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Medina Lake Fishing Report & Water Level
Medina Lake is at 1,020.19 ft above mean sea level and 28.2% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 44.01 ft below the 1064.2 ft conservation pool.
Medina Lake water level today & trend
The lake is 44.0 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.) | 1,020.19 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 1,064.2 ft msl |
| Percent full | 28.2% (-0.4 pts in 7 days, +22.7 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 71,926 of 254,823 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 2,419 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 1,020.18 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 7:00 AM CDT, USGS 08179500. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (5.5%) to 2026-10-20 (28.2%). Range shown 3.8%–30.0%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Medina Lake (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Medina Lake 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 Medina Lake. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.36 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Medina Lake bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Medina Lake. 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.
- 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 Medina Lake
- Largemouth bass
- White & hybrid striped bass
- Channel, blue & flathead catfish
| Location | 40 miles northwest of San Antonio in Bandera and Medina counties |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 5,426 acres |
| Maximum depth | 152 feet |
| Impounded | 1913 |
| Typical fluctuation | Large fluctuations, up to 40 feet, based on area rainfall |
| Normal water clarity | Clear |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Medina Lake (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Medina Lake 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 -44.0 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator.
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.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Red Cove Camp Located in the town of Mico off FM 1283 Two-lane concrete ramp, usable when lake level is 30 feet or above. During low water, boats may launch from gravel bank.; Fee required; Privately operated (830) 612-2715 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| B | Park Road 37 Located at the end of Park Road 37 in Plum Creek Cove Concrete ramp, usable at most water levels. If lake level is below end of ramp, boats may launch from gravel bank.; Fees required; Operated by Bandera County | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Medina Lake 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 Medina Lake
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Medina Lake? Get listed free.
Medina Lake weather forecast
- Today
84°F, Sunny
Wind E 5 mph - Tonight
59°F, Mostly Clear
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday
86°F, Sunny
Wind NE 5 mph - Wednesday Night
60°F, Mostly Clear
Wind ENE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday
84°F, Sunny
Wind ENE 5 mph - Thursday Night
57°F, Mostly Clear
Wind ESE 0 to 5 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 29.540, -98.934 (NWS EWX), issued Oct 20, 2:42 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Medina Lake FAQ
What is the water level at Medina Lake today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Medina Lake was at 1020.19 ft above mean sea level and 28.2% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 44.01 ft below the 1064.2 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Medina Lake?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Medina Lake: Largemouth bass, White & hybrid striped bass, Channel, blue & flathead catfish.
Nearby lakes
- Canyon Lake · 50 mi · 97.0%
- Lake LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson) · 79 mi · 97.7%
- Choke Canyon Reservoir · 84 mi · 21.3%
- Lake Travis · 85 mi · 94.2%
- Lake Buchanan · 89 mi · 95.8%
- Coleto Creek Reservoir · 121 mi · 74.7%