Lake Characteristics
Location: On the Rio Grande, 12 miles northwest
of Del Rio in Val Verde County
Surface area:
64,900 acres
Maximum depth: 217 feet
Impounded:
1969
Water Conditions
Current
Lake Level (in meters)
Conservation Pool
Elevation: 1117 ft. msl
Fluctuation: Depends
on rainfall and downstream irrigation demands. Annual fluctuations
can be 5-10 feet. Historical fluctuations have dropped lake as
much as 50 feet below conservation pool.
Normal
Clarity: Clear to slightly stained
Reservoir Controlling Authority
International
Boundary & Water Commission
HCR #3,
Box 37
Del Rio, Texas 78840
(830)
775-2437
Aquatic Vegetation
Coverage is dependent on water level. In 1999,
a survey indicated approximately 1,000 acres of aquatic vegetation,
primarily hydrilla.
Predominant Fish Species
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Guadalupe bass
- Catfish
- White & striped bass
Lake
Maps
A free map of the Amistad National Recreation ARea
is available from the National Park Service's Amistad Visitor
Information Center.
Fishing
Regulations
On the Texas side of the lake, all species are
managed under current statewide regulations. To fish Mexican
waters, Mexico boat permits are required and everyone in the
boat must have a Mexico Fishing License whether fishing or not.
Angling
Opportunities
Largemouth bass are the most popular and most abundant
sportfish in the reservoir. Channel and blue catfish are present
in good numbers with an occasional flathead showing up. Striped
bass are popular and sought by anglers due to their strong fighting
characteristics and their potential for trophy sizes. Frequent
stockings by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department maintain
the striper population because they have not successfully reproduced
in this reservoir. White bass provide popular seasonal fishing
during spring spawning runs. Smallmouth bass are present; anglers
report better success with this species in the Devils River arm
of the lake.
Species |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
Largemouth Bass |
|
|
|
|
Smallmouth Bass |
|
|
|
|
Channel & Blue Catfish |
|
|
|
|
White & Striped Bass |
|
|
|
|
Fishing
Cover/Structure
Amistad Reservoir is dominanted by rocky structure.
The lake abounds in rock ledges, steep rocky drop offs and rocky
points and shorelines. Additional structure is provided by isolated
flooded timber. Periodically, flooded terrestrial vegetation
(brush) provides important fish habitat following water level
increases.
Tips
& Tactics
Largemouth bass anglers are most
successful during the fall, winter, and spring months. Topwater
baits, buzzbaits and spinner baits work well in the early morning
and late evening. Crankbaits can be effective along rocky shorelines,
points and dropoffs. At midday many anglers turn to plastics
such as Texas and Carolina rigged worms or grubs to effectively
fish the deeper waters near vegetation or rocky structure. Catfish
anglers can find channel and blue catfish throughout the lake.
Stinkbait and cutbait work well for both species. Many anglers
try to improve catch rates by "baiting" catfish holes
with sour grain to attract the catfish. The best action for white
bass is during the spring spawning runs. These occur
from late January through March as whites migrate up rivers to
spawn. Effective baits include rattle traps, jigging spoons and
live bait such as minnows.