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Wright Patman Lake
Lakes in the East Texas Area
 Map showing the location of Wright Patman Lake |
In East Texas, there are over 50 lakes offering a variety of outdoor sports for vacations or weekends. These lakes provide fishing, swimming, water skiing, houseboats, jet skis, sailing and other outdoor and hiking activities.
Within easy driving distance are lakes such as Toledo Bend Reservoir, Caddo Lake, Lake Fork, Sam Rayburn, Lake Tawakoni, and many others.
Wright Patman Lake
Wright Patman lake is on the Sulphur River in Bowie and Cass counties, 10 miles southwest of Texarkana. Its surface area covers 18,994 acres, and features a maximum depth of 40 feet.
The lake is formed by water impounded by Wright Patman Dam. The water is mainly from the Sulphur River, but several smaller creeks also flow into the lake.
Originally known as Texarkana Reservoir, the lake was later renamed to Lake Texarkana. Construction of the dam began in 1948, and the lake was formed when water was impounded in 1953. In 1973, the lake and dam were renamed in honor of Congressman Wright Patman of Texas. The lake features 170 miles of shoreline.
U.S. Highway 67 runs from Texarkana southwest across Wright Patman Lake's northern side, and U.S. 57 runs south on the eastern side to Queen City and Atlanta. Texas State Highway 8 traverses south from Maud to Douglassville on the lake's western side. New Boston lies to the north of the lake.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains nine parks around Wright Patman Lake. These parks provide lake access for boating, swimming, and fishing; as well as camping, picnicking, hiking, equestrian trails, and other outdoor activities. Atlanta State Park is also located on the south shore of the lake.
The lake is a popular destination for those outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Ark-La-Tex Region.
Camping at Wright Patman Lake
 U.S. Corp of Engineers sign at Wright Patman Lake |
Camping options are plentiful around the lake, inlcuding Berry Farm Campground, Rocky Point Park, Elliott Lake Recreational Area and the Clear Springs Campground.
Read more about access points and marinas at Wright Patman Lake on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website.
Fishing at Wright Patman Lake
White bass are very popular at Wright Patman, with high numbers of quality-size fish available for harvest.
Crappie are also popular at Wright Patman, with large numbers of legal-size fish available. Both white and black crappie are present; white crappie dominates.
Channel and blue catfish are both present, with high densities of quality size fish. Flathead catfish offer an additional angling experience. Largemouth bass are moderately abundant with good numbers of legal-size fish. Bluegill and redear sunfish also offer good fishing opportunities.
Structural habitat consists of inundated timber, brush, creek channels, and riprap. Submerged aquatic vegetation is coverage is low, however high densities of emergent and floating plants are present. Man-made structures have been used to create five fish attractor "reefs" in this reservoir.
A popular destination for anglers, the lake hosts numerous fishing tournaments throughout the year.
Scenes Around Wright Patman Lake
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Atlanta State ParkAtlanta State Park sits on the shores of Wright Patman Lake in the far northeast corner of Texas. Towering pines and hardwoods shade the park, providing fall and spring color, and beauty year-round. At Atlanta State Park, visitors can fish, boat, water-ski and swim at a designated area (no lifeguard on duty). Ashore, you may walk, study nature, bird, camp, picnic, geocache, and jog or hike along roads, trails and shorelines. Explore hilly park roads on your bicycle. Fishermen enjoy this 33,750-surface-acre reservoir (and its 75-pound catfish). The park has two boat ramps and a fish cleaning station. To find out more about fishing here, visit the Wright Patman Lake page. The park offers 4.8 miles of hiking trails, including an .8-mile nature trail. Campers can reserve one of 58 campsites. All sites have water and electricity; 14 of them have sewer hook-ups, too. The picnic pavilion and an amphitheater can be reserved for group events. It is located at 927 Park Road 42. Phone 903.796.6476
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Map of the Wright Patman Lake Area
Wright Patman Lake Water Level: Conservation Pool Elevation is 220.6'
Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey
Nearby Texarkana, Texas
 Texarkana ... on the Texas-Arkansas state line |
exarkana is unique in that it straddles two states on either side of State Line Avenue: Texas and Arkansas.
Located in extreme Upper East Texas, close to Louisiana and Oklahoma, and bordering Arkansas, is the twin-city of Texarkana. The Texas side of the city lies in Bowie County, while the Arkansas side is in Miller County.
Even its U.S. Post Office downtown has a state line running through the middle of the lobby of the building!
There are two of almost everything in Texarkana: two city mayors, two city governments, two police departments, and two fire departments.
We've spent considerable time in Texarkana over the years, conducting business there, eating in its restaurants, shopping, and passing through on Interstate 30, heading for nearby Hope Arkansas. We have dined at local legends such as Bryce's Cafeteria for literally decades! Bryce's was opened in 1931.
The population of Texarkana, Texas was about 36,000 residents as of the Federal Census of 2020. Another 30,000 residents live in Texarkana, Arkansas.
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Things to Do in Texarkana Traveler reviews and photos at TripAdvisor |
Texarkana Hotels and Lodging
More Wright Patman Lake Area Information
Wright Patman Lake - U.S. Corps of Engineers
Fishing Wright Patman Lake - Texas Parks & Wildlife
Access to Wright Patman Lake - Texas Parks & Wildlife
City of Atlanta Texas - Website