• What are most lakes in Texas?
    • Most of the lakes in Texas are man-made, reservoirs created by damming rivers. They are necessary for flood control and for providing drinking water to Texas' urban centers.
  • What types of wildlife can be found around Texas lakes?
    • The lakes in Texas are home to local species and to migrating songbirds, and they are a delight to bird watchers and casual viewers.
  • What can visitors enjoy around the lakes in Texas?
    • Many lakes are surrounded by parkland, others by towering forests, still others are encompassed by tall bluffs and rolling hills.

⮕ Lady Bird Lake


Walk along scenic trails or go kayaking in downtown Austin.

Lady Bird Lake

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  • What is Lady Bird Lake?
    • Lady Bird Lake is an urban lake situated in downtown Austin, formed in 1960 by damming the Colorado River with the Longhorn Dam.
  • Why was the lake created?
    • The dam was erected for flood control and recreational purposes, and the lake was named after Lady Bird Johnson, former First Lady of the United States and long-time Austin resident.
  • What parks are located around Lady Bird Lake?
    • The lake is surrounded by hotels and apartment blocks, but also features several parks, including Auditorium Shores on its south side, where open-air concerts are performed, and Zilker Park, Austin’s largest park, from which canoers, kayakers, and rowers can launch.
  • Are motorized boats allowed on Lady Bird Lake?
    • No motorized watercraft are permitted on Lady Bird Lake.
  • Can you swim in Lady Bird Lake?
    • Swimming is not allowed due to pollution in the water.
  • Is fishing allowed in Lady Bird Lake?
    • Fishing is allowed, but fish caught in the lake are inedible due to high levels of chlordane in the water.
  • Are there trails around the lake?
    • A 10.1-mile hiking and biking trail runs the full circumference of the lake and is very popular with residents and visitors.
  • What is the contact information for Auditorium Shores?
    • Auditorium Shores, 900 West Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704, Phone: 512-974-6700

⮕ Lake Conroe


Enjoy boating, fishing, and lakeside dining on this popular getaway.

Lake Conroe

© Lake Conroe

  • What is Lake Conroe?
  • What recreational activities can visitors enjoy on Lake Conroe?
    • Lake Conroe is a popular destination for jet-skiing and boating.
  • Where is the most frequently used public access point?
    • The most frequently used public access point is Lake Conroe Park, which provides various amenities for visitors.
  • What amenities does Lake Conroe Park offer?
    • The park features boat slips, fishing piers, two swimming areas, a children’s playground, picnic tables, grills, horseshoe pits, and volleyball courts.
  • What natural areas surround Lake Conroe?
    • The lake runs through east Texas into the evergreen forests of Sam Houston National Forest.
  • What kind of fishing can visitors enjoy at Lake Conroe?
    • The fishing in Lake Conroe is excellent, with good-sized largemouth, white, and striped bass, as well as bluegill and channel catfish.
  • What is the contact information for Lake Conroe Park?
    • Lake Conroe Park, 210 W. Davis Street, Conroe, TX 77304, Phone: 936-788-8302

⮕ Canyon Lake


Explore crystal-clear waters and hike scenic trails in Texas Hill Country.

Canyon Lake

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  • What is Canyon Lake?
    • Canyon Lake is a reservoir on the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country.
  • Why was Canyon Lake created?
    • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dammed the river to provide flood control and created eight parks around the lake.
  • What recreational activities are available at Canyon Lake?
    • Visitors and locals can enjoy swimming, boating, camping, and having a picnic next to the pristine lake with stunning views of the surrounding hills.
  • Where are the boat ramps located?
    • There are boat ramps in the Comal County portion of the lake, making it easy to access the water.
  • What fishing opportunities does Canyon Lake offer?
    • The lake offers excellent fishing for largemouth, striped, and white bass, as well as catfish.
  • What is unique about Canyon Lake Gorge?
    • Canyon Lake Gorge provides guided tours showcasing rock strata that is more than 100 million years old, featuring fossils and a set of dinosaur footprints.
  • Are there trails around Canyon Lake?
    • There are multiple hiking, biking, and equestrian trails open to the public.
  • What is the contact information for Canyon Lake?
    • Hwy. 306 West, New Braunfels, TX 78130, Phone: 210-964-3341

⮕ Sam Rayburn Reservoir


Go fishing or relax by the largest lake fully in Texas.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir

© Sam Rayburn Reservoir

  • What is Sam Rayburn Reservoir?
    • Sam Rayburn Reservoir is a large man-made lake in East Texas, opened in 1965 after an extensive project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  • Why was Sam Rayburn Reservoir created?
    • The reservoir was built to prevent flooding of the Angelina and Neches Rivers and to provide drinking water for nearby communities.
  • Where is Sam Rayburn Reservoir located?
    • It is located in the heart of East Texas pine forests, making it a scenic and recreational hotspot.
  • What makes Sam Rayburn Reservoir popular among anglers?
    • The reservoir is a highly popular fishing location, with over 300 fishing tournaments held there annually.
  • What types of fish can be caught in Sam Rayburn Reservoir?
    • The main catches in the stocked lake include largemouth bass, crappie, red ear sunfish, bluegill, and channel catfish.
  • What recreational activities can visitors enjoy?
    • Visitors use the reservoir for waterskiing, boating, and swimming, while the land around it is perfect for camping, nature hikes, and scenic drives.
  • How can visitors access the lake?
    • There are many access points through campgrounds, resorts, and marinas around the reservoir.
  • What is the contact information for Sam Rayburn Reservoir?
    • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, Jasper, TX 75957, Phone: 409-384-5716

⮕ What is the biggest lake in Texas? Toledo Bend Reservoir


Discover Texas’ biggest lake, perfect for fishing and nature lovers.

What is the biggest lake in Texas? Toledo Bend Reservoir

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  • What is Toledo Bend Lake?
    • Toledo Bend Lake is a reservoir on the Sabine River in both Texas and Louisiana, with most of its surface area located in Louisiana.
  • When was Toledo Bend Lake created?
    • The damming of the Sabine River took place in 1969 by the Sabine River Authority.
  • How large is Toledo Bend Lake?
    • It is the largest reservoir in the South, boasting 1,200 miles of shoreline.
  • What makes Toledo Bend Lake a great recreational spot?
    • The lake is set among rolling hills and pine trees, creating a beautiful location for outdoor activities.
  • What beach activities can visitors enjoy?
    • Its sandy beaches make it an ideal place for building sandcastles, picnicking, and swimming.
  • Is Toledo Bend Lake good for boating?
    • The lake's calm waters make it ideal for boating, but boaters must stay within the marked boat lanes to avoid collisions with submerged tree stumps and trees left in the reservoir during construction.
  • What fish species can be found in Toledo Bend Lake?
    • The lake is home to striped bass, catfish, and bluegill, especially abundant in spring and autumn.
  • What is the contact information for Toledo Bend Lake?
    • Sabine River Authority of Texas, 450 TX-135 Spur, Burkesville, TX 75932, Phone: 409-565-2273

⮕ Possum Kingdom State Park


Admire dramatic cliffs and enjoy water activities in summer.

Possum Kingdom State Park

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  • What is Possum Kingdom State Park?
    • Possum Kingdom State Park is a 1,500-acre state park with miles of shoreline on a clear blue lake, located just an hour west of the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area.
  • When was Possum Kingdom State Park created?
    • The park was constructed in the 1940s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
  • What recreational activities are available at the park?
    • Visitors can enjoy fishing, swimming, boating, waterskiing, scuba diving, and snorkeling.
  • Where can visitors fish in Possum Kingdom State Park?
    • Anglers can cast their line from the fishing pier, from their own boat, or from a canoe rented at the park’s marina.
  • What types of fish can be caught in the lake?
    • The lake is home to largemouth, striped, and white bass, channel and blue catfish, and white crappie.
  • What rental equipment is available at the marina?
    • Visitors can rent wakeboards, kneeboards, water skis, and tubes for fun out on the lake.
  • Are there camping and lodging options?
    • Yes, visitors can camp overnight at a full-hookup campground or rent one of the park’s air-conditioned cabins.
  • What wildlife should visitors watch out for?
    • Keep an eye out for free-roaming Texas longhorns wandering the park!
  • What is the contact information for Possum Kingdom State Park?
    • 3901 State Park Road 33, Caddo, TX 76429, Phone: 940-549-1803

⮕ Lake Whitney State Park


Go camping, swimming, or fishing in this peaceful retreat.

Lake Whitney State Park

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  • What is Lake Whitney State Park?
  • When did Lake Whitney State Park open?
    • The park opened in 1965 and has been a favorite spot for fishing, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation.
  • What wildlife can visitors see at the park?
    • The park is home to white-tailed deer, foxes, coyotes, and bobcats.
  • What bird species can be spotted at the park?
    • Birdwatchers can observe 195 species, including wild turkeys, bald eagles, egrets, ibis, hawks, falcons, woodpeckers, brown pelicans, bluebirds, and kestrels.
  • What facilities are available for overnight stays?
    • The park offers campsites, screened-in shelters, and group facilities for overnight visitors.
  • What amenities are available for day-use visitors?
    • Day-use visitors can access picnic tables, boat slips, and various recreational activities on the water.
  • What natural landscapes can visitors explore?
    • The park is a remnant of the once-great Texas plains, featuring tall grass prairies and groves of live oak and blackjack oak.
  • What happens in the park during spring?
    • Spring brings fields of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush, creating stunning landscapes.
  • What is the contact information for Lake Whitney State Park?
    • 433 FM 1244, Whitney, TX 76692, Phone: 817-694-3793

⮕ Lake Buchanan


Take a boat tour and see beautiful waterfalls along the shore.

Lake Buchanan

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  • What is Lake Buchanan?
  • Where is Lake Buchanan located?
    • The lake is located sixty miles northwest of Austin and stretches thirty miles long with 124 miles of shoreline.
  • What accommodations are available around the lake?
    • The shoreline has been developed with campgrounds, rental cabins, and lakeside homes.
  • What recreational activities can visitors enjoy?
    • The lake’s gravel shores make it ideal for swimming and sunbathing, and it offers excellent fishing for striped bass.
  • Is Lake Buchanan good for birdwatching?
    • Yes! Visitors with binoculars can watch nesting bald eagles, as well as scissor-tailed flycatchers, great blue herons, great egrets, pelicans, cormorants, and roadrunners.
  • What wildlife can be found around Lake Buchanan?
    • The area is home to armadillos, opossums, bobcats, chameleons, deer, and foxes.

⮕ Lake Texoma


Visit a top fishing destination known for striped bass and boating.

Lake Texoma

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  • What is Lake Texoma?
    • Lake Texoma is a large reservoir that sits on both sides of the Texas-Oklahoma border.
  • When and why was Lake Texoma created?
    • The lake was created in 1944 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with the Denison Dam to prevent flooding of the Red River.
  • How large is Lake Texoma?
    • It is the 12th largest lake in the United States, with over 1,000 miles of shoreline.
  • What recreational activities can visitors enjoy?
    • Visitors can enjoy swimming, playing on the beach, and choosing from over 700 campsites in the ten campgrounds around the lake.
  • Why is Lake Texoma popular for fishing?
    • The natural minerals in the water create the perfect environment for striped bass, which can grow as large as 15-20 lbs.
  • What other fish species can be found in the lake?
    • Besides striped bass, the lake is home to crappie and catfish.
  • Are there trails around Lake Texoma?
    • The lake features 25 miles of equestrian trails and hiking trails leading to scenic bluffs overlooking the water.
  • What other amenities and attractions are available?
    • Visitors can find boat rentals, concessions, and wildlife refuges that are home to a large variety of birds.

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