Choke Canyon Reservoir Fishing
Access points, records, regulations and the current lake level on 25,670 acres in Live Oak County and McMullen County.
- 25,670acres
- 96 ftmax depth
- 5boat ramps
- 15.45 lbrecord bass
Representative regional photo for Choke Canyon Reservoir: Karen Fasimpaur, Public domain
Choke Canyon Reservoir in brief
TPWD puts Choke Canyon Reservoir at 25,670 acres with a maximum depth of 96 feet, impounded in 1982, in the South Texas Plains region, in Live Oak County and McMullen County. The lake is frio River watershed in Live Oak and McMullen Counties, 4 miles west of Three Rivers.
Survey crews give alligator gar, largemouth bass, blue & flathead catfish and channel catfish an excellent rating on this lake; crappie, white bass and sunfish rate good.
A 15.45 pound largemouth from 2009 still stands as the Choke Canyon Reservoir bass record.
The water normally runs clear to slightly stained; vegetation includes isolated beds of water stargrass, american pondweed, coontail, cattail, rushes, moderate densities of hydrilla and seasonally abundant water hyacinth; TPWD describes level swings as high and frequent, 10-20 feet.
Controlling authority: City of Corpus Christi (512) 880-3000. Choke Canyon Reservoir facts from the TPWD lake page, checked October 2026.
Choke Canyon Reservoir level, updated hourly
TWDB reservoir data for Choke Canyon Reservoir, refreshed each hour.
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.
USGS has no current reading for these gauges.
Fish worth chasing on Choke Canyon Reservoir
TPWD survey ratings for Choke Canyon Reservoir, species by species.
Excellent is 4 and poor is 1 on this chart.
TPWD names these as the predominant fish: Largemouth bass, White bass, Crappie, Blue, channel & flathead catfish, Bluegill & redear sunfish, Alligator gar.
Top weights at Choke Canyon Reservoir
Every species record TPWD keeps for Choke Canyon Reservoir.
| Species | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alligator gar | 216 | 96.25 | 2017-08-15 |
| Blue catfish | 50.06 | 47 | 2012-04-15 |
| Smallmouth buffalo | 49 | 35 | 2010-01-25 |
| Flathead catfish | 31.63 | 39.5 | 2013-06-23 |
| Freshwater drum | 19.62 | 31 | 2023-04-23 |
| Longnose gar | 18 | 51.5 | 2017-08-15 |
| Common carp | 16.4 | 31.5 | 2019-09-20 |
| Largemouth bass | 15.45 | 26.25 | 2009-01-21 |
| Channel catfish | 8.2 | 24 | 2002-02-01 |
| White bass | 3.69 | 19.5 | 1992-12-30 |
| Black crappie | 3.5 | 16.5 | 1989-01-15 |
| Spotted gar | 3 | 23 | 2022-04-10 |
Choke Canyon Reservoir records: TPWD water body records, list updated October 8, 2026. Retrieved October 2026.
Ramps and bank access at Choke Canyon Reservoir
This lake has 5 access points on the TPWD list, 5 of them with a boat ramp and 0 with a marina.
Highway 99 Boat Ramp
Two lane ramp; fee charged. (361) 786-3868
Ramp detailsMason Point
Two lane ramp; fee charged; parking. (361) 786-3868
Ramp detailsState Park, Calliham Unit
Six lane ramp; fee charged; cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking, picnic areas. (361) 786-3868
Ramp detailsState Park, South Shore Unit
Six lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, picnic areas. (361) 786-3538
Ramp detailsSan Miguel Boat Ramp
Two lane ramp; no fee. (361) 274-3573
Ramp detailsMap: 6 TPWD access points. Ramp facts: TPWD Choke Canyon Reservoir page, October 2026. Low water can close ramps.
Where Choke Canyon Reservoir departs from statewide limits
The rules below override statewide limits for these species here only.
| Species | Rule at Choke Canyon Reservoir |
|---|---|
| Catfish | For blue and channel catfish, minimum length = 14 inches and combined daily bag limit = 15 fish. For flathead catfish, minimum length = 18 inches and daily bag = 5. |
Limits for Choke Canyon Reservoir from the TPWD Outdoor Annual, 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027), checked October 2026.
The stocking record for Choke Canyon Reservoir
| Year | Species | Number | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Channel catfish | 8,971 | Fingerling |
| 2024 | Lone star bass | 202,212 | Fingerling |
Choke Canyon Reservoir stocking: TPWD stocking by water body, retrieved October 2026.
Tackle stores and guides for Choke Canyon Reservoir
- Buds Bait & TackleThree Rivers, 4 miles east of the lake, (361) 784-2389
Shops within 30 miles of Choke Canyon Reservoir: OpenStreetMap contributors and store lists, retrieved October 2026.
Surrounding Choke Canyon Reservoir
Lake Corpus Christi
38 miles southeast, 18,256 acres
Lake Findley (Alice City Lake)
49 miles south, 247 acres
Braunig Lake
53 miles north, 1,350 acres
Calaveras Lake
55 miles north, 3,624 acres
- Three RiversLive Oak County, 4 miles east
- MathisSan Patricio County, 37 miles southeast
- Live Oak CountyFishing access across the county
- McMullen CountyFishing access across the county
What anglers want to know about Choke Canyon Reservoir
How large a lake is Choke Canyon Reservoir?
The TPWD figure for Choke Canyon Reservoir is 25,670 surface acres and is 96 feet deep at its deepest point.
When did the dam at Choke Canyon Reservoir close?
It was impounded in 1982.
Which largemouth holds the Choke Canyon Reservoir record?
Per TPWD records, the top largemouth weighed 15.45 pounds and measured 26.25 inches, caught 2009-01-21.
What other big fish have come from Choke Canyon Reservoir?
Alligator gar 216 lb; Blue catfish 50.06 lb; Smallmouth buffalo 49 lb.
Which fish do best in Choke Canyon Reservoir?
The TPWD ratings are alligator gar excellent; largemouth bass excellent; blue & flathead catfish excellent; channel catfish excellent; crappie good; white bass good; sunfish good.
How many public launches are on Choke Canyon Reservoir?
TPWD lists 5 boat ramps on Choke Canyon Reservoir, and 1 of them charge no fee.
Is Choke Canyon Reservoir down right now?
The level box here tracks Choke Canyon Reservoir against full pool, updated by TWDB each hour.
Does TPWD set exceptions for Choke Canyon Reservoir?
Yes, for Catfish, with the details in the 2026-27 table on this page.
Has Choke Canyon Reservoir been stocked recently?
TPWD stocked 8,971 fingerling channel catfish in 2026, and 2 stocking events are on record since 2024.
What town serves Choke Canyon Reservoir?
That is Three Rivers, some 4 miles east of the middle of the lake, in Live Oak County.
What shop sells bait near Choke Canyon Reservoir?
Buds Bait & Tackle, in Three Rivers, sits about 4 miles from Choke Canyon Reservoir.
Can I camp at a state park on Choke Canyon Reservoir?
Nearby, TPWD lists Choke Canyon State Park.
Next steps for Choke Canyon Reservoir
Check the level, then pick a ramp from the list above.