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Sam Rayburn Reservoir Fishing Report & Water Level
Sam Rayburn Reservoir is at 153.33 ft above mean sea level and 62.2% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 11.07 ft below the 164.4 ft conservation pool.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir water level today & trend
The lake is 11.1 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.) | 153.33 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 164.4 ft msl |
| Percent full | 62.2% (-0.8 pts in 7 days, -8.3 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 1,775,773 of 2,857,077 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 82,027 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 153.32 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 7:00 AM CDT, USGS 08039300. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (70.5%) to 2026-10-20 (62.2%). Range shown 62.2%–73.0%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Sam Rayburn Reservoir (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir 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 Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.28 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Sam Rayburn Reservoir bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Sam Rayburn Reservoir. 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.
Comparing gear? See our baitcasting reel and bass rod spec comparisons.
Fish species in Sam Rayburn Reservoir
- Largemouth bass
- Crappie
- Catfish
- White bass
| Location | On the Angelina River; dam is located in Jasper County approximately 15 miles north of Jasper. |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 114,500 acres |
| Maximum depth | 80 feet |
| Impounded | 1965 |
| Typical fluctuation | Average 7 feet annually |
| Normal water clarity | Ranges from relatively clear in the lower lake to off-color in upper lake |
| Controlling authority | US Army Corps of Engineers |
TPWD's page notes a fish consumption advisory for this lake. Check the fish consumption bans and advisories before keeping fish to eat.
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Sam Rayburn Reservoir (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir 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 -11.1 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (US Army Corps of Engineers).
Twenty-two maintained access areas (including parks and private concessions) are located around the reservoir. Boat ramps are available at each of these areas. Some ramps may be unavailable for use when the lake is low, so it's a good idea to check with local authorities for current water levels and ramp conditions. Thirteen parks are operated by the Corps of Engineers, and the rest by the US Forest Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, or county. Five access areas are operated by concessionaires or located in close proximity to a concession/marina. Camping is allowed at some access areas. Contact operating agency for availability of electrical outlets, drinking water, sanitary and shower facilities.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Marion's Ferry Located off Marion's Ferry Road two miles north of Texas Highway 103 Four-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; may not be usable at low lake levels; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (409) 384-5716 | parking | Check before you go |
| A2 | Etoile Park Located off Texas 103 two miles west of Etoile Four-lane ramp will handle all boat types; may not be usable at low lake levels; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (409) 384-5716 | parking | Check before you go |
| A3 | Ewing Park Located 3 miles west of Etoile on Texas 103 Two-lane ramp accommodates all boat types; may not be usable at low lake levels; Fee required; Operated by Angelina County | parking, camping | Check before you go |
| B1 | Shirley Creek Located off FM 226 six miles south of Texas 103 junction Two-lane ramp handles all boat types; Fee required; Operated by private concession (936) 854-2233 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B2 | McAllister Park Located off Texas 103, 6.5 miles east of Etoile Four-lane ramp handles all boat types; may not be usable at low lake levels.; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (409) 384-5716 | parking | Check before you go |
| B3 | Townsend Park Located off CR 2923, 2 miles west of junction with FM 1277 Four-lane ramp handles all boat types; may not be usable at low lake levels.; No fee required; Operated by US Forest Service (936) 897-1068 | parking | Check before you go |
| B4 | Jackson Hill Located off FM 2851, 2 miles north of Texas 147 Four-lane ramp accommodates all boat types.; Fee required; Operated by private concession (936) 872-9266 | restrooms, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C1 | Ayish Bayou Located on FM 83, 7 miles west of Pineland One-lane ramp handles all boat types; may not be usable at low lake levels; No fee required; Operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. | parking | Check before you go |
| C2 | San Augustine Park Located off FM 1751, 6 miles south of junction with FM 83 Four-lane ramps handle all boat types; Fee required; Operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers (409) 384-5716 | restrooms, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C3 | Mill Creek Park Located off FM 149, 1 mile northwest of US 96 Two-lane ramp handles all boat types.; Fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (409) 384-5716 | restrooms, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C4 | Powell Park Located off FM 705, 12 miles south of junction with FM 83 Three 2-lane ramps handle all boat types; Fee required; Operated by private concession (409) 584-2624 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C5 | Bayou Recreation Area Located off FM 3127, 2 miles west of FM 705 One-lane boat ramp; No fee required; Operated by the US Forest Service (936) 897-1068 | parking, weigh stations, boat gas | Check before you go |
| C6 | Rayburn Park Located off FM 3127, 2 miles west of FM 705 Two 2-lane ramps handle all boat types; Fee required; Operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers (409) 384-5716 | restrooms, parking, camping | Check before you go |
| D1 | Caney Creek Located off FM 2743, 6 miles east of Texas 63 Two-lane ramp handles all boat types; Fee required; Operated by the US Forest Service (936) 897-1068 | restrooms, parking, camping | Check before you go |
| D2 | Sandy Creek Located off FM 3333, 5 miles west of Texas Highway 63 Two-lane ramp handles all boat types; No fee required; Operated by the US Forest Service (936) 897-1068 | parking | Check before you go |
| D3 | Overlook Park Located at the west end of the dam on FM 255 Bank fishing only; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (409) 384-5716 | restrooms, parking, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| D4 | Public Ramp Located at east end of dam off FM 255 Four-lane ramp handles all boat types; Fee required; Operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers (409) 384-5716 | ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| D5 | Twin Dikes Located at east end of dam off FM 255. Two 4-lane ramps handle all boat types; Fee required; Operated by the Corps of Engineers (409) 384-5716 | parking, camping | Check before you go |
| E1 | Hanks Creek Located off FM 2801, 2 mi south of junction with FM 2109 Two two-lane ramps accommodate all boat types; Fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (409) 384-5716 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, camping | Check before you go |
| E2 | Monterrey Park Located off FM 3124, 2 miles east of junction with FM 2109 Four-lane ramp handles all boat types; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (409) 384-5716 | parking | Check before you go |
| E3 | Cassells-Boykin Located off FM 3123, 1 mile west of Texas Highway 147 Two four-lane ramps handle all boat types; Fee required; Operated by Angelina County (936) 630-3231 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Sam Rayburn Reservoir 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 Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Sam Rayburn Reservoir? Get listed free.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir weather forecast
- Today
82°F, Sunny
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Tonight
56°F, Mostly Clear
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday
83°F, Sunny
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday Night
55°F, Clear
Wind 0 mph - Thursday
85°F, Sunny
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday Night
56°F, Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 31.061, -94.106 (NWS LCH), issued Oct 20, 6:45 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir FAQ
What is the water level at Sam Rayburn Reservoir today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Sam Rayburn Reservoir was at 153.33 ft above mean sea level and 62.2% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 11.07 ft below the 164.4 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Sam Rayburn Reservoir?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Sam Rayburn Reservoir: Largemouth bass, Crappie, Catfish, White bass.
Who manages Sam Rayburn Reservoir?
US Army Corps of Engineers is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
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