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Lake Palestine Fishing Report & Water Level
Lake Palestine is at 342.94 ft above mean sea level and 87.6% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 2.06 ft below the 345.0 ft conservation pool.
Lake Palestine water level today & trend
The lake is near its conservation pool (full) level.
| Level (daily avg.) | 342.94 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 345.0 ft msl |
| Percent full | 87.6% (-0.4 pts in 7 days, -8.5 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 321,591 of 367,303 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 21,270 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 342.94 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 7:00 AM CDT, USGS 08031400. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (96.1%) to 2026-10-20 (87.6%). Range shown 87.6%–100.0%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Lake Palestine (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Lake Palestine 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 Palestine. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.08 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Lake Palestine bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Lake Palestine. 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.
- Spotted bass
- Finesse plastics, shaky heads and small crankbaits around rocky structure and deeper 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.
- 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 Palestine
- Largemouth bass
- Spotted bass
- White & hybrid striped bass
- Crappie
- Catfish
- Sunfish
| Location | On the Neches River, 15 miles southwest of Tyler on Texas 155 |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 25,560 acres |
| Maximum depth | 58 feet |
| Impounded | 1962 |
| Typical fluctuation | 2.2 feet |
| Normal water clarity | Moderately clear |
| Controlling authority | Upper Neches River Authority |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Lake Palestine (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Lake Palestine 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 -2.1 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (Upper Neches River Authority).
Five public boat launches provide access to Lake Palestine. More than a dozen private marinas, motels and campgrounds offer additional ramps and other services.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Chandler River Park Upstream on Neches River on the east side of Chandler, off Texas 31 west of Tyler (see map) Ramp on west bank of river, south side of highway. Suitable for small boats only; may not be usable when water is low.; Parking lot with space for 100 vehicles on northwest side of intersection; Bank fishing north and south of bridge; No fee required; Operated by City of Chandler (903) 849-6853 | parking, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| A2 | Westberry Landing From Tyler, take Texas 31 west and turn south on FM 2661. Go 4 miles past railroad tracks and look for sign on west side of road. Ramp will accommodate boats of all sizes. Parking is available for 15 vehicles.; $5 fee; Privately operated (903) 509-4400 | parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| A3 | Villages Marina From Loop 323 in Tyler, go 11 miles south on Texas 155. Turn right on FM 1261, follow 5 miles, cross FM 2661 and look for marina. Ramp accommodates boats of all sizes; parking available for 200 vehicles; $3 fee; Privately operated (903) 561-1413 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B1 | Kickapoo Ramp From Texas 31 in Chandler, turn south on FM 315. Ramp is on left at the end of the first bridge. Boat ramp and bank fishing access, with parking for 50 vehicles; No fee required | parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| B2 | Flat Creek Ramp From Texas 31 in Chandler, go south on FM 315. Ramp is on left at end of the third bridge (Flat Creek) Boat ramp and bank fishing access; parking for 40 vehicles; No fee required | parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| B3 | Flat Creek Marina From Texas 31 in Chandler, go south on FM 315. Marina is on left at end of the third bridge (Flat Creek) Ramp accommodates all boat types, with parking space for 75 vehicles; $2 launch fee; Privately operated (903) 849-6356 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C1 | Lake Palestine Marina From Tyler, take Texas 155 south to Dogwood City. Turn southeast on FM 344 and go to first bridge crossing (Saline Creek). Marina is at south end of bridge. Two-lane concrete ramp with parking for 50 vehicles; $5 fee; Privately operated (903) 426-7740 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas | Check before you go |
| C2 | Saline Bay Take Texas 155 south from Tyler to Dogwood City. Turn east on CR 189W and go 1/2 mile to parking lot on the right. Two-lane ramp will accommodate boats of all sizes; No fee required | parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| C3 | Lakeside Getaway From Tyler, take Texas 155 south. Cross first bridge and turn left at caution light on CR 1170 Boat ramp and fishing pier; $3 launch fee or free to motel guests; Privately operated (903) 825-3295 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| C4 | Camper's Cove From Loop 323 in Tyler, take Texas 155 south 12 miles to Dogwood City. Turn left at Food Fast. Ramp will accommodate boats of all sizes. Parking is available for 30 vehicles; $2 fee; Privately operated (903) 825-3427 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C5 | Palestine Pines From loop 323 in Tyler, go south 12.8 miles on Texas 155. Turn west on CR 1182 and follow to Whispering Oaks. Two-lane boat ramp with parking for 40 vehicles; $3 fee; Privately operated (903) 825-1100 | restrooms, cleaning stations, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C6 | Kiloland Located on Texas 155, 12 miles south of Loop 323 in Tyler. One boat ramp with parking for 40 vehicles; $3 fee; Privately operated (903) 876-2261 | restrooms, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C7 | Lake Palestine Motor Inn From Tyler, take Texas 155 south about 16 miles. Motel is on right just before third lake bridge. Two-lane boat ramp and parking for 30 vehicles; $2 fee, free launch for motel guests; Privately operated (903) 876-4711 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| C8 | Lake Palestine Campground From Tyler, take Texas 155 south. Cross 3 bridges over Lake Palestine. Take Boles Road to the right at the end of the third bridge and follow signs. Two single-lane ramps with parking for 40 vehicles; $3 fee; Privately operated (903) 876-2253 or www.lakepalestine.net | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D1 | Deep End Ramp From Tyler, take Texas 155 south to Frankston and turn east on US 175. Go 3.5 miles, turn left on FM 1892, and follow road to ramp at west end of dam. Two-lane ramp will accommodate boats of all sizes; No fee required | parking | Check before you go |
| D2 | Cherokee Landing From Tyler, take Texas 155 south 10 miles. Turn east on FM 344 to Teasleville. Turn right on FM 346, cross Chimney Creek cove, and take a right on FM 3504 at the far end of the bridge. Go 2 miles to ramp and parking lot on the right. Ramp suitable for small boats; parking for 15 vehicles; No fee required | parking | Check before you go |
| D3 | Chimney Creek From Tyler, take Texas 155 south 10 miles. Turn east on FM 344 to Teasleville. Turn right on FM 346, cross Chimney Creek cove, and take the road to the right at the far end of the bridge. Landing is 75 yards on the right. Bank launch, suitable only for small boats; No fee required | — | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Lake Palestine 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 Palestine
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Lake Palestine? Get listed free.
Lake Palestine weather forecast
- Today
78°F, Sunny
Wind E 0 to 5 mph - Tonight
52°F, Mostly Clear
Wind E 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday
80°F, Sunny
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday Night
53°F, Clear
Wind 0 mph - Thursday
81°F, Sunny
Wind E 0 to 5 mph - Thursday Night
55°F, Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 32.053, -95.437 (NWS FWD), issued Oct 20, 6:06 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Lake Palestine FAQ
What is the water level at Lake Palestine today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Lake Palestine was at 342.94 ft above mean sea level and 87.6% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 2.06 ft below the 345.0 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Lake Palestine?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Lake Palestine: Largemouth bass, Spotted bass, White & hybrid striped bass, Crappie, Catfish, Sunfish.
Who manages Lake Palestine?
Upper Neches River Authority is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
Nearby lakes
- Lake Athens · 22 mi · 96.9%
- Cedar Creek Reservoir · 43 mi · 73.0%
- Richland-Chambers Reservoir · 45 mi · 89.9%
- Lake Fork · 53 mi · 80.1%
- Lake Tawakoni · 59 mi · 89.9%
- Lake O' the Pines · 73 mi · 90.6%