Wanderlist
Greatest Lakes
These expansive reservoirs offer room to roam and recreate.
A lake is much more than a big puddle from a dammed river. That reservoir is a freshwater fishery providing habitat for aquatic life and a serene setting for families to connect through fishing, boating, swimming and picnics. Many of the lakes we enjoy today were created in response to the terrible Texas drought of the 1950s. If you think bigger is better, these big gulps belong on your bucket list. Coincidentally, many of Texas’ biggest lakes are border lakes.
Earl Nottingham | TPWD
TOLEDO BEND RESERVOIR
surface area: 181,600 acres
volume: 4,477,000 acre-feet
Toledo Bend Reservoir is the largest body of water in Texas. It straddles the state line with Louisiana and is formed by Toledo Bend Dam on the Sabine River. It was impounded in 1967, and many bass tournaments are held here.
Randy Brudnicki | TPWD
Sam Rayburn RESERVOIR
surface area: 114,500 acres
volume: 2,876,033 acre-feet
Formerly known as McGee Bend Reservoir, this beautiful lake sits in the heart of the Pineywoods, north of Beaumont, fed by the Angelina River. The Angelina National Forest borders the lake north and south, providing stunning scenery. More than 300 fishing tournaments are held annually at this lake.
Chase Fountain | TPWD
FALCON INTERNATIONAL RESERVOIR
surface area: 83,654 acres
volume: 2,646,813 acre-feet
On the Rio Grande southeast of Laredo, Falcon International Reservoir is named after the relocated town of Falcon. Impounded in 1954, the reservoir is relatively shallow, with gradual sloping banks leading to river channels throughout the lake. It’s highly regarded for its largemouth bass fishing.
Chase Fountain | TPWD
LAKE TEXOMA
surface area: 74,686 acres
volume: 2,516,232 acre-feet
Lake Texoma sits on the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma and is formed by the Denison Dam. Impounded in 1944, Lake Texoma attracts 6 million visitors annually, and features state parks on both states. With 70 species of fish, something’s always biting.
TPWD
AMISTAD INTERNATIONAL RESERVOIR
surface area: 64,900 acres
volume: 3,275,532 acre-feet
Amistad, surrounded by the rocky limestone cliffs of Southwest Texas near Del Rio, is located in the Rio Grande basin. The reservoir was impounded in 1969. The name amistad means “friendship” in Spanish, in honor of the two border countries.
