Lake Houston Fishing
Where to launch, what TPWD rates as the best fishing, the lake records and today's level on 11,854 acres in Harris County.
- 11,854acres
- 45 ftmax depth
- 4boat ramps
- 10.47 lbrecord bass
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Key points for Lake Houston
Since 1954, Lake Houston has held 11,854 surface acres of water with a maximum depth of 45 feet in Harris County, within the TPWD Gulf Coast region. TPWD places it west Fork of San Jacinto River, 15 miles northeast of Houston in Harris County, Texas.
The fish to target, going by TPWD ratings, are catfish and white bass.
Its biggest recorded largemouth bass came in at 10.47 pounds (1996).
Water clarity is usually moderately turbid; TPWD notes various flooded terrestrial and native emergent plants along with exotic species water hyacinth, alligatorweed, and water lettuce in the lake; water level fluctuation is described as low.
Controlling authority: Coastal Water Authority (713) 658-9020. Lake Houston facts from the TPWD lake page, checked October 2026.
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Current Lake Houston reading from TWDB, where a minus sign means below 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.
What bites at Lake Houston
How TPWD fisheries surveys rate Lake Houston for each species.
Scale used for Lake Houston: excellent 4, good 3, fair 2, poor 1.
Species you are most likely to catch: Largemouth bass, White bass, White crappie, Blue catfish, Bluegill.
Lake Houston record book
Record fish from Lake Houston, heaviest first.
| Species | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue catfish | 65.3 | 47 | 2013-01-25 |
| Flathead catfish | 58.2 | 47 | 2017-11-25 |
| Common carp | 40.19 | 40 | 2009-06-08 |
| Grass carp | 13.79 | 29.5 | 2012-07-11 |
| Freshwater drum | 11.4 | 26.5 | 2024-05-27 |
| Largemouth bass | 10.47 | 24 | 1996-03-15 |
| Bowfin | 9.71 | 27.95 | 1992-06-07 |
| Hybrid striped bass | 9.2 | 25.5 | 2010-04-19 |
| Channel catfish | 8.25 | 27 | 2016-03-19 |
| Blue tilapia | 7.75 | 21.5 | 2010-01-31 |
| Striped bass | 5.8 | 23.5 | 2000-01-22 |
| White bass | 3.82 | 17.5 | 2026-01-30 |
Lake Houston records: TPWD water body records, list updated October 8, 2026. Retrieved October 2026.
Putting a boat in at Lake Houston
TPWD lists 4 access points on this lake, 4 with a boat ramp and 3 with a marina.
BJ's Marina
One lane ramp; marina; fee charged; restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, picnic areas. (281) 324-9199
Ramp detailsPonderosa Marina
One lane ramp; marina; fee charged; parking.
Ramp detailsLake Houston Marina
Two lane ramp; marina; fee charged; restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, ADA Accessible, parking. (281) 324-1264
Ramp detailsDuessen Park
8 lane ramp; no fee; restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks. (713) 440-1587
Ramp detailsMap: 3 TPWD access points. Ramp facts: TPWD Lake Houston page, October 2026. Low water can close ramps.
The rules on Lake Houston
With no exceptions on file, Lake Houston 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 Lake Houston from the TPWD Outdoor Annual, 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027), checked October 2026.
Hatchery fish released in Lake Houston
| Year | Species | Number | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lone star bass | 75,259 | Fingerling |
| 2025 | Lone star bass | 79,202 | Fingerling |
| 2024 | Lone star bass | 75,552 | Fingerling |
Lake Houston stocking: TPWD stocking by water body, retrieved October 2026.
Where to get bait near Lake Houston
- Good Times MarinaHouston, 3 miles southeast of the lake, (281) 456-7411
- Jen & Davids Bait ShopHouston, 5 miles southwest of the lake, (281) 741-0850
- Lake Houston Marina & BoatHuffman, 7 miles north of the lake, (281) 324-1264
- Bubbas Bait ShopHighlands, 9 miles southeast of the lake, (832) 838-8339
- Riverside Inn Marina & RestaurantChannelview, 9 miles south of the lake, (281) 452-0609
- Bj's MarinaHuffman, 10 miles north of the lake, (281) 324-9199
- O T's Bait & TackleHumble, 10 miles west of the lake, (281) 441-2592
- Academy Sports + Outdoors HoustonHouston, 11 miles west of the lake, (713) 445-4400
Shop and guide sources for Lake Houston: OpenStreetMap, store locators and guide websites (October 2026).
Lakes and towns near Lake Houston
Sheldon Lake
5 miles southwest, 1,230 acres
Lake Conroe
40 miles northwest, 20,118 acres
Lake Livingston
49 miles north, 90,000 acres
Lake Raven
53 miles northwest, 204 acres
- AtascocitaHarris County, 5 miles northwest
- ChannelviewHarris County, 9 miles south
- HumbleHarris County, 9 miles northwest
- CloverleafHarris County, 9 miles south
- Harris CountyFishing access across the county
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Fishing Lake Houston, the usual questions
How much water does Lake Houston hold?
Per TPWD, Lake Houston spans 11,854 surface acres and is 45 feet deep at its deepest point.
What year did Lake Houston fill?
The reservoir dates to 1954.
What is the biggest bass caught at Lake Houston?
The lake record largemouth bass weighed 10.47 pounds and measured 24 inches, caught 1996-03-15, per TPWD water body records.
Besides bass, what records does Lake Houston hold?
Blue catfish 65.3 lb; Flathead catfish 58.2 lb; Common carp 40.19 lb.
What are the TPWD ratings for Lake Houston?
Survey ratings: largemouth bass fair; catfish good; crappie fair; white bass good; sunfish fair.
Where can I put in on Lake Houston?
TPWD counts 4 boat ramps at Lake Houston, and 1 of them charge no fee.
How many marinas does Lake Houston have?
TPWD lists 3 marinas at Lake Houston, namely BJ's Marina, Ponderosa Marina and Lake Houston Marina.
Where can I see the current level of Lake Houston?
An hourly TWDB reading for Lake Houston sits on this page, measured against full pool.
What is the bag limit at Lake Houston?
At Lake Houston the statewide bag of 5 black bass applies, and largemouth must reach 14 inches.
When was Lake Houston last stocked?
In 2026 TPWD put 75,259 fingerling lone star bass into the lake, and 3 stocking events are on record since 2024.
Which community sits nearest Lake Houston?
Atascocita is 5 miles northwest of the lake center, in Harris County.
Where can I pick up live bait near Lake Houston?
Try Good Times Marina in Houston, about 3 miles from Lake Houston, one of 8 shops listed above.
Before you tow to Lake Houston
Other Texas lakes carry the same ramps, records and limits.