Published
Lake Leon is the lake most I-20 travelers never notice. It sits a few miles south of the interstate, in ranch country, with two public ramps and no marina. We are the RV park about 10 minutes up the road, and our Lake Leon and Leon River fishing page covers how our guests use it. This guide is the whole lake on one page, with every number from a state agency.
Quick answer: Lake Leon, Texas, also called Leon Reservoir, is a water supply lake on the Leon River in Eastland County, about 10 miles south of Eastland. It was finished in 1954, covers 1,756 acres when full per the TWDB, and reaches 55 feet at its deepest per TPWD. Anglers come for largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish.
Lake Leon is a reservoir made by damming the Leon River in Eastland County, Texas, owned by the Eastland County Water Supply District and used for water supply, flood control and public recreation.
It is a mid-size working lake: about 1,756 acres, 55 feet deep at most, and full at an elevation of 1,375 feet. Here are the numbers in one place.
| Fact | Lake Leon | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Other name | Leon Reservoir | TWDB |
| River | Leon River, Brazos River basin | TWDB |
| County | Eastland County | TPWD |
| Location | About 10 miles south of Eastland, 68 miles east of Abilene | TPWD |
| Built | Construction January 1953 to June 1954 | TWDB |
| Owner | Eastland County Water Supply District | TPWD, TWDB |
| Surface area when full | 1,756 acres | TWDB; TPWD survey report |
| Conservation capacity | 27,762 acre-feet | Water Data for Texas |
| Full elevation | 1,375 feet above sea level | TWDB |
| Maximum depth | 55 feet | TPWD |
| Water clarity | Slightly stained to clear, up to 4 feet | TPWD |
| Public boat ramps | Two, run by the water district | TPWD |
| Drive from Inez Spring, Exit 343 | About 10 minutes | Our drive |
Sources: TPWD Lake Leon page, TWDB Lake Leon page and Water Data for Texas, read October 2026. One note: the TPWD lake facts page lists 726 acres, while the TWDB survey and the TPWD survey report list 1,756. We use 1,756 for the full lake.
From I-20, take an Eastland exit and head south on the farm roads. The lake is about 10 minutes from Exit 343. There are two public ramps, both concrete and both run by the Eastland County Water Supply District. The Dam ramp is off FM 2461, and Chock-a-Block is at the upper end off FM 2214. Our Lake Leon boat ramp guide has the lanes, parking and coordinates for each one.
There is no marina, no boat rental and no store on the water. Bring what you need from town: fuel, ice, bait and lunch. That is part of the appeal. It is quiet.
Largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, channel catfish and sunfish. TPWD says the lake is best known for largemouth bass tournament fishing, and calls the catfish, sunfish and white bass populations excellent.
The TPWD 2022 survey report adds detail:
The cover is classic Texas reservoir: boat docks, standing timber, creek channels, some aquatic plants, rocky points, riprap and brush. All species are under statewide rules, so carry a Texas fishing license and check the TPWD regulations. Our best baits and lures for Lake Leon post covers what to tie on by season, and winter fishing on Lake Leon and the Leon River covers December through February.
Yes, over months and years. TPWD describes the lake as prone to long periods of dropping water. Its survey report notes heavy rain refilled the lake in 2015, the level fell about 5 feet below full by summer 2018, rain refilled it that fall, and by May 2023 it was about 7 feet below full.
A few feet changes which ramp works, which points you can walk, and where the fish hold. Check before you tow. Our Lake Leon water level guide shows how to read the live numbers from the TWDB and USGS.
One thing to know: Lake Leon is not a resort lake. There is no beach club or lodge on the shore. If you want quiet water and a short drive back to a hot shower, that is the point.
Inez Spring Riverfront RV Park sits at 10505 Interstate 20, Exit 343, in Eastland, about 10 minutes from the lake. It is a practical base for anglers:
Staying all winter to fish? A monthly site is the better math. Monthly RV sites are $500 for a back-in or $650 for a pull-through, plus your own metered electric at 17 cents per kWh, with a $200 refundable deposit, month to month.
Lake Leon, also called Leon Reservoir, is on the Leon River in Eastland County, south of the town of Eastland. TPWD places it about 10 miles south of Eastland and 68 miles east of Abilene. From I-20 Exit 343 at Inez Spring Riverfront RV Park, the lake is about a 10 minute drive.
The Texas Water Development Board lists Lake Leon at 1,756 surface acres when full, with a conservation capacity of 27,762 acre-feet on Water Data for Texas. The TPWD lake page lists 726 acres and a maximum depth of 55 feet. The TWDB figure comes from its hydrographic survey, so use it when you need the full-lake size.
The Eastland County Water Supply District controls Lake Leon. It was built for municipal and industrial water supply, with flood control and recreation as added uses, according to TPWD. Construction began in January 1953 and was finished in June 1954. The district runs the two public boat ramps.
TPWD lists largemouth bass, white and black crappie, white bass, channel catfish and sunfish. The lake is best known for largemouth bass tournament fishing. TPWD stocked Lonestar Bass in May 2023, and its 2022 survey found legal-length crappie catches nearly double the two surveys before. Statewide fishing rules apply.
Yes, Lake Leon is public water and kayaks launch from the public ramps. Coves with standing timber and brush are good paddling water on calm days. Wind on open water can build fast, so wear a life jacket and check the forecast. Guests at Inez Spring can also paddle the Leon River from the private launch in the park.
Inez Spring Riverfront RV Park at Exit 343 on I-20 in Eastland is about 10 minutes from Lake Leon. Nightly full-hookup RV sites start at $40 and pull-throughs run up to 100 feet for a truck and boat trailer. Monthly sites are $500 back-in or $650 pull-through, plus metered electric at 17 cents per kWh.
Lake Leon is not big and it is not fancy. It is 1,756 acres of timber, coves and bass water, 10 minutes from a full-hookup site on the Leon River.
Full hookups, 30 and 50 amp, hot showers and laundry, a private river launch, one minute off I-20 in Eastland. Book online or call (254) 629-1197.
