A Guide To Victor Braunig Lake

Things to do / Highlights

About the lake

Victor Braunig Lake and Calaveras Lakes are both located in southeast Bexar County. The lakes were built as reservoirs for cooling water for nearby power plants and now also provides drinking water in the county. On paying a fee to enter Victor Braunig, you also get permission to fish at Calaveras Lake. Hop on over to their website to read more.

Popular fish to catch

1. Red drum

One of the most popular fish to catch in the reservoir is the red drum which has excellent availability. Along the shoreline, bull rushes and cattails offer cover for fishing. The best time for red drum fishing is between March and August, with a number of fish of more than 20 lbs (9 kg) caught each year. The best way to track the fish down is to watch the seagulls and pelicans as they feed on the lake. The best, natural baits to use are tilapia and crawfish, while artificial lures worth using are gold or silver spoons, deep-diving crankbaits and rattle traps.

2. Hybrid striped bass and catfish

Other popular fish include the hybrid striped bass and catfish. The best time to fish for hybrid striped bass is from January through August and during spring. As with the red drum, watch the bird’s feeding habits to get an idea where they can be found. A great bait to use for hybrid striped bass is chicken liver. Catfish can be lured by liver, cheese baits, cut tilapia, or shad.

3. Largemouth bass

A limited number of largemouth bass is also present in Victor Braunig Lake. While most largemouth bass is caught from February on, the best time for these fish is from January through April. Best baits to use for these fish are spinnerbaits, grubs, crankbaits and Carolina rigged plastic worms.

Bird-watching

Victor Braunig Lake is a popular birding location and you are likely to spot kingfishers, cormorants, snowy and great egrets and pelicans. Other popular birds here are gulls, coots, great blue herons grebes, and passerines.

Other activities at Victor Braunig Lake

For those who prefer not to fish, the park surrounding Victor Braunig Lake is ideal for picnicking, camping, boating, biking, jogging, canoeing, running, and football. There are plenty of trees for shade if you simply want to relax. A playground is provided for the children with all the popular swings and slides. An enjoyable walk can be had on the lake’s pretty nature trail.

What to eat

The park at Victor Braunig Lake provides restrooms (Port-a-Potties) and a number of picnic tables with seating. There is also a number of concession stands in the park selling snacks and drinks but it is better to bring your own picnic with you in a cooler. Read more about the facilities on their website.

Travelers tips

A number of things should be borne in mind when visiting Victor Braunig Lake:

Swimming

While Texas can get hot in the summer, please note that swimming is strictly prohibited at Victor Braunig Lake. However, bring along some sunscreen to avoid getting burned in the hot sun.

Boating

If you are bringing your own boat, there are two paved boat ramps available for launching onto the lake and are accessible at a fee. Moreover, it is required to drain the water from your boat when heading to or leaving the lake to avoid the spread of harmful zebra mussels.

Camping

A public access park at the lake offers camping facilities, as well as some RV sites that offer electrical and water hook-ups.

Dogs

Visitors are allowed to bring their dogs to Victor Braunig Lake. However, it must be noted that the dogs should be kept on their leash and owners have to clean up after their pets.

Wildlife:

Wildlife in the park surrounding the lake consists of mainly rodents, rabbits, lizards, spiders and snakes and there is a large variety of birds to spot and listen to while relaxing.

Littering:

While there is a regular pick-up for garbage in the park surrounding Victor Braunig Lake, please ensure you pick up after yourselves and deposit in the receptacles provided throughout the park.

Find out more about the rules and regulations by visiting their website.

How to get there

Victor Braunig Lake is around 17 mi (27 km) south of downtown San Antonio. Drivers should take I-37 until the 130 exit and follow the signs.

Details of Victor Braunig Lake

Victor Braunig Lake

Address: 17500 Donop Road, Elmendorf, Texas, USA

Website: Victor Braunig Lake

Website: Visit San Antonio

Opening hours: Mar 15 – Sep 15. 6am – 10pm; Sep 16 – March 14: 6am – 8pm

Price: From 8 USD