Lake Palestine Near Tyler in East Texas
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Lake Palestine Location
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.
![]() Lake Palestine ... looking north from Brown's Landing |
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.
![]() Texas Highway 155 bridge across Lake Palestine (Staff Photo) |
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!
Lake Palestine Resort
The Villages Marina on Lake Palestine
Great fishing on Lake Palestine!