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Lake Travis Fishing Report & Water Level
Lake Travis is at 677.61 ft above mean sea level and 94.2% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 3.39 ft below the 681.0 ft conservation pool.
Lake Travis water level today & trend
The lake is 3.4 ft below its conservation pool. Some shallow ramps and coves may be affected; run cautiously in unfamiliar water.
| Level (daily avg.) | 677.61 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 681.0 ft msl |
| Percent full | 94.2% (-0.4 pts in 7 days, +12.2 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 1,034,821 of 1,098,044 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 18,266 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 677.63 ft (reservoir elevation (local datum)) at Oct 20, 7:15 AM CDT, USGS 08154500. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (82.0%) to 2026-10-20 (94.2%). Range shown 72.6%–100.0%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Lake Travis (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Lake Travis 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 Travis. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.24 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Lake Travis bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Lake Travis. 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.
- Guadalupe bass
- Texas's state fish favors flowing water and rocky areas. Small crankbaits, spinners and finesse plastics work well.
- 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.
- 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 Travis
- Largemouth bass
- Guadalupe bass
- White bass & striped bass
- Catfish
- Sunfish
| Location | On the Colorado River northwest of Austin in Travis and Burnet counties |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 18,622 acres |
| Maximum depth | 190 feet |
| Impounded | 1942 |
| Typical fluctuation | High, 10-20 feet |
| Normal water clarity | Clear to slightly off-color in upper sections |
| Controlling authority | Lower Colorado River Authority |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Lake Travis (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Lake Travis 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 -3.4 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (Lower Colorado 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. The Lower Colorado River Authority and Travis County Parks operate 15 parks on the reservoir. Several of these parks provide campgrounds, beaches, picnic areas, boat ramps and opportunities for shoreline fishing. Entrance and/or launch fees are charged at some parks.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Camp Creek Park On the north side of Lake Travis near Smithwick, 18 miles west of Lago Vista or eight miles east of Marble Falls. Take FM 1431 to County Road 343 and continue 1/2 mile to the site entrance. Fee required; Operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority 1(800) 776-5272 x3366 | parking, camping | Check before you go |
| A2 | Shaffer Bend On the north side of Lake Travis near Smithwick, about 17 miles west of Lago Vista or 9 miles east of Marble Falls. Take FM 1431 to County Road 343A and continue about one mile to the site entrance. Fee required; Operated by The Lower Colorado River Authority 1(800) 776-5272 x3366 | parking, camping | Check before you go |
| A3 | Narrows Recreation Area Upper south side of Lake Travis near the community of Spicewood. From Austin take Texas 71, turn north on Spur 191, and proceed approximately one mile to Spicewood. Continue traveling north 1.1 miles on Burnet County Road 410 to CR 411, which is a gravel road. Proceed approximately 1.5 miles north to the entrance for the Narrows Recreation Area. The road crosses Alligator Creek via a low-water crossing. During heavy rainstorms, the creek may be impassable, and the road may not always be barricaded during unpredictable weather events. Visitors should use extreme caution or avoid the area at those times.; Fee required; Operated by The Lower Colorado River Authority 1(800) 776-5272 x3366 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| A4 | Grelle Recreation Area Upper south side of Lake Travis near Spicewood. From Austin take Texas 71, turn north on Spur 191, and proceed approximately one mile to Spicewood. Take a right on Burnet County Road 404 and go one mile to the intersection of CR 412, which is a gravel road. Turn left and travel approximately .6 mile to the site entrance. Fee required; Operated by The Lower Colorado River Authority 1(800) 776-5272 x3366 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B1 | Turkey Bend On the north side of Lake Travis approximately 9.5 miles west of Lago Vista. Take FM 1431 to Shaw Drive and continue 1.8 miles to the site entrance. Fee required; Operated by The Lower Colorado River Authority 1(800) 776-5272 x3366 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B2 | Muleshoe Bend Upper south side of Lake Travis near the Ridge Harbor subdivision, 45 minutes from downtown Austin. Take Texas 71 to Burnet County Road 404. Turn right and proceed 4.5 miles to CR 414. Turn right and travel about 1.5 miles, then take another right just before the entrance to Ridge Harbor. After almost a mile, the pavement will end. Continue 0.3 miles on the gravel road to the entrance. Fee required; Operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority 1(800) 776-5272 x3366 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B3 | Gloster Bend North side of Lake Travis about 6 miles west of Lago Vista, near the Travis Peak community. Take FM 1431 to Singleton Road and continue 3.3 miles to the site entrance Two-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority 1(800) 776-5272 x3366 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| B4 | Pace Bend/Collier Cove Located in Pace Bend park about 30 miles west of Austin. Take Texas 71 west to RR 2322 (Pace Bend Park Road). Turn right and travel 4.6 miles to the park entrance. Once inside, follow 2322 to Collier Cove ramp. One-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Operated by Travis County Parks (512) 854-7275 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B5 | Pace Bend/Tatum Cove Located in Pace Bend park about 30 miles west of Austin. Take Texas 71 west to RR 2322 (Pace Bend Park Road). Turn right and travel 4.6 miles to the park entrance. Turn right on Grisman Trail to reach Tatum Cove ramp. One-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Operated by Travis County Parks (512) 854-7275 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C1 | Arkansas Bend From US 183, take FM 1431 south 11 miles to Lohmans Ford Road. Turn left and go 4 1/2 miles to Sylvester Ford Road. Turn left and travel 1 1/2 miles to the park entrance. Two-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Operated by Travis County Parks (512) 854-7275 | restrooms, parking, camping | Check before you go |
| D1 | Mansfield Dam Park From the intersection of RR 620 and FM 2222, travel south 4.9 miles. Turn right onto Mansfield Dam Road, just south of the dam. The park entrance is on your left. Four-lane concrete ramp at high lake levels and two-lane at low levels, with an adjoining wheelchair-accessible courtesy dock; Ramp is usable to an elevation of 622 feet msl; Fee required; Operated by Travis County Parks (512) 854-7275 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D2 | Bob Wentz at Windy Point From the intersection of RR 620 and FM 2222, take RR 620 south 1.3 miles to Comanche Trail. Turn right and travel 3.1 miles to park entrance on left. Two-lane concrete ramp for sailboats only; Fee required; Day use only; Operated by Travis County Parks (512) 854-7275 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| D3 | Sandy Creek From the intersection of RR 620 and FM 2222, take FM 2222 (Bullick Hollow Road) west 2 1/2 miles to FM 2769. Turn left and travel 4 miles to the town of Volente. In Volente, turn right onto Lime Creek Road and follow 6 miles to park entrance on the left. Two-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Operated by Travis County Parks (512) 854-7275 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D4 | Cypress Creek From the intersection of RR 620 and FM 2222, take FM 2222 (Bullick Hollow Road) west 2 miles. The park entrance is on your left, just before the intersection of Bullick Hollow Road and FM 2769 (Old Anderson Mill Road). Two-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Operated by Travis County Parks (512) 854-7275 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D5 | Hippie Hollow From the intersection of RR 620 and FM 2222, take RR 620 south 1.3 miles to Comanche Trail. Turn right and travel 2 miles to park entrance on left. Two-lane concrete ramp with a maximum parking capacity of 17; Fee required; Operated by Travis County Parks (512) 854-7275 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| D6 | Tom Hughes Park From the intersection of RR 620 and FM 2222, take RR 620 south 2.3 miles to Marshall Ford Drive. Turn right on Marshall Ford and travel 0.2 miles to Park Drive. Turn right and go 2.8 miles to the park entrance. Fee required; Operated by Travis County Parks (512) 854-7275 | restrooms, parking | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Lake Travis 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 Travis
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Lake Travis? Get listed free.
Lake Travis weather forecast
- Today
84°F, Sunny
Wind ENE 0 to 5 mph - Tonight
56°F, Mostly Clear
Wind ENE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday
85°F, Sunny
Wind NNE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday Night
57°F, Clear
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday
84°F, Sunny
Wind ENE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday Night
56°F, Mostly Clear
Wind ESE 0 to 5 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 30.392, -97.907 (NWS EWX), issued Oct 20, 2:42 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Lake Travis FAQ
What is the water level at Lake Travis today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Lake Travis was at 677.61 ft above mean sea level and 94.2% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 3.39 ft below the 681.0 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Lake Travis?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Lake Travis: Largemouth bass, Guadalupe bass, White bass & striped bass, Catfish, Sunfish.
Who manages Lake Travis?
Lower Colorado River Authority is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
Nearby lakes
- Lake LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson) · 28 mi · 97.7%
- Lake Buchanan · 39 mi · 95.8%
- Canyon Lake · 40 mi · 97.0%
- Stillhouse Hollow Lake · 49 mi · 97.0%
- Belton Lake · 56 mi · 96.9%
- Lake Somerville · 83 mi · 88.8%