Within 15 miles of Converse, TX · Updated 2026-07-06Teaching your kid to fish doesn't require a boat, a license (for them), or a long drive. Converse and the northeast San Antonio suburbs sit within a short hop of stocked ponds, handicap-accessible piers, and TPWD Neighborhood Fishin' sites that are practically designed for first-timers. Pack some worms and a bobber — most of these spots are free and under 15 miles from your driveway.
Top-Rated Fishing Spots Near Converse
1. Converse North Park City Lake (Converse)
Location: 8711 Business Court, Converse, TX
Lake bank and playground on one site. Converse North Park puts fishing and family perks in one spot — stocked lake for older kids, playground for younger ones, picnic tables for lunch, all 0.4 miles from downtown. Saturday morning ritual: fishing before the baseball fields get busy, then home by lunchtime.
Good to know: Annual TPWD stocking, Playgrounds, Basketball court, Walking trail, Rentable pavilions.
Parent tip: Go early on weekend mornings before the sports fields fill up — you'll have the lake bank nearly to yourself.
For current hours and seasonal closures, see the official Converse North Park City Lake page.
2. Live Oak City Park (Live Oak)
Location: 18001 Park Drive, Live Oak, TX
Two piers built for real fishing, right next door. Live Oak City Park is an easy 3.5-mile hop from Converse, and its two handicap-accessible piers put you right over the water — no scrambling down a muddy bank. The reservoir holds largemouth bass and palmetto bass, and the pier railings mean you don't have to hover over a toddler the whole time. Bonus: there's a boat ramp if you ever upgrade to a canoe or kayak.
Good to know: Boat ramp access, Boat rentals available, Sports fields, Picnic areas, Hiking pathways, Reservoir-centered park.
Parent tip: Palmetto bass (white bass x striped bass hybrid) hit best in early spring mornings — cast near the pier pilings.
Hours and amenities shift with the season — confirm today's on the Live Oak City Park city page.
3. Lakeside Park (San Antonio)
Leaving Converse, you're looking at about 14 min without traffic, close enough that the kids won't gripe about the car ride.
Location: 5640 Lakefront Drive, San Antonio, TX
Pine trees actually block the afternoon heat. Lakeside Park's bank is shaded — the pine trees overhead aren't just pretty, they're a Texas summer lifesaver. Combined with TPWD's trout stocking (winter) and catfish stocking (summer), you get a place where your kid can actually fish without melting.
Good to know: Two-lane boat ramp, Walking trail, Picnic areas, Pavilion rentals, Restrooms.
Parent tip: Winter trout season (late Nov–Mar) is the best time to bring beginners — the stocked rainbows are aggressive and easy to hook on PowerBait.
Planning a specific day? Check the Lakeside Park status page for closures first.
4. Brackenridge Park (San Antonio)
Heading out of Converse, budget about 16 min on the road, short enough for a spur-of-the-moment weekday trip.
Location: 531 Brackenridge Way, San Antonio, TX
Zoo trip bonus if kids tire of fishing. Brackenridge Park's fishing stretch is an excuse to also visit the San Antonio Zoo (adjacent, separate admission). Two miles of river banks, TPWD stocking, historic bridges, wide shady areas — and a zoo backup plan if your fisher loses interest mid-afternoon.
Good to know: Restrooms.
Parent tip: TPWD typically stocks Brackenridge in the fall and winter — check the Neighborhood Fishin' stocking calendar at tpwd.texas.gov before you drive out.
5. Southside Lions Park (Miller's Pond) (San Antonio)
Driving from Converse, about 17 min without traffic gets you there, easy to pair with a lunch stop in San Antonio.
Location: 3100 Hiawatha Street, San Antonio, TX
One of San Antonio's most reliably stocked ponds — and no boats to worry about. TPWD's Neighborhood Fishin' program keeps Southside Lions Park's 7.5-acre pond loaded year-round: channel catfish from late April through November, then rainbow trout from late November through March. Shore-only means no boat traffic cutting across your kid's line, and the shaded bank makes a summer afternoon tolerable. The jogging track and playground keep everyone busy between bites.
Good to know: Shaded bank access, Restrooms, Community center on-site.
Parent tip: TPWD restocks every 2–4 weeks during season — call (210) 688-9460 to confirm the last stocking date before you go.
6. Earl Scott Pond (Leon Creek Greenway) (San Antonio)
Heading out of Converse, budget about 20 min on the road, short enough for a spur-of-the-moment weekday trip.
Location: 12160 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX
Natural greenway setting with minimal crowds. Earl Scott Pond sits in a natural Leon Creek Greenway setting — no amusement-park infrastructure, just trees, water, and fish. TPWD's historical stocking of four species gives kids better odds of success, and the rare-crowd vibe is genuinely peaceful.
Good to know: Natural greenway setting, Hiking trail access, Near Rohde Park.
Parent tip: Pair it with a walk on the Leon Creek Greenway — the trail runs right past the pond, so you can hike a mile or two before setting up on the bank.
7. Woodlawn Lake Park (San Antonio)
Leaving Converse, you're looking at about 21 min without traffic, close enough that the kids won't gripe about the car ride.
Location: 1103 Cincinnati Avenue, San Antonio, TX
Bank and pier fishing on a large urban lake. Woodlawn's size and infrastructure (multiple bank areas, piers, trails) mean you aren't shoulder-to-shoulder even on busy Saturdays. TPWD stocking keeps the catfish reliable, and the community center, pool, and playgrounds make it a full-day family destination.
Good to know: Swimming pool, Community center, Playgrounds, Picnic areas, Restrooms.
Parent tip: Fish the northwestern bank near the inlet for catfish — the deeper channel holds fish even mid-summer when the rest of the lake heats up.
How we picked these
We looked for spots within about 15 miles of Converse that offer shore or pier access, kid-safe water conditions, and stocked fish — so beginners actually catch something. TPWD Neighborhood Fishin' sites got extra weight because they're stocked every 2–4 weeks during season. All picks are free or low-cost, and none require a boat. Kids under 17 never need a Texas fishing license.Planning your visit
Texas fishing license: Kids under 17 fish free — no license required. Adults need a valid Texas fishing license ($11+ for a freshwater day license). Buy at tpwd.texas.gov or any Academy Sports, Walmart, or HEB sporting goods counter.
What to bring: A simple rod-and-reel combo (under $20 at Walmart), a small tackle box with bobbers, size 6–8 hooks, and split-shot weights. Bring PowerBait or chicken liver for catfish. Nightcrawlers catch almost everything.
Best times: Early morning (7–10am) and late afternoon (5–7pm). Spring and fall are the most productive seasons; catfish bite well in summer too.
More Converse family fun: See all kids events in Converse, TX.
For more kids' events near Converse this week, see the Converse events page.
Converse Kid Fishing Checklist
- A rod sized for small hands: a short push-button spincast combo is far easier for a child to cast than a long rod, and it tangles less.
- Pinch the barbs flat: a quick squeeze with pliers turns any hook barbless. It comes out of a fish (or a thumb) in seconds and barely affects your catch rate.
- Sun protection and water: hats, SPF 50+, and a full bottle each. Converse North Park City Lake and most spots on this list sit out in open sun with little shade on the bank.
- Pliers, a small first-aid kit, and snacks: pliers for hooks, the kit for the occasional poke, and snacks because kid patience runs on a short clock.
Fishing Piers, Stocked Ponds & Places to Fish Near Converse
- Fishing piers: Live Oak City Park and Woodlawn Lake Park have a fishing pier: a stable, railed platform over deeper water, the easiest place to start a young kid without wading the bank.
- Stocked ponds: Converse North Park City Lake, Live Oak City Park, Lakeside Park and Brackenridge Park are regularly stocked, so there are actually fish to catch. That's the difference between a first trip that hooks a kid and one that bores them.
- Bank fishing: Converse North Park City Lake, Live Oak City Park, Lakeside Park and Southside Lions Park (Miller's Pond) have open, walkable shoreline to cast straight from land, no boat or pier needed.
- Open water: Converse North Park City Lake, Live Oak City Park, Lakeside Park and Woodlawn Lake Park step up to a full lake with a boat ramp when your kids outgrow the city ponds.
Licenses, Limits, and Catch-and-Release
- Know the license rule: in Texas, anyone 17 and older needs a fishing license; kids under 17 fish free, and bank fishing is license-free inside any Texas state park.
- Check bag and length limits: each species has its own keep limits, posted on the Texas Parks & Wildlife site. When in doubt, release it.
- Handle fish with wet hands: dry hands strip the slime coat that protects a fish. Wet your hands first, support the belly, and keep it out of the water only as long as a photo takes.
- Pack out your line: discarded fishing line tangles birds and turtles. A zip bag for old line and hooks keeps the bank safe for the next family.
Converse Fishing Spots, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fishing spots for kids near Converse, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 7 standout fishing spots within about 15 miles of Converse. The top picks include Converse North Park City Lake, Live Oak City Park and Lakeside Park, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Are fishing spots near Converse free?
Yes, every fishing spot in this guide is free to visit, with no admission fee or ticket required for Converse North Park City Lake, Live Oak City Park, Lakeside Park or any of the other picks.
What is the closest fishing spot to Converse?
Converse North Park City Lake is the closest pick at under a mile from Converse. It's the easiest one to fit into a weekday afternoon, short drive, low commitment, easy to leave early if the kids melt down.
Do I need a fishing license to fish near Converse?
In Texas, anyone 17 and older needs a fishing license, but kids under 17 fish free, and you can fish license-free from the bank in any Texas state park. Most of the spots in this guide are free public access, check the official page linked on each card for parking, pier hours, and any local rules.
Are there fishing piers or stocked ponds near Converse?
Yes, Live Oak City Park, Woodlawn Lake Park have a fishing pier; and Converse North Park City Lake, Live Oak City Park, Lakeside Park are regularly stocked. A pier gives kids a stable, railed spot over deeper water, and a stocked pond means there are actually fish biting, both make the difference on a first trip. Each card above notes what that spot has.