Falcon International Reservoir Fishing
TPWD ratings, ramp list, lake records and live water data on 83,654 acres in Zapata County and Starr County.
- 83,654acres
- 110 ftmax depth
- 2boat ramps
- 15.63 lbrecord bass
Area photo shown for Falcon International Reservoir: Karen Fasimpaur, Public domain
The basics of Falcon International Reservoir
Impounded in 1954, Falcon International Reservoir spreads across 83,654 surface acres, 110 feet deep at the dam and sits in Zapata County and Starr County, part of the South Texas Plains region. You will find it mainstream reservoir on the Rio Grande River, located 40 miles east of Laredo on Highway 83 in Zapata and Starr counties.
TPWD biologists rate largemouth bass and catfish as excellent here.
The heaviest largemouth on the lake record list weighed 15.63 pounds in 2011.
TPWD calls normal clarity turbid (upper) to stained (lower); aquatic plants include sparse hydrilla; the fluctuation note from TPWD reads severe, 40 to 50 feet or more.
Controlling authority: International Boundary & Water Commission 1-800-262-8857. Falcon International Reservoir facts from the TPWD lake page, checked October 2026.
Water level at Falcon International Reservoir today
Falcon International Reservoir level from the Texas Water Development Board, compared with 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.
The catch at Falcon International Reservoir
TPWD scores each species at Falcon International Reservoir on a four point scale.
Scale used for Falcon International Reservoir: excellent 4, good 3, fair 2, poor 1.
Predominant species: Largemouth bass, Channel catfish.
Record catches from Falcon International Reservoir
The heaviest certified fish of each species from Falcon International Reservoir.
| Species | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alligator gar | 90.2 | 69.69 | 2026-06-07 |
| Blue catfish | 75.8 | 48.75 | 2026-01-03 |
| Flathead catfish | 29.9 | 37 | 2002-09-23 |
| Largemouth bass | 15.63 | 28 | 2011-01-07 |
| Hybrid tilapia | 5.52 | 19 | 2021-06-02 |
| Blue tilapia | 4.85 | 2021-03-27 | |
| Black crappie | 2.44 | 16 | 2015-01-03 |
| Bluegill sunfish | 1.07 | 11.25 | 2012-06-05 |
| White bass | 1.05 | 13.75 | 2025-08-01 |
| Channel catfish | 0.7 | 13.25 | 2025-08-01 |
| Other hybrid sunfish | 0.65 | 9.25 | 2019-07-15 |
| Rio grande cichlid | 0.56 | 8.75 | 2019-07-15 |
Falcon International Reservoir records: TPWD water body records, list updated October 8, 2026. Retrieved October 2026.
Launch sites around Falcon International Reservoir
The lake has 2 access points per TPWD, with a boat ramp at 2 and a marina at 0.
Arroyo Veleno Ramp
Boat ramp; no fee; parking.
Ramp detailsFalcon State Park
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks. (956) 848-5327
Ramp detailsTPWD access layer (9 points) and the TPWD Falcon International Reservoir ramp list, checked October 2026.
Limits that differ from statewide rules at Falcon International Reservoir
These exceptions replace the statewide limit for the listed species on this lake only.
| Species | Rule at Falcon International Reservoir |
|---|---|
| Gar | For alligator gar, daily bag limit = 5 fish and possession limit = 10. No bag or possession limits on other species of gar. Mandatory harvest reporting of alligator gar harvested is not required for Falcon. Certain areas may be temporarily closed to alligator gar fishing when optimum spawning conditions occur. Get details . |
Limits for Falcon International Reservoir from the TPWD Outdoor Annual, 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027), checked October 2026.
Fish released into Falcon International Reservoir
| Year | Species | Number | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lone star bass | 440,487 | Fingerling |
| 2025 | Lone star bass | 272,661 | Fingerling |
Falcon International Reservoir stocking: TPWD stocking by water body, retrieved October 2026.
Shops and guides near Falcon International Reservoir
- Falcon Lake TackleZapata, 22 miles north of the lake, (956) 765-4866
- Jobaby LuresZapata, 23 miles north of the lake, (361) 816-1316
- Falcon Lake Amigo Guide ServiceFreshwater guide, (210) 771-6514
- Broken Braid Guide ServiceFreshwater guide, (361) 562-4834
Listings near Falcon International Reservoir come from OpenStreetMap and company store pages, October 2026. Names open Google Maps.
Nearby lakes and towns for Falcon International Reservoir
Lake Casa Blanca
70 miles north, 1,680 acres
Lake Findley (Alice City Lake)
109 miles northeast, 247 acres
Lake Corpus Christi
130 miles northeast, 18,256 acres
Choke Canyon Reservoir
144 miles northeast, 25,670 acres
- Falcon HeightsStarr County, 2 miles east
- RomaStarr County, 14 miles southeast
- Rio Grande CityStarr County, 24 miles southeast
- ZapataZapata County, 25 miles north
- Zapata CountyFishing access across the county
- Starr CountyFishing access across the county
Frequently asked about Falcon International Reservoir
What size reservoir is Falcon International Reservoir?
Falcon International Reservoir covers 83,654 surface acres and is 110 feet deep at its deepest point, according to TPWD.
How old is Falcon International Reservoir?
The dam closed and the lake began filling in 1954 on Rio Grande River.
What is the Falcon International Reservoir record largemouth bass?
A 15.63 pound largemouth and measured 28 inches, caught 2011-01-07 holds the record, according to TPWD.
Which other species records come from Falcon International Reservoir?
Alligator gar 90.2 lb; Blue catfish 75.8 lb; Flathead catfish 29.9 lb.
What should I fish for at Falcon International Reservoir?
TPWD surveys give largemouth bass excellent; catfish excellent; crappie poor; white bass poor.
What boat ramps does Falcon International Reservoir have?
TPWD shows 2 boat ramps on Falcon International Reservoir, and 1 of them charge no fee.
How do I know the stage at Falcon International Reservoir?
Look at the water level section of this page, which pulls the Falcon International Reservoir reading from TWDB every hour.
Does Falcon International Reservoir have its own bag limits?
Lake specific TPWD rules cover Gar; see the 2026-27 limits table on this page.
Does TPWD stock Falcon International Reservoir?
TPWD released 440,487 fingerling lone star bass in 2026, and 2 stocking events are on record since 2025.
Where can I stay near Falcon International Reservoir?
Falcon Heights, roughly 2 miles east of the lake center, in Starr County.
Where do I get tackle near Falcon International Reservoir?
Look at Falcon Lake Tackle in Zapata, some 22 miles from Falcon International Reservoir, one of 2 shops listed above.
Is there a state park by Falcon International Reservoir?
TPWD points to Falcon State Park.
More water near Falcon International Reservoir
Pick a ramp above once you know the current level.