Penitas doesn't run its own fishing lake, but La Joya Lake and Walker Lake sit just a couple of miles away, close enough that a fishing trip is barely more effort than a trip to the corner store. Push a little further into Mission and you'll find a state park pond with a beginner fishing program and a wheelchair-accessible pier over the Rio Grande. Hidalgo County stays mild enough for bank fishing most of the year, and kids under 17 don't need a Texas fishing license, so there's no real barrier to a spontaneous trip. Here are the best fishing spots within about 13 miles of Penitas.
Top-Rated Fishing Spots Near Penitas
1. La Joya Lake (La Joya)
Location: La Joya, TX (Hidalgo County)
La Joya Lake is the closest real fishing water to Penitas, a 342-acre lake run by the La Joya Parks and Recreation Department. Largemouth bass, channel catfish, and spotted bass are the regular catches, and the lake is big enough that families can spread out along different banks instead of crowding one spot.
Good to know: bank fishing, largemouth bass, channel catfish, parking.
Parent tip: This is a working city lake, not a manicured park; bring your own shade and check with La Joya Parks and Recreation for current access hours before you go.
For current hours and seasonal closures, see the official La Joya Lake page.
2. Walker Lake (La Joya)
Location: Havana/La Joya area, TX (Hidalgo County)
Walker Lake in the Havana/La Joya area is a quick drive from Penitas and stays reliable for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and blue catfish. The open bank gives a couple of kids room to fish without tangling lines, and it's quiet enough for some birdwatching while you wait on a bite.
Good to know: bank fishing, largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, bird watching.
Parent tip: Anglers 17 and up need a Texas fishing license; kids fish free. Early morning and right before sunset are when the bite picks up.
3. Rio Grande River - Rio Grande City Access (Rio Grande City)
For a family coming from Penitas, the drive clocks in at about 11 min without traffic, an easy add-on if you're already headed toward Rio Grande City.
Location: Rio Grande City, TX (Starr County)
This public river access site is one of the spots TPWD keeps open along the Rio Grande through leases with private landowners. Largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, and white bass all turn up here, and trophy-sized bass get pulled out often enough to make it worth the drive once the kids are ready for a bigger stretch of water than a small pond.
Good to know: river bank fishing, largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, scenic views.
Parent tip: Access points along this stretch of river can shift as leases change, so check TPWD's river access page before you go. Bank footing is uneven in spots; keep younger kids a step back from the water's edge.
Hours and amenities shift with the season — confirm today's on the Rio Grande River - Rio Grande City Access city page.
4. Los Olmos Creek (Rio Grande City)
For a family coming from Penitas, the drive clocks in at about 11 min without traffic, an easy add-on if you're already headed toward Rio Grande City.
Location: Rio Grande City area, Starr County, TX
Los Olmos Creek runs about 20 miles through central Starr County before it meets the Rio Grande near Rio Grande City. The flat, tree-lined banks make it easy for kids to walk and cast at their own pace, and it's a consistent producer of largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill according to local fishing reports.
Good to know: creek bank fishing, largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill.
Parent tip: There's no official facility here, just creek-bank access, so bring your own shade and watch footing near the water. Pair it with a stop at Rio Grande River access nearby to make a longer morning of it.
5. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park (Mission)
Out of Penitas, plan for about 12 min in the car, which makes Mission an easy weekday-afternoon trip from Penitas.
Location: 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive (FM 2062), Mission, TX 78572
Mission👶 Best for all ages (Fishing for Beginners program)💲 Adult $5, groups $3, kids 12 and under free🚗 8.2 miBentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park runs an actual Fishing for Beginners program on its 15-acre lake, stocked with channel catfish, alligator gar, and largemouth bass. It's the best spot near Penitas for a kid who's never held a rod before, and the trails and bird-watching areas give the trip a backup plan if the fish aren't biting.
Good to know: fishing pond, channel catfish, largemouth bass, hiking trails, restrooms, shade.
Parent tip: Call ahead (956-585-1107) to check the Fishing for Beginners program schedule. Bring bug spray for the wooded trail sections around the lake.
Planning a specific day? Check the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park status page for closures first.
6. Anzalduas County Park (Mission)
For a family coming from Penitas, the drive clocks in at about 15 min without traffic, an easy add-on if you're already headed toward Mission.
Location: 6400 Anzalduas Dam Rd, Mission, TX 78572
Everything you need for a full day: Anzalduas County Park bundles a 100-foot fishing pier, 40-plus barbecue pits, and shade trees all in 96 acres. Largemouth bass and catfish keep the rods busy. The pier is wheelchair accessible and long enough that your whole family spreads out without competing for space.
Good to know: wheelchair accessible, boat ramp, largemouth bass, picnic areas, restrooms.
Parent tip: Regular Border Patrol presence along this stretch of river is normal. Bring your own bait; there's no shop on site.
How we picked these
We checked Penitas's own parks and recreation pages first; the city runs Penitas City Park but no dedicated fishing water, so we mapped out the closest public, kid-safe spots in the surrounding towns. Everything here is free or low-cost, open to the public, and reachable without a boat. We skipped anything private, membership-gated, or that we couldn't confirm from an official city, county, or state source.
Planning your visit
Mornings and evenings beat the midday heat, especially from May through September. Anglers 17 and up need a Texas fishing license; kids fish free. None of these spots have a bait shop on site, so bring your own rod, bait, and water.
For more kids' events near Penitas this week, see the Penitas events page.
Penitas 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. La Joya 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 Penitas
- Fishing piers: Anzalduas County Park has a fishing pier: a stable, railed platform over deeper water, the easiest place to start a young kid without wading the bank.
- Stocked ponds: Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is 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: La Joya Lake, Walker Lake, Rio Grande River - Rio Grande City Access and Los Olmos Creek have open, walkable shoreline to cast straight from land, no boat or pier needed.
- Open water: La Joya Lake, Walker Lake, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park and Anzalduas County 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.
Penitas Fishing Spots, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fishing spots for kids near Penitas, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 6 standout fishing spots within about 10 miles of Penitas. The top picks include La Joya Lake, Walker Lake and Rio Grande River - Rio Grande City Access, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Which fishing spots near Penitas are free?
5 of the 6 fishing spots in this guide are free to visit, including La Joya Lake, Walker Lake and Rio Grande River - Rio Grande City Access. The rest charge admission. Check the individual cards above for prices.
What is the closest fishing spot to Penitas?
La Joya Lake in La Joya is the closest pick at about 2 miles from Penitas. 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 Penitas?
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 Penitas?
Yes, Anzalduas County Park has a fishing pier; and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is 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.