Lake Palestine is located about 15 miles southwest of Tyler, Texas, on Highway 155, the result of the Blackburn Crossing Dam on the Neches River.The lake is owned and operated by the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority.
The lake spans portions of Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, and Smith Counties. 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.
Nearby cities include Tyler, Coffee City, Dogwood City, Chandler, Noonday and Frankston.
Lake Palestine has a surface area of 25,560 acres (40 square miles) and a maximum depth of 50 feet, with 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. View current Lake Palestine water levels.
State Highway 155 Bridge Over Lake Palestine |
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 offerings of hotels, motels, RV parks, campgrounds, resorts, cabins, home rentals, and B&Bs.
The area's mild winter climate makes the lake available virtually on a year-round basis. View current Lake Palestine weather.
It is the location of popular camps such as Pine Cove Christian Camps, and major attractions such as the Villages Resort.
Both white bass and hybrid striped bass are found in Lake Palestine; white bass are particularly popular during their spring run up the Neches River and Kickapoo Creeks. Channel and blue catfishes are abundant and flathead catfish provide great opportunity for trophy-sized fish. Crappie are plentiful, and Black-Nose Crappie are also caught.
The lake is very popular for bass fishing tournaments due to its consistent success.
About marinas and access points on the lake and fishing, fishing guides & fishing reports.
Photos courtesy of Freshwater Fishing Adventures |
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.
Detailed list of Lake Palestine public access facilities, boat docks, and marinas.
The Villages Marina |
Lake Palestine Resort |
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