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Lake Tawakoni Fishing Report & Water Level
Lake Tawakoni is at 435.03 ft above mean sea level and 89.9% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 2.47 ft below the 437.5 ft conservation pool.
Lake Tawakoni water level today & trend
The lake is near its conservation pool (full) level.
| Level (daily avg.) | 435.03 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 437.5 ft msl |
| Percent full | 89.9% (-1.0 pts in 7 days, -4.6 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 783,292 of 871,685 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 34,778 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 435.03 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 7:15 AM CDT, USGS 08017400. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (94.5%) to 2026-10-20 (89.9%). Range shown 89.9%–100.0%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Lake Tawakoni (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Lake Tawakoni 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 Tawakoni. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.26 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Lake Tawakoni bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Lake Tawakoni. 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.
Comparing gear? See our baitcasting reel and bass rod spec comparisons.
Fish species in Lake Tawakoni
- Striped & hybrid striped bass
- White bass
- Catfish
- Crappie
- Largemouth bass
| Location | In Van Zandt, Rains, and Hunt counties, 15 miles southeast of Greenville on Caddo Creek and the South Fork and Cowleech Fork of the Sabine River |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 37,879 acres |
| Maximum depth | 70 feet |
| Impounded | 1960 |
| Typical fluctuation | Considerable, 3-9 feet |
| Normal water clarity | Moderately stained |
| Controlling authority | Sabine River Authority of Texas Iron Bridge Division |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Lake Tawakoni (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Lake Tawakoni 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 -2.5 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (Sabine River Authority of Texas Iron Bridge Division).
Camping, picnic areas and a four-lane boat ramp are available in Lake Tawakoni State Park . There are five other public boat ramps and numerous privately-owned access facilities near the lake. Accommodations range from motels and cabins to RV sites and tent camping. Various facilities offer bait and tackle shops, convenience stores, fishing piers, gas pumps, and restaurants.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Wind Point Park Located southwest of Lone Oak on FM 1571, off US 69 between Emory and Greenville Two 2-lane concrete ramps and 300-ft. fishing pier; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 634-9463 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| A2 | Two Mile Bridge East Located on Texas 276 at east end of Tawakoni Causeway Two-lane concrete ramp; No fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| A3 | Kenny's Landing Located on Texas 276 at east end of Tawakoni Causeway, next to public ramp at Two Mile Bridge East Single-lane concrete boat ramp and fishing pier; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 447-9962 | restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| A4 | Clyde's Marina Located off Texas 276. Turn south on Freebridge Road, west on Barge Point Lndg. Single-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (972) 998-7513 | parking | Check before you go |
| A5 | Cedar Cove Located off Texas 276. Turn south on County Rd. 1502. Single-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 447-2169 | parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B1 | Caddo Creek Ramp Adjacent to Caddo Creek Landing, on Caddo Creek Rd. off Hunt County Rd 2101 north of Quinlan Two-lane concrete boat ramp; No fee required; Managed by Sabine River Authority (903) 598-2216 | parking | Check before you go |
| B2 | Tawakoni City Park Located on Texas 276 in West Tawakoni, east of Water Line Rd. Two-lane concrete boat ramp; No fee required; Operated by city (903) 274-7180 | restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B3 | Two Mile Bridge West Located on Texas 276 in West Tawakoni, at west end of Tawakoni Causeway Two-lane concrete ramp; No fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. | parking | Check before you go |
| B4 | Anchor Inn North | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B5 | Anchor Inn South | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B6 | Walnut Cove Located on FM 3613 on the north side of Waco Bay, south of Texas Highway 276 Single-lane concrete ramp and fishing pier; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 447-2865 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C1 | 429 Marina & RV Park Located on FM 429 southwest of FM 751 on the southeast shore of Kitsee Inlet Single-lane concrete boat ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 356-2125 | restrooms, live bait, parking, boat gas, camping | Check before you go |
| C2 | White Point Causeway Located on FM 751 southeast of Quinlan on the southeast shore of Kitsee Inlet Single-lane concrete ramp; No fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. | parking | Check before you go |
| C3 | Duck Cove Marina Located on FM 751, southeast of Quinlan on the west shore of Duck Cove Single-lane concrete boat ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 356-3240 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| C4 | Duck Cove Ramp Located on FM 751, southeast of Quinlan on the east shore of Duck Cove Two-lane concrete boat ramp; No fee; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. | parking | Check before you go |
| C5 | Red Bear Resort Located on FM 3706 on south shore of Waco Bay. Turn on FM 3708 across from Duck Cove Public Boat Ramp. Single-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 560-0293 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas | Check before you go |
| C6 | State Park Located on southeast shore of main lake channel. From Texas 47, take FM 2475 and follow about 4 miles to park. Four-lane boat launch; Park entry fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. (903) 560-7123 | restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D1 | Holiday Marina Located off Texas 47 on the west side of the dam Two 1-lane concrete boat ramps; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 560-0630 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D2 | South Shore Marina Located off Texas 47 on the west side of the dam Two 1-lane concrete boat ramps; Fee required; Operated by Holiday Marina (903) 560-0630 | restrooms, live bait, parking, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D3 | SRA Public Ramp Located off Texas 47 on the west side of the dam Two-lane concrete boat ramps; No fee required; Operated by Sabine River Authority (903) 598-2216 | parking | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Lake Tawakoni 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 Tawakoni
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Lake Tawakoni? Get listed free.
Lake Tawakoni weather forecast
- Today
78°F, Sunny
Wind E 0 to 5 mph - Tonight
54°F, Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph - Wednesday
79°F, Sunny
Wind ENE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday Night
56°F, Clear
Wind 0 mph - Thursday
81°F, Sunny
Wind 0 mph - Thursday Night
58°F, Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 32.809, -95.920 (NWS FWD), issued Oct 20, 6:06 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Lake Tawakoni FAQ
What is the water level at Lake Tawakoni today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Lake Tawakoni was at 435.03 ft above mean sea level and 89.9% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 2.47 ft below the 437.5 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Lake Tawakoni?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Lake Tawakoni: Striped & hybrid striped bass, White bass, Catfish, Crappie, Largemouth bass.
Who manages Lake Tawakoni?
Sabine River Authority of Texas Iron Bridge Division is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
Nearby lakes
- Lake Fork · 23 mi · 80.1%
- Lake Ray Hubbard · 33 mi · 84.1%
- Lavon Lake · 36 mi · 79.5%
- Jim Chapman Lake (Cooper Lake) · 40 mi · 65.4%
- Cedar Creek Reservoir · 41 mi · 73.0%
- Lake Athens · 42 mi · 96.9%