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Fishing in Amistad National Recreation Area

Lakes
2
Rivers
13
Access
3
Boat Ramps
17
Shops
0
Species
15

Amistad Reservoir sits on the Rio Grande about 12 miles northwest of Del Rio, where the Devils River and Pecos River feed into it from the north.

The dam, completed in 1969, created a reservoir that stretches 64,900 surface acres at full pool, with 540 miles of Texas shoreline and a maximum depth of 217 feet. The National Park Service manages the U. S.

side, and the water straddles the international border with Mexico. Before anything else: check the lake level before you trailer a boat out here.

Full pool sits at 1,117 feet above sea level, and Amistad has been well below that for years — a record low of 1,047. 15 feet was set in July 2024, leaving many ramps closed and the reservoir at roughly a quarter of capacity. The fish are still there.

Getting a boat on the water is the variable. When you can launch, this is a rock fishery. Steep ledges, hard drop-offs, rocky points, and submerged structure define the lake.

Aquatic vegetation — primarily hydrilla — is present but limited, covering a fraction of what it did in earlier surveys. Largemouth bass are the most abundant target species, with Florida-strain stocking supporting the population.

Striped bass, white bass, and channel and blue catfish round out what draws anglers here. The water runs clear to slightly stained, which rewards finesse presentations and rewards anglers who can read rock structure.

The park extends up three arms beyond the main reservoir body: 81 miles up the Rio Grande, 25 miles up the Devils River, and 14 miles up the Pecos River. Shore fishing is permitted anywhere outside harbors and designated swim areas.

A courtesy fishing dock at Rough Canyon is accessible by boat only. On the regulatory side: Texas fishing license requirements apply on the U. S. side of the reservoir.

The international border runs along the main channel of the Rio Grande, marked by numbered buoys from RG1 to RG28.

Zebra and quagga mussels have been confirmed in the reservoir — cleaning, draining, and drying your boat and gear before leaving is required by law, not just courtesy.

Water levels here can swing 5 to 10 feet in a normal year and have historically dropped 50 feet below conservation pool. That fluctuation shapes everything — which ramps are open, where the structure is, how the fish are positioned.

Checking current conditions with Texas Parks and Wildlife or the park before you go isn't optional; it's the trip.

Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Amistad National Recreation Area and check the forecast before you go.

No forecast data available.

Park alerts & road status

Closures and conditions Amistad National Recreation Area has posted, from the National Park Service.

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Hours & fees

When Amistad National Recreation Area is open and what it costs to get in, from the National Park Service.

Plan your visit on nps.gov

Hours

Open 24 hours

Amistad National Recreation Area is open throughout the year. However, some areas may experience temporary closures because of low water levels. Please see our Operation Hours and Seasons and Current Conditions pages for more specific details.

Entrance fees

No entrance fee is listed for this park.

Parking & getting around

Where to leave the car in Amistad National Recreation Area. Lots fill early on busy days, so plan where you will park before you head for the water.

  • Black Brush Point Parking

    Paved parking lot with 24 standard parking spaces and two suitable for large vehicles or vehicles towing trailers. Adjacent to 5 picnic tables shaded by tin-roofed ramadas. Has both a high-water level and a low-water level ramp; however, location may be closed when lake level is less than 1083 feet above mean sea level (amsl).

  • Diablo East Main Parking

    Paved parking lot will accommodate 14 standard vehicles and 46 oversized vehicles / those towing trailers. There are 2 designated disabled parking spaces that will accommodate vans. It is immediately adjacent to Ranger Station, several steel-roofed ramadas shading picnic tables, and accessible restrooms. It is near hiking trails and boat ramps, and an RV dump station (can be used with proof of in-park camping) and fish cleaning station are en route to this area. It is the most popular location for boating a

  • Diablo East Marina Parking

    While the marina no longer exists, the expansive, paved parking lot still does and is the most popular area for fishing tournaments. It will accommodate 20 large vehicles / those towing trailers and 48 standard vehicles. Two spaces are designated disabled parking. This lot is immediately adjacent to the fish return tube and a restroom facility, and is near hiking trails, a boat ramp, and a Ranger Station. En route, are an RV dump station (can be used with proof of in-park camping) and fish cleaning station.

  • Diablo East Trailhead Parking (North Lot)

    Paved overflow parking for 44 oversized vehicles / with trailer. Located near trailheads, boat ramp, Ranger Station, and comfort station.

  • Diablo East Trailhead Parking (South Lot)

    Limited parking on gravel/dirt parking area with paved parking areas close to location.

  • Governors Landing Day Use Area Parking

    Large, paved parking lot will accommodate large vehicles and those towing trailers, as well as the standard family cars and vans.

  • Pecos Day Use Parking

    Large, paved parking lot with one designated disabled accessible parking space suitable for a van, 8 standard vehicle spaces, and 32 pull-through spaces suitable for oversized vehicles or those towing a trailer. Multiple picnic tables shaded by large tin-roofed ramadas with grills are adjacent to the lot as is a fish cleaning station and Pecos Nature Trail. Not far from the comfort station/restrooms. Potable water available.

  • Pecos River Boat Launch Parking

    Paved parking lot will accommodate large vehicles and those towing trailers, as well as the standard family cars and vans.

  • Rough Canyon Comfort Station Parking

    Paved parking lot will accommodate large vehicles and those towing trailers, as well as the standard family cars and vans.

  • Rough Canyon Fish Cleaning Station Parking

    Paved parking lot will accommodate large vehicles and those towing trailers, as well as the standard family cars and vans.

Getting around

Amistad National Recreation Area is located on the US-Mexico border 7 miles west of the Del Rio city limit and 6 miles west of the US Highway 90 and 277 North intersection. The park is 160 miles west of San Antonio on US Highway 90 and about 230 miles east of Big Bend National Park via US Highway 90 and US Highway 385. Access to Amistad from the north or south is via US 277/377. The visitor center address is 10477 Highway 90 West, Del Rio, TX 78840.

Directions on nps.gov

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Gateway towns

Where to base yourself for fishing in Amistad National Recreation Area.

  • Del RioTX

    Main gateway with the visitor center, boat launches, fishing guides, hunting permits, and lodging for the reservoir.

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