Summertime is here and we know you want to get out and explore all the beautiful lakes that we have in the area. Here’s a list of the 8 Best East Texas Lakes. What’s your favorite?
Photo by Marie Beschen
Lake O’ the Pines
Sitting in the Big Cypress Bayou, Lake O’ the Pines is a beautiful lake that is surrounded by pine trees. There are several marinas around the lake that offer boat hire for visitors, as well as storage and mooring for those with their own boat. Boat ramps, camping grounds and parks also surround the lake and make it a popular spot for fishing. Seven parks can be found on the lake’s shorelines, offering facilities like picnic tables, restrooms, boat ramps and playgrounds. The Lakeside Park even boasts a beach area.
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Caddo Lake
Caddo Lake is a 25,400 acres lake and wetland on the border between Texas and Louisiana. Caddo was the only natural lake in Texas until it was artificially dammed in the early 1900s when oil was found and for flood control in 1914. A new dam replaced the old one in 1971. Some of the cypress trees in the swamp are more than 400 years old. On the Texas side, at Caddo Lake State Park, there are 10 kayak/canoe trails, with names like Hell’s Half Acre, Cathedral Trail, Old Folks Playground and Turtle Shell Trail. Lake Tyler: Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East, situated adjacent to each other and connected via a canal, are located just east of Tyler. Popular recreational activities include boating, water skiing, fishing, camping at Camp Tyler, hiking and swimming. Numerous homesites and waterfront lots make this a popular residential area with unlimited real estate options, from weekend camps to year-round upscale homes.
Lake Palestine
Lake Palestine is located about 15 miles southwest of Tyler, Texas, on Texas Highway 155, and resulting from a dam on the Neches River. Lake Palestine offers recreation and outdoor activities for everyone, with boating, water skiing, houseboating, camping, RVing, canoeing, hiking, biking, and fishing all being popular activities. It also offers waterfront and lakeside living for many Texans and visitors, and lodging including RV parks, campgrounds, resorts, cabins, motels, and B&Bs.
Photo by Travis Isaacs
Lake Fork
Lake Fork was designed to be a premier bass fishing lake and currently holds records for 34 out of the Top 50 largemouth bass caught in Texas.This popular lake located on the Sabine River in Hopkins, Rains and Wood Counties, 5 miles northwest of Quitman, and north of Mineola. Largemouth bass is the most popular fish in this reservoir. A combination of restrictive harvest regulations, stocking of Florida strain largemouth, and abundant habitat has contributed to Lake Fork’s development as one of the country’s premier trophy bass lakes.
Lake Bob Sandlin
Lake Bob Sandlin is located on Big Cypress Creek about 5 miles southwest of Mount Pleasant in Titus, Camp, and Franklin counties. Nearby, Lake Bob Sandlin State Park is a 639.8-acre park located on the heavily wooded shoreline on the north side of the lake.
The Lake at Tyler State Park
Tyler State Park is located just north of Tyler. This beautiful 985 acre park in the rolling hills features a 64 acre lake, campgrounds, hiking trails, pavilions, cabins, mountain biking, nature studies, canoes, paddle boats, kayaks, bike boats, park store. It’s a perfect spot to have a picnic lunch and then do some walking on the trails.
Photo by Sallad Rialb
Martin Creek Lake
Martin Creek Lake is located in Rusk County, on Martin Creek near Tatum. Since Martin Creek is a power plant lake, water temperatures are elevated, especially during the winter months. Anglers are most successful at catching largemouth bass during the winter and early spring. Martin Creek Lake State Park is located nearby.