Sam Rayburn Reservoir is at its lowest level in at least 10 years

How unusual this is

Each point on the chart is one day's gauge reading, and the dashed line is the normal level for this time of year.

The lowest water since at least 2016.

The full range in our records runs from 152.6 to 175.2 ft.

Sustained drought and steady releases downstream are what take a reservoir to a record low; a wet winter can bring it back several feet in weeks.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir spreads over about 114,000 acres and roughly 560 miles of shoreline at full pool. At its deepest the lake reaches around 80 ft. Anglers come to Sam Rayburn Reservoir for largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. On a lake with that much shoreline, a few feet of water changes the shape of every cove and point.

Fishing a lake this low

Very low water squeezes the whole lake into less room: fish that spread over flats in a normal year stack on the few points, channel bends and deep holes left, which makes them easier to find and quicker to spook.

Treat every hump, stump field and rock pile as closer to the propeller than your memory says. Idle where you used to run, and anchor with the depth finder, not with last year's spot.

What's biting

Largemouth bass on Sam Rayburn Reservoir are a solid pick. The 60s are a sweet spot: bass are active, roam widely and will chase moving baits. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.

Next up, crappie: worth a try. In the 60s crappie spread out over brush and docks in the 8 to 15 ft range. Try docks and brush at mid depth.

Catfish here are in their comfort zone. In the 60s catfish feed more each night and roam channel edges. Evenings and nights are best.

Where to start

The marked spot on Sam Rayburn Reservoir is an upper arm that covers 24 to 28 ft. The lake narrows toward the incoming river or creek; moving water carries food. It suits largemouth bass and crappie; try spinnerbait or crankbait along the edge. The best window there is 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm. Down at that depth the water is about 69°F, against 70°F on top.

DamDeepest water N 10 miles

204060Depth, ft Free spot todayPlace to stay

See this spot in 3-D

The seasonal picture

The calendar matters as much as the thermometer. Mid-to-late fall is when southern reservoirs finally cool off. Shad push into the backs of creeks and coves, and bass, stripers and crappie follow them. On Sam Rayburn Reservoir at 66°F, largemouth bass and catfish fit that pattern best.

Making it work on the water

• Set your depth for 66°F water: The surface is 66°F (a few days ago). Start shallow at dawn, then slide deeper and toward shade as the light gets bright.
• Tie on the right bait: At this spot, try spinnerbait or crankbait along the edge. Largemouth bass: they chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
• Work the edge, not the middle: Cover water with a moving bait first, then slow down with a jig or plastic where you get a bite. Position the boat in deep water and cast up onto the shallow side, so your bait falls down the slope the way fish face.
• Use the wind, carefully: Sunday brings wind from the east with gusts near 20 mph: bait stacks up on the west side, and fish follow. Small boats should stay in sheltered water when gusts top 20 mph.

About Sam Rayburn Reservoir

With about 114,000 acres and roughly 560 miles of shoreline at full pool, Sam Rayburn Reservoir is a lot of water to cover. It runs around 80 ft at its deepest. Largemouth bass, crappie and catfish are what most anglers on Sam Rayburn Reservoir are after. Knowing which fish are comfortable at today's temperature narrows a big lake down to a few good spots.

What the next days bring

Friday has the gentlest weather: wind around 10 mph, sunny, topping out near 69°F. The wind builds to its strongest on Sunday, out of the east at 20 mph. Highs slide from about 69°F to 57°F over the stretch, so dress in layers for the early start.

The bite ratings peak on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday: 5 of the next 7 days rate good or better. On Friday the strongest window runs 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm, and on Saturday 3:45 pm to 5:45 pm. A good bite rating does not calm the water: on Sunday, fish the sheltered side and skip long open crossings.