Welcome to Lake Palestine!

Lake Palestine Location

Out on the water at Lake Palestine

Lake Palestine is located about 15 miles southwest of Tyler, Texas, on Highway 155, the result of a dam on the Neches River owned and operated by the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority.

Portions of Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, and Smith Counties are included in the lake. The Neches River continues flowing southward from the dam, establishing the boundary between Anderson and Cherokee Counties.

The channel of the Neches River through Lake Palestine marks the boundary between Henderson County and Smith County.

Lake Palestine is the largest lake in the Tyler area.

Lake Palestine Features and Attractions

Lake Palestine provides recreation and outdoor activities for everyone, with boating, water skiing, houseboating, camping, RVing, canoeing, hiking, biking, and fishing all being popular activities.

It also offers waterfront and lakeside living for many Texans and visitors, and lodging including RV parks, campgrounds, resorts, cabins, motels, and B&Bs.

Tyler's mild winter climate makes the lake available virtually on a year-round basis.

It is the location of popular camps such as Pine Cove Christian Camps, and major attractions such as the Villages Resort.

Lake Palestine Fishing and Bass Tournaments

The lake is very popular for largemouth bass tournaments due to its consistent success.

Both white bass and hybrid striped bass are present; white bass are particularly popular during their spring run up the Neches River and Kickapoo Creeks.

Read more about marinas and access points on the lake and fishing and fishing guides.

Also, be sure to see our section on Lake Palestine Fishing Tournaments.

Lake Palestine Size and Depth

Lake Palestine has a surface area of 25,560 acres (40 square miles) and a maximum depth of 50 feet, and an average depth of 16 feet.

The lake is 18 miles long, stretching basically north to south, from Chander to near Frankston, with 135 miles of shoreline. The widest part of the lake is 4 miles across.

The crest of the spillway is 345 feet above mean sea level, and the conservation storage capacity is 411,290 acre-feet with a surface area of 25,560 acres.

The drainage area above the dam is about 839 square miles. The maximum typical fluctuation is 2.2 feet.

Enjoy your vacation, fishing trip, or weekend get-a-way to
Lake Palestine!

State Highway 155 Bridge Over Lake Palestine
State Highway 155 Bridge Over Lake Palestine


Crappie catch on Lake Palestine

Fishing Tournaments in Lake Palestine

Each year a number of fishing tournaments are held on Lake Palestine.

Click to view our list of Fishing Tournaments at Lake Palestine.

Learn about how to stop Zebra Mussels in Texas lakes

 

Marinas, Boat Docks, Launches and Storage

More than a dozen private marinas, motels and campgrounds offer additional ramps and other services. In addition, five public boat launches provide access to Lake Palestine.

Read a detailed list of Lake Palestine public access facilities, boat docks, and marinas.

Seen below is The Villages marina, grill and boat launching area.

The Villages marina, grill and boat launching area on Lake Palestine

 


Shown below is part of the expansive Lake Palestine Resort.

Lake Palestine Resort in East Texas


Always great fishing on Lake Palestine!

Great fishing on Lake Palestine in Texas!