Amistad Reservoir Fishing
Where to launch, what TPWD rates as the best fishing, the lake records and today's level on 64,900 acres in Val Verde County.
- 64,900acres
- 217 ftmax depth
- 8boat ramps
- 15.68 lbrecord bass
Photo: NPS staff, Public domain
.jpg){kind=link}
Key points for Amistad Reservoir
Since 1969, Amistad Reservoir has held 64,900 surface acres of water with a maximum depth of 217 feet in Val Verde County, within the TPWD Big Bend Country region. TPWD places it on the Rio Grande, 12 miles northwest of Del Rio in Val Verde County.
The fish to target, going by TPWD ratings, are largemouth bass, rated excellent, with channel & blue catfish and white & striped bass rated good.
Its biggest recorded largemouth bass came in at 15.68 pounds (2005).
Water clarity is usually clear to slightly stained; TPWD notes coverage is dependent on water level. in 1999, a survey indicated approximately 1,000 acres of aquatic vegetation, primarily hydrilla in the lake; water level fluctuation is described as depends on rainfall and downstream irrigation demands. annual fluctuations can be 5-10 feet. historical fluctuations have dropped lake as much as 50 feet below conservation pool.
Controlling authority: International Boundary & Water Commission 1-800-262-8857. Amistad Reservoir facts from the TPWD lake page, checked October 2026.
How full Amistad Reservoir is right now
Current Amistad Reservoir reading from TWDB, where a minus sign means below full pool.
Texas Water Development Board, Water Data for Texas, reading dated 2026-10-10. Retrieved Oct 10, 2026 6:36 am ET. 30 day chart on TWDB.
What bites at Amistad Reservoir
How TPWD fisheries surveys rate Amistad Reservoir for each species.
Scale used for Amistad Reservoir: excellent 4, good 3, fair 2, poor 1.
Species you are most likely to catch: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Catfish, White & striped bass.
Amistad Reservoir record book
Record fish from Amistad Reservoir, heaviest first.
| Species | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth buffalo | 70 | 45 | 2013-11-25 |
| Striped bass | 45 | 44 | 1990-05-14 |
| Blue catfish | 20.84 | 35 | 2017-08-08 |
| Common carp | 20.15 | 33.75 | 2013-05-27 |
| Freshwater drum | 17.06 | 29.5 | 1994-03-30 |
| Largemouth bass | 15.68 | 28.3 | 2005-12-28 |
| Channel catfish | 14.16 | 29 | 2012-04-10 |
| Smallmouth bass | 5.37 | 20.25 | 2004-11-07 |
| Black crappie | 1.68 | 15 | 2011-04-20 |
| White crappie | 1.47 | 15.5 | 2006-07-23 |
| Other hybrid sunfish | 1.02 | 11 | 2011-04-30 |
| Redbreast sunfish | 0.77 | 10.5 | 2010-07-15 |
Amistad Reservoir records: TPWD water body records, list updated October 8, 2026. Retrieved October 2026.
Putting a boat in at Amistad Reservoir
TPWD lists 11 access points on this lake, 8 with a boat ramp and 0 with a marina.
Diablo East
4 lane ramp; restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking. (830) 775-7491
Ramp detailsGovernors Landing
Restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, picnic areas, camping. (830) 775-7491
Ramp detailsBlack Brush Point
Boat ramp; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas. (830) 775-7491
Ramp detailsSpur 454
Boat ramp; restrooms, parking. (830) 775-7491
Ramp detailsSan Pedro
Restrooms, ADA Accessible, camping. (830) 775-7491
Ramp detailsUS 277 South
Boat ramp; restrooms, parking, picnic areas. (830) 775-7491
Ramp detailsUS 277 North
Boat ramp; restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, camping. (830) 775-7491
Ramp detailsRough Canyon
4 lane ramp; restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking. (830) 775-7491
Ramp detailsSpur 406
Restrooms, parking, camping. (830) 775-7491
Ramp detailsBox Canyon
Boat ramp; restrooms, live bait, parking, courtesy docks. (830) 775-7491
Ramp detailsPecos River
Boat ramp; restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks. (830) 775-7491
Ramp detailsMap: 15 TPWD access points. Ramp facts: TPWD Amistad Reservoir page, October 2026. Low water can close ramps.
The rules on Amistad Reservoir
With no exceptions on file, Amistad Reservoir uses the statewide limits.
| Species | Daily bag | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | 5 | 14 in minimum |
| Striped bass | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| Hybrid striped bass | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| White bass | 25 | 10 in minimum |
| Flathead catfish | 5 | 18 in minimum |
| White crappie | 25 | 10 in minimum |
| Black crappie | 25 | 10 in minimum |
Limits for Amistad Reservoir from the TPWD Outdoor Annual, 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027), checked October 2026.
Hatchery fish released in Amistad Reservoir
| Year | Species | Number | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lone star bass | 394,686 | Fingerling |
| 2025 | Lone star bass | 149,907 | Fingerling |
Amistad Reservoir stocking: TPWD stocking by water body, retrieved October 2026.
Where to get bait near Amistad Reservoir
- Reelyn's Tackle ShackDel Rio, 4 miles east of the lake, (830) 774-3474
- Three Rivers Bait & TackleDel Rio, 5 miles east of the lake, (830) 778-2241
- Reelynn HackleshackDel Rio, 5 miles east of the lake, (830) 774-3474
- Power TackleDel Rio, 6 miles east of the lake, (830) 488-6075
- Trash Rack OutfittersFreshwater guide, (830) 313-1020
Shop and guide sources for Amistad Reservoir: OpenStreetMap, store locators and guide websites (October 2026).
Lakes and towns near Amistad Reservoir
Averhoff Reservoir
87 miles southeast, 174 acres
Medina Lake
128 miles east, 5,426 acres
Twin Buttes Reservoir
136 miles north, 9,080 acres
Lake Nasworthy
138 miles north, 1,380 acres
- Del RioVal Verde County, 12 miles southeast
- ComstockVal Verde County, 18 miles northwest
- Val Verde CountyFishing access across the county
Fishing Amistad Reservoir, the usual questions
How much water does Amistad Reservoir hold?
Per TPWD, Amistad Reservoir spans 64,900 surface acres and is 217 feet deep at its deepest point.
What year did Amistad Reservoir fill?
The reservoir dates to 1969.
What is the biggest bass caught at Amistad Reservoir?
The lake record largemouth bass weighed 15.68 pounds and measured 28.3 inches, caught 2005-12-28, per TPWD water body records.
Besides bass, what records does Amistad Reservoir hold?
Smallmouth buffalo 70 lb; Striped bass 45 lb; Blue catfish 20.84 lb.
What are the TPWD ratings for Amistad Reservoir?
Survey ratings: largemouth bass excellent; smallmouth bass fair; channel & blue catfish good; white & striped bass good.
Where can I put in on Amistad Reservoir?
TPWD counts 8 boat ramps at Amistad Reservoir.
Where can I see the current level of Amistad Reservoir?
An hourly TWDB reading for Amistad Reservoir sits on this page, measured against full pool.
What is the bag limit at Amistad Reservoir?
At Amistad Reservoir the statewide bag of 5 black bass applies, and largemouth must reach 14 inches.
When was Amistad Reservoir last stocked?
In 2026 TPWD put 394,686 fingerling lone star bass into the lake, and 2 stocking events are on record since 2025.
Which community sits nearest Amistad Reservoir?
Del Rio is 12 miles southeast of the lake center, in Val Verde County.
Where can I pick up live bait near Amistad Reservoir?
Try Reelyn's Tackle Shack in Del Rio, about 4 miles from Amistad Reservoir, one of 4 shops listed above.
Which state park is near Amistad Reservoir?
TPWD names Seminole Canyon State Park as the nearby state parks.
Before you tow to Amistad Reservoir
Other Texas lakes carry the same ramps, records and limits.