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Lake Houston Fishing Report & Water Level
Lake Houston is at 42.14 ft above mean sea level and 97.9% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 0.24 ft below the 42.38 ft conservation pool.
Lake Houston water level today & trend
The lake is near its conservation pool (full) level.
| Level (daily avg.) | 42.14 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 42.4 ft msl |
| Percent full | 97.9% (-2.1 pts in 7 days, +0.0 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 129,585 of 132,318 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 11,337 acres |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (97.9%) to 2026-10-20 (97.9%). Range shown 88.6%–100.0%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Lake Houston (CSV). Provisional data, updated daily.
Lake Houston 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 Lake Houston. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.27 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Lake Houston bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Lake Houston. 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.
Comparing gear? See our baitcasting reel and bass rod spec comparisons.
Fish species in Lake Houston
- Largemouth bass
- White bass
- White crappie
- Blue catfish
- Bluegill
| Location | West Fork of San Jacinto River, 15 miles northeast of Houston in Harris County, Texas |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 11,854 acres |
| Maximum depth | 45 feet |
| Impounded | 1954 |
| Typical fluctuation | Low |
| Normal water clarity | Moderately turbid |
| Controlling authority | Coastal Water Authority |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Lake Houston (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Lake Houston 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 -0.2 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (Coastal Water Authority).
Commercial facilities in the upper reservoir offer camping, boat access, fishing and other services. One county park, Deussen Park, located near the dam, offers boat and bank fishing access. Bank access is also available under the FM 1960 bridge. For emergencies, contact Lake Patrol (281) 324-2250.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | BJ's Marina From Houston take IH 59 north. Turn right on FM 1960, cross the lake, and turn left on FM 2100. Turn left on Huffman-Cleveland Road and left again on Magnolia Point. Bear left on Cheatham Road and turn left on Calvin. One lane ramp, accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (281) 324-9199 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| B | Ponderosa Marina From Houston take IH 59 north. Turn right on FM 1960, cross the lake, and turn left on FM 2100. Turn left on Huffman-Cleveland Road and look for the Ponderosa ramp at Luce Bayou. One lane ramp, accommodates all boat types; Fee required (self-pay honor box); Privately operated | parking | Check before you go |
| C | Lake Houston Marina From Houston take IH-59 north, take FM 1960 east, cross the lake, and take the first road to the left. Two-lane boat ramp, accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (281) 324-1264 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D | Duessen Park From Houston take IH 59 north, exit Mount Houston Road and go east, past Beltway 8. Look for park signs on the left. Two boat ramps with 8 lanes, which will accommodate all boat types, and also a one-lane sailboat ramp; No fee required; Operated by Harris County (713) 440-1587 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Lake Houston 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 Lake Houston
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Lake Houston? Get listed free.
Lake Houston weather forecast
- Today
80°F, Sunny
Wind NE 5 mph - Tonight
62°F, Mostly Clear
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday
82°F, Sunny
Wind NE 5 mph - Wednesday Night
59°F, Clear
Wind E 0 to 5 mph - Thursday
84°F, Sunny
Wind NE 5 mph - Thursday Night
58°F, Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 29.916, -95.141 (NWS HGX), issued Oct 20, 7:20 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Lake Houston FAQ
What is the water level at Lake Houston today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Lake Houston was at 42.14 ft above mean sea level and 97.9% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 0.24 ft below the 42.38 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Lake Houston?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Lake Houston: Largemouth bass, White bass, White crappie, Blue catfish, Bluegill.
Who manages Lake Houston?
Coastal Water Authority is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
Nearby lakes
- Lake Conroe · 40 mi · 93.1%
- Lake Livingston · 50 mi · 92.2%
- Lake Somerville · 87 mi · 88.8%
- Sam Rayburn Reservoir · 100 mi · 62.2%
- Toledo Bend Reservoir · 129 mi · 84.8%
- Coleto Creek Reservoir · 147 mi · 74.7%