lakes & marinas, outdoors

Lake Conroe

Lake Conroe is a 20, 118 acre lake located within Montgomery and Walker counties. Aquatic vegetation density in Lake Conroe is low.

Largemouth bass are the most popularly fished species in Lake Conroe. Catch rates are very good and the opportunity to catch a trophy bass is very high at Lake Conroe. In 1998, the biggest largemouth bass ever collected by TPWD in an electrofishing survey was taken from beneath a boat dock and weighed in at a 14.1 pounds. The standing lake record caught in 2009 by angler Ricky Bearden weighed in at a whopping 15.93 pounds.

Channel catfish are by far the most abundant sportfish in the lake, offering most any angler a good opportunity for good catches. Bluegill on Lake Conroe grow to enormous sizes. We have interviewed anglers with 12-inch bluegills in their creels. Crappie are also very popular and offer good opportunity for anglers seeking table fare. Black and white crappie made a comeback in the lake with the efforts of the Lake Conroe Restocking Association’s spring stockings of advance juvenile crappie. Good catches of crappie can be had in early spring and in the fall. The introduction of hybrid striped bass in 1995 has added another dimension to the sport fishery, offering open-water opportunities for anglers who enjoy going after these hefty fighters.

Lake Conroe is dominated by open water in the lower two-thirds of the reservoir, with some standing timber still present along the river channel in the upper reaches. Most of the standing timber is slightly submerged when the lake is at conservation pool, making navigation hazardous in these areas. Bulkheads with boat docks dominate the shore in the lower reservoir; the upper reservoir (the portion lying within the Sam Houston National Forest) is primarily featureless shoreline. Substrates range from sandy to silty. A few aquatic plants dot shoreline areas, primarily in areas being planted by TPWD and the US Army Corps of Engineers as part of an ongoing Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Initiative. The lake has had past heavy infestations of hydrilla, but vegetation is not currently present in quantities that would be considered a nuisance. The only fish-attracting structures in the reservoir are rip rap along bridge approaches and the dam, as well as submersed Christmas tree reefs.

Largemouth bass anglers can expect to take bass in shallow water, particularly around marinas and boat docks, in the early spring and mid- to late fall. In other seasons, bass are taken around deeper cover. Anglers are most successful with a variety of shad imitation lures or soft plastic baits. Hybrid striped bass are growing in popularity among Lake Conroe anglers and can be caught most any time of year. Most are taken by anglers trolling in open water areas or vertically jigging spoons or live shad. They are occasionally found running up the river channel during the early spring spawning run or foraging beneath schools of white bass in summer.

Channel catfish are caught year-round in good numbers. Most successful anglers use smelly baits or cut shad. Rod-and-reel anglers do just about as well as trotliners on this reservoir. Bluegills of gigantic proportions can be had by the angler who wants to be patient and target them. They can be caught along rip rap, fishing deep near the toe of the slope (sometimes 8 feet or more). Baits must reach near bottom quickly to avoid the small bait-stealers that inhabit the shallower water. Live worms or crickets are the best producers. Some good fly-rod action can also be had using sinking insect imitation flies and sinking fly line.

Most species are managed with statewide regulations. An exception is largemouth bass, which is subject to a 16-inch minimum length limit. A Triploid Grass Carp Permit is in effect on this lake. If a grass carp is caught, it must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

Public Ramos & Marinas
Stubblefield Lake
  • Located in the Sam Houston National Forest. From the Lake Conroe bridge on FM 1375 travel west approximately 4 miles, turn right on Stubblefield Lake Road, and go about 5 miles to the boat ramp.
  • Dirt ramp for small boats only
  • No fee for boat launch; day use fee for campground and picnic area
  • Open all year
  • Operated by the National Forest Service (936) 344-6205
Cagle Recreation Area
  • Located in the Sam Houston National Forest. From the Lake Conroe bridge on FM 1375 travel east approximately 1 mile and turn right at the boat ramp sign.
  • Two-lane concrete ramp, accommodates all boat types
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Operated by the National Forest Service (936) 344-6205
Stow-a-way Marina
  • From Willis, go north on IH 45 approximately 2 miles. Exit Calvary Road, turn west and travel approximately 5 miles to marina on right.
  • Three-lane concrete ramp accommodates all boat types.
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (936) 856-4531
Scott’s Ridge
  • From the FM 1097 bridge, go west approximately 1.5 miles and turn right at the boat ramp sign.
  • Two-lane concrete ramp accommodates all boat types
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Operated by the National Forest Service (936) 344-6205
Lochness Marina and RV Park
  • From Willis, take IH 45 north approximately 2 miles. Exit Calvary Road, turn west and go about 4 miles to bridge. Just past the bridge, continue following Calvary Rd. about 1 mile to marina on right.
  • One 2-lane concrete ramp will accommodate all boat types.
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (936) 890-8998, [email protected]
FM 830 Ramp
  • From Conroe, take IH 45 North and exit FM 830. Go west 5 miles to the cul de sac at the end of road.
  • Two concrete ramps accommodate all boat types.
  • No fee required
  • Open all year
  • Maintained by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.
April Plaza Marina
  • From Conroe, travel west 10.5 miles on Texas 105 to marina on right.
  • Three-lane concrete ramp accommodates all boat types.
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (936) 588-1144
Inland Marina
  • Located on Texas 105, 8.5 miles west of IH 45
  • Three-lane concrete ramp accommodates all boat types.
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated
Lakeview Marina
  • From IH 45, travel 7.5 miles west on Texas 105. Turn right on Beachwalk Blvd.
  • Two 2-lane concrete ramps accommodate all boat types.
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (936) 588-3190