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Amistad Reservoir Fishing Report & Water Level
Amistad Reservoir is at 1,062.19 ft above mean sea level and 46.5% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 54.81 ft below the 1117.0 ft conservation pool.
Amistad Reservoir water level today & trend
The lake is 54.8 ft below its conservation pool. At levels like this some boat ramps may be unusable and stumps, humps and roadbeds that are normally submerged can be near the surface. Confirm ramp status with the controlling authority before you go.
| Level (daily avg.) | 1,062.19 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 1,117.0 ft msl |
| Percent full | 46.5% (+2.9 pts in 7 days, +10.6 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 842,834 of 1,813,408 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 23,832 acres |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (35.9%) to 2026-10-20 (46.5%). Range shown 29.2%–46.5%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Amistad Reservoir (CSV). Provisional data, updated daily.
Amistad Reservoir fishing report: recent conditions & what's biting
No recent angler reports yet: submit yours. Reports are reviewed before they're published. We never make up reports.
Seasonal pattern for October (general guide)
Fall transition. Shad migrate into creeks and coves and bass follow them, so moving baits that cover water are often effective. Fall turnover can make fishing inconsistent for a short time on deeper lakes. Schooling fish appear in open water.
This describes typical October patterns on Texas reservoirs. It is not an observed report for Amistad Reservoir. Water temperature, lake level (currently +2.39 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Amistad Reservoir bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Amistad Reservoir. These are not lake-specific hot baits.
- Largemouth bass
- Texas-rigged soft plastics (worms, creature baits), jigs, spinnerbaits and bladed jigs, crankbaits (squarebills shallow, deep divers on ledges), lipless crankbaits, and topwaters in low light. Florida-strain trophies are often caught on big worms, jigs and swimbaits.
- Smallmouth bass
- Small soft plastics (tubes, Ned rigs, drop shots), jerkbaits and small crankbaits around rocky points, bluffs and gravel banks.
- Striped & hybrid striped bass
- Live shad, slabs/jigging spoons, swimbaits and topwaters when fish are schooling. Watch for gulls and surface activity, and use electronics to find schools in open water.
- Catfish
- Cut bait and live bait for blue and flathead catfish, prepared/stink baits and worms for channel catfish. Drift-fishing and baited holes are both popular.
Comparing gear? See our baitcasting reel and bass rod spec comparisons.
Fish species in Amistad Reservoir
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Catfish
- White & striped bass
| Location | On the Rio Grande, 12 miles northwest of Del Rio in Val Verde County |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 64,900 acres |
| Maximum depth | 217 feet |
| Impounded | 1969 |
| Typical fluctuation | Depends on rainfall and downstream irrigation demands. Annual fluctuations can be 5-10 feet. Historical fluctuations have dropped lake as much as 50 feet below conservation pool. |
| Normal water clarity | Clear to slightly stained |
| Controlling authority | International Boundary & Water Commission |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Amistad Reservoir (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Amistad Reservoir boat ramps & public access
Status: check before you go. We don't track ramp closures. Ramps can close for low or high water, construction or flood damage, and the lake is -54.8 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (International Boundary & Water Commission).
BOATER ADVISORY: Zebra and Quagga mussels have invaded this reservoir! CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY your boat, trailer, livewells/bait buckets, and other gear before traveling to another water body. Draining water is required by law and possession and transport of invasive mussels is illegal. Lake access and facilities are provided by the National Park Service. Any boat with a motor must have a boat pass ($4 per day, $10 for a 3-day pass, or $40 per year) to enter the lake. Visit the NPS website for information on camping facilities and fees.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Diablo East Take US 90 west from Del Rio and turn right just before crossing Lake Amistad. Long, steep, concrete 4-lane boat ramp; Maintained by National Park Service (830) 775-7491 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| B | Governors Landing Located beneath US 90 bridge. Take spur 349 to Amistad Dam, then take first right turn. No boat ramp; bank fishing available; Maintained by National Park Service (830) 775-7491 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C | Black Brush Point Located off of US 90 West approximately 6 miles out of Del Rio Concrete ramp, accessible when lake surface is above 1081 feet elevation; Fishing pier available; Maintained by National Park Service (830) 775-7491 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| D | Spur 454 Take Spur 454 off US 90 West and follow to boat ramp Maintained by National Park Service (830) 775-7491 | restrooms, parking | Check before you go |
| E | San Pedro Take Spur 454 off US 90 West, then take second right Maintained by National Park Service (830) 775-7491 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, camping | Check before you go |
| F | 277 South Located at east end of the lake, south end of US 277 bridge Boat launch and fishing pier available; Maintained by National Park Service (830) 775-7491 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| G | 277 North Located at north end of US 277 bridge Concrete ramp is located east side of campground. When lake level is below the bridge, boats may be launched from the gravel bank.; Maintained by National Park Service (830) 775-7491 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, camping | Check before you go |
| H | Rough Canyon Located approximately 20 miles out of Del Rio on R2 off US 277 North Long, steep 4-lane concrete ramp, usable at most lake levels; Maintained by National Park Service (830) 775-7491 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| I | Spur 406 Located on the north side of the lake. From US 90, turn southeast on Spur 406 and follow to end of road. Maintained by National Park Service (830) 775-7491 | restrooms, parking, camping | Check before you go |
| J | Box Canyon Take US 90 from Del Rio. Approximately 2 miles after crossing Lake Amistad, turn left onto Box Canyon Estates Road. Concrete ramp, usable at most lake levels; Fishing pier available; Maintained by National Park Service (830) 775-7491 | restrooms, live bait, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| K | Pecos River Located off US 90 approximately 40 miles west of Del Rio, near the point where the Pecos joins the Rio Grande Concrete ramp; Fishing pier; Maintained by National Park Service (830) 775-7491 | restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Amistad Reservoir public access facilities (map and locations on TPWD; retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Includes some privately owned facilities that may charge fees.
Texas law requires draining all water from your boat and onboard receptacles when leaving or approaching public fresh water (zebra mussel prevention). Clean, drain and dry.
Local guides & marinas at Amistad Reservoir
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Amistad Reservoir? Get listed free.
Amistad Reservoir weather forecast
- Today
80°F, Mostly Sunny
Wind SE 10 mph - Tonight
64°F, Mostly Clear
Wind SE 5 to 10 mph - Wednesday
83°F, Sunny
Wind SE 5 to 10 mph - Wednesday Night
65°F, Mostly Clear
Wind SE 5 mph - Thursday
82°F, Mostly Sunny
Wind SE 5 to 10 mph - Thursday Night
65°F, Partly Cloudy
Wind SE 5 to 10 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 29.450, -101.056 (NWS EWX), issued Oct 20, 2:42 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Amistad Reservoir FAQ
What is the water level at Amistad Reservoir today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Amistad Reservoir was at 1062.19 ft above mean sea level and 46.5% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 54.81 ft below the 1117.0 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Amistad Reservoir?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Amistad Reservoir: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Catfish, White & striped bass.
Who manages Amistad Reservoir?
International Boundary & Water Commission is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
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