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Stillhouse Hollow Lake Fishing Report & Water Level
Stillhouse Hollow Lake is at 620.93 ft above mean sea level and 97.0% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 1.07 ft below the 622.0 ft conservation pool.
Stillhouse Hollow Lake water level today & trend
The lake is near its conservation pool (full) level.
| Level (daily avg.) | 620.93 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 622.0 ft msl |
| Percent full | 97.0% (-0.9 pts in 7 days, -1.5 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 222,999 of 229,796 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 6,276 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 620.91 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 12:00 PM CDT, USGS 08104050. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (98.5%) to 2026-10-20 (97.0%). Range shown 92.9%–100.0%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Stillhouse Hollow Lake (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Stillhouse Hollow 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 Stillhouse Hollow Lake. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.31 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Stillhouse Hollow Lake bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Stillhouse Hollow 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.
- Smallmouth bass
- Small soft plastics (tubes, Ned rigs, drop shots), jerkbaits and small crankbaits around rocky points, bluffs and gravel banks.
- 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 Stillhouse Hollow Lake
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Channel & flathead catfish
- Crappie
- White bass
| Location | Five miles west of Belton off US 190 |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 6,429 acres |
| Maximum depth | 107 feet |
| Impounded | 1968 |
| Typical fluctuation | 3-4 feet |
| Normal water clarity | Very clear |
| Controlling authority | US Army Corps of Engineers Belton/Stillhouse Hollow Lake |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Stillhouse Hollow Lake (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Stillhouse Hollow 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 -1.1 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (US Army Corps of Engineers Belton/Stillhouse Hollow Lake).
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. The Army Corps of Engineers operates four parks on this lake. A day use fee is required at most parks. A $30 annual permit covers fees for a year. Some parks have campsites for tents and RVs, with water and electric hookups available. Additional fees apply for camping.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Stillhouse Park Located downlake on the north shore. From I-35, take US 190 west and watch for signs. Four-lane ramp adjacent to marina; Fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461; Marina (254) 939-5741 | restrooms, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| B | Dana Peak Located on the north shore at mid-lake. From I-35, take US 190 west. Turn left on FM 2410 and watch for signs. Four-lane ramp and fishing dock; Fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C | Cedar Gap Located uplake on the north shore. From I-35, take US 190 west. Turn left on FM 2410 and watch for signs. Single-lane boat ramp; No fee required; Operated by US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| D | Union Grove Located at mid-lake on the south shore. From I-35 take FM 1670 west. Continue on FM 2484 and watch for signs. Four-lane boat ramp and fishing dock; Fee required; Operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers (254) 939-2461 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, camping | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Stillhouse Hollow 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 Stillhouse Hollow Lake
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Stillhouse Hollow Lake? Get listed free.
Stillhouse Hollow Lake weather forecast
- This Afternoon
81°F, Sunny
Wind ENE 5 mph - Tonight
53°F, Mostly Clear
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday
82°F, Sunny
Wind NNE 0 to 5 mph - Wednesday Night
55°F, Clear
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday
83°F, Sunny
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph - Thursday Night
56°F, Mostly Clear
Wind SE 0 to 5 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 31.022, -97.533 (NWS FWD), issued Oct 20, 11:15 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Stillhouse Hollow Lake FAQ
What is the water level at Stillhouse Hollow Lake today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Stillhouse Hollow Lake was at 620.93 ft above mean sea level and 97.0% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 1.07 ft below the 622.0 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Stillhouse Hollow Lake?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Stillhouse Hollow Lake: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel & flathead catfish, Crappie, White bass.
Who manages Stillhouse Hollow Lake?
US Army Corps of Engineers Belton/Stillhouse Hollow Lake is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
Nearby lakes
- Belton Lake · 7 mi · 96.9%
- Lake Travis · 49 mi · 94.2%
- Lake Buchanan · 56 mi · 95.8%
- Lake LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson) · 58 mi · 97.8%
- Lake Whitney · 59 mi · 91.2%
- Lake Somerville · 77 mi · 88.8%