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Possum Kingdom Lake Fishing Report & Water Level
Possum Kingdom Lake is at 995.82 ft above mean sea level and 89.8% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 3.18 ft below the 999.0 ft conservation pool.
Possum Kingdom Lake water level today & trend
The lake is 3.2 ft below its conservation pool. Some shallow ramps and coves may be affected; run cautiously in unfamiliar water.
| Level (daily avg.) | 995.82 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 999.0 ft msl |
| Percent full | 89.8% (+4.4 pts in 7 days, -3.7 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 483,509 of 538,139 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 16,411 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 995.88 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 7:15 AM CDT, USGS 08088500. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (93.5%) to 2026-10-20 (89.8%). Range shown 85.3%–94.3%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Possum Kingdom Lake (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Possum Kingdom 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 Possum Kingdom Lake. Water temperature, lake level (currently +1.51 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Possum Kingdom Lake bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Possum Kingdom 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.
- 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 Possum Kingdom Lake
- Largemouth bass
- White Crappie
- Striped & white bass
- Channel & blue catfish
| Location | On the Brazos River in Palo Pinto and Young counties, 75 miles west of Fort Worth off Texas Highway 16 |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 15,588 acres |
| Maximum depth | 145 feet |
| Impounded | 1941 |
| Typical fluctuation | Moderately high |
| Normal water clarity | Clear |
| Controlling authority | Brazos River Authority |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Possum Kingdom Lake (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Possum Kingdom 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 -3.2 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (Brazos River Authority).
Public ramps are located in BRA recreation areas and Possum Kingdom State Park . Fluctuating water levels may affect usability; check the BRA website for current ramp conditions. At least 15 private ramps are also available; many sell boat gas, and most charge nominal launch fees. Fishing piers are located in the state park and at BRA Public Use Area #4S.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Public Ramp Located on FM 2951, 1/3 mile after junction with Park Road 36 Ramp will accommodate all boat types, accessible at various water levels; No fee required; Operated by Brazos River Authority (940) 779-2321 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas | Check before you go |
| B | BRA Area #4N Located on FM 2951, on north side of road 1-1/3 miles after junction with Park Road 36 Ramp will accommodate all boat types, accessible at higher lake levels; $3/person day use fee on weekends and holidays from mid-May to mid-September, children under 13 free; No fee on weekdays or during winter months; Operated by Brazos River Authority (940) 779-2321 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C | BRA Area #6 Located at the west end of FM 2951 Ramp will accommodate all boat types, accessible at higher lake levels; $3/person day use fee on weekends and holidays from mid-May to mid-September, children under 13 free; No fee weekdays or during winter months; Operated by Brazos River Authority (940) 779-2321 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D | BRA Area #5 Located off FM 2951; take third paved road left after Public Use Area #4S Ramp will accommodate all boat types, accessible at higher lake levels; No fee required; Operated by Brazos River Authority (940) 779-2321 | restrooms, parking, camping | Check before you go |
| E | BRA Area #4S Located off FM 2951on south side of road, 1-1/3 miles after junction with Park Road 36 Ramp will accommodate all boat types, accessible at various lake levels; No fee required; Operated by Brazos River Authority (940) 779-2321 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| F | BRA Area #1 Located off Park Road 36, 1.5 miles from FM 2353 Ramp will accommodate all boat types, accessible at higher lake levels; No fee required; Operated by Brazos River Authority (940) 779-2321 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| G | State Park Located on the southwest side of the lake. Take Park Road 33 off FM 3253. Ramp will accommodate all boat types, accessible at higher lake levels; Park entry fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. (940) 549-1803 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| H | Possum Hollow Camp Located off FM 1148, 2.5 miles after intersection with FM 1287 Ramp will accommodate all boat types; No fee required; Operated by Possum Hollow Camp (940) 549-1873 | parking | Check before you go |
| I | Westside Public Ramp Located at the end of FM 1148 Ramp will accommodate all boat types, accessible at higher lake levels; No fee required; Operated by Brazos River Authority (940) 779-232 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Possum Kingdom 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 Possum Kingdom Lake
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Possum Kingdom Lake? Get listed free.
Possum Kingdom Lake weather forecast
- Today
78°F, Sunny
Wind SE 0 to 5 mph - Tonight
54°F, Clear
Wind SE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday
80°F, Sunny
Wind ESE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday Night
55°F, Mostly Clear
Wind ESE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday
81°F, Sunny
Wind ESE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday Night
56°F, Partly Cloudy
Wind SE 0 to 5 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 32.872, -98.426 (NWS FWD), issued Oct 20, 6:06 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Possum Kingdom Lake FAQ
What is the water level at Possum Kingdom Lake today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Possum Kingdom Lake was at 995.82 ft above mean sea level and 89.8% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 3.18 ft below the 999.0 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Possum Kingdom Lake?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Possum Kingdom Lake: Largemouth bass, White Crappie, Striped & white bass, Channel & blue catfish.
Who manages Possum Kingdom Lake?
Brazos River Authority is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
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