Lake Corpus Christi Fishing
Access points, records, regulations and the current lake level on 18,256 acres in San Patricio County, Live Oak County and Jim Wells County.
- 18,256acres
- 60 ftmax depth
- 5boat ramps
- 13.5 lbrecord bass
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
Lake Corpus Christi in brief
TPWD puts Lake Corpus Christi at 18,256 acres with a maximum depth of 60 feet, impounded in 1958, in the Gulf Coast region, in San Patricio County, Live Oak County and Jim Wells County. The lake is nueces River watershed in San Patricio, Live Oak, and Jim Wells counties, 20 miles northwest of Corpus Christi.
Survey crews give alligator gar and catfish an excellent rating on this lake; largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and sunfish rate good.
A 13.5 pound largemouth from 1989 still stands as the Lake Corpus Christi bass record.
The water normally runs stained to partly clear; vegetation includes isolated beds of cattail, rushes, water lettuce and high densities of water hyacinth; TPWD describes level swings as high and frequent, 5-10 feet.
Controlling authority: City of Corpus Christi. Lake Corpus Christi facts from the TPWD lake page, checked October 2026.
Lake Corpus Christi level, updated hourly
TWDB reservoir data for Lake Corpus Christi, 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 Lake Corpus Christi
TPWD survey ratings for Lake Corpus Christi, species by species.
Rating scale, 4 high to 1 low.
TPWD names these as the predominant fish: Largemouth bass, White bass, Crappie, Blue, channel & flathead catfish, Bluegill & redear sunfish.
Top weights at Lake Corpus Christi
Every species record TPWD keeps for Lake Corpus Christi.
| Species | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alligator gar | 108.15 | 79 | 2023-03-16 |
| Flathead catfish | 60 | 49.5 | 1978-04-09 |
| Blue catfish | 46.3 | 44.5 | 2019-09-23 |
| Grass carp | 36.6 | 42.75 | 2022-07-25 |
| Smallmouth buffalo | 24.7 | 29.25 | 2003-02-26 |
| Common carp | 22.62 | 33.5 | 2022-07-10 |
| Freshwater drum | 21.55 | 32.13 | 2021-03-25 |
| Largemouth bass | 13.5 | 25.75 | 1989-11-21 |
| Channel catfish | 2.75 | 19.25 | 2019-05-19 |
| White bass | 2.26 | 15.5 | 2014-01-19 |
| White crappie | 2.13 | 15.5 | 1990-03-18 |
| Black crappie | 2 | 14.25 | 2002-11-13 |
Lake Corpus Christi records: TPWD water body records, list updated October 8, 2026. Retrieved October 2026.
Ramps and bank access at Lake Corpus Christi
This lake has 5 access points on the TPWD list, 5 of them with a boat ramp and 0 with a marina.
Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Two lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, picnic areas. (361) 547-2635
Ramp detailsSunrise Beach
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, camping. (361) 547-3004
Ramp detailsWeber's Boat Landing
Boat ramp; fee charged. (361) 547-3622
Ramp detailsCamp Bell
One lane ramp; fee charged; restrooms, cleaning stations, parking, picnic areas, camping. (361) 547-0606
Ramp detailsMustang Hollow
Boat ramp; fee charged; restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, camping. (361) 547-5201
Ramp detailsTPWD access layer (5 points) and the TPWD Lake Corpus Christi ramp list, checked October 2026.
Fishing limits at Lake Corpus Christi
No lake specific exceptions are posted for Lake Corpus Christi, so statewide limits apply.
| 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 Lake Corpus Christi from the TPWD Outdoor Annual, 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027), checked October 2026.
The stocking record for Lake Corpus Christi
| Year | Species | Number | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Channel catfish | 242,241 | Fry |
| 2026 | Lone star bass | 100,154 | Fingerling |
| 2026 | Channel catfish | 8,725 | Fingerling |
| 2024 | Rainbow trout | 2,016 | Adult |
Lake Corpus Christi stocking: TPWD stocking by water body, retrieved October 2026.
Tackle stores and guides for Lake Corpus Christi
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, 20 miles southeast of the lake, (361) 986-7200
- Knight Fishing ServicesAlice, 23 miles southwest of the lake, (361) 668-6660
Shops within 30 miles of Lake Corpus Christi: OpenStreetMap contributors and store lists, retrieved October 2026.
Surrounding Lake Corpus Christi
Lake Findley (Alice City Lake)
21 miles southwest, 247 acres
Choke Canyon Reservoir
38 miles northwest, 25,670 acres
Coleto Creek Reservoir
63 miles northeast, 3,100 acres
Braunig Lake
88 miles north, 1,350 acres
- MathisSan Patricio County, 4 miles northeast
- AliceJim Wells County, 23 miles southwest
- PortlandSan Patricio County, 34 miles east
- Three RiversLive Oak County, 35 miles northwest
- San Patricio CountyFishing access across the county
- Live Oak CountyFishing access across the county
- Jim Wells CountyFishing access across the county
What anglers want to know about Lake Corpus Christi
How large a lake is Lake Corpus Christi?
TPWD lists Lake Corpus Christi at 18,256 surface acres and is 60 feet deep at its deepest point.
When did the dam at Lake Corpus Christi close?
Water started backing up behind the dam in 1958.
Which largemouth holds the Lake Corpus Christi record?
The TPWD record largemouth here is 13.5 pounds and measured 25.75 inches, caught 1989-11-21.
What other big fish have come from Lake Corpus Christi?
Alligator gar 108.15 lb; Flathead catfish 60 lb; Blue catfish 46.3 lb.
Which fish do best in Lake Corpus Christi?
Ratings from TPWD read alligator gar excellent; largemouth bass good; catfish excellent; crappie good; white bass good; sunfish good.
How many public launches are on Lake Corpus Christi?
You can launch from 5 boat ramps on Lake Corpus Christi.
Is Lake Corpus Christi down right now?
The level box here tracks Lake Corpus Christi against full pool, updated by TWDB each hour.
What size bass can I keep at Lake Corpus Christi?
The statewide rule holds at Lake Corpus Christi: 5 black bass daily, largemouth 14 inches minimum.
Has Lake Corpus Christi been stocked recently?
The latest TPWD stocking was 242,241 fry channel catfish in 2026, and 4 stocking events are on record since 2024.
What town serves Lake Corpus Christi?
Try Mathis, about 4 miles northeast of the lake center, in San Patricio County.
What shop sells bait near Lake Corpus Christi?
Academy Sports + Outdoors Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi is about 20 miles from Lake Corpus Christi, one of 2 shops listed above.
Can I camp at a state park on Lake Corpus Christi?
TPWD lists Lake Corpus Christi State Park.
Next steps for Lake Corpus Christi
Check the level, then pick a ramp from the list above.