Save the Date – December 6th, 2025!
Naturalist Talks
Winterfisch Celebration
Opening Day-Dec 7th, 10a-4p
About WinterFisch
WinterFisch is a family-oriented recreational activity for Mason County residents and visitors during the slower winter months. WinterFisch is Mason County’s participation in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s statewide Winter Rainbow Trout Fishing Program that occurs annually at over 200 locations across Texas. The WinterFisch trout fishing location is in Mason County 8 miles south of the town of Mason at the James River Crossing of the Llano River (Highway 2389). This site was chosen for its suitable trout habitat, and also for its ease of public access. A total of 2500 trout are released in two phases, one in early December and one in late January or early February of each year. Mason County WinterFisch also includes an opening day event the first Saturday in December called the WinterFisch Celebration, which celebrates this fishing opportunity, the Llano River, and outdoor recreation. The WinterFisch Celebration includes fishing instruction, loaner poles, fishing and outdoors demonstrations, campfires, live-music, and onsite cooking of caught fish. Throughout the season tagged trout are available for catching and the tags can be redeemed for a variety of great prizes. The season culminates with a grand prize drawing from all the tagged fish that were submitted.
TPWD Trout Fishing TipsYear Round Llano River Information
Outfitters & Guides
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Llano River Region Adventures
Mason River Outfitters Custom Rods
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Bloody Bucket Canoe & Kayak Rentals
Paddler's Porch
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Tony's Kayaks 830-609-8836 or 830-609-8329
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Living Waters Fly Fishing
Llano Angler Memoriam
Honoring our friends who loved and enjoyed the beauty and bounty of the Llano River.
Lodging Information
Mason County Lodging
Honey Creek Ranch
Dos Rios RV Park & Campground
James River Tiny House Retreat
Bar-A Hunting & Fishing Ranch
Bar None River Ranch
Red Sands Ranch
Bar V Ranch
Leifeste Campground
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All Llano County Lodging
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Check Out Fishing Action with Hooked On Wild Waters
The 10th Annual Mason County WinterFisch Celebration
Saturday, December 5th, 10a-4pm
James River Crossing of the Llano River/Hwy 2389.
This event kicks off the 10th Annual Mason County WinterFisch Rainbow trout fishing season, which will run from Dec 5, 2026 through February 28, 2027. Over 2500 Rainbow trout will be released, many sporting tags that can be redeemed for cash prizes.
GRAND PRIZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
The names of all tagged-fish prize winners were automatically entered into a grand prize drawing at the end of the season. The grand-prize drawing was held at the Mason County Courthouse, with County Judge Sheree Hardin doing the drawing. WinterFisch is pleased to announce this year’s grand-prize winners!
A new fisher on the scene, Sheryl Barker of Menard County, was the first name drawn and had first choice from the grand-prize pool. She chose the $250 Lowe’s Markets Gift Card. Lowe’s has been a long-time and very engaged sponsor of WinterFisch, providing prizes, flying the WinterFisch banner, supplying T-shirts, making fish-food baggies available, and advocating for the event. Sheryl had incredible enthusiasm for the event and fished it often!
Frank Powell of Kerrville, WinterFisch’s most frequent fisher ever and an exuberant event advocate and ambassador, claimed the second grand prize of a combination TFO NXT 9WT Black Rod, Lamson Liquid Reel spooled with Scientific Anglers Fly Line, and a hard sided carrying case. This $360 fly fishing combo was donated by Living Waters Fly fishing of Round Rock. Living Waters, owned by Chris Johnson and his family, is Central Texas’ premier fly-fishing shop and is a long-time sponsor of WinterFisch.
Claiming the third grand prize of a 2-Night stay at Dos Rios RV Park and Campground was another longtime event fisher and supporter, Gerardo Huerta of San Antonio. Gerardo can often be found during the season fishing with his son, Marciano. Dos Rios RV has been a longtime sponsor and supporter, providing lodging and performance space during the event, and making fish food packets available to help keep the trout concentrated near the bridge.
The power fishing duo of Scott and Jennifer Campbell of Austin were drawn fourth and fifth and chose a 2-Night Stay in Merlin’s Cabin at Riversounds Campground and a Galveston Bay Day-Sailing and Fishing Adventure aboard the Serendipity. Riversounds is owned and run by fulltime Mason County resident, Jerialice Arsenault, and the Serendipity is owned by part-time Masonites Phil Beckett and his wife Cheryl. Both Jerialice and the Becketts are long-time supporters of WinterFisch. The Campbells love visiting Mason County, coming out often during the trout season and throughout the year.
For the sixth grand-prize Jackson Cooper of Mason selected a Gift Certificate Combo Package, featuring gift cards from long-time, incredibly-supportive sponsors Mason Building Supply, Mason Feed Store, Backwoods BBQ, La Copa Joe, and Lowe’s Markets. Jackson fishes often with his dad, Mason County Game Warden Eric Cooper.
Receiving the seventh grand prize of a generous Backwoods BBQ Gift Card was Emilio Palacio of Mason. Emilio can often be found trying his luck along the banks of the Llano River. Backwoods BBQ has solid Mason County roots in the Zavala family and continues to generously support WinterFisch and other Mason County activities.
The final grand prize, a gorgeous, custom, enameled metal Rainbow trout, crafted and donated by Trey Carpenter, was claimed by Billy “Catfish” Martin of Kingsland. Billy is a local fishing legend! Trey, a retired Texas Parks and Wildlife Biologist, creates wonderful nature-oriented art through his company, Watermelon Dreams.
Congratulations to all our winners!
To see a vast collection of fabulous WinterFisch images and videos, for more information about Mason County WinterFisch, or to reach us with questions and suggestions, please visit FishTheLlano.com or the WinterFisch Facebook page at WinterFisch.
Remember that images and videos are free to share to help promote Mason County and its businesses, so please borrow and share away!
Mark your calendars for the 10th Annual Mason County WinterFisch that will kick off on December 5th, 2026, with the WinterFisch Celebration. Until then, tight lines!
Thank you Judge Hardin for drawing our grand prize winners. Stay tuned for winner announcements.
The 9th Annual Mason County WinterFisch season concluded on March 1st.
It was another great season with lots of fun had, trout caught, and prizes won. The grand prize drawing will be held soon. Many thanks to our many sponsors who have funded the event for the past nine years. Mark your calendars for the 10th Annual Mason County WinterFisch season that opens Saturday, December 5th, 2026.
Pictured: Jackson Cooper, son of Eric and Grace Cooper of Mason, who submitted the final two prize tags of the season.
Some great feedback from some happy and successful trout fishers. Yippeeeeeee!
La Copa Joe, is great way to start a morning of Rainbow trout fishing!
Thank you La Copa Joe for your continued support of Mason County WinterFisch.
Stock up on fishing and other outdoor supplies at Mason Building Supply.
While your in there, please thank them for sponsoring WinterFisch and so many other great Mason County activities.
Meet Frank Powell of Kerrville.
Frank is the most frequent of our frequent fishers and has brought many family members and friends to fish with us. He's great at providing feedback and sending pix.
We sure are thankful to have Backwoods BBQ as one of our many wonderful WinterFisch sponsors!
See the full sponsor list in the comments or at FishTheLlano.com.
Look Spiff & Feed The Fish!
A few WinterFisch T-shirts remain at Lowe’s Market in Mason. You can also grab a few bags of fish food for the kids to help feed the trout and help keep them congregated. It’s a fun activity. Let us know what kind of surface action you see. Thank you Lowe’s for your continued sponsorship and support!
On January 21st TPWD released an additional 1750 Rainbow Trout into the Llano River in support of Mason County WinterFisch.
TPWD again tagged trout with tags that can earn lucky anglers cash prizes of $40 (red tag) and $20 (yellow tag). So far 9 of 60 yellow tags have been redeemed and 3 of 20 red tags. Between the first releases and the latest release, plenty of tagged trout remain. All submitted tags also earn one entry each into our end-of-season grand prize drawing. In addition to the tagged trout, fishers who catch a golden trout are eligible to win a gift-certificate from one of our wonderful sponsors. Whether it’s a tagged trout, golden trout, or grand prize, everyone who spends a day fishing the beautiful Llano River comes out a winner!
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Phillip Schmidt Ranch – MK Murphy
