Canyon Lake Fishing
TPWD ratings, ramp list, lake records and live water data on 8,308 acres in Comal County.
- 8,308acres
- 125 ftmax depth
- 15boat ramps
- 12.18 lbrecord bass
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The basics of Canyon Lake
Impounded in 1964, Canyon Lake spreads across 8,308 surface acres, 125 feet deep at the dam and sits in Comal County, part of the Hill Country region. You will find it on the Guadalupe River, 16 miles northwest of New Braunfels in Comal County.
TPWD biologists rate catfish and white & striped bass as excellent here, with largemouth bass and sunfish a step lower at good.
The heaviest largemouth on the lake record list weighed 12.18 pounds in 2025.
TPWD calls normal clarity clear to slightly stained consumption advisory in effect; the lake has little plant cover; the fluctuation note from TPWD reads moderate.
Controlling authority: US Army Corps of Engineers (830) 964-3341. Canyon Lake facts from the TPWD lake page, checked October 2026.
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Canyon Lake level from the Texas Water Development Board, compared with full pool.
Texas Water Development Board, Water Data for Texas, reading dated 2026-10-14. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026 10:32 pm ET. 30 day chart on TWDB.
USGS has no current reading for these gauges.
The catch at Canyon Lake
TPWD scores each species at Canyon Lake on a four point scale.
Rating scale, 4 high to 1 low.
Predominant species: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Guadalupe bass, White & striped bass, Catfish.
Record catches from Canyon Lake
The heaviest certified fish of each species from Canyon Lake.
| Species | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue catfish | 42.5 | 43 | 2024-06-24 |
| Striped bass | 41.2 | 44.5 | 2023-03-23 |
| Longnose gar | 25.7 | 60.25 | 2009-09-21 |
| Flathead catfish | 23.7 | 35.5 | 2015-02-07 |
| Common carp | 15.78 | 30 | 2020-04-20 |
| Channel catfish | 15.5 | 32 | 2006-05-12 |
| Largemouth bass | 12.18 | 24.75 | 2025-03-14 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6.13 | 21 | 1982-12-02 |
| White bass | 3.31 | 18.3 | 2003-01-22 |
| Black crappie | 1.97 | 15 | 2020-02-13 |
| White crappie | 1.72 | 14.75 | 2015-02-22 |
| Bluegill sunfish | 1.4 | 11 | 2022-08-12 |
Canyon Lake records: TPWD water body records, list updated October 8, 2026. Retrieved October 2026.
Launch sites around Canyon Lake
The lake has 15 access points per TPWD, with a boat ramp at 15 and a marina at 1.
Rebecca Creek
One lane ramp; no fee; parking.
Ramp detailsPotter's Creek Park, West Ramp
Two lane ramp; no fee; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks. (830) 964-3341
Ramp detailsPotter's Creek Park, Main Ramp
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, camping. (830) 964-3341
Ramp detailsCounty Ramp 23
Three lane ramp; no fee; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks.
Ramp detailsCranes Mill Park
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, camping. (830) 964-3341
Ramp detailsCranes Mill Marina
Two lane ramp; marina; fee charged; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, camping. (830) 899-7718
Ramp detailsTom Creek 2
Two lane ramp; no fee; parking, courtesy docks.
Ramp detailsTom Creek 1
Two lane ramp; no fee; parking.
Ramp detailsComal Park 1
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas. (830) 964-3341
Ramp detailsComal Park 2
Two lane ramp; fee charged; parking, courtesy docks. (830) 964-3341
Ramp detailsCanyon Park
Three lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, camping. (830) 964-3341
Ramp detailsJacob's Creek Park 1
Four lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas. (830) 226-5465
Ramp detailsJacob's Creek Park, North Ramp
Two lane ramp; no fee; restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas. (830) 964-3341
Ramp detailsTurkey Cove
One lane ramp; no fee; parking, courtesy docks.
Ramp detailsSkyline Park/Canyon Dam
Two lane ramp; no fee; parking, courtesy docks.
Ramp detailsMap: 18 TPWD access points. Ramp facts: TPWD Canyon Lake page, October 2026. Low water can close ramps.
Taking fish home from Canyon Lake
Statewide limits apply at Canyon Lake, with the common ones listed here.
| 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 Canyon Lake from the TPWD Outdoor Annual, 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027), checked October 2026.
Fish released into Canyon Lake
| Year | Species | Number | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Striped bass | 30,188 | Fingerling |
| 2024 | Striped bass | 43,150 | Fingerling |
Canyon Lake stocking: TPWD stocking by water body, retrieved October 2026.
Competitive fishing on Canyon Lake
| Date | Event | Organizer | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-07 | 2026 TBN Kayak Division Event 2 – Canyon Lake | Texas B.A.S.S. Nation | completed |
Tournament dates for Canyon Lake from each organizer, retrieved October 2026.
Shops and guides near Canyon Lake
- Reel Fly Fishing AdventuresCanyon Lake, 2 miles southeast of the lake, (830) 964-4823
- Stickman's Bait CompanyCanyon Lake, 2 miles southeast of the lake, (830) 226-7055
- Canyon Lake MarinaCanyon Lake, 3 miles northwest of the lake, (830) 255-7442
- Jensen Fishing TackleCanyon Lake, 3 miles north of the lake, (830) 935-2552
- Cranes Mill MarinaCanyon Lake, 6 miles west of the lake, (830) 299-7220
- Canyon Bait HouseCanyon Lake, 6 miles west of the lake, (830) 899-9747
- Academy Sports + Outdoors New BraunfelsNew Braunfels, 13 miles southeast of the lake, (830) 475-3140
- Bait to GoNew Braunfels, 14 miles southeast of the lake, (830) 708-0524
- Fitness to Go!Freshwater guide, (210) 325-4138
Shop and guide sources for Canyon Lake: OpenStreetMap, store locators and guide websites (October 2026).
Nearby lakes and towns for Canyon Lake
Lake Dunlap
17 miles southeast, 410 acres
Lake Placid
25 miles southeast, 198 acres
Lake Austin
38 miles northeast, 1,599 acres
Lady Bird (formerly Town Lake)
39 miles northeast, 468 acres
- Canyon LakeComal County, 4 miles west
- WimberleyHays County, 10 miles northeast
- GrueneComal County, 11 miles southeast
- New BraunfelsComal County, 13 miles southeast
- Comal CountyFishing access across the county
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Frequently asked about Canyon Lake
What size reservoir is Canyon Lake?
Per TPWD, Canyon Lake spans 8,308 surface acres and is 125 feet deep at its deepest point.
How old is Canyon Lake?
The reservoir dates to 1964 on Guadalupe River.
What is the Canyon Lake record largemouth bass?
The lake record largemouth bass weighed 12.18 pounds and measured 24.75 inches, caught 2025-03-14, per TPWD water body records.
Which other species records come from Canyon Lake?
Blue catfish 42.5 lb; Striped bass 41.2 lb; Longnose gar 25.7 lb.
What should I fish for at Canyon Lake?
Survey ratings: largemouth bass good; smallmouth bass fair; catfish excellent; crappie poor; white & striped bass excellent; sunfish good.
What boat ramps does Canyon Lake have?
TPWD counts 15 boat ramps at Canyon Lake, and 8 of them charge no fee.
Where are the marinas on Canyon Lake?
TPWD lists 1 marina at Canyon Lake, namely Cranes Mill Marina.
How do I know the stage at Canyon Lake?
Look at the water level section of this page, which pulls the Canyon Lake reading from TWDB every hour.
What are the fishing limits at Canyon Lake?
No special rules apply at Canyon Lake, where the statewide largemouth limit is 5 fish with a 14 inch minimum.
Does TPWD stock Canyon Lake?
In 2026 TPWD put 30,188 fingerling striped bass into the lake, and 2 stocking events are on record since 2024.
What tournaments run on Canyon Lake?
Most recent: 2026 TBN Kayak Division Event 2 – Canyon Lake on 2026-03-07, run by Texas B.A.S.S. Nation.
Where can I stay near Canyon Lake?
Canyon Lake is 4 miles west of the lake center, in Comal County.
More water near Canyon Lake
Pick a ramp above once you know the current level.