Houston area lakes/waterbodys to surf

[Travism]

Hey guys,

Looks like I am going to be making a move in the next 3-4 months to Houston from Calgary. I have spent lots of time in Houston in the Clear lake area and that looks to be where I will call home.

My question is what lakes are close to use the boat ? Does anyone use there tow boat in clear lake or where does everyone go ?

Any input is greatly appreciated !

[Smcqueen]

I spend most of my time on Lake Houston typically in a couple of big coves on the south east end of the lake. There is some relatively deep water (30ft) on that end. You should consider we have a predominant southeasterly wind here on the gulf coast and deep water can be hard to come by. I have never tried Clear Lake for surfing so maybe someone else can chime in. In general, it can be shallow and rough, also going to be brackish. Need someone that knows that area. On Lake Houston there are surfers near the Lake Houstone Parkway bridge on the west fork San Jacinto river. Access from the big part of the lake can be tricky because of shallow water getting into the river. East fork San Jacinto river can be ok (I live on that end). I will usually go to the southeast end of the lake to surf. If coming up from clearlake area you can put in at Duessan Park.
Lake Conroe can be nice during the week. Water is a little deeper and little less mud colored. Weekends it is VERY rough from boat traffic. Trinity river north of Lake Livingston is nice, and deep. Texas Tige usually has their annual owners reunion there. To the south, there are folks that go to the San Bernard river. I have not been down there, but understand it is nice. If you dont mind road trips there are numerous really nice lakes in central and west Texas. Travis, LBJ, Belton, Stillhouse Hollow, Possum Kingdom, Amistad (my personal favorite).

Hope this helps.

[jaceaser]

smcqueen I've been looking to make a trip to Lake Amistad, why is it your favorite?

[dilligaf622]

@smcqueen, are you saying you go down by the dam when you surf? I live on the Walden side of the lake and never even thought about going over there! I may head that way this weekend and try it out.

@travism, let me know if you ever need help navigating the waters over to the west fork because we generally go over there just about every weekend. Fun times to be had on that side of the lake witht e vollyball court and smoother water.

[Travism]

I spend most of my time on Lake Houston typically in a couple of big coves on the south east end of the lake. There is some relatively deep water (30ft) on that end. You should consider we have a predominant southeasterly wind here on the gulf coast and deep water can be hard to come by. I have never tried Clear Lake for surfing so maybe someone else can chime in. In general, it can be shallow and rough, also going to be brackish. Need someone that knows that area. On Lake Houston there are surfers near the Lake Houstone Parkway bridge on the west fork San Jacinto river. Access from the big part of the lake can be tricky because of shallow water getting into the river. East fork San Jacinto river can be ok (I live on that end). I will usually go to the southeast end of the lake to surf. If coming up from clearlake area you can put in at Duessan Park.
Lake Conroe can be nice during the week. Water is a little deeper and little less mud colored. Weekends it is VERY rough from boat traffic. Trinity river north of Lake Livingston is nice, and deep. Texas Tige usually has their annual owners reunion there. To the south, there are folks that go to the San Bernard river. I have not been down there, but understand it is nice. If you dont mind road trips there are numerous really nice lakes in central and west Texas. Travis, LBJ, Belton, Stillhouse Hollow, Possum Kingdom, Amistad (my personal favorite).

Hope this helps.

@smcqueen, are you saying you go down by the dam when you surf? I live on the Walden side of the lake and never even thought about going over there! I may head that way this weekend and try it out.

@travism, let me know if you ever need help navigating the waters over to the west fork because we generally go over there just about every weekend. Fun times to be had on that side of the lake witht e vollyball court and smoother water.

Thanks guys ! I will look you guys up when I get there. I have been thinking of selling my boat before I come there as I am nervous about the new lakes lol. Here in Canada we have large lakes with minimal shallow spots (at least where I go). I knew about the brackish water in clear lake but was willing to deal with that cleaning if it was worth it.

[Smcqueen]

We surf east side of Lake Houston, just south of Indian Shores. Generally a lot of boats on the sandy point. The large cove has 30ft of water.

And then there is Amistad...high cliffs, clear, calm water. No crowds.

[dilligaf622]

Oh okay! Is that where the shore was bulkheaded like there was going to be a neighborhood put in?

[bvaughn]

Smcqueen - do you put in at the beach park in The Commons? We live in the Commons as well, and this will be our first summer with our 2010 22 Ve' here. Any hints to navigating down the east fork to the SE end of the lake?

We used to keep our boat stored at Amistad because we partially own a houseboat at Rough Canyon. Amistad is definitely our favorite lake in Texas as well. It's worth the drive, but it requires a 3-4 day weekend at least. We'll be heading out to Rough Canyon for Memorial Day weekend. If your ever heading out there, we'd love to meet y'all. Maybe we will run into each other on Lake Houston this summer, or at the Commons beach. My 22 Ve' is blue/black/white.

[c_hotshot]

I surf Conroe every Friday - and it's fine. Like others have said - it's rough on Sat & Sun esp after 11am.

[jaceaser]

I've been looking at pictures of lake amistad and really want to check it out. Is it pretty wide open anything to be conscious of when out on the water?

[bvaughn]

Since our houseboat is moored in Rough Canyon, we spend 99% of our time on that part of the lake, up the Devil's River arm. There's really no reason for us to go anywhere else.

On the Devil's River, there aren't really any obstacles or dangers as long as you stay a reasonable distance from the shorelines - especially shorelines that gently slope up instead of the cliffs. The depth at the base of the cliffs is usually really deep. The lake is very deep - 60'+ where the houseboat is moored, and 100'+ out in the river. As you head north up the Devil's, you can go for miles and miles and find smooth water. There are also some long, skinny side channels with smooth water where we go to surf & board.

If you head out to the main part of the lake, just follow the river channel buoys and you'll be fine. There are some shallower areas to the west as the Devil's opens up to the main part of the lake, but if you're on the buoy channel route, you'll be fine. It's a very easily navigable lake with hardly any trouble spots because it's so deep.

If you are ever planning a trip out there, Rough Canyon has rental properties and some camping spots. LakeAmistadRentals.com has some single wide mobile homes and some smaller, nice cabins to rent. I think they also have some travel trailer spots. Mitzi's Hookers is a dang good restaurant & bar in Rough Canyon that has live music on some weekends during the summer - especially holiday weekends.

[Smcqueen]

Second on Hookers restaurant and bar. We rented a condo which was really nice.

bvaughn, we put usually put in at the old park boat ramp. I live right there on Lake Commons 300 yards from the ramp. trickiest part of east fork is from my place to the commons beach. from the beach going south its pretty easy. once you see the buoys you want to follow them pretty close. I would be happy to ride down there with you. I may be out this Sat. around noon or so. I will be in the boat pictured above.

On Amistad I try not to venture out onto the big part of the lake. More like an inland sea. I can get really rough when the wind picks up.

[bvaughn]

Here's a pic of my boat. I won't be out this weekend, but we will be out from time-to-time this summer. I've got boys who play baseball so our weekends are still pretty packed with tournaments.

My first name is Brandon so holler if you see us out. I'll look for your boat as well.

143 (1).jpg

[dilligaf622]

Nice looking boat!

[BlackoutATX]

Calgary to Houston will be a big change. But your boating season just got drastically longer.