Lake Conroe Boating Guide: Ramps, Marinas, Level and Rules
Lake Conroe boating guide: 14 public ramps, marinas in Montgomery and Willis, the 201-ft pool, today's level, SJRA high-water closures and Texas boating rules.
Lake Conroe is a large pine-ringed reservoir on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River north of Houston, run by the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA), with 14 public ramps and launches in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) inventory. On October 17, 2026 it stood at 199.7 feet, 93.8% full, about 1.3 feet under its 201-foot full pool (Marinalo data, October 2026, measurement date Oct. 17, 2026). Its level stays within a narrow band, so low water is rarely the problem here.
This guide covers the lake's size and history, the ramps, marinas in the lakeside cities of Conroe, Montgomery and Willis, what the current level means, high-water closures, and the rules every Texas boater follows.
Lake Conroe at a glance
| Item | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Location | West Fork of the San Jacinto River, in Montgomery and Walker counties (TPWD) |
| Controlling authority | San Jacinto River Authority (TPWD); SJRA maintains the lake and dam (TWDB) |
| Built | Completed January 1973 and filled October 31, 1973 (TWDB); built as an alternate water supply for the city of Houston |
| Surface area | About 19,640 acres at conservation pool, per the TWDB 2010 survey (TPWD lists 20,118 acres) |
| Conservation pool | 201 feet above sea level |
| Typical fluctuation | 1 to 3 feet (TPWD) |
| Water clarity | Slight to moderate algal staining (TPWD) |
| Public ramps (TPWD inventory) | 14, via Marinalo |
Conroe is a water-supply lake, so unlike flood-control lakes in North Texas it is held close to one level. That is good news for ramp users. For a comparison with a lake that moves more, see our Lake Livingston guide.
Public boat ramps
Marinalo lists 14 public ramps and launches from the TPWD inventory. Nine are named only "Lake Conroe Boat Ramp", one is Palms Marina Boat Ramp, and four are Sam Houston National Forest Boat Ramp entries. Because so many share a name, use the map on the Lake Conroe boat ramps page to tell them apart. The inventory has no trailer-space counts, fees or hours for this lake, so we give none. Call the operator first; for statewide options, browse all Texas boat ramps.
If you tow, practice before launch day. Our guide to backing up a boat trailer helps on a crowded weekend ramp.
Current level and what low water means
At 199.7 feet, Conroe is within the 1-to-3-foot range TPWD lists as typical, so ramps should reach the water. We found no published minimum usable level for Lake Conroe ramps, unlike the LCRA lakes, and SJRA's Lake Conroe page does not list ramps. Treat any ramp as a question for its operator.
- Check the live level with SJRA before you go.
- Expect only small changes. A drop of 1 to 3 feet can still expose stumps and shallow flats in coves.
- Docks and boat lifts line much of the lower shore, which TPWD notes dominates the shoreline; give them room.
High water is the bigger issue. In past events SJRA and the Montgomery County Constable have closed the lake after heavy rain, citing a lake that had risen to 203 feet against a 201-foot normal pool, and boat ramps were blocked off during the closure (SJRA news release). Floating debris and submerged objects were the stated reason, so after a storm, wait for the all-clear.
Marinas and fuel
Marinalo has no page for the lake itself, so we list marinas in the lakeside cities rather than say exactly which sit on Conroe. Palms Marina does appear in both Marinalo's Lake Conroe ramp list and its Willis listing.
- Marinas in Montgomery: 9 marinas, including April Plaza Marina & Boat Rentals, Bentwater Marina, Conroe Yacht Club, Pier 105 Marina (marked with a fuel dock) and Waterpoint Marina.
- Marinas in Willis: 6 marinas, including Palms Marina, Seven Coves Marina and Stow-A-Way Marina and RV Park.
- Marinas in Conroe: 1 marina, Lakeview Marina.
None of these listings has an official slip rate on file; they show "rates on request". Across the three pages Marinalo marks one fuel dock, so check the Texas fuel docks map and phone ahead. For what slips cost around the state, see our Texas boat slip prices article or the 40-foot slip price page.
Planning a day on the water
Start with the level and the forecast, then pick a ramp on the map and call its operator to confirm that it is open and what it charges. Fuel is the next question: with one fuel dock marked across the three nearby city pages, decide where you will fill up before you trailer the boat to the lake. If you are new to a big lake, keep the first trip to daylight and the main body of water, learn where the docks and shallow coves are, and keep your distance from other boats and shoreline docks. Weekend traffic builds, and wake from large boats adds up on a lake lined with docks. A lookout who watches for other boats and for floating debris, particularly after rain, is worth more than any piece of gear.
Fishing and weeds
TPWD calls Conroe a very good bass lake and records a lake-record largemouth of 15.93 pounds caught in 2009. It also notes hydrilla has been a problem in the past but is not currently present in large quantities. If you launch with plants on the trailer, remove them: leaving harmful aquatic plants on a boat or trailer is unlawful in Texas.
Rules on Lake Conroe
SJRA runs the lake, so check its current notices for lake-specific rules. TPWD rules that apply on every public lake:
- Clean, drain, dry: boaters must drain all water from the boat and gear before approaching or leaving a public fresh water body. Violations are generally a Class C misdemeanor. TPWD's Lake Conroe page did not carry a zebra mussel advisory when we checked, but the drain law is statewide and applies at every public lake.
- Boater education: required for anyone born on or after September 1, 1993 to run a motor over 15 horsepower or a windblown vessel over 14 feet.
- Wake and speed: it is unlawful to cause a hazardous wake or run faster than headway speed in a designated no-wake area. See our no-wake zones guide.
- Night skiing: skiing and similar activity is not allowed from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.
- Alcohol: operating while intoxicated (0.08 or loss of faculties) is an offense on the water.
Safety
Wear a life jacket that fits; see Coast Guard approved life jackets. If you pull a tube, read boat tubing safety. Weekends bring heavy traffic and wake, so keep a lookout and check wind strength on the Beaufort scale before you go. Fill the tank first, because fuel is scarce in the data.
FAQ
Who operates Lake Conroe?
The San Jacinto River Authority, according to TPWD; TWDB says SJRA maintains the lake and dam.
How full is Lake Conroe right now?
On October 17, 2026 it was 93.8% full at 199.7 feet (Marinalo data, October 2026).
How many public boat ramps does Lake Conroe have?
Fourteen in the TPWD public boat ramp inventory, which Marinalo maps.
Does the lake level change much?
TPWD lists a typical fluctuation of 1 to 3 feet, small for a Texas reservoir.
Does SJRA ever close the lake?
Yes. In past high-water events SJRA and local authorities closed the lake and its ramps after heavy rain.
Do I need to drain my boat?
Yes. Texas requires draining all water from the boat and gear before approaching or leaving public fresh water.
Sources
- Texas Water Development Board: Lake Conroe
- TPWD: Lake Conroe
- San Jacinto River Authority: Lake Conroe
- SJRA news release: Lake Conroe temporarily closed due to high levels, submerged objects and floating debris
- TPWD: Clean, drain, dry your boat
- TPWD: Mandatory boater education
- TPWD: Operation of your boat
- Marinalo: Lake Conroe boat ramps (TPWD inventory, TWDB level), October 2026