What Tower Bay Park Offers

Tower Bay Park is a small public park on the Galveston Bay shoreline in Texas City, about 20 miles south of Houston. It sits on a narrow strip of land between the bay and industrial areas, with a lighted fishing pier, a boat launch, and basic amenities. The park is open year-round and draws anglers targeting redfish, spotted seatrout, and flounder in the shallow bay waters.

The pier runs roughly 400 feet into the bay and is lit at night, which means you can fish from dusk through early morning if you want. The water depth at the pier ranges from 3 to 8 feet depending on tide and location along the structure. Most anglers fish the pier or wade the shallow flats nearby; a few launch small boats from the concrete ramp to access deeper channels and grass beds in the surrounding bay.

The park itself is modest—a parking lot, restrooms, a picnic area, and the pier. There is no bait shop on-site, so bring what you need or stop in Texas City before you arrive. The setting is industrial and not scenic, but the fishing can be steady, especially during spring and fall when water temperatures favor the species that live here.

Key Takeaways

  • Tower Bay Park has a lighted public fishing pier, a boat launch, and parking, all free to use with a valid Texas fishing license.
  • Redfish, spotted seatrout, and flounder are the main target species, with best activity in spring (March–May) and fall (September–November).
  • The pier is lit for night fishing, and the shallow bay around it is wadeable during low tide if you have boots and know the bottom.
  • No bait or tackle is sold at the park; bring your own or buy it in Texas City before you arrive.
  • The park is in an industrial area near refineries and shipping channels, so water quality and fish populations can vary with industrial activity and freshwater inflow.

Seasons and Best Times to Fish

Spring (March through May) is the most reliable season at Tower Bay. Water temperatures climb from the low 60s to the mid-70s, and redfish and spotted seatrout move into the shallows to feed and spawn. The pier and the flats around it see steady action, especially on incoming tides when baitfish are pushed into the bay. Mullet, shrimp, and small croakers are abundant, and both live bait and artificial lures work well.

Fall (September through November) is the second-best window. Water cools from the high 80s back to the 60s, and the same species return to shallow water to feed before winter. October and early November often produce the largest fish of the year. Afternoon tides tend to be more productive than morning tides in fall, and night fishing from the pier can be excellent.

Summer (June through August) is slow. Water temperatures exceed 85 degrees, and most fish move to deeper channels or offshore. Catfish and hardhead become more common on the pier, but redfish and trout are scarce. Winter (December through February) is unpredictable—cold fronts can shut down fishing for days, though mild spells can produce good action. Many anglers skip these months and fish elsewhere.

What Species You Can Catch

Redfish (also called red drum) are the most sought-after species at Tower Bay. They range from 15 to 30 inches and are caught year-round, with peaks in spring and fall. They feed on shrimp, mullet, and small fish in the shallows and are willing to take both live bait and topwater lures. A 7-foot medium-power rod with 15- to 20-pound braid is standard.

Spotted seatrout (speckled trout) are abundant in spring and fall and less common in summer and winter. Most fish run 12 to 18 inches, though 20-inch fish are caught regularly. They prefer live shrimp under a popping cork or small soft plastics worked slowly along the pier pilings. They are more finicky than redfish and require lighter tackle—a 6-foot medium rod with 12-pound braid is typical.

Flounder are present year-round but most active in fall and early winter. They sit on the bottom in deeper holes near the pier and along channel edges. Live mullet or pinfish worked slowly along the bottom is the standard approach. Flounder average 14 to 20 inches and are excellent eating.

Catfish, hardhead, and croakers are common on the pier, especially in summer and winter. They are not target species for most anglers but provide action when redfish and trout are slow. Sheepshead appear in winter and early spring around the pier pilings and are fun on light tackle, though they are bony and not popular for eating.

Access, Parking, and Facilities

Tower Bay Park is located at 1502 Bay Street in Texas City. From Houston, take I-45 south toward Galveston, exit onto Highway 146 toward Texas City, and follow signs to the waterfront. Parking is free and usually has space, though weekends in spring can fill up by mid-morning. The lot is paved and holds roughly 30 vehicles.

The park has public restrooms, picnic tables, and trash cans. There is no covered shelter, so bring sun protection. The boat launch is a single concrete ramp suitable for small center-console boats and bay boats; it can be crowded on weekends. A parking fee may apply for boat trailers—check with the Texas City Parks Department before you arrive.

The pier is open dawn to dusk for walk-on fishing, and the gate is unlocked for night fishing as well. No permit is required beyond a valid Texas fishing license. The pier is not wheelchair-accessible, and there are no rental rods or tackle available on-site.

Regulations and Licensing

All anglers 17 and older must have a valid Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) fishing license. You can buy a license online at the TPWD website, at most sporting goods stores, or at the Texas City Parks office. A one-day license costs less than a year-long license if you fish only occasionally.

Redfish have a slot limit: you may keep only fish between 18 and 28 inches, with a daily bag limit of three fish. Spotted seatrout have a 15-inch minimum size and a five-fish daily bag limit. Flounder have a 14-inch minimum and a five-fish daily bag limit. Catfish have no size limit but a 25-fish daily bag limit. Check the current TPWD regulations before you fish, as rules can change year to year.

Galveston Bay is a state marine fishery, so saltwater regulations apply. Live bait is allowed, and there are no restrictions on rod count for shore fishing. Chumming is allowed but discouraged in the immediate pier area because it can attract unwanted attention from other anglers and wildlife.

Gear and Tackle Recommendations

For redfish and trout, a 7-foot medium-power spinning rod with a 2500 to 3000 reel and 15-pound braided line is a solid all-around setup. Pair it with a 12-inch fluorocarbon leader (20-pound test) to reduce visibility. Bring a selection of soft plastics—3-inch paddle-tail shads in natural colors (mullet, pearl, chartreuse) and topwater plugs for early morning and evening.

For live bait fishing, use a popping cork 18 to 24 inches above a live shrimp or small mullet. This keeps the bait in the strike zone and creates noise that attracts fish. A simple slip sinker rig works for bottom fishing for flounder and catfish.

Bring polarized sunglasses to sight-fish the shallows, a net for landing fish from the pier, and a small tackle box with hooks (1/0 to 3/0 for shrimp, 2/0 to 4/0 for mullet), sinkers, and leaders. A headlamp is essential if you plan to fish at night. Wear wading boots if you plan to wade—the bottom is soft mud and shell, and the water is murky.

What to Know Before You Go

Tower Bay Park sits in an industrial zone near petrochemical refineries and shipping channels. The water is not pristine, and fish populations can fluctuate with industrial discharge and freshwater inflow from the Houston Ship Channel. After heavy rain, the bay can become murky and fishing slows. Check local fishing reports before you drive down—a day or two after rain often produces better results than the day of.

The pier can be crowded on weekends and holidays, especially in spring. If you prefer solitude, fish on weekday mornings or at night. Mosquitoes are present year-round but worst in summer and after rain; bring insect repellent. The sun reflects off the water and concrete, so sunscreen and a hat are essential.

Tides in Galveston Bay are small (usually 1 to 2 feet), but incoming tides generally produce better fishing than outgoing tides. Check a tide table before you go—NOAA publishes tide predictions for Galveston Bay online. The strongest currents occur during the first two hours of incoming tide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to fish the pier at Tower Bay Park?

Yes. All anglers 17 and older must have a valid Texas fishing license. You can buy one online at the TPWD website, at sporting goods stores, or at the Texas City Parks office. A one-day license is available if you fish only occasionally.

Can I fish at night from the pier?

Yes. The pier is lit and open for night fishing. Many anglers prefer night fishing in spring and fall because fish are more active after dark and the pier is less crowded. Bring a headlamp and watch your footing on the wet concrete.

What is the best bait to use at Tower Bay?

Live shrimp under a popping cork is the most popular and effective bait for redfish and trout. Live mullet and pinfish work well for flounder and larger redfish. Dead shrimp and cut mullet are cheaper alternatives and work in slower conditions. Bring bait with you or buy it in Texas City before you arrive.

Is the boat launch suitable for large boats?

The launch is a single concrete ramp designed for small to medium bay boats (up to roughly 22 feet). Large center-console boats and offshore boats are not recommended. Call the Texas City Parks Department to confirm current conditions and any launch fees for trailers.

What should I do if the water is murky after rain?

Wait a day or two for the water to clear. Heavy rain pushes freshwater and sediment into the bay, which reduces visibility and slows fishing. Check local fishing reports to see when conditions improve. Overcast days and early morning often produce better results than bright midday conditions, even in clear water.