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180+ Texas Lakes • 7 Regions

Sam Rayburn Lake

Pineywoods Region · 31.0608°N, 94.1060°W

Weather and solunar ratings are forecasts, not catch reports. Check the dates below for the latest available observations and forecasts.

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Fishing Forecast
Good— Favorable conditions
92°F/70°F·9 mph E·Partly Cloudy

Weather-based estimate, not a catch report. Forecast updated Oct 6, 2026, 3:31 AM CDT. This forecast is over 48 hours old; check the latest weather before travel. All forecast dates and fishing times use Central Time (America/Chicago).

4 reported closures

Ramp locations checked Oct 3, 2026, 7:00 PM CDT. Confirm access with the facility; missing closure reports do not confirm a ramp is open.

View reported facility closures

EBENEZER: Partially closed

Equestrian Site 1 & 7 closed due to pending horse corral repairs. The swim beach is closed due to high water and flood damage.

Source update: 2/26/2025 7:41:49 AM

HANKS CREEK: Partially closed

Campground partially closed due to flooding and damage and debris from Hurricane Beryl, please check Recreation One Stop (R1S) at https://www.recreation.gov/ to review individual parks and current closures. Day Use Boat Ramp & Campground Boat Ramp - closed due to high lake elevation. Aluminum gangways removed from Day Use and Campground boat ramps. Swim beach closed at Day Use Area - beach is covered by water and starting to go into the parking lot. Several trees have fallen throughout the day use and campground recreational areas of the park and caused damage and heavy amounts of debris.

Source update: 2/26/2025 7:39:09 AM

MILL CREEK: Partially closed

Swim Beach is closed due to impacts from flooding. The beach parking is submerged under water. The Boat Ramp is open. Sites 56-63 & 87 are closed to new reservations. Campsites are closed due to flooding impacts and debris, please check Recreation One Stop (R1S) at https://www.recreation.gov/ to review individual parks and current closures.

Source update: 2/26/2025 7:47:10 AM

SAN AUGUSTINE: Partially closed

The boat ramp is open. Swim Beach is closed due to flooding. Sites 1-28 are closed to new reservations. Please check Recreation One Stop (R1S) at https://www.recreation.gov/ to review individual parks and current closures.

Source update: 2/26/2025 7:52:11 AM

Best Times to Fish

Solunar estimates for Thursday, Oct 8, 2026 · Central Time

Solunar Rating
12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
Major
Minor
Sun
10:37 AM – 12:37 PM
Moon Overhead
Major
10:49 PM – 12:49 AM
Moon Underfoot
Major
04:48 AM – 05:48 AM
Moonrise
Minor
05:21 PM – 06:21 PM
Moonset
Minor
Pressure
1014
hPa · Stable
Wind
9
mph E
Clouds
10%
Limited cloud cover
Humidity
55%
UV 6 · High
7:14 AM
Sunrise
6:52 PM
Sunset
05:18 AM
Moonrise
05:51 PM
Moonset
Waning Crescent
12% lit

Latest Observed Water Level

Record date: . This is a reported observation, not a forecast for a future trip. The record date may be a collection date; individual readings can have different observation times.

TWDB
63.7%-0.04 ft
Elevation: 153.9 ft
Outflow
0 CFS
Inflow
52 CFS
Conservation Pool
164.4 ft
Flood Pool
173.0 ft

Sam Rayburn Lake Fishing Forecast by Date

Weather and solunar estimates for the available dates below. Temperatures in °F, wind in mph; all times are Central Time. Forecasts can change.

Partly Cloudy. High 92°F, low 70°F. Wind 9 mph E. Rain 0 in.

Forecast updated Oct 6, 2026, 3:31 AM CDT. Forecast over 48 hours old.

Fishing times and weather details
Pressure
1014 hPa · stable
Sunrise / sunset
7:14 AM / 6:52 PM Central
Major solunar periods
10:37 AM – 12:37 PM; 10:49 PM – 12:49 AM
Minor solunar periods
04:48 AM – 05:48 AM; 05:21 PM – 06:21 PM
Moon
Waning Crescent · 12% illuminated
Clouds / humidity
10% / 55%

Overcast. High 92°F, low 67°F. Wind 9 mph E. Rain 0 in.

Forecast updated Oct 6, 2026, 3:31 AM CDT. Forecast over 48 hours old.

Fishing times and weather details
Pressure
1016 hPa · stable
Sunrise / sunset
7:15 AM / 6:51 PM Central
Major solunar periods
11:21 AM – 01:21 PM; 11:33 PM – 01:33 AM
Minor solunar periods
05:50 AM – 06:50 AM; 05:49 PM – 06:49 PM
Moon
Waning Crescent · 6% illuminated
Clouds / humidity
51% / 56%

Drizzle. High 75°F, low 66°F. Wind 9 mph ENE. Rain 0.09 in.

Forecast updated Oct 6, 2026, 3:31 AM CDT. Forecast over 48 hours old.

Fishing times and weather details
Pressure
1014 hPa · stable
Sunrise / sunset
7:15 AM / 6:50 PM Central
Major solunar periods
12:06 PM – 02:06 PM; 11:54 PM – 01:54 AM
Minor solunar periods
06:51 AM – 07:51 AM; 06:19 PM – 07:19 PM
Moon
Waning Crescent · 2% illuminated
Clouds / humidity
91% / 78%

Fish Species at Sam Rayburn Lake

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Excellent
Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish

Excellent
White Crappie

White Crappie

Excellent
White Bass

White Bass

Fair
Sunfish

Sunfish

Good
Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish

Bluegill

Bluegill

Species data sourced from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

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Sam Rayburn Lake Fishing Guide

Angling Opportunities

The most popular game fish at Sam Rayburn Reservoir is the largemouth bass; an excellent year-round fishery exists. Excellent year-round crappie and catfish fisheries are also present. White bass numbers are limited, but provide good fishing opportunities during the spring. Bluegill and redear sunfish are present in high numbers and provide good fishing, especially for youth or inexperienced anglers.

Cover & Structure

Habitat in Sam Rayburn Reservoir consists of submerged aquatic vegetation, standing timber, and flooded terrestrial vegetation. Hydrilla is the predominant plant species, although many native plants such as coontail and pondweed are also present. In the lower part of the reservoir the water is relatively clear; game fish are typically found around vegetation edges, flats, humps, and creek channels.

Tips & Tactics

fishermen are successful at catching largemouth bass year round at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. During the fall, winter and spring months, fish are active for longer periods of the day and are typically found in shallow water. A variety of baits and techniques will work during these times, but crankbaits and spinnerbaits are usually the preferred choices. During the hot summer, the bite usually slows and fish activity is usually concentrated during early morning, late evening, and at night. Topwater baits are good choices during low light conditions.

Fishing Regulations

Sam Rayburn Lake has special regulations on some fishes. Check current TPWD regulations before your trip.

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Water Level History

DateElevation24hr Change% FullInflowOutflow
Oct 8Source: TWDB153.86 ft-0.0463.7%520
Oct 7Source: TWDB153.90 ft-0.0363.8%-870
Oct 6Source: TWDB153.94 ft-0.0463.9%8040
Data sources for displayed records: TWDB

More Lakes in Pineywoods

Map & Directions

Lake Information

Region: Pineywoods

Coordinates:

31.060751, -94.106026

Click coordinates to view on Google Maps

USGS Site: 08039300

Data sources and access · Lake conditions as JSON

Data Sources

Fishing Reports
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Lake Details
TPWD Inland Fisheries
Water Levels
TWDB, USACE & USGS where available
Weather
Open-Meteo
Maps
Mapbox