Garzilla Guide Service · Lower Trinity River · Lake Livingston

Alligator Gar Fishing
Livingston, Texas

Trophy alligator gar on the Trinity River and Lake Livingston — one hour from Houston, guided by the team that holds 41 IGFA World Records.

📅 Book Online Now 📞 (903) 724-6888
60 Min from Houston
41 IGFA World Records
258+ 5-Star Reviews
4 Dedicated Guides
The Water

Two Trophy Fisheries.
One Guide Team.

Livingston, Texas sits at the intersection of two world-class alligator gar fisheries — Lake Livingston and the Trinity River below Lake Livingston Dam. Both produce trophy-class fish. Both are worked by our dedicated Houston-area guide team every week of the season.

Lake Livingston is a 90,000-acre reservoir fed by the Trinity River. The dam acts as a natural congregation point — gar stack below it in numbers found almost nowhere else in Texas. Dalton, one of our lead lower Trinity guides, grew up fishing this exact stretch and knows every productive location on both the lake and river below the dam.

The Trinity River below Lake Livingston Dam extends south toward the coast — a remote, low-pressure stretch that holds some of the largest fish in the entire river system. Less fishing pressure means bigger fish and more aggressive feeding. This is where trophy hunters come when they want something truly special.

Houston trip details →
Lake Livingston · Fast Facts
Surface Area 90,000 acres
County Polk County, TX
River Source Trinity River
Distance from Houston ~60 miles / 1 hr
Gar Season April – September
Trophy Gar Size 100–200+ lbs
TPWD Designation Protected Trophy Fishery
Two Ways to Fish Livingston

Lake or River — You Choose

🌿
Trinity River Below Dam
Lower Trinity Corridor · Toward Coast

The stretch of Trinity River below Lake Livingston Dam is one of the lowest-pressure trophy gar fisheries in Texas. Fewer anglers, more remote access, and the biggest fish in the river system. This is where serious trophy hunters come.

  • Minimal fishing pressure — undisturbed fish
  • Largest fish in the lower Trinity corridor
  • Dense gar below dam — natural funnel point
  • Deep holes and slow bends hold trophy females
  • 200+ lb fish encountered every season
  • Lance specializes this exact stretch
Your Guide Team

Four Guides. Two Fisheries.
One Lower Trinity.

Cody Lower Trinity · Lead Guide

With Garzilla since 2012. Knows the lower Trinity from Huntsville through Livingston better than anyone fishing it commercially. Clients consistently land trophy-class fish.

Dalton Lake Livingston Dam · Specialist

Grew up fishing the Trinity River below Lake Livingston Dam and the surrounding I-10 corridor. Knows every productive location on this stretch — both lake and river below the dam.

Lance Lower Trinity · Livingston Corridor

Specializes in the stretch of Trinity River from Livingston south toward the coast. Remote, low-pressure water holding the largest fish in the lower river system.

Justin Lower Trinity · Livingston South

Covers Livingston south through the lower Trinity corridor. For groups needing multiple boats, our full four-guide team runs simultaneous trips on the same water.

What You Will Catch

Trophy Sizes at Livingston

Routine Catch 60–100 lbs

Standard fish on a typical 6-hour trip. Strong, prehistoric, and photo-worthy. Most clients land several in a full day on Lake Livingston or the river below the dam.

Monster Class 150–200+ lbs

The lower Trinity below Lake Livingston Dam produces 200+ lb fish every season. This remote, low-pressure stretch holds the largest females in the lower river system.

How Close You Are

Livingston is Houston's
Trophy Gar Water

60 Min · Downtown Houston
45 Min · The Woodlands
50 Min · Conroe
55 Min · Humble
65 Min · Beaumont
90 Min · DFW Airport

Easy access via US-59 North · I-45 North · US-190 East

🏆
41 IGFA World Records More than any other gar guide team in the world — set across the entire Trinity River corridor
258+ Five-Star Reviews 4.9 stars from verified clients — including Houston-area anglers who fish the Livingston corridor
🚤
4 Dedicated Guides Cody, Dalton, Lance, and Justin — all licensed, all local, all experienced on Lake Livingston and the lower Trinity
📅
Season: April – September Book 6–8 weeks ahead for summer weekends. Spring and fall are easier to book. All trips start at 6 hours.
Book Your Livingston Trip

One Hour from Houston.
World-Class Fish.

Lake Livingston and the Trinity River below the dam — two of the best trophy alligator gar fisheries in Texas, guided by the team with 41 IGFA World Records. Season runs April through September.

📅 Book Online Now See Pricing →
Before You Book

Livingston FAQ

Where exactly do the trips operate near Livingston?
We fish two world-class waters — Lake Livingston(90,000 acres, Polk County) and the Trinity River below Lake Livingston Dam. Our guides select the best water based on conditions and your goals. Both produce trophy-class fish throughout the April–September season.
How far is Lake Livingston from Houston?
About 60 miles from downtown Houston — roughly 60 minutes via US-59 North or I-45 North. The Woodlands and Conroe are even closer at 45–50 minutes. It's the closest trophy alligator gar fishery to the Houston metro, making it perfect for a day trip.
Lake Livingston or the Trinity River — which is better?
Both are exceptional for different reasons. Lake Livingston offers 90,000 acres of open water with gar naturally concentrated near the dam. The Trinity River below the dam is lower pressure — fewer anglers, more remote, and it holds some of the largest individual fish in the entire lower Trinity system. Our guides fish both and will recommend the best option based on current conditions when you book.
What size gar can I catch at Livingston?
Routine fish run 60–100 lbs. Trophy-class fish of 100–150 lbs show up most weeks during the season. The stretch of Trinity River below Lake Livingston Dam produces 200+ lb fish every season — some of the largest alligator gar in the lower river system, made possible by the low fishing pressure on this remote corridor.
Who will guide my trip near Livingston?
Our Livingston-area team — Cody, Dalton, Lance, and Justin. Dalton specifically grew up fishing the Trinity below Lake Livingston Dam. Lance specializes in the lower Trinity from Livingston south. All are licensed Texas fishing guides with years of experience on this exact water. Meet the full team →
How much does a trip cost?
Trips start at $850 per boat for 1–3 anglers for a 6-hour trip. A 4th angler adds $100. $250 deposit reserves your date. 2027 rates increase to $950/boat — book now to lock in current pricing. Full pricing details →
Is this a good day trip from Houston?
Absolutely — it's how most of our Houston clients fish with us. Leave home around 5 AM, meet the guide by 6:30, fish a full 6-hour trip, and be home by late afternoon. At 60 minutes from downtown Houston, the Livingston corridor is the closest world-class trophy gar fishery in the state.
What is included in the trip?
All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided. Your professional licensed guide, all safety equipment, and boat access are included. Bring a valid Texas freshwater fishing license (required age 17+, purchase at tpwd.texas.gov), food, drinks, sunscreen, and a hat. That's it.
Lake Livingston · Trinity River Below Dam

One Hour from Houston.
Two Trophy Fisheries.

The closest world-class alligator gar fishing to the Houston metro — on 90,000-acre Lake Livingston and the remote lower Trinity. Guided by the team with 41 IGFA World Records.

📅 Book Online Now 📞 (903) 724-6888