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Lake Livingston Fishing Report & Water Level
Lake Livingston is at 129.33 ft above mean sea level and 92.2% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 1.67 ft below the 131.0 ft conservation pool.
Lake Livingston water level today & trend
The lake is near its conservation pool (full) level.
| Level (daily avg.) | 129.33 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 131.0 ft msl |
| Percent full | 92.2% (-1.0 pts in 7 days, -1.8 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 1,477,893 of 1,603,504 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 73,248 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 129.35 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 7:15 AM CDT, USGS 08066190. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (94.0%) to 2026-10-20 (92.2%). Range shown 90.2%–100.0%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Livingston Reservoir (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Lake Livingston 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 Livingston. 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 Lake Livingston bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Lake Livingston. 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.
- 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.
- 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 Livingston
- Largemouth bass
- Bluegill
- Blue, channel & flathead catfish
- White bass
- Striped bass
- Crappie
| Location | On the Trinity River in Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties. Dam is in Polk and San Jacinto counties, west of Livingston and 50 miles north of Houston. |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 90,000 acres |
| Maximum depth | 77 feet |
| Impounded | 1969 |
| Typical fluctuation | 1-2 feet annually |
| Normal water clarity | Moderately to highly turbid |
| Controlling authority | Trinity River Authority |
TPWD's page notes a fish consumption advisory for this lake. Check the fish consumption bans and advisories before keeping fish to eat.
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Lake Livingston (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Lake Livingston 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 -1.7 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (Trinity River Authority).
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. Six public boat ramps and a number of privately operated ramps offer access to the lake. Camping is available at Lake Livingston State Park and many private resorts.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Parr's Marina & Camp From Trinity, take Texas 94 east 4 miles and turn left on Mansell Road. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| A2 | Cauthan Public Ramp From Trinity take Texas 94 east approximately 3 miles and cross the bridge. The boat ramp is on the right. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; No fee required | courtesy docks, weigh stations | Check before you go |
| A3 | White Rock City Marina From Trinity take Texas 94 east 3 miles. Turn right on a rural road (no name), and travel .7 mile to marina. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 594-2824 | restrooms, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| A4 | Outback Marina From Trinity take Hwy 356 south 4.5 miles and turn right on Marina Road. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 581-2775 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas | Check before you go |
| A5 | Gallaway's Marina From Trinity take Hwy 356 south 7 miles. Marina is on the right before the bridge. Three-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 594-2051 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| A6 | Gilmore's Marina From Trinity take Hwy 356 south and cross the bridge. The marina is on the left. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated | restrooms, cleaning stations, courtesy docks, weigh stations | Check before you go |
| A7 | Harbor's Point From Trinity take Hwy 356 south 8 miles. Turn right at resort sign. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; No fee required; Privately operated | restrooms, cleaning stations, courtesy docks, weigh stations | Check before you go |
| B1 | Riverside Public Ramp From Riverside, take Texas 19 north 10 miles. Boat ramp is on the right before the bridge. One-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; No fee required | courtesy docks, weigh stations | Check before you go |
| B2 | Bethy Creek Resort From Riverside take Texas 19 north to FM 980 east. Go approximately 1 mile and turn left on Shorewood Drive. One-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (800) 537-6251 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| B3 | Cove Marina & Camp From Riverside take Texas 19 north to FM 980 east. Go 3.5 miles to FM 3454. Take FM 3454 2 miles to the marina. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 594-2707 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| B4 | Waterwood RV Park From Huntsville take US 190 toward Livingston. Turn left on FM 980, which is the entrance to Waterwood. Three-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| C1 | Nick's Pit Stop From Huntsville take US 190 across Lake Livingston bridge to FM 356 west. Turn left and go 3.5 miles. One-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 646-5373 | live bait, courtesy docks, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| C2 | Lakeside Resort From Huntsville take US 190 toward Livingston. Cross the Lake Livingston bridge and the marina is on the left. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated | restrooms, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations | Check before you go |
| C3 | Fair Four Seasons Located 2 miles south of US 190 on FM 3186 Three-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| C4 | Vince's Marina/RV Park Located 12 miles west of Livingston on Navahoe Trail off US 190 in Onalaska Two single-lane ramps will accommodate all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated | restrooms, cleaning stations, courtesy docks, weigh stations | Check before you go |
| C5 | Hilton K on the Lake Located approximately 12 miles from Livingston on Navahoe Trail off US 190 in Onalaska Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; No fee required; Privately operated (936) 646-3431 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| C6 | Playcation Station Located at Onalaska on US 190 just before crossing Kickapoo Creek on the right One-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated | restrooms, live bait, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C7 | Broken Arrow Lodge Take US 190 to FM 3152. Turn left and travel 1 mile, then turn left at the marina sign. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 646-3462 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas | Check before you go |
| C8 | Tripple Creek Marina From Onalaska take US 190 east. Turn left on FM 3152, go .5 mile and turn left on Tripple Creek Loop. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 646-3368 | restrooms, live bait, courtesy docks, boat gas | Check before you go |
| C9 | Kickapoo Marina From Onalaska take US 190 east. Marina is on the right at the Kickapoo Creek Bridge. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 646-3340 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| C10 | Sandy Creek Marina Take US 190 west from Livingston. Marina is on the left at the Sandy Creek bridge. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 646-3369 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| C11 | Scenic Cove Marina From Livingston take US 190 west and turn left on FM 3126. Take the first road to the right and go 1.8 miles to the marina. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 967-4747 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas | Check before you go |
| C12 | Patrick's Ferry From Huntsville, take US 190 toward Livingston. The ramp is on the right before the bridge. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; No fee required | courtesy docks, weigh stations | Check before you go |
| D1 | Penwaugh Resort From Livingston take US 190 west, go 3.5 miles and exit on FM 2457. Go 3.5 miles and turn right at the Penwaugh sign. Three single-lane ramps will accommodate all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 967-4752 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| D2 | Blanchard Public Ramp From Livingston take FM 2457 all the way to the end of the road. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; No fee required | courtesy docks, weigh stations | Check before you go |
| D3 | Tigerville Park From Livingston take FM 2457, turn left on FM 3126 to the park. One-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; No fee required; Operated by Trinity River Authority (936) 365-2292 | restrooms, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| D4 | Beacon Bay Marina From Livingston take FM 2457 to FM 350. Turn left on FM 3126 and the marina is on the left. Three-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936)967-8203 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| D5 | Lake Livingston S.P. From Livingston take US 59 south. Turn right on FM 1988, then turn right on FM 3126 to the park. Three 2-lane ramps accommodate all boat types; Fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. (936) 365-2201 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| E1 | Point Blank Public Ramp From Huntsville take US 190 toward Livingston. In Point Blank turn right on FM 156. At intersection go straight to the boat ramp. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; No fee required | courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| E2 | Wolf Creek Park From Coldspring take Texas 156 north approximately 1 mile, turn right on Hwy 224 and travel 5 miles to the marina. Two 2-lane ramps accommodate all boat types; Entry fee $4 per vehicle, $1 per person; Operated by Trinity River Authority (936) 653-4312 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| E3 | Indian Creek Marina Located on Hwy 224, 3 miles north of Coldspring at Indian Creek Bridge One-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 653-2652 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, boat gas | Check before you go |
| E4 | Pier 1514 Marina From Coldspring take FM 1514 north about 3 miles to end of road. Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated (936) 653-4782 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| E5 | 3278 Marina From Coldspring take Texas 150 south to FM 222. Turn left, go 5 miles and turn left again on FM 3278. Two single-lane ramps accommodate all boat types; Fee required; Privately operated | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, courtesy docks, weigh stations | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Lake Livingston 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 Livingston
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Lake Livingston? Get listed free.
Lake Livingston weather forecast
- Today
80°F, Sunny
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Tonight
55°F, Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph - Wednesday
81°F, Sunny
Wind 0 mph - Wednesday Night
55°F, Clear
Wind 0 mph - Thursday
85°F, Sunny
Wind 0 mph - Thursday Night
54°F, Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 30.634, -95.010 (NWS HGX), issued Oct 20, 7:20 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Lake Livingston FAQ
What is the water level at Lake Livingston today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Lake Livingston was at 129.33 ft above mean sea level and 92.2% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 1.67 ft below the 131.0 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Lake Livingston?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Lake Livingston: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Blue, channel & flathead catfish, White bass, Striped bass, Crappie.
Who manages Lake Livingston?
Trinity River Authority is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
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