is the primary named access to check for the Mason-to-Castell plan. TPWD lists use from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Confirm today's status and posted terms.

Official rule
Kingsland Slabseparate lower reach

This lower-river lease is outside the Mason-to-Castell report reach and was scheduled through August 31, 2026. Verify renewal and current status before relying on it.

Official rule

Where to access the river

Castell Crossing

TPWD's leased-access page lists about 950 feet of frontage and use from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Confirm the current listing, parking, signs, bank, and water before fishing or launching.

Site details

Maso-Llan Road · temporarily closed at review

TPWD marked this site temporarily closed due to flooding in the August 29 review. The site requires a steep roughly 1,000-foot carry even when open. Wait for a current TPWD reopening notice.

Site details

Kingsland Slab · lower-river verification only

This site is outside the Mason-to-Castell report reach and its listed lease period ends August 31, 2026. Confirm a renewed current listing before using it.

Site details
  • Use a named, open entry and designated parking. A bridge, road edge, gravel bar, or attractive bank does not automatically provide legal parking or access across private land.
  • The public may navigate and fish lawful public water, but that does not create a right to enter, leave, or walk across private banks. Check current Texas guidance and onsite signs.
  • Wade only after the exact edge passes a current, depth, clarity, footing, debris, and easy-exit check. No universal cfs threshold is supplied.
  • Float only with an open launch and takeout, a checked route, suitable craft, PFD, realistic shuttle, weather margin, and a lawful portage plan.

If this water does not fit the day, check another report before you start the drive.

TexasMedina River fishing reportA separate upper-river warmwater plan with its own Bandera gauge, public access, and water-quality checks.TexasSan Gabriel River fishing reportA separate Georgetown park plan with fork-specific gauge limits and city access checks.TexasSan Marcos River fishing reportA separate spring-river plan with reach-specific gauges, habitat restrictions, access, and portages.
See all Texas fly fishing reports

Sources and report details

USGS, TPWD access, public-water, fishing-rule, and National Weather Service sources were checked August 29, 2026. No field visit, current clarity, water temperature, local depth, or safe-wading inspection is claimed.

Rules and closures

Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.

Flow and weather

Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.

Access and land

Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.

More helpful links

Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.

See all 14 checked sources

Rules and closures

Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.

Flow and weather

Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.

Access and land

Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.

More helpful links

Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.

Recently checked. Last checked . Conditions and rules can still change, so open decision-critical links before fishing.

See something wrong? Report a source problem. Please do not send private spots or private access notes.

How this report was checked

How this report was checked

Trip guidance checked

What was checked: Official sources support the Mason gauge, named access status, public-water boundaries, fishery records, trip-date rules, and weather. Fly choices are editorial planning suggestions. No field visit, current clarity, water temperature, local depth, private-bank permission, safe-flow threshold, or complete float route is claimed.

Live measurements and forecasts keep their provider timestamps. Rules, access, and trip guidance use the source-review date shown here. BlueStreamFly planning advice is editorial interpretation, not an agency notice.

First-hand experience: BlueStreamFly does not claim a first-hand visit or local field test for this report unless a real contributor is explicitly named and linked.

Quick questions

Does the Llano River page have a live gauge?

Yes. The seven-day chart uses USGS 08150700 near Mason and updates discharge and stage. It does not measure water temperature, clarity, access, local depth, or safe wading at Maso-Llan, Castell, or Kingsland.

Where should I start on the Llano right now?

Check Castell's current TPWD listing and the water there. TPWD marked Maso-Llan temporarily closed due to flooding in the August 29 review, so do not use it without a current reopening notice.

Does the Maso-Llan closure close the whole Llano River?

No. The checked notice applies to that named access. It does not establish a fishing closure for the entire Mason-to-Castell river, and it does not prove another access is open or safe.

Can I wade or float when the score is fishable?

The rating is a planning signal, not a clearance. Wade only after checking the exact edge. Float only after confirming an open launch, takeout, shuttle, route, suitable craft, PFD, and current conditions.

What flies should I bring?

Start with the pictured seasonal row. Clousers, Woolly Buggers, Muddlers, and Game Changers cover subsurface searching. Gurglers, Sneaky Pete Sliders, ants, and beetles cover observed surface feeding. No live hatch is claimed.

Which Texas fishing rules apply?

Use the Outdoor Annual edition effective on your trip date, plus the access site's posted rules and license requirements. The annual edition changes September 1, so verify the date before applying species limits.

Is every Llano River bank public?

No. Navigable public water does not create a general right to cross or use private banks. Enter and leave through a legal access, respect posted boundaries, and check current TPWD navigation guidance.