Toledo Bend Reservoir

Map showing the location of Toledo Bend Reservoir

Toledo Bend Lake stretches for miles along the Sabine River as the largest man-made lake in the south, forming part of the boundary between the states of Texas and Louisiana. Its upper reaches extend into the Ark-La-Tex Region.

Visitors to Toledo Bend are attracted by boating, fishing, skiing, camping, hiking, golfing and other recreational activities in the area.

RV resorts, campgrounds, resorts, restaurants, marinas, and motels are all available along the 1,200 miles of shoreline of the reservoir.

Bassmaster Magazine has repeatedly selected Toledo Bend Reservoir as the one of top sport fisheries in the United States.

About Toledo Bend Reservoir

This massive 181,600 acre lake is a project of the States of Texas and Louisiana, and has both recreational and power generation benefits. It has a maximum depth of 110 feet.

Toledo Bend Lake was created by the Sabine River Authority of Texas and the Sabine River Authority of Louisiana which constructed a dam on the Sabine River, just north of Burkeville, Texas.

The lake extends 65 miles to the north to near Logansport, LA.

Toledo Bend Reservoir stretches for miles along the Texas and Louisiana border, directly west of Many, Louisiana.

Toledo Bend Fishing

While largemouth black bass fishing remains the most popular on Toledo Bend, many other species are regularly caught, including crappie, bream, white bass, striper bass and catfish.

Toledo Bend Reservoir attracts numerous large fishing tournaments year-round because of the excellent fishing and the facilities available for such angling events.

Bassmaster Magazine has selected Toledo Bend Reservoir as the top fishery in the United States. Toledo Bend ranked above 230 potential lakes after the magazine conducted research and personal interviews with anglers from around the U.S.

Toledo Bend was the location for several of the Bassmaster Elite Series.

Marinas

A day of fishing at Toledo Bend Lake

Many marinas offer fishing piers and launching ramps; in addition, public launching ramps are available on both the Texas and the Louisiana sides of the reservoir.

Fishing Regulations

Residents of Texas or Louisiana who are licensed in their state (or are exempt because of age), or persons who hold valid non-resident fishing licenses issued by either state may fish in any portion of the lakes and rivers forming a common boundary between Louisiana and Texas inland from a line across Sabine Pass between Texas Point and Louisiana Point.

Louisiana fishing regulations

Texas fishing regulations

Toledo Bend Reservoir Fishing Habitats and Fishing Reports

Habitat in Toledo Bend Reservoir consists of aquatic vegetation, standing timber, and flooded terrestrial vegetation. Hydrilla is the predominant plant species, although many native plants (coontail, eelgrass, pondweed, lily pads) are also present.

Large iconic fish on the Louisiana side of Toledo Bend Reservoir at Pendleton Bridge

In the lower part of the reservoir the water is typically clear; gamefish are usually found around vegetation edges, flats, humps, and creek channels.

In the upper third of the reservoir, the abundance of vegetation typically declines.

Timber, brush, laydowns, and creek channels provide upper-lake gamefish habitat. At periods of high water, terrestrial bushes and trees provide excellent habitat reservoir-wide.

Current fishing report for Toledo Bend from Texas Parks & Wildlife

Read more about fishing in Toledo Bend courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife

 

Area Attractions Around Toledo Bend

Sign at the Louisiana Welcome Center at Toledo Bend

There are many activities to keep Toledo Bend residents, and visitors, busy around the reservoir and its environs! But sometimes we want to get away from the lake for an afternoon, or a weekend.

We like to check out the restaurants in Many, or Alexandria, or even drive west over to Tyler, do some shopping, and explore the back roads of East Texas.

For golfing enthusiasts, Emerald Hills Golf Resort offers an 18-hole championship golf course, overnight accommodations and a restaurant. Meeting and conference facilities are also available. Other golfing venues include nearby Cypress Bend Golf and Conference Center.

Other popular recreational areas in East Texas include Lake Palestine, Sam Rayburn Reservoir and Lake Livingston.

Read more about the lakes of East Texas.

Toledo Bend Area Hotels, Motels, Lodging, Accommodations

A large variety of lodging, cabins, motels, campgrounds, RV parks and resorts are available on and near both sides of the lake.

Depending on the nature of your visit, you may want to consider accommodations in nearby Louisiana cities and towns such as Many, Leesville and Natchitoches.

On the Texas side of the reservoir, the nearby cities include Hemphill, Jasper, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, and San Augustine.

This website has no affiliation or connection with any listed hotel and lodging properties. Listings from TripAdvisor and other media are provided as a starting point in your hotel research. It is always recommended that travelers do their own research and make informed decisions about the lodging they book.

There are dozens of motels, cabins and other lodging options around Toledo Bend ... here is today's highlight ... Lost Frontier RV Park One of the many popular lodging options near Hemphill is Lost Frontier RV Park, previously Frontier Park. It has a historical significance for those people who have lived in Hemphill and Milam for a long time, as Frontier Park. After being a staple there for well over 50 years, the property fell into a state of disrepair and effectively abandoned by an owner who did not maintain the park. The Sabine State Bank took over the park and sold it to a local family in 2018 who has rebuilt it to its current state, and named it “Lost” Frontier Park as it had been lost, but now found again! It has become a big part of the Toledo Bend community, and a perfect getaway spot and a gathering place for families, especially in the summer months. It also hosts many fishing tournaments throughout the season. The Lost Frontier RV Park and Bar & Grill is situated at Carrice Cove on Toledo Bend, with RV slots, a pool, splash pad, fishing pier, beach area, bar and grill. It has overnight accommodations and features one of the best restaurants in the area with a big patio overlooking the lake and live music on Saturday nights. For more information, visit the website of the Lost Frontier RV Park and Lost Frontier RV Park on Facebook ... Phone 409.404.9972 RVing at Lost Frontier Lost Frontier Cabins Lost Frontier Fishing Pier   View more photos and read what other travelers have to say about the Lost Frontier RV Park on TripAdvisor

 

Toledo Bend Water Levels ... Conservation Pool Elevation is 172.00' USGS Identifier 08025350 Chart and Data Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

 

 

North Toledo Bend State Park in Louisiana

Located on Toledo Bend Reservoir, one of the country's largest man-made reservoirs, North Toledo Bend State Park provides a venue for a wide variety of water-related activities in a pleasant environment.

And for land-based activities, more than 900 acres are available for camping, picnicking, hiking, and relaxing in the heart of nature. Read more at North Toledo Bend State Park website

South Toledo Bend State Park in Louisiana

Pleasantly located on several small bluffs that extend over and into the Toledo Bend Reservoir, South Toledo Bend State Park offers a scenic, waterfront view from many vantage points.

While the reservoir is nationally recognized as a destination for bass fishing tournaments, visitors to the park also enjoy other outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, cycling, birding, camping and enjoying the many forms of wildlife in the area.

Read more at South Toledo Bend State Park website

Fort Jesup State Historic Site

The site is located in Sabine Parish, just 30 minutes from Natchitoches and I-49, and six miles east of Many off LA 6 (formally the San Antonio Road). Fort Jesup is a reminder of a young nation's growing pains and a relic of Louisiana's rich international heritage.

Outflow from the Toledo Bend Reservoir dam

History of Toledo Bend Reservoir

In May 1963, land acquisitions for the reservoir began as a joint management project of Texas and Louisiana River Authorities.

Construction on the Toledo Bend Dam, spillway, and power plant, began in May of 1964.

The closure section of the earthen embankment and impoundment of water was begun in October 1966.

The power plant was completed and began operating in the early 1969.

Toledo Bend Maps

Texas communities close to the reservoir include San Augustine, Carthage, Hemphill and Jasper. The largest city in Upper East Texas, Tyler, lies further to the west.

 

Photos from Around the Toledo Bend Area