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Ray Roberts Lake Fishing Report & Water Level
Ray Roberts Lake is at 630.81 ft above mean sea level and 94.0% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 1.69 ft below the 632.5 ft conservation pool.
Ray Roberts Lake water level today & trend
The lake is near its conservation pool (full) level.
| Level (daily avg.) | 630.81 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 632.5 ft msl |
| Percent full | 94.0% (-0.6 pts in 7 days, -1.1 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 741,138 of 788,167 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 27,321 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 630.82 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 6:15 AM CDT, USGS 08051100. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (95.1%) to 2026-10-20 (94.0%). Range shown 93.6%–100.0%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Ray Roberts Lake (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Ray Roberts 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 Ray Roberts Lake. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.15 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Ray Roberts Lake bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Ray Roberts 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.
- 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.
- 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 Ray Roberts Lake
- Largemouth bass
- White bass
- Blue catfish
- Channel catfish
- Crappie
- Sunfish
| Location | On the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, 10 miles north of Denton off FM 455. The dam is in Denton County but the reservoir extends into Cooke and Grayson counties. |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 25,600 acres |
| Maximum depth | 106 feet |
| Impounded | 1987 |
| Typical fluctuation | 3-5 feet |
| Normal water clarity | Clear |
| Controlling authority | US Army Corps of Engineers |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Ray Roberts Lake (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Ray Roberts 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 -1.7 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (US Army Corps of Engineers).
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. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department operates two state park units and several satellite parks around this lake. Park fees are charged at all locations except Pecan Creek, where donations are requested. A restaurant and full-service marina are located near Sanger Park.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Buck Creek Located on the west side of US 377, approximately one mile south of Tioga Two-lane concrete ramp with boarding pier and parking for up to 75 vehicles; Fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. (940) 686-2148 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| B | Jordan Park Located approximately 1 mile west of Pilot Point on FM 1192 Four-lane concrete ramp with boarding pier and parking for up to 75 vehicles; Fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. (940) 686-2148 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| C | Isle du Bois From I-35 at Sanger, go 12 miles east on FM 455. Look for signs on the north side of the road. Multi-lane concrete ramp with boarding pier and parking for up to 125 vehicles. Lighted fishing pier also available.; Park entrance fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. (940) 686-2148 | restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| D | Sanger Park/Marina Located off FM 455 about 3 miles east of Sanger Multi-lane concrete ramp with boarding pier and parking for up to 75 vehicles; Fee required; Operated by private concession (940) 458-7343 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas | Check before you go |
| E | Pond Creek Located off FM 455, just north of entrance to Ray Roberts Marina Two-lane ramp with boarding pier and parking for up to 75 vehicles; Fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. (940) 686-2148 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| F | Pecan Creek Take the FM 3002 exit off I-35 north of Sanger, follow 3002 about 4 miles east, cross the second bridge, then look for the sign on the south side of the road. Two-lane ramp with boarding pier and parking for up to 75 vehicles; No fee required; donation accepted; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. (940) 686-2148 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| G | Johnson Branch Take the FM 3002 exit from I-35 north of Sanger, go 7 miles east and look for the sign on the south side of the road. Multi-lane ramp with boarding pier and parking for 125 vehicles; Park entrance fee required; Operated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. (940) 637-2294 | restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Ray Roberts 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 Ray Roberts Lake
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Ray Roberts Lake? Get listed free.
Ray Roberts Lake weather forecast
- Today
77°F, Sunny
Wind SE 5 mph - Tonight
55°F, Clear
Wind ESE 5 mph - Wednesday
78°F, Sunny
Wind ESE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday Night
56°F, Mostly Clear
Wind ESE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday
80°F, Sunny
Wind 0 mph - Thursday Night
58°F, Partly Cloudy
Wind SE 5 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 33.355, -97.050 (NWS FWD), issued Oct 20, 6:06 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Ray Roberts Lake FAQ
What is the water level at Ray Roberts Lake today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Ray Roberts Lake was at 630.81 ft above mean sea level and 94.0% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 1.69 ft below the 632.5 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Ray Roberts Lake?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Ray Roberts Lake: Largemouth bass, White bass, Blue catfish, Channel catfish, Crappie, Sunfish.
Who manages Ray Roberts Lake?
US Army Corps of Engineers is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
Nearby lakes
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