Reservoir on Big Cypress River offers commercial marinas, fishing barges, cabins, restaurants, boat ramps; excellent fishing for native and Florida bass. A largemouth bass, 14.31 lbs. And whit bass, 3.39 lbs.; hold lake records. Information and maps at lake headquarters.
Lake Cypress Springs and Monticello are immediately adjacent and Bob Sandlin State Park is on the north shore.
Brandy Branch Reservoir
1,242 Acres
Between Marshall and Longview, off I-20 on F.M. 3251 (exit 610) 3 miles south.
Power plant cooling reservoir. Florida-strain largemouth bass stocked in 1983 flourished in the lake's excellent habitat. A boat ramp is provided, bank fishing is limited, ant there are no camping facilities. Record fish is largemouth bass, 11.25 lbs and a blue gill sunfish, 0.53 lbs.
Caddo Lake
26,800 Acres
Lake is a few miles north of Karnack, also accessible from Jefferson and Marshall.
Huge expanse spreads over portions of both Texas and Louisiana. It is rich in Indian legends that say the lake was formed at night, in the dark of the moon, by powerful shaking earth spirits who were angered at a Caddo Indian chief. There could be a factual basis for the legend because the lake may have resulted from the great New Madrid (MO) earthquake of 1811. Steamboats from New Orleans and elsewhere regularly plied the lake in mid-1800's
Today the lake has a primeval aura, edged by dense forests that frequently invade the waters; Spanish moss drapes the trees and lush aquatic growth appears jungle-like. Because maze of channels can be confusing, the state has marked 42 miles of "boat routes" on Caddo. Fishing is superb; record fish include largemouth bass, 13.25 lbs., and redear sunfish, 1.17 lbs. Many camps and marinas are at lakeside including Caddo Lake State Park.
Lake Cypress Springs
3,400 Acres
Eight miles southeast of Mount Vernon via Texas 37 south, F.M. 2723. Also accessable from Mount Pleasant.
Set in scenic piney woods area, the lake offers abundant visitor facilities; shoreline parks, picnic and campgrounds, RV hookups, commercial marinas, boat ramps, rest rooms, swimming beach.
Many bald eagles reside here during winter, and the lake is becoming a favorite for bird watching Anglers seek black bass and catfish; record is largemouth bass, 10.38 lbs. Adjacent to Lake Bob Sandlin and close to Bob Sandlin State Park.
On Lake Fork Creek, a tributary of the Sabine River. Little clearing of timber was done prior to impoundment, making for excellent fish habitat with record largemouth bass, 18.18 lbs. Being caught. Other records include blue catfish, 53.96 lbs.; bowfin, 16.34 lbs.; channel catfish 15.32 lbs.; and white crappie 2.81 lbs.
Boat launch ramps are at Lake Fork Bridge on FM 515 and on south shore on Texas 154. Maps and information available at lake headquarters ad dam on Texas 182.
Lake Gilmer
1,010 Acres
Accessible from Gilmer the lake is located on TX Hwy. 852 four miles west of Gilmer.
Lake size is 1,010 surface acres with an additional 1,557 acres of mitigation property that will be developed into combination hiking and nature trails and bird watching stations. A swimming and picnic area will be developed on the north end of the lake near the dam area.
Activities at Lake Gilmer will include fishing, and individual pleasure craft. Swimming, picnic area, nature trails, and bird watching will be the next stage of development.
On Glade Creek the lake serves as water supply for Gladewater, as well as recreational facility for the surrounding area. Boat dock and launching area large enough for 75 vehicles with trailers. Fishing pier and two-acre swimming beach. Garland Ferguson Park on the west side near the spillway, has a family size gazebo to rent for family gatherings, as well as picnic tables, tennis and basketball courts, a baseball field, and playground equipment. No overnight camping facilities are available on the lake.
Lake Hawkins
776 Acres
A few miles northwest of Hawkins via F.M. 14; also accessible from Mineola
One of four small Wood county lakes for flood control and recreation. Lakeside facilities cater to boaters, fishermen and campers at Lake Hawkins Camp Park. Record fish, largemouth bass, 11.91 lbs.
Wood County lake on Kees Creek designed for recreation and flood control. A county-operated campground is at lakeside. Water sports, swimming beach, and fishing. Record fish include largemouth bass, 11.13 lbs and white crappie 2.20 lbs.
Companion impoundment to Lake Bob Sandlin and Lake Cypress Springs is a reservoir with its waters kept warmer than normal by power plant cooling, thereby producing some of the biggest bass in Texas. Popular year round, but especially during winter when fishermen seek bass in the lunker category. Record largemouth bass, 14.09 lbs. County park offers picnicking , boat ramps, camping sites and electric hookups. Fishermen also take crappie and a variety of catfish, bluegills and sunfish.
Lake O' the Pines
18,700 Acres
About 18 miles from Longview on U.S. 259 to F.M. 450. 12 miles west of Jefferson via F.M. 729. Also accessible from Gilmer and Marshall.
Beautiful lake amid scenic rolling forest lands; one of the most attractive lakes in North East Texas. Lake fish records include huge smallmouth buffalo, 97 lbs.; largemouth bass, 12.63 lbs.; white bass, 1.94 lbs; and spotted bass, 5.56 lbs.
Modern Corps of Engineers parks, commercial marinas and camps at lakeside. Excellent fishing, boating, sailing, water skiing, swimming and camping. For details of facilities contact reservoir headquarters at east end of Ferrell's Bridge Dam, F.M. 726.
Lake Quitman
814 Acres
Four miles north of Quitman is also accessable from Winnsboro.
One of four small Wood County lakes for flood control and recreation. Lakeside facilities include marinas, boat service and rentals, tent and RV campsites with hookups, swimming area Popular for bass (record largemouth bass 12.58 lbs.), crappie, catfish and bluegills.
Lake Tawakoni
36,700 Acres
Sixteen miles southeast of Greenville off U.S. 69; also accessible from Commerce, Mineola and Sulphur Springs
One of the larger lakes entirely within Texas; spreads over portions of three counties with 200 mile shoreline. Hosts of marinas, camps and parks along wooded shores with boat ramps, weather reporting station and designated water ski areas.
Some of the lakes best fishing in countless coves and inlets; more than five square miles of submerged timber provide prime habitat. Lake records for fish include flathead catfish 104 lbs.; hybrid striped bass, 15.25 lbs.; largemouth bass, 9.53 lbs.; white crappie, 1.56 lbs; and striped bass, 20.25 lbs.
For more information contact Sabine River Authority at north end of Iron Bridge Dam off F.M. 47 south of Point.
Recreational impoundment with lakeside campsites, RV hookups, picnicking, swimming, marina, boat rentals, bait and tackle. Site of annual bass tournaments; lake record largemouth bass is 10 lbs and black crappie, 3.19 lbs.
Wright Patman Lake
20,300 Acres
Twelve miles southwest of Texarkana off U.S. 59 and south of New Boston on Hwy. 8.
Corps of Engineers lake on Sulphur River, an immensely popular recreation area of North East Texas. Many public parks and commercial facilities are along shoreline, Water sports, camping picnicking, and hiking trails; fishing consistently good. Atlanta State Park is on south shore.