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Lake Whitney Fishing Report & Water Level
Lake Whitney is at 530.75 ft above mean sea level and 91.2% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 2.25 ft below the 533.0 ft conservation pool.
Lake Whitney water level today & trend
The lake is near its conservation pool (full) level.
| Level (daily avg.) | 530.75 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 533.0 ft msl |
| Percent full | 91.2% (-0.4 pts in 7 days, -3.3 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 514,865 of 564,808 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 21,208 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 530.75 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 6:15 AM CDT, USGS 08092500. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (94.5%) to 2026-10-20 (91.2%). Range shown 89.9%–100.0%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Whitney Lake (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Lake Whitney 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 Whitney. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.11 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Lake Whitney bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Lake Whitney. 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.
- 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 Whitney
- Striped & white bass
- Smallmouth & largemouth bass
- Crappie
- Channel, blue & flathead catfish
| Location | On the Brazos and Nolan rivers off Texas Highway 22, about 30 miles northwest of Waco |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 23,500 acres |
| Maximum depth | 108 feet |
| Impounded | 1951 |
| Typical fluctuation | 4-8 feet annually |
| Normal water clarity | Stained |
| Controlling authority | US Army Corps of Engineers |
TPWD notes that golden alga blooms can occur here. Check bloom status with TPWD before a trip.
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Lake Whitney (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Lake Whitney 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 -2.2 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (US Army Corps of Engineers).
The Army Corps of Engineers operates several major parks. Most have launch ramps and very good facilities for camping, picnicking, and fishing. Lake Whitney State Park also has excellent facilities. Several private marinas offer additional boat ramps and camping.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Kimball Bend Located above the lake on the Brazos River off Texas 174 just west of the Kimball Bend Bridge Two-lane boat ramp; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 622-3332 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| A2 | Plowman Creek Located off FM 56 at Kopperl on the upper end of the lake Two-lane boat ramp; Fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 622-3332 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| A3 | Morgan Lakeside Located uplake on the west shore. From FM 56, turn east at Lakeside Village exit road. Two-lane boat ramp; No fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. | restrooms, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| A4 | Steele Creek Located on the west shore at mid-lake. Take FM 56 from the dam to Lakeside Village. Cross Steele Creek bridge and take the first road to the right. Go about 1/10 mile to a T intersection and turn right. The road ends at the park. Two boat ramps, one single-lane and one 2-lane; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 622-3332 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B1 | Cedar Creek Located on the east shore at mid-lake. From the town of Whitney, take FM 933 north to FM 2604; turn left. Look for the Cedar Creek park sign on the left. Two-lane boat ramp; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 622-3332 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B2 | Cedron Creek Located at mid-lake just west of the Katy Bridge. From Whitney, go north on FM 933; turn west on FM 1713, cross bridge, and go 1/4 mile to park entrance on left. Two-lane boat ramp and swimming beach; Fee required; Operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 622-3332 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B3 | McCown Valley Located on the east shore at mid-lake. From Whitney, take FM 933 north and turn left on FM 1713 Spur. The park is at the end of the road. Three-lane boat ramp and swimming area; $2 launch fee or annual permit required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 622-3332 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C1 | State Park From FM 933 in Whitney, take FM 1233 west to park Two-lane boat ramp; Park entry fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. (254) 694-3793 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C2 | Lofer's Bend Three recreation areas off Texas 22 just east of the dam Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 622-3332 | restrooms, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C3 | Riverside Park Located off Texas 22 below the dam Bank fishing access in tailrace area; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 622-3332 | restrooms, parking | Check before you go |
| C4 | Soldier's Bluff Located off Texas 22 on the west side of the dam Bank fishing access; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 622-3332 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C5 | Walling Bend Located on the west shore at the lower end of the lake. From the dam take Texas 22 east 5 miles and turn right on Texas 56. Turn right again on FM 2841 which ends in the park. Two 2-lane boat ramps and primitive camping; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 622-3332 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Lake Whitney 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 Whitney
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Lake Whitney? Get listed free.
Lake Whitney weather forecast
- Today
80°F, Sunny
Wind E 0 to 5 mph - Tonight
53°F, Clear
Wind E 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday
81°F, Sunny
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday Night
56°F, Clear
Wind ENE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday
82°F, Sunny
Wind E 0 to 5 mph - Thursday Night
56°F, Mostly Clear
Wind SE 0 to 5 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 31.865, -97.372 (NWS FWD), issued Oct 20, 6:06 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Lake Whitney FAQ
What is the water level at Lake Whitney today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Lake Whitney was at 530.75 ft above mean sea level and 91.2% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 2.25 ft below the 533.0 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Lake Whitney?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Lake Whitney: Striped & white bass, Smallmouth & largemouth bass, Crappie, Channel, blue & flathead catfish.
Who manages Lake Whitney?
US Army Corps of Engineers is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
Nearby lakes
- Belton Lake · 53 mi · 96.9%
- Joe Pool Lake · 58 mi · 91.7%
- Stillhouse Hollow Lake · 59 mi · 97.0%
- Richland-Chambers Reservoir · 69 mi · 89.9%
- Cedar Creek Reservoir · 77 mi · 73.0%
- Grapevine Lake · 79 mi · 91.7%