Family Fishing Vacation Destinations Once school lets out for summer, thousands of families will be embarking on their annual vacation adventure. For many of these families, angling is an important part of their yearly sojourn. However, few families want to spend every minute of their vacation fishing, so finding a destination that offers quality fishing opportunities as well as other family activities is a priority. Thanks to its wide-ranging and diverse geography, Texas offers numerous such destinations. Here are a few that really stand out. FRESH WATER Lake Amistad Although it's located in a fairly desolate area, Lake Amistad offers families a complete outdoor adventure vacation. The lake is legendary for producing giant largemouth bass, but also offers anglers the opportunity to tangle with smallmouth bass, white bass and catfish. Amistad is also the best known houseboating destination in Texas and many vacationing families opt to rent a houseboat and spend their entire trip exploring the lake. Kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, diving, snorkeling and swimming are other popular water sports available in Amistad's clear, deep waters. There are plenty of land-based activities as well. For starters, fishing families will find plenty of launch points, as well as endless shore fishing opportunities. Since Amistad is almost entirely surrounded by the Lake Amistad National Recreation Area, practically every inch of shoreline is public access. The LANRA also offers great camping and wildlife viewing options. Outdoor-oriented families will also want to visit nearby Devil's River State Natural Area and Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site. Both locations offer hiking, camping and wildlife viewing. Seminole Canyon SP contains some of the oldest Indian pictographs and cave dwellings in North America. Austin Texas' Capital City, Austin is well known as the home of many of the Lone Star State's most important historical attractions. However, what is often overlooked is the quantity and quality of nearby angling opportunities. Families heading to Austin for a summer vacation can enjoy an educational and entertaining vacation highlighted by some excellent angling action. Austin's attractions are many. The State Capitol, of course, is always worth touring. The Bob Bullock Story of Texas Museum is the most extensive historical museum in the state, featuring numerous interactive displays as well as an IMAX theatre. There are also plenty of outdoor attractions in and around Austin. The area is renown for it's natural swimming holes like Barton Springs, Krause Springs and the Hamilton Pool Preserve. Miles of jogging, cycling and hiking trails are also available, notably around Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake). And, Longhorn Caverns State Park is always a popular stop. But, don't forget about the fishing. Right in downtown Austin, Lady Bird Lake offers great light-tackle and fly fishing action for bass in the 2 to 3 pound range, as well as panfish and catfish. Also located within the city limits is Lake Austin, another great spot for bass and panfish. Lakes Travis and Walter E Long are both located a short drive outside of Austin. Also within striking distance are several Hill Country rivers, including the Colorado, Guadalupe, Blanco, San Marcos and Pedernales. These rivers and streams offer angling opportunities for everything from striped bass to rainbow trout. San Antonio The Alamo City is hands down the biggest vacation destination in the Lone Star State. This is primarily due to the vast amounts of unique attractions located in and around San Antonio. However, San Antonio also features fantastic family fishing venues. San Antonio's attractions are well-known. Historic sites like the Alamo, the scenic RiverWalk, and modern attractions like Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld all see thousands of visitors each year. Natural attractions such as Natural Bridge Caverns, Cascade Caverns and Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch are also popular stops for tourists. Fishing in the Alamo City area, though often overlooked, is actually well above average. Lakes Braunig and Calaveras are each situated just outside San Antonio. Both of these lakes are power plant discharge reservoirs and offer good bass, catfish and panfish action. However, the biggest draw on Braunig and Calaveras is the freshwater redfish. Double-digit reds are common and fish over 20 pounds aren't all that unusual. Lakes Braunig and Calaveras are surrounded by comfortable public parks. Launch ramps, picnic areas and campsites are available at both lakes, as are rental boats and fishing piers. SALT WATER Corpus Christi Known for two of the biggest tourist attractions along the Texas coast, the USS Lexington and Texas State Aquarium, Corpus Christi has become a full-fledged tourist destination. Yet, it has remained a fishing hotspot. In addition to 'The Lex' and State Aquarium, Corpus is home to a number of fine museums. Several minor-league sports franchises are based in Corpus, including the Hooks, a Houston Astros minor-league affiliate that calls Whataburger Field home. Then, of course, you have the beach. Or, in the case of Corpus Christi, beaches. There are several public beaches on both the mainland and island portion of Corpus. Of course, the most popular of them all is the Padre Island National Seashore. Not only does the 'PINS,' as it is locally known, offer a great stretch of sand for casual beachgoers, it is also an excellent surf fishing venue. During the summer months, surf fishermen along PINS are able to fish for everything from speckled trout to black tip sharks. There are a number of fishing piers and boat ramps in the Corpus area. Additionally, several guides call Corpus home. Between surf and bay, pier and boating, fishermen have an almost endless list of angling options while visiting Corpus Christi. Port Aransas Situated just above Mustang Island State Park, the quaint village of Port Aransas is a popular spot for families looking to spend their vacation outside. The beaches of Port Aransas, as well as those inside the State Park, are excellent for swimming, surfing, body boarding, beach combing or just 'lounging around,' not to mention fishing. Port A's famed South Jetty is a popular spot for non-boating anglers. Others opt to take the short ferry to St. Joe's Island. Nearby, kayak fishermen often enjoy paddling and fishing the Lighthouse Lakes kayak trails. Boating fishermen, whether on their own or with a professional guide, have access to some of the state's best inshore fishing. When not fishing or 'hitting the beach,' visitors to Port A often take boat tours, visit the Lydia Ann Lighthouse, play golf or head to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in hopes of seeing an endangered whooping crane. Port Isabel/South Padre Island Although they are two separate towns, Port Isabel and South Padre are often inseparable for vacations. However, thanks to the 3-mile causeway that connects them, visitors to either town has quick access to the other. Despite their close proximity, Port Isabel and South Padre have totally different personas. Port Isabel, one of the oldest towns on the Texas coast, offers visitors a rich, historical experience with museums, quaint shops and, of course, the historic lighthouse. South Padre is a much more modern town, with high-rise condos and attractions such as Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark. The main commonality between these two towns is great fishing. This stretch of the Lower Laguna Madre is home to snook, in addition to the standard bay fare of redfish, speckled trout and flounder. Additionally, during the summer months anglers fishing the Brazos Santiago Pass, either from a boat or from the jetties, have the ability to hook up with tarpon, kingfish, Spanish mackerel and more. Of course, there are far too many family fishing destinations in Texas to list in just one article. Galveston, Rockport, Dallas - the list of cities and towns with both tourist attractions and fishing venues is extensive. The bottom line is, it's easy to find an area that combines traditional family vacation activities with high-quality fishing opportunities in the Lone Star State. So, as you get ready to plan this summer's vacation, don't just look at the map for directions. Also take note of any nearby bodies of water. No matter which direction you head, odds are there will be plenty of chances to wet a hook with the family.