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Lake Meredith Fishing Report & Water Level
Lake Meredith is at 2,891.36 ft above mean sea level and 44.6% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 45.14 ft below the 2936.5 ft conservation pool.
Lake Meredith water level today & trend
The lake is 45.1 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.) | 2,891.36 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 2,936.5 ft msl |
| Percent full | 44.6% (+0.0 pts in 7 days, -3.2 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 222,950 of 500,000 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 8,653 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 2,891.36 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 6:30 AM CDT, USGS 07227900. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (47.8%) to 2026-10-20 (44.6%). Range shown 40.5%–47.8%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Lake Meredith (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Lake Meredith 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 Meredith. Water temperature, lake level (currently +0.02 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Lake Meredith bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Lake Meredith. 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.
- 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.
- Walleye
- Jigs tipped with minnows, bottom-bouncer rigs and crankbaits along points and flats, especially in low light.
Comparing gear? See our baitcasting reel and bass rod spec comparisons.
Fish species in Lake Meredith
- Walleye
- Smallmouth & largemouth bass
- White bass
- White crappie
- Channel & flathead catfish
| Location | 45 miles northeast of Amarillo on the Canadian River |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 16,411 acres |
| Impounded | 1965 |
| Typical fluctuation | Moderate to severe, 4-10 ft. per year |
| Normal water clarity | Upper reservoir turbid red water (3-6 inch visibility), lower reservoir clear (4-8 ft. visibility) |
| Controlling authority | National Park Service Lake Meredith National Recreation Area |
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 Meredith (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Lake Meredith 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 -45.1 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (National Park Service Lake Meredith National Recreation Area).
Camping and/or picnic facilities are available at 13 developed areas around the lake. The National Park Service provides boat ramps at five points, depending on water levels. Boat docks are available at all open boat ramps. There is one ADA-accessible fishing pier at Spring Canyon. Shoreline access is limited, as the sides of the reservoir are very steep. Additional camping areas away from the water are available at McBride Canyon, Mullinaw, and Plum Creek.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Sanford Yake From east side of Fritch, exit Hwy 136 on Eagle Blvd. Turn north on Fritch Fortress Rd., go about 3 miles to High Plains Rd. and turn right. High Plains intersects Sanford Yake Rd - keep left. Follow Sanford Yake to end of road. Four-lane boat ramp with parking for 50; Operated by National Park Service (806) 857-3151 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B | Cedar Canyon From east side of Fritch, exit Hwy 136 on Eagle Blvd. Turn north on Fritch Fortress Rd., follow about 3 miles to High Plains Rd. and turn right. High Plains intersects Sanford Yake Rd - keep left. Follow Sanford Yake Rd. to a left turn entrance to Cedar Canyon. Four-lane boat ramp with parking for 30; Operated by National Park Service (806) 857-3151 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C | Fritch Fortress From east side of Fritch, exit Hwy 136 on Eagle Blvd. Turn north on Fritch Fortress Hwy and follow about 4 miles to Fritch Fortress. Four-lane boat ramp with with parking for 30; Operated by National Park Service (806) 857-3151 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D | Harbor Bay From west side of Fritch, intersection of Hwy 136 and Lakeview Drive. Turn north on Lakeview and follow 2 miles to Harbor Bay. Two-lane boat ramp with with parking for 30; Operated by National Park Service (806) 857-3151 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| E | Blue West Located near the intersection of FM 1913 and Hwy 287, 12 miles south of Dumas. Drive 16 miles east on FM 1913 and exit on Blue West Rd. Two-lane boat ramp with parking for 10; Operated by National Park Service (806) 857-3151 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| F | Bates Canyon Located about 10 miles south of Fritch on Hwy 136. Turn west on McBride Canyon/Alibates National Monument Road. Small boat launching at lake levels above 95 feet; Operated by National Park Service (806) 857-3151 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| G | Plum Creek From the intersection of FM 1913 and Hwy 287, 12 miles south of Dumas, drive 13 miles east on FM 1913 and exit on Plum Creek Rd. Operated by National Park Service (806) 857-3151 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Lake Meredith 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 Meredith
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Lake Meredith? Get listed free.
Lake Meredith weather forecast
- Today
74°F, Chance Rain Showers
Wind S 10 to 15 mph - Tonight
59°F, Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Clear
Wind S 10 to 15 mph - Wednesday
80°F, Sunny
Wind SW 5 to 10 mph - Wednesday Night
62°F, Partly Cloudy
Wind S 5 to 10 mph - Thursday
79°F, Mostly Sunny
Wind S 10 to 15 mph - Thursday Night
61°F, Partly Cloudy
Wind S 15 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 35.711, -101.551 (NWS AMA), issued Oct 20, 6:45 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Lake Meredith FAQ
What is the water level at Lake Meredith today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Lake Meredith was at 2891.36 ft above mean sea level and 44.6% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 45.14 ft below the 2936.5 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Lake Meredith?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Lake Meredith: Walleye, Smallmouth & largemouth bass, White bass, White crappie, Channel & flathead catfish.
Who manages Lake Meredith?
National Park Service Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
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