Possum Kingdom Lake Boating Guide: Ramps, Marinas and Water Level
Possum Kingdom Lake stood at 87.1% full on Oct. 17, 2026. See its public ramps, Graford marinas, Brazos River Authority facts, fishing and tips before you launch.
Possum Kingdom Lake is a Brazos River reservoir about 75 miles west of Fort Worth, owned and operated by the Brazos River Authority (BRA) and known for clear water and rocky cliffs. On October 17, 2026 it stood at 994.9 feet, 87.1% full, about four feet below its 999-foot full pool, and Marinalo lists 27 public ramps and launches on it (Marinalo data, October 2026).
This guide covers what the lake is, where the public ramps are, which marinas Marinalo lists near Graford, what the sources say about fishing, and how to check the level before you hitch up the trailer.
Possum Kingdom Lake at a glance
| Item | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Owner and operator | Brazos River Authority (BRA) |
| Dam | Morris Sheppard Dam; about 2,700 feet long and 190 feet high, with nine roof-weir gates (BRA) |
| Built | Construction began in 1938 and finished in 1941 (BRA); TPWD lists the lake as impounded in 1941 |
| Counties | Young, Palo Pinto, Stephens and Jack (BRA) |
| Size | BRA: 16,716 acres and 219 miles of shoreline. TPWD: 15,588 acres. The two agencies measure differently, so treat both as approximate. |
| Depth | About 100 feet at the dam site (BRA); TPWD gives a maximum depth of 145 feet and an average of 37 feet |
| Pool elevation | 999 feet above mean sea level (TPWD) |
| Water level fluctuation | "Moderately high" (TPWD) |
| Clarity | Clear (TPWD) |
| Shoreline | Mostly large to cobble-size rock; rock cliffs and bluffs on the lower end, shallower areas with shoreline vegetation on the upper end (TPWD) |
The Brazos River Authority describes Possum Kingdom as the first water-supply reservoir built in the Brazos basin. A hydroelectric plant once operated at the dam but is no longer in use. The BRA reservoir page also notes seven public boat ramps and ten public access areas, a smaller figure than the ramp inventory below because the two lists count different things.
Public boat ramps on Possum Kingdom Lake
Marinalo's Possum Kingdom Lake page lists 27 open ramps and launches from the official Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) public boat ramp inventory. That inventory is a list of access points, not a quality rating: some entries are full concrete ramps with parking, others are small or informal launches. The Marinalo page does not give trailer-space counts for this lake, so call ahead or check the entry before you tow a large boat.
One named entry is the boat launch at Possum Kingdom State Park, which TPWD describes as having a boat launch, a fishing pier and a fish cleaning station. Park entrance fees apply to the state park, so check the TPWD park page for the current fee before you go. The park store also rents boats, kayaks, paddle boats and boat slips; TPWD lists (940) 521-9128 for information.
For the whole state, see the Texas boat ramps hub.
Water level: why it matters here
TPWD classes Possum Kingdom's normal fluctuation as moderately high. The BRA operates the lake for water supply and flood control, among other uses, so the level is not fixed. On October 17, 2026 the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) reading used by Marinalo was 994.9 feet against a full pool of 999 feet. A four-foot drop sounds small, but on a rocky shoreline it changes where ramp pavement meets water and which coves are safe to enter.
- Check the live level on Marinalo's lake page, which links to the TWDB history chart.
- Look at the BRA's reservoir status and lake safety pages for notices (the BRA site links to both).
- If the level is well below pool, expect exposed rock near the shore and shallower upper-lake areas. Slow down and keep a lookout.
- Rocky shorelines and standing timber mean a prop strike is a real risk when the lake is down.
Marinas near Possum Kingdom Lake
Marinalo has a marina page for Graford, Texas, the small town on the lake. As of October 2026 it lists seven marinas:
- Juniper Ridge Marina
- Motorboat Inn Marina
- Patterson PK Marina / At the Harbor
- Possum Kingdom Docks
- The Cliffs Marina on Possum Kingdom Lake
- The Dock
- Villa Marina
None of the seven has an official published rate sheet in Marinalo's data (all show "Rates on request"), and Marinalo lists no fuel docks for Graford, so call a marina for slip prices, fuel and dry-storage options. Marinalo shows rates only from official sources, so you will not find estimates presented as fact. To compare with other Texas marinas, see the 40-foot slip price page and the Texas fuel docks list. Marinas in Mineral Wells, Graham and Possum Kingdom itself are not in the Marinalo data yet.
Fishing at Possum Kingdom
TPWD lists the main species as largemouth bass, white crappie, striped and white bass, and channel and blue catfish. Some details from TPWD's lake page:
- All species are managed under statewide regulations. Check the current TPWD rules and get a Texas fishing license if you are not fishing from shore in a state park.
- Striped bass are stocked in most years. The lake record is 34.19 pounds.
- The largemouth record is 16.02 pounds, and Florida-strain largemouths have been stocked.
- Golden alga blooms hit the reservoir in 2001, 2003 and 2010.
- Cover includes docks, standing timber, laydowns and points and drop-offs; rock shoreline is the norm.
TPWD also notes you do not need a fishing license to fish from the shore inside a state park. For general tactics on when fish bite, see the Logbook guide on the best time to fish.
Hell's Gate and the lower lake
You will see "Hell's Gate" mentioned in Possum Kingdom stories and photos. The BRA reservoir page shows a photo captioned "PK Hells Gate" but does not describe it, and we have not verified a precise location or boating rules for it, so we do not give directions here. Use a current chart, and slow down near cliffs, where wakes bounce and rock lies close to the surface.
Boating tips for Possum Kingdom
- Know the level before you go. The lake's fluctuation is moderately high, according to TPWD.
- Carry a chart or map. TPWD says a free lake map is available from the BRA project office at (940) 779-2321.
- Watch for rock and timber. The shoreline is mostly rock and many coves have standing timber or laydowns.
- Wear life jackets. See the Logbook guide to Coast Guard approved life jackets.
- Plan your tow. Read the Logbook guide to boat towing capacity before you pull a heavy rig.
If you are comparing Texas lakes, the Logbook also covers Lake LBJ and Lake Ray Hubbard, and types of boats explains which hull suits which water.
FAQ
Who owns Possum Kingdom Lake?
The Brazos River Authority owns and operates the lake and Morris Sheppard Dam, according to the BRA and the Texas Water Development Board.
How many public boat ramps are on Possum Kingdom Lake?
Marinalo lists 27 open ramps and launches from the TPWD public boat ramp inventory (October 2026). The BRA counts seven public boat ramps on its own reservoir page, so the number depends on what is counted.
What is the water level at Possum Kingdom Lake today?
On October 17, 2026 it was 994.9 feet, 87.1% full, against a full pool of 999 feet (Marinalo data, October 2026, from TWDB). Check the live page for a current reading.
Is there a state park on the lake?
Yes. Possum Kingdom State Park, run by TPWD, has a boat launch, fishing pier and fish cleaning station.
What fish are in Possum Kingdom Lake?
TPWD lists largemouth bass, white crappie, striped and white bass, and channel and blue catfish.
Are there marinas with posted slip prices?
Not in Marinalo's data. The seven Graford marinas list "rates on request," so call for pricing.
Sources
- Marinalo, Possum Kingdom Lake boat ramps and level, data as of October 17, 2026 (TPWD ramp inventory, TWDB level).
- Marinalo, Marinas in Graford, TX, October 2026.
- Brazos River Authority, Possum Kingdom Lake.
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Fishing Possum Kingdom Lake.
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Possum Kingdom State Park.
- Texas Water Development Board, Possum Kingdom Lake (Brazos River Basin).