Laguna Madre
Port Mansfield · Lower Texas Coast
S Texas, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Redfish.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
Prime early-season redfish conditions with stable 80s water temps and manageable morning winds through the week. Friday's approaching front brings 3 inches of rain and 23mph winds — fish hard Thursday before conditions deteriorate. Post-front Saturday and Sunday look excellent with clearing skies and moderate southeast breezes. Dawn-to-10am window remains critical as June heat builds, but tailing opportunities should be outstanding on the crystal-clear hypersaline flats.
- Tide: Wind-driven tides with south flow — morning flood tides best for sight fishing before afternoon wind builds
- Target: Tailing redfish on shallow flats — exceptional clarity allows spotting from 100+ feet in early morning light
- Water Temp: Mid-80s — perfect redfish temps but mandates dawn-to-10am fishing window before extreme heat
- Best Window: First light to 10am daily — Friday's storm front cuts fishing short, Saturday/Sunday post-front prime time
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Coastal Flats
- Best months: Year-round; peak Mar–Nov
The Texas Laguna Madre — the upper and lower lagoons separated by the Land Cut on the south Texas coast — is one of only six hypersaline lagoons on Earth and one of the world's premier redfish fly fisheries. The shallow grass flats from Port Mansfield south to South Padre Island hold tailing redfish in numbers and conditions that recall the best Florida flats work. The lagoon's clear water and sand bottom enable genuine sight fishing rather than the blind-cast work typical of much Gulf coast fly fishing.
The Texas Laguna Madre is one of only six hypersaline coastal lagoons on Earth — saltier than the open ocean — a distinctive ecosystem that supports redfish and sea trout in a chemistry found almost nowhere else.
January Outlook
January can be excellent when cold fronts are not hammering the coast. Redfish school in the upper Laguna Madre wind-tidal flats. Large trout are in the deeper grass in groups during winter. Drum appear near the passes.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider (dark)
- Seatrout Suspender
- Popping Cork/Shrimp
- Crab Fly
Tips
Target the protected back-bay flats on cold days. Wading the southern Laguna for tailing redfish on sunny afternoons when temps reach 65°F. Large seatrout are nocturnal in winter.
Water Notes
Water 48-65°F. Cold fronts dominate January. Northwest winds can push all water off the shallow flats for days.
February Outlook
February wading for tailing redfish on the Laguna Madre is classic. When conditions align between fronts, vast schools of reds are visible on the shallow hypersaline flats. Trophy trout start becoming active.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider
- Weedless Shrimp
- Crab Fly
- Twitchbait (trout)
Tips
Wade-fishing the Upper Laguna Madre between Port Mansfield and South Padre. Redfish schools can stretch 200 yards. Approach from downwind.
Water Notes
Water 52-68°F. February has the clearest water of the year. Wind-tidal flats go dry in northwest winds.
March Outlook
March is the beginning of excellent conditions. Redfish are actively tailing and feeding. Seatrout move to the grass humps. Sheepshead appear on the markers and pilings. Spring is arriving on the coast.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider
- Sheepshead Crab
- Seatrout Popper
- Clouser Minnow
Tips
March wading is outstanding. Fish are scattered across the entire width of the Laguna. Walk-wade with minimal gear and cover ground to find feeding schools.
Water Notes
Water 62-72°F. Transitioning to spring weather. SE winds begin appearing. Visibility excellent.
April Outlook
April is prime time in the Laguna Madre. Tailing redfish everywhere, large seatrout on the grass, and birds diving on baitfish. The entirety of the Laguna system is fishing well.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider
- Seatrout Popper
- Crab Fly
- Seaducer
Tips
Get out early before the wind comes up. April mornings on the Laguna are some of the finest sight-fishing in North America. Schools are tailing on every flat.
Water Notes
Water 70-78°F. SE winds build through the day. Dead-calm mornings are best for sight fishing. Afternoons can be fishable with careful positioning.
May Outlook
May brings summer heat and afternoon thunderstorms but morning fishing is fantastic. Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle appear in the Laguna. Redfish continue tailing through the summer.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider
- Spanish Mac Fly
- Jack Fly (clouser)
- Seatrout Popper
Tips
May mornings are prime — fish early, off the water by noon. Spanish mackerel on the surface are visual targets. Large seatrout in deeper holes.
Water Notes
Water 78-84°F. Summer heat building. Morning fishing window is 6-11am before wind and thunderstorms arrive.
June Outlook
June in the Laguna Madre is hot but the redfish never stop tailing. The hypersaline flats of the Upper Laguna Madre maintain their exceptional clarity year-round. Early morning wade-fishing for tailing reds in the first hours of light is outstanding. South Texas in June means extreme heat — be prepared with proper sun protection and hydration, and be off the water by 11am.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider (weedless)
- Crab Fly (small)
- Seatrout Popper (early AM)
- Jack Crevalle Fly (nearshore)
Tips
June wading at dawn is one of the Laguna's signature summer experiences. The flats are clear enough to spot tailing fish from 100 feet. Fish the flood tide in the early morning when breezes are light. Jack crevalle blitzing on the nearshore grass humps are a fun alternative during the heat. Stay in the shade after 10am.
Water Notes
Water 82-87°F. South Texas summer heat extreme. Wind-tidal flats may drop or flood based on prevailing south winds. Dawn-to-10am fishing window. Redfish present year-round.
July Outlook
July is the most challenging month in the Laguna Madre. Extreme heat, strong south winds, and the shallowest water of the year on the wind-tidal flats can make the hypersaline upper Laguna nearly impossible some days. However, dedicated anglers who fish the pre-dawn hours find excellent redfish on the flats. The Laguna's resident fish population is year-round. Large seatrout are in the deeper channels and ICW cuts.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider (small, dawn)
- Crab Fly (small)
- Seatrout Suspender (deep channel)
- Jack Fly (afternoon nearshore)
Tips
July Laguna fishing requires a 5am start. Wade-fishing the upper Laguna flats at first light before the south wind arrives is the tactic. Fish are present and catchable — the window is just narrow. The Port Mansfield area's deeper cuts hold large seatrout in summer. Be off the exposed flats before 10am — heat exhaustion is a serious risk.
Water Notes
Water 85-90°F. Peak summer heat. South winds can push the wind-tidal flats dry or flood them unpredictably. Pre-dawn to 9am fishing only. Large seatrout in deeper cuts and ICW.
August Outlook
August offers improving conditions over July as the daily temperature cycle moderates slightly in the second half and fall fronts begin appearing from the north. The redfish continue tailing and the first cold front of fall — sometimes arriving in late August — triggers spectacular activity across the entire lagoon. By late August the Laguna is transitioning toward its best season.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider
- Crab Fly (large, fall fish)
- Seatrout Popper (late August)
- Mullet Pattern (schooling fish)
Tips
Watch for the first cool front of fall — when the wind shifts north even briefly, the redfish on the Laguna become immediately more active. Late August mornings with a slight north component to the breeze are special. The fish respond dramatically to the first temperature drop.
Water Notes
Water 82-88°F and slowly cooling. First fall fronts possible late in the month. Redfish year-round. Conditions improving through August.
September Outlook
September brings fall to the Texas coast. The red drum run begins building as conditions improve dramatically. Redfish schools are forming on the flats in large aggregations. Seatrout activity increases. By late September the Laguna Madre is approaching its finest season.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider (gold)
- Crab Fly
- Seatrout Deceiver
- Topwater Mullet
Tips
September is the turning point. The first real northers push cold air down from the plains, concentrating redfish on the south-facing flats. A September norther on the Laguna can activate hundreds of tailing fish simultaneously. Seatrout are schooling on the grass humps.
Water Notes
Water 78-84°F and cooling. Fall fronts arriving regularly. Excellent conditions improving through September. The best fishing is building.
October Outlook
October brings fall weather, calm winds, and some of the finest fishing of the year. Redfish are in large schools on the flats. Large seatrout are aggressive. The Laguna is at its best.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider (gold)
- Seatrout Deceiver
- Crab Fly
- Topwater (trout)
Tips
October is the local guide's favorite month. Redfish schools are massive and fish are fat from summer feeding. Large seatrout often run with the reds.
Water Notes
Water 76-80°F and cooling. Fall fronts bring ideal conditions. Clarity is excellent.
November Outlook
November delivers trophy seatrout fishing alongside excellent redfish. This is 'big trout season' with fish over 30 inches common in the Laguna's deep grass. Redfish continue schooling heavily.
Productive Patterns
- Seatrout Suspender (large)
- Redfish Slider
- Crab Fly
- Topwater Plug
Tips
Night fishing for trophy seatrout during the first two weeks of November is legendary. Day fishing for reds remains excellent. Fish the deep grass edges for the biggest trout.
Water Notes
Water 65-74°F. Fronts arrive regularly. Pre-front conditions produce the best large trout fishing.
December Outlook
December in the Laguna Madre offers excellent fishing between cold fronts. The wind-tidal flats can be fishing well on blue-sky days after a front passes. Redfish school in the southern Laguna's protected areas. Trophy seatrout continue in the deeper channels and grass edges. A cold December can produce some of the clearest water of the year on the hypersaline flats.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider (slow-sink)
- Seatrout Suspender (large, deep grass)
- Crab Fly (slow)
- Clouser Minnow (channel edges)
Tips
December fronts can be severe on the south Texas coast — northwest winds push all the water off the shallow upper Laguna for days. Plan around the weather windows. The day a front breaks and the wind calms is often the best redfish day of the year as fish emerge from channels onto warming flats. Port Mansfield area is most sheltered.
Water Notes
Water 48-65°F. Strong cold fronts every 5-10 days. Fishing windows between fronts can be spectacular. Clearest water of the year.
Access & Approach
Port Mansfield and Port Isabel, TX are the main bases. Skiff guides essential — the Laguna Madre is too shallow for most boats. Texas saltwater license required.
Nearby Fly Shops
- Texas Fly Caster
Regulations & License
Fishing in Texas requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Texas fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Laguna Madre conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
Laguna Madre is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
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