Texas has roughly 7,000 reservoirs, but almost no natural lakes — nearly every significant body of water in the state was created by damming a river. Many of the largest were built in response to the devastating Texas drought of the 1950s. The state’s biggest lakes tend to be border lakes, shared with Louisiana, Oklahoma, or Mexico. Below are the 20 largest lakes in Texas ranked by surface area, with corrected acreage figures from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Texas Water Development Board, and the Texas Almanac.
Important Note on Surface Area
Lake surface areas in Texas fluctuate significantly depending on rainfall, drought, and dam operations. The figures below represent normal pool/conservation elevation — the designed full capacity. During drought years, many Texas lakes drop well below these numbers. Falcon Reservoir, for example, has been at critically low levels during recent drought cycles. Always check current conditions before planning a trip.
The 20 Biggest Lakes in Texas
1. Toledo Bend Reservoir — ~181,600 acres
Location: Texas-Louisiana border (Sabine River) | Impounded: 1966
The largest lake in Texas and one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States. Toledo Bend straddles the Sabine River with roughly 1,200 miles of shoreline. It’s a premier bass fishing destination, hosting numerous tournaments annually. The Texas portion lies within Newton, Sabine, and Shelby counties, bordered by the Sabine National Forest.
2. Sam Rayburn Reservoir — ~114,500 acres
Location: East Texas (Angelina River) | Impounded: 1965
The largest lake entirely within Texas. Located between Lufkin and Jasper, bordered by the Angelina National Forest on two sides. Sam Rayburn has 560+ miles of shoreline and is consistently ranked among the best bass fishing lakes in the country. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
3. Lake Texoma — ~74,686–89,000 acres
Location: Texas-Oklahoma border (Red River/Washita River) | Impounded: 1944
Surface area varies significantly by source and water level; TPWD lists 74,686 acres at conservation pool. Formed by Denison Dam, Lake Texoma attracts roughly 6 million visitors annually — one of the most visited lakes in the United States. Over 70 fish species. State parks on both the Texas and Oklahoma sides.
4. Falcon International Reservoir — ~83,654 acres (at conservation level)
Location: Texas-Mexico border (Rio Grande) | Impounded: 1954
A U.S.-Mexico border reservoir about 30 minutes from Laredo. Known for trophy bass fishing and excellent birding (the lower Rio Grande Valley is one of the top birding regions in North America). Falcon State Park provides camping and water sports access. Water levels fluctuate dramatically with drought — check current levels before visiting.
5. Lake Livingston — ~83,000 acres
Location: East Texas (Trinity River) | Impounded: 1969
The second-largest lake entirely within Texas. Located roughly halfway between Houston and Dallas, managed by the Trinity River Authority. Major water supply for the Houston metropolitan area. Popular for camping (5,000+ campsites around the lake), fishing, and boating. Lake Livingston State Park provides cabins, trails, and boat rentals.
6. Amistad International Reservoir — ~64,900 acres
Location: Southwest Texas (Rio Grande/Devils River), near Del Rio | Impounded: 1969
A U.S.-Mexico border reservoir surrounded by rocky limestone cliffs. “Amistad” means “friendship” in Spanish. Known for clear water, excellent scuba diving, and fishing (both national and international tournaments). The surrounding area contains significant Indigenous rock art in caves and shelters — some of the oldest in North America. Managed by the International Boundary and Water Commission.
7. Richland-Chambers Reservoir — ~41,356 acres
Location: Navarro/Freestone counties, East Texas | Impounded: 1987
Roughly an hour southeast of Dallas via I-45. Primarily a water supply reservoir for the Tarrant Regional Water District, but also popular for boating and fishing (largemouth bass, catfish, crappie). One of the largest inland lakes entirely within Texas. About 330 miles of shoreline.
8. Lake Tawakoni — ~37,879 acres
Location: Hunt/Rains/Van Zandt counties, Northeast Texas | Impounded: 1960
Located about 50 miles east of Dallas. Lake Tawakoni State Park has 376 acres of oak forest, sandy beaches, and 5+ miles of trails. Good fishing, camping, and an easy weekend trip from the DFW metroplex.
9. Cedar Creek Reservoir — ~32,623 acres
Location: Henderson/Kaufman counties, East Texas | Impounded: 1965
About 60 miles southeast of Dallas, commonly called “Cedar Creek Lake” by locals. Popular weekend destination from Dallas with marinas, waterfront dining, and residential development along the shoreline.
10. Lake Lewisville — ~29,592 acres
Location: Denton County, North Texas | Impounded: 1957
One of the most heavily used recreational lakes in the DFW metroplex, just 30 minutes from downtown Dallas. Lewisville Lake Park and the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) provide nature access. Gets extremely crowded on summer weekends.
11. Lake Fork Reservoir — ~27,690 acres
Location: Wood/Rains/Hopkins counties, East Texas | Impounded: 1980
Texas’s most famous bass fishing lake. Lake Fork has produced more than 65% of the state’s top 50 largest bass, including the current Texas state record. The lake’s management includes a slot limit that protects fish in the 16–24 inch range, contributing to its trophy bass reputation.
12. Lake Palestine — ~25,560 acres
Location: Anderson/Cherokee/Henderson/Smith counties, East Texas | Impounded: 1962
A well-known bass fishing lake about 80 miles southeast of Dallas. Surrounded by pine forest with good camping and cabin rental options.
13. Caddo Lake — ~25,400 acres
Location: Harrison/Marion counties, East Texas (Texas-Louisiana border) | Natural/modified
Caddo Lake is one of the only natural lakes in Texas (though its current level is maintained by a dam). It’s a cypress swamp ecosystem with Spanish moss, bayous, and an otherworldly landscape unique in the state. Caddo Lake is a designated Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Excellent for kayaking and canoeing through the cypress channels.
14. Lake Ray Hubbard — ~22,745 acres
Location: Dallas/Rockwall/Kaufman/Collin counties | Impounded: 1968
An urban lake within the eastern Dallas metroplex, visible from I-30. Provides water supply and recreation for the DFW area. The Harbor Rockwall development on the lakeshore has restaurants, shops, and a Hilton hotel.
15. Lake Buchanan — ~22,333 acres
Location: Burnet/Llano counties, Hill Country | Impounded: 1937
The largest and northernmost of the Highland Lakes chain on the Colorado River in the Texas Hill Country. Known for its scenic beauty, bald eagle watching in winter, and waterfall tours along the lake’s canyon walls.
16. Lavon Lake — ~21,400 acres
Location: Collin County, North Texas | Impounded: 1953
Located northeast of Dallas, Lavon Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control and water supply reservoir. Popular for fishing, boating, and camping at several Corps-managed parks around the shoreline.
17. Lake Conroe — ~20,985 acres
Location: Montgomery/Walker counties, near Houston | Impounded: 1973
One of the most accessible lakes from Houston (about an hour north). Heavily developed with lakefront homes, marinas, restaurants, and resort communities. Good largemouth bass and catfish fishing. Hybrid striped bass were introduced in the 1990s.
18. Possum Kingdom Lake — ~19,800 acres
Location: Palo Pinto/Stephens/Young counties, North-Central Texas | Impounded: 1941
Set in a scenic canyon on the Brazos River, Possum Kingdom is known for its unusually clear blue water (rare for Texas lakes). The Hells Gate rock formation is an iconic landmark. Popular for cliff jumping, scuba diving, and weekend getaways from DFW (about 2 hours west).
19. Lake Travis — ~18,929 acres
Location: Travis/Burnet counties, near Austin | Impounded: 1942
Part of the Highland Lakes chain and the most popular recreational lake in Central Texas. Known for its dramatic water level fluctuations (dropping 50+ feet during drought). Home to Hippie Hollow (Texas’s only clothing-optional public park), the Oasis restaurant deck overlooking the lake, and a vibrant lake-party culture. The deepest lake in Texas at around 210 feet at maximum pool near Mansfield Dam.
20. Lake O’ the Pines — ~18,700 acres
Location: Marion/Morris/Upshur/Harrison counties, East Texas | Impounded: 1959
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake in the East Texas Piney Woods. Known for its standing timber (submerged trees throughout the lake), which creates excellent crappie and bass fishing habitat but requires careful navigation by boat. Quieter and less developed than many Texas lakes.
What About Natural Lakes?
Texas has almost no natural lakes. Virtually every significant lake in the state is a man-made reservoir created by damming a river. The notable exception is Caddo Lake (#13 on this list), which formed naturally but is now maintained at its current level by a dam. A few small natural lakes exist (like Green Lake in Calhoun County), but they’re minor compared to the state’s massive reservoirs. This is a surprising fact about a state this large, and it means that every Texas lake’s water level is ultimately controlled by human management — dam operations, water authority decisions, and the balance between municipal water supply demands and recreational use.
For more lake and water destinations, see private bass fishing lakes in Texas, the Flathead Lake boating guide, Lake Hickory in North Carolina, and fishing getaways for couples in Texas.
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