Ultimate Lake Tour of Texas
The third coast’s aquatic appeal is often overlooked. But even though Texas’ abundance of beautiful, well-stocked, and picturesque lakes are manmade, they are as diverse and attractive as the state itself. Here are the eight best lakes Texas has to offer.
Lake Travis
Where else to start than this spot outside Austin that boasts 271 miles of shoreline, crystal clear water, and a limestone bottom. Lake Travis is perfect for boating, fishing, waterskiing, and rafting. The shores closest to Austin feature great restaurants and waterside entertainment, while the less developed north shore offers the perfect spot for a romantic getaway.
Caddo Lake
One of Texas’ few natural lakes, this Louisiana border spot is known for its picturesque flooded pines. Fishing, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, and camping draw visitors to the bayou year-round.
Lake Texoma
Created by a dam on the Red River, Lake Texoma is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States — and one of the most popular. Since it was created in 1944, the spot has annually drawn upwards of 6 million visitors who enjoy exploring the lake’s vast array of activities, from fishing and boating to horseback riding, golf, and the casinos on the Oklahoma side of the border.
Possum Kingdom Lake
Texans of a certain age will not be able to separate the name of the lake from the popular Toadies song of the mid-1990s. But Possum Kingdom has long been beloved by Texans of all ages, who flock to its blue waters each year for swimming, boating, fishing, and scenic views of Hell’s Gate, a sheer cliff that has attracted even professional cliff divers.
Lake O’ the Pines
East Texas’ Lake O’ the Pines enjoys pine forest-covered shorelines, wide clear waters great for boating, and a rich fishery stocked with largemouth bass, spotted bass, catfish, white bass, crappie, sunfish, and chain pickerel.
Lake Conroe
Another East Texas gem, Lake Conroe sits amid forests of piney woods and attracts Houstonians looking for weekends of boating, swimming, and fishing. Recent development has also brought golf courses, restaurants, and entertainment.
Sabine Lake
A 90,000-acre estuary located on the Texas-Louisiana border, Sabine Lake blends freshwaters with the salty Gulf of Mexico, and the result is an abundant fishery and eclectic ecology unlike any other spot in the state. Redfish anglers in particular are drawn to the spot.
Amistad Reservoir
Created at the confluence of the Rio Grande and the Devils River, the massive Amistad Reservoir enjoys fishing, botanic ecology, and history and is home to prehistoric rock art and professional fishing tournaments alike.
Getting ready to take your boat out on the water? Call your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent to get a boat insurance policy, and keep your family protected on the water.
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