Visitor & Relocation Information

Fishing

Zapata boasts of being the “Home of Falcon Lake.” Considered the largest fresh water lake in Texas, Falcon Lake was voted number one fishing spot in Texas by the Bass Fishing Clubs. In 1953 the completion of Falcon Dam & Reservoir resulted in the creation of Falcon Lake, now one of the premier sports fishing lake in the United States and has long been regarded as one of the best largemouth bass lakes in the nation. Falcon Lake’s 87,300 acres along the Rio Grande River on the Texas-Mexico border draws visitors from all over Texas and the United States.

Average dept is 30 feet, but there are many acres of shallow water fishing around the 432 miles of shoreline. Falcon Lake is approximately 37 miles long and the widest point is approximately 5 miles. The name “Falcon” derives from Captain Miguel de la Falcon who was one of Spain’s first surveyors for this area.

While it is true that Zapata, Texas is home to Falcon Lake, which is well known for its great fishing.
After several years of drought and low lake levels, the lake again is at higher level and the fishing is awesome!

Veteran pro bass angler Paul Elias’ steady performance at Falcon Lake in Zapata, Texas, at the 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series tournament set a new standard for tournament bass angling that may never be broke. For the first time in BASS history, all 12 finalists in the 2008 Basmasters Elite Series Lone Star Shootout weighed in at least 100 pounds. Paul Elias trumped all of them by weighing in a record weight of 132 pounds, 8 ounces. That performance led some to believe that it was Falcon Lake that was truly the bass fishing capital.

There is no closed season on fish on Falcon lake and all species may be taken year around. The Texas Parks & Wildlife has set some size and weight limits on some varieties and the anglers should become familiar with the regulations before venturing out on the lake.