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Lake Texoma, Oklahoma & Texas, USA

Also known as:  Texoma Lake

An 89,000-acre jewel set into the landscape of Texas and Oklahoma, Lake Texoma is a sparkling wonder of deep blue water and beautiful green shores. With more than 6 million annual visitors, the lake offers everything from water skiing to scenic nature hikes. Two-thirds of Lake Texoma lies in Oklahoma. Before the creation of Lake Texoma by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the area was a…
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    • All About Lake Texoma, OK/TX

    Lake Locations: USA - US Southwest Region - Oklahoma - Arbuckle Country, OK - Texas - Prairies and Lakes Region, TX -

    An 89,000-acre jewel set into the landscape of Texas and Oklahoma, Lake Texoma is a sparkling wonder of deep blue water and beautiful green shores. With more than 6 million annual visitors, the lake offers everything from water skiing to scenic nature hikes. Two-thirds of Lake Texoma lies in Oklahoma.

    Before the creation of Lake Texoma by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the area was a rural slice of American wilderness, with historic sites such as Fort Washita and home of future United States president Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1938, the Flood Control Act authorized construction of the Denison Dam on the Red River and therefore the formation of Lake Texoma, forever altering the future of the area. At the time, the Denison Dam was the largest rolled, earth-filled dam and is now the 12th largest in volume in the U.S. In 1944, the dam began its job of flood control, and in 1945, the first hydroelectric turbine was put into operation. Today, the lake provides flood control and hydroelectric power generation, in addition to being a premier Texas-Oklahoma recreation destination.

    Oklahoma’s Lake Texoma State Park is a great starting point for your lake vacation. Offering bicycle rentals, boat rentals, horseback riding, houseboat rentals, campsites, fishing, picnic areas, and a swim beach, the State Park is a one-stop shop for many of your lake needs. Drop a line into the lake and hope for the next record-setting catfish or smallmouth bass, take a dip in the refreshing lake waters, or use the park as your starting point for a day out on the lake waters. And if camping tickles your fancy, stay overnight and enjoy all 24 hours at Lake Texoma, watching as the stars come out and the woods come alive with nocturnal animals.

    The Texas side offers Eisenhower State Park, about an hour north of Dallas. Hike or bike more than four miles of trails along high bluffs, take a dip at the sandy swimming cove, explore backcountry woodland by ATV or dirt bike, and fish for striped bass, catfish, and crappie. Campsites and RV sites are available for longer stays. Join ranger programs, such as stargazing, and kids can become a Junior Ranger.

    Another ideal introduction to the lake is to hike along the Cross Timbers Hiking Trail, a 14-mile stretch of scenic overlooks, dense woodlands, and vast prairie land along the lake’s southern shore in Texas. As you walk, you’ll pass through prairies and catch glimpses of the Southern Plains, wondrous in their flat, tree-free landscapes. Traverse the lake’s ridge and bask in the beauty of startling vistas and lake panoramas. As you walk the trail, you’ll find yourself closer to nature and the beautiful manmade Lake Texoma.

    Lake Texoma’s vast acreage and 580 miles of shoreline are best explored by boat. There are many marinas around the lake that rent power boats, jet skis, and pontoon boats, as well as slower-paced canoes and kayaks for your peaceful pleasure. If you’re a true lakelubber, consider renting one of the lake’s signature houseboats. Drifting along the peaceful waters at night, dining under the stars, and awaking to the gentle rocking of the waves will convince you that lake living is best done right on the water. Regardless of your boating preference, get out on the lake and start your investigations. Though it’s impossible to see the entire reservoir in one trip, Lake Texoma is home to vast beauty and shoreline secrets that will entertain you all day long.

    Adrenaline junkies and speed demons will not be disappointed with the lake’s offerings: water skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, and windsurfing are all popular summer activities. Depending on your skill level, rent a boat or take a class on your chosen water sport, and prepare to spend a day drinking in the warm sun and testing your skills at one of the country’s most popular reservoirs.

    One of the lake’s favorite and most popular activities is fishing, and anglers make annual pilgrimages to these shores. Swimming beneath the sparkling surface are black crappie, bluegill, blue catfish, channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, white crappie, and white bass. Crappie bite best during warming trends. Lake Texoma is one of the few reservoirs in the nation where striped bass reproduce naturally. Your best bets are with the lake’s large populations of blue catfish, smallmouth bass, and striped bass, so get your rods ready and prepare to make another Lake Texoma fishing record. Before you do, you must buy a Lake Texoma fishing license.

    Though Lake Texoma’s aquatic offerings are great, the lake also offers off-water pleasures such as fine dining. You can find any type of restaurant here, from family-style to reservation-only, but you’ll find that no matter the type, southern charm is always in full swing. With a healthy mix of on and off the lake fun, a day at Lake Texoma will leave you tired, full, and ready for tomorrow’s adventures.

    Things to Do at Lake Texoma

    These are some activities in the Lake Texoma, OK/TX area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Jet Skiing
    • Water Skiing
    • Wakeboarding
    • Tubing
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • State Park

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Texoma?

    Lake Texoma has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Black Crappie
    • Blue Catfish
    • Bluegill
    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Spotted Bass
    • Striped Bass
    • Sunfish
    • White Bass
    • White Crappie
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Texoma

    If you’re considering a Lake Texoma lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lake Texoma Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Texoma lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
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    All Travel Resources

    Lake Texoma Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 89,000 acres

    Shoreline Length: 580 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 615 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 590 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 640 feet

    Average Depth: 31 feet

    Maximum Depth: 100 feet

    Water Volume: 2,566,946 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1944

    Drainage Area: 39,719 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Lake Texoma Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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    More Lake Texoma news from LakeLubbers.com

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