Heading to Sam Rayburn at the end of the year and was wondering how low can the lake be and still use Caney Creek ramp? Seems to be hanging around 158 to 157 and sounds like they are keeping it there to work on something. What about Sam Rayburn Park ramps? Staying close to Powell Park and curious about other ramps in different places incase it gets windy. Looks like Powell park, Mill Creek, Umphreys, Jackson Hill are always good. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

"To work on something." I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard that.

Sorry just repeating what I read. We got the same thing up here on one of our lakes. Who knows why I just see it is down and has been down around 157 for a while. Do you know how low it can go before Caney Creek ramp becomes unusable?

It’s good for the foreseeable future.

I wasn't knocking you, brother!

No problem I understand your comment like I said I got a lake close that I have lived around for 40 years and it always goes up and down but last few years it is either way high or way low and we hear the same working on dam story every time it is way low . Kinda the running joke. Was curious about Caney because my first trip to Rayburn was back in the mid 90's and it was so low Caney ramp was dry. I was staying in the little gas station motel before the 147 bridge and was looking for someplace beside Jackson Hill to unload. Was a fun week but kida scary that place is huge compared to our lakes and add to that being so low I chickened out and never got to far away from the bridge area but caught a lot if fish.

Was there about 2 weeks ago and all ramps were still useable. Be careful of the boat lanes by the 147 bridge, low water has brought in alot of new stumps into play. There is grass all around in Caney, Veach and 5 fingers and many other coves. Good luck and post pics if you run into a big girl.

Thanks for the info. Will be down the week between Christmas and New Years. Been to Rayburn twice over the years and always been up around the 147 area. This time got a house down close to Powell Park and planing on exploring the lower end Caney and Veach area and down.

It's been a while but in the past had some pretty good luck in the Powell Park area.

Five Fingers is right there and it’s protected from the north wind. San Augustine, it’s not far and it’s got good fishing up there. Pretty protected also. Really there are lots of coves and pockets that you can get out of the wind unless a cold front is coming and it’s sucked the south wind up.

Thanks guys I have been studying the maps and stuff and see lots of interesting pockets and areas down there. Looking at the lay of things it looks like between Powell Park, Mill Creek and Caney Creek ramps I should be able to work around and fish some good areas even if it gets windy from either direction.

Caney will be okay until lake elevation drops below 157.00. Right now you've gotta back pretty far into the water but it's very useable. Back down slow because the sections of the ramp are uneven making it rough.

Powell Park is a safe ramp to launch with any kind of wind (very safe in a north wind). If I remember correctly, I think that ramp is good even when it's under 155' or so.

San Augustine Park is fairly protected but I'm not sure why you would go launch there since Powell Park is not that far from there. It's a Corps of Engineers ramp so they'll close it if there is any kind of risk. I think it's good down to 157' or so.

Being new to the area, I would scratch Mill Creek off your list. It's getting a little tough to navigate out of right now and with anymore drop, it will be tough. You will basically have to stay within the windy creek bed to get out of the cove.

I don't know much about the Rayburn Park ramp. They just re-did it year or two ago so I would bet it's good, but I don't know for sure.

Stay away from Jackson Hill and especially Umphreys and Twin Dikes with any kind of north wind.

Here is the Corps of Engineers page for Rayburn. They keep it updated pretty well concerning the closing of their ramps. Keep in mind this doesn't include the private ramps (Jackson Hill, Powell Park, Cassels Boykin, etc) or Forest Service ramps (Caney, Five Fingers, etc).
https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/samray/

Thanks for the info that helps alot.