Best Lakes in Texas for Boating

Last Updated on July 12, 2024 by Boatsetter Team

With 7,000 lakes in Texas, visitors (and locals) here have a water world to explore by boat. With so many lakes to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one has the best views, cleanest waters, and fun activities to do. To help narrow your search, we’ve compiled a list of the best lakes in Texas for boating:

1. Lake Buchanan
2. Canyon Lake
3. Lake Travis
4. Lewisville Lake
5. Lady Bird Lake
6. Possum Kingdom Lake
7. Sam Rayburn Reservoir
8. Lake Conroe
9. Inks Lake
10. Caddo Lake
11. Toledo Bend Reservoir
12. Falcon Lake

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1. Lake Buchanan

Located in Central Texas, Lake Buchanan is known for its clear waters and stunning scenery. The lake is perfect for boaters of all levels, as there are plenty of areas to explore and numerous coves to relax in.

Fishing at Lake Buchanan is very popular. Catches you can expect to make here are catfish, white, and striped bass. Several marinas are also located near this lake, making it easy to find a place to dock your boat.

2. Canyon Lake

Situated just outside San Antonio, Canyon Lake has a central location that makes it accessible to the most popular destinations in Texas. The lake is perfect for boaters who want to enjoy time on the water without dealing with large crowds.

Canyon Lake is also home to several public parks and sand beaches, making it a great place to spend a day with family or friends.

You can find Canyon Park, a 482-acre lakefront park located on the north shore. The park features 104 picnic sites with grills and 3 pavilions.

3. Lake Travis

Located in the Hill Country of Texas, Lake Travis is one of the busiest lakes in the state. The lake is well-known for its clear waters, beautiful scenery, and many savory restaurants and bars along the shore.

There are always fun events at Lake Travis, like Tanned Up Tuesday at Hippy Hollow or the wine tasting at NaturaReserve! Whether you’re looking to get sunkissed or party, Lake Travis is the perfect spot.

4. Lewisville Lake

Located just north of Dallas, Lewisville Lake is an artificial reservoir perfect for boating and fishing. The lake is home to several fish species, including catfish and largemouth bass. It is an ideal location to start up fishing or practice.

If you’re not into fishing or looking for something new to try, there are many more activities to do! This lake is excellent for skiing, swimming, and relaxing on a pontoon. Several boat ramps and docks around the lake make it simple to get your boat into the water.

Party Cove

Party Cove on Lake Lewisville is a vibrant hotspot where boaters gather to socialize, swim, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Known for its festive vibe, especially on weekends and holidays, it’s a favorite destination for those looking to combine fun on the water with a dynamic social scene.

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5. Lady Bird Lake

At the heart of the boisterous city of Austin is Lady Bird Lake, an artificial reservoir known as late as 2007 as Town Lake. The name change came from the beautification of this lake into a major recreational area. So if you catch some Austinites calling it Town Lake, don’t fret — you’re in the right place.

You can do much like biking the parameter here, but you must get on the water. It’s perfect for boating, kayaking, paddle board yoga, and more! You’ll be surrounded by beautiful scenery, including the downtown skyline.

Several boat ramps and docks on the lake’s banks allow you to launch your boat or kayak quickly.

6. Possum Kingdom Lake

Located in North Texas, Possum Kingdom Lake is an 18,000-acre crystal clear reservoir. It is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. People here enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities, including boating, diving, and swimming.

The lake is surrounded by stunning scenery like rolling hills and beautiful cliffs. The waters here are home to a wide variety of fish. Popular species include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, white bass, spotted bass, crappie, and bream.

There are also several marinas and boat ramps located around the lake, making it easy to find a place to dock your boat. That said, it’s a great place to cast a line.

7. Sam Rayburn Reservoir

Sam Rayburn Reservoir measures more than 114,500 acres with a maximum depth of 80 feet. The reservoir is located in Jasper, Newton, and Sabine counties, approximately eight miles west of Jasper.

The lake is a perfect destination for fishing, boating, swimming, and camping. This area’s popular species are largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, catfish, and sunfish.

8. Lake Conroe

Located just north of Houston, Lake Conroe is one of the biggest spots for boaters and anglers.

Popular species here are largemouth bass, white bass, striped bass, catfish, and bluegill. There are public boat ramps and Boat & Fish Organizations where boaters gather together year-round.

There are also many waterfront restaurants and resorts for an exciting destination for anyone on a boat.

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9. Inks Lake

Inks Lake is a reservoir on the Colorado River. The lake is situated approximately one hour northwest of Austin and four hours southwest of Dallas.

Because the lake’s level usually stays constant, there are things to do year-round here. You can fish for sunfish, catfish, and several species of bass. It is an excellent destination for camping, boating, swimming, and picnicking.

10. Caddo Lake

Caddo Lake is a 26,800-acre lake and bayou located in East Texas. Cypress trees and moss-draped Spanish moss surround the bayous and wetlands in this area. It is a prime destination for fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and bird watching.

There are also historic cabins and lodges around the lake, making it the perfect place to stay if you want to enjoy all Caddo Lake offers.

11. Toledo Bend Reservoir

Toledo Bend Reservoir is an artificial lake on the border between Texas and Louisiana. The lake is known for its clear waters and stunning scenery, as well as its abundance of fish, making it a popular destination for fishing.

Notable species in this area are largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, white bass, and striped bass. Several boat ramps and marinas are also located around the lake, making it easy to find a place to dock your boat.

12. Falcon Lake

Falcon Lake is an artificial international reservoir on the border of Texas and Mexico. The lake is approximately an hour southwest of Brownsville. The lake is known for its clear waters and abundance of fish, making it an excellent spot for fishing and boating. You can fish for largemouth bass and catfish here.

Those looking to escape the Texas summer heat can cool off at Falcon Lake. There are also several resorts and RV parks located around the lake.

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