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Choke Canyon Reservoir Fishing Report & Water Level
Choke Canyon Reservoir is at 190.65 ft above mean sea level and 21.3% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 29.85 ft below the 220.5 ft conservation pool.
Choke Canyon Reservoir water level today & trend
The lake is 29.9 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.) | 190.65 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 220.5 ft msl |
| Percent full | 21.3% (-0.3 pts in 7 days, +10.4 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 141,482 of 662,820 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 10,180 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 190.65 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 7:15 AM CDT, USGS 08206900. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (10.9%) to 2026-10-20 (21.3%). Range shown 7.3%–24.8%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Choke Canyon Reservoir (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Choke Canyon 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 Choke Canyon Reservoir. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.18 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Choke Canyon Reservoir bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Choke Canyon 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.
- White bass
- Small slabs, jigs, inline spinners and small crankbaits. Look for schools chasing shad, and spring spawning runs in the tributaries.
- Crappie
- Live minnows and small jigs around brush piles, standing timber, docks and bridge pilings. Spider-rigging and vertical jigging are common.
- 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.
- Alligator gar
- Mostly bowfishing or large cut bait on heavy tackle. Gar have special statewide and lake-specific rules, so check the regulations.
Comparing gear? See our baitcasting reel and bass rod spec comparisons.
Fish species in Choke Canyon Reservoir
- Largemouth bass
- White bass
- Crappie
- Blue, channel & flathead catfish
- Bluegill & redear sunfish
- Alligator gar
| Location | Frio River watershed in Live Oak and McMullen Counties, 4 miles west of Three Rivers |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 25,670 acres |
| Impounded | 1982 |
| Typical fluctuation | High and frequent, 10-20 feet |
| Normal water clarity | Clear to slightly stained |
| Controlling authority | City of Corpus Christi |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Choke Canyon Reservoir (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Choke Canyon 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 -29.9 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (City of Corpus Christi).
Texas Parks and Wildlife operates one major park and three additional boat ramps on the shores of Choke Canyon Reservoir. The park offers campgrounds, picnic areas, overnight camping, boat ramps, a swimming area, and opportunities for shoreline fishing.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Highway 99 Ramp Located fourteen miles west of Three Rivers. From Texas 72, turn right on FM 99 and go five miles. Two lane improved boat ramp; Day use fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (361) 786-3868 | parking | Check before you go |
| B | Mason Point Located ten miles west of Three Rivers off Texas Highway 72. Turn right on Park Road 7 and go 2.5 miles. Two lane improved boat ramp; Day use fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (361) 786-3868 | parking | Check before you go |
| C | Calliham Unit Located in Choke Canyon State Park seven miles west of Three Rivers on Texas Highway 72 Six-lane improved ramp with lighting; Park entry fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (361) 786-3868 | cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D | South Shore Unit Located in Choke Canyon State Park four miles west of Three Rivers on Texas Highway 72 Six-lane improved ramp with lighting; Park entry fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (361) 786-3538 | restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| E | San Miguel Ramp Located in the James E. Daughtrey Wildlife Management Area, three miles north of Tilden. From Texas Highway 72, turn right on FM 3445 and go 6 miles. Two-lane improved boat ramp; No fee; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (361) 274-3573 | parking | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Choke Canyon 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 Choke Canyon Reservoir
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Choke Canyon Reservoir? Get listed free.
Choke Canyon Reservoir weather forecast
- Today
86°F, Sunny
Wind ENE 8 mph - Tonight
64°F, Mostly Clear
Wind NE 0 to 6 mph - Wednesday
86°F, Mostly Sunny
Wind NE 5 to 9 mph - Wednesday Night
66°F, Partly Cloudy
Wind E 0 to 7 mph - Thursday
86°F, Sunny
Wind E 3 to 7 mph - Thursday Night
61°F, Mostly Clear
Wind ESE 1 to 6 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 28.484, -98.246 (NWS CRP), issued Oct 20, 1:21 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Choke Canyon Reservoir FAQ
What is the water level at Choke Canyon Reservoir today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Choke Canyon Reservoir was at 190.65 ft above mean sea level and 21.3% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 29.85 ft below the 220.5 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Choke Canyon Reservoir?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Choke Canyon Reservoir: Largemouth bass, White bass, Crappie, Blue, channel & flathead catfish, Bluegill & redear sunfish, Alligator gar.
Who manages Choke Canyon Reservoir?
City of Corpus Christi is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
Nearby lakes
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- Lake Travis · 133 mi · 94.2%
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- Falcon International Reservoir · 144 mi · 20.5%