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Belton Lake Fishing Report & Water Level
Belton Lake is at 592.91 ft above mean sea level and 96.9% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 1.09 ft below the 594.0 ft conservation pool.
Belton Lake water level today & trend
The lake is near its conservation pool (full) level.
| Level (daily avg.) | 592.91 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 594.0 ft msl |
| Percent full | 96.9% (-0.6 pts in 7 days, -1.4 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 419,222 of 432,631 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 12,159 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 592.90 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 7:00 AM CDT, USGS 08102000. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (98.3%) to 2026-10-20 (96.9%). Range shown 94.9%–100.0%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Belton Lake (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Belton Lake 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 Belton Lake. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.23 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Belton Lake bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Belton Lake. 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.
- Sunfish (bluegill, redear)
- Crickets, worms and small jigs or spinners near docks, shallow cover and beds in late spring and summer.
Comparing gear? See our baitcasting reel and bass rod spec comparisons.
Fish species in Belton Lake
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Channel & flathead catfish
- White & hybrid striped bass
- Sunfish
| Location | On the Leon River in Bell and Coryell counties, 5 miles northwest of the City of Belton off FM 317 |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 12,385 acres |
| Maximum depth | 124 feet |
| Impounded | 1954 |
| Typical fluctuation | 3-5 feet |
| Normal water clarity | Moderate |
| Controlling authority | US Army Corps of Engineers |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Belton Lake (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Belton Lake 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 -1.1 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (US Army Corps of Engineers).
BOATER ADVISORY: Zebra 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 zebra mussels is illegal. Boat ramps, bank fishing access, picnicking and camping are available at Corps of Engineers parks located around the lake. Courtesy docks are provided at most boat ramps. Three marinas offer basic supplies and fuel. Day use fees are charged at most parks. A $30 annual pass is available.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Iron Bridge Located uplake on the Leon River channel. From I-35 at Temple, go northwest on Texas Highway 36. Cross lake and watch for Iron Bridge Park sign; turn right. Two-lane boat ramp; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking | Check before you go |
| A2 | Winkler Park Located uplake on the west shore. From Belton take Highway 317 west, turn left on Highway 36 and watch for signs. No ramp; hand launch from gravel shoreline; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking, camping | Check before you go |
| A3 | White Flint Park Located uplake on the west shore. From Texas 317 north of Belton, turn left on Texas 36. Cross lake and watch for park entrance on right. Two-lane boat ramp; Fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, camping | Check before you go |
| A4 | Leona Park Located uplake on the east shore. From Belton take Highway 317 west and turn left on Highway 36. Watch for park turnoff to the left. Two-lane boat ramp; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| A5 | Owl Creek Located uplake on Owl Creek arm. From I-35 at Temple, go northwest on Texas Highway 36. Cross lake and watch for turn to Owl Creek Park on the left. Two-lane boat ramp; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| B1 | Cedar Ridge Located on the east shore at mid-lake. From Texas 317 north of Belton, turn left on Texas 36 and watch for signs. Two-lane boat ramp; Fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, camping | Check before you go |
| B2 | Rogers Park Located on the east shore at mid-lake. From Texas 317 north of Belton, turn west on on FM 2483 and follow signs to park Two-lane boat ramp; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| C1 | Westcliff Park Located on the west shore of the Cowhouse Creek arm of the lake. From Texas 317 in Belton, turn west on FM 439. Pass dam, keep going and watch for park signs. Two-lane boat ramp; Fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C2 | Temple Lake Park Located downlake on the east shore. From Texas 317 in Belton, turn west on FM 2305 and follow road to park Two 2-lane boat ramps; Fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| C3 | Live Oak Ridge Located downlake on the east shore. From Texas 317 north of Belton, turn west on FM 2305 and south on FM 2271 Ramp will handle all boat types; Fee required; Operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, camping | Check before you go |
| C4 | Belton/Lakeview Park Located downlake on the west shore. From Texas 317 in Belton, turn west on FM 439, pass dam and look for park signs. Ramp will handle all boat types; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Belton Lake 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 Belton Lake
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Belton Lake? Get listed free.
Belton Lake weather forecast
- Today
81°F, Sunny
Wind ENE 0 to 5 mph - Tonight
52°F, Clear
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday
82°F, Sunny
Wind NNE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday Night
54°F, Clear
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday
83°F, Sunny
Wind ENE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday Night
55°F, Mostly Clear
Wind SE 0 to 5 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 31.106, -97.475 (NWS FWD), issued Oct 20, 6:06 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Belton Lake FAQ
What is the water level at Belton Lake today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Belton Lake was at 592.91 ft above mean sea level and 96.9% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 1.09 ft below the 594.0 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Belton Lake?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Belton Lake: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel & flathead catfish, White & hybrid striped bass, Sunfish.
Who manages Belton Lake?
US Army Corps of Engineers is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
Nearby lakes
- Stillhouse Hollow Lake · 7 mi · 97.0%
- Lake Whitney · 53 mi · 91.2%
- Lake Travis · 56 mi · 94.2%
- Lake Buchanan · 61 mi · 95.8%
- Lake LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson) · 64 mi · 97.7%
- Lake Somerville · 78 mi · 88.8%