Every wonder about the biggest lakes in Texas?
Call me a geek, but I know I sure have!
If you’re just looking for the definitive list of the largest lakes in Texas, you can use the table of contents below to jump to the bottom of the page where the 100 biggest lakes are ranked by surface area.
Contents
But if you’re interested in learning more about some of the major lakes in Texas, including how to take advantage of them via recreation, then read on!
The Five Biggest Lakes in Texas
In order, these are the five biggest lakes in Texas.
1. Toledo Bend Reservoir (182,490 acres)
The Toledo Bend Reservoir is the biggest lake in Texas—and it’s actually the largest manmade lake in the southern United States. Located halfway between Texas and Louisiana, Toledo Bend’s 1,200 miles of shoreline make it an absolutely massive lake with plenty of amenities.
Fishing is by far the biggest attraction at Toledo Bend; it hosts several fishing tournaments throughout the year. You can catch bass, crappie, carp, white bass, striped bass, and catfish here.
But if you aren’t big on fishing, the lake is also great for jet skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing. Outside of the water, you can enjoy Toledo Bend’s hiking trails—it even allows you to enjoy the trails on horseback!
Toledo Bend Stats:
- Surface area: 182,490 acres
- Length: 65 miles
- Width: 10 miles
- Max depth: 110 feet
- Average depth: 24 feet
More info:
- Address: Huxley Bay Marina, 13200 FM2694, Shelbyville, TX 75973
- Website: Toledo Bend Reservoir
2. Sam Rayburn Reservoir (112,590 acres)
Sam Rayburn is the second-largest lake in Texas at 112,590 total acres. It’s located in east Texas, just over an hour away from the city of Beaumont. If there’s one thing you should take away about the Sam Rayburn Reservoir, it’s the fishing. This lake was ranked number one in the country for having the best bass. Stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, white bass, and more, Sam Rayburn hosts hundreds of fishing tournaments every year. If you want pro-level bass fishing, this is the spot.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir Stats:
- Surface area: 112,590 acres
- Length: 36.4 miles
- Width: 4.3 miles
- Max depth: 80 feet
More info:
- Address: Mill Creek Park, Mill Creek Park Rd, Brookeland, TX 75931
- Website: Sam Rayburn Reservoir
3. Falcon Reservoir (85,195 acres)
Falcon Reservoir is large lake located on the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico. It’s about half an hour from Laredo and is the third-largest lake in the state of Texas. Because it’s so huge, there’s so much to do at Falcon Reservoir! Go bird-watching, geocache, water ski, or enjoy a day out on your boat.
Falcon Reservoir is another great destination for amateur anglers. If you’ve never caught an alligator gar before, this is your chance! Keep in mind that, if your boat goes into Mexican waters, you’ll need a Mexican fishing license. Monitor your GPS carefully if you don’t have the right paperwork.
Falcon Reservoir Stats:
- Surface area: 112,590 acres
- Max depth: 110 feet
More info:
- Address: Falcon State Park, 146 Park Rd 46, Roma, TX 78584
- Website: Falcon Reservoir
4. Lake Texoma (78,420 acres)
I spent many summers frolicking on the shores of Lake Texoma at the Rocky Point Girl Scout Camp. I can say from firsthand experience that Lake Texoma is the quintessential American lake: it has something for everybody. You won’t find perfect azure water here for swimming, but Lake Texoma has plenty of decent beaches that are perfect for a family outing.
If you want horse trails, they’ve got it. If you want campsites or cabins, they’ve got it. Heck, you can even charter a cruise to travel around the lake if you want.
One of the more unique features of Lake Texoma is that you can visit casinos on the Oklahoma side. Some folks like to shuttle from Texas to Oklahoma to make a day of it—give gambling a go if you need a break from the hot sun!
Lake Texoma Stats:
- Surface area: 78,420 acres
- Max depth: 98 feet
More info:
- Address: 87426 Preston Bend Rd, Pottsboro, TX 75076
- Website: Lake Texoma
5. Lake Amistad (66,465 acres)
Feel like a trip to the border? Lake Amistad is one of the largest and most unique lakes in Texas. Perched on the Rio Grande River, two-thirds of the lake is located in the US while another third is in Mexico (FYI, “amistad” means “friendship” in Spanish). Lake Amistad is free to access if you just want to hang out and swim, but if you plan on boating, camping, or hunting, you’ll need to pay for a special pass.
And yes, I said hunting! Lake Amistad is unique because it actually allows hunting. You can find deer, javelina, turkey, rabbit, antelope, hog, and plenty of other game here. You’ll obviously need to follow rules regarding hunting equipment and game seasonality, so check their requirements before you start hunting.
Lake Amistad is generally considered safe, but it’s located on the border between two countries, so keep your wits about you.
Lake Amistad Stats:
- Surface area: 66,465 acres
- Max depth: 217 feet
More info:
- Address: 10477 Highway 90 West, Del Rio, TX 78840
- Website: Lake Amistad
Other large notable lakes
While the following lakes vary in their spot on the list of our state’s largest lakes, these are some of the best big lakes in Texas.
9. Lake Livingston (32,538 acres)
Lake Livingston is an hour north of Houston and situated in the beautiful Piney Woods. It’s a little swampy, but it’s safe to swim at designated beaches around Lake Livingston. If you want to canoe, kayak, or paddleboard, you can rent them Thursday – Sunday from the park rangers. Lake Livingston is also the perfect destination for a picnic thanks to its tall, fragrant pine trees.
- Address: 300 State Park Rd 65, Livingston, TX 77351-1601
- Website: Lake Livingston
17. Caddo Lake (26,800 acres)
Caddo Lake is a gigantic lake out in East Texas (fun fact: it’s located in Karnack, TX, home of former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson). This absolutely gigantic lake is right on the eastern border of Texas and Louisiana, so you’ll get the full-on swamp experience here.
I would absolutely under no circumstances swim in Caddo Lake because of the critters in the swamp, but it’s great for outdoor recreation nonetheless. You can rent a canoe or bring your own kayak to explore the park’s 50+ miles of paddling trails. Enjoy the beautiful sights of bald cypress trees topped with Spanish moss as you spend the day hiking, boating, or camping at one of Caddo Lake’s many campgrounds.
- Address: 245 Park Road 2, Karnack, TX 75661
- Website: Caddo Lake State Park
18. Lake Ray Hubbard (20,963 acres)
I was really shocked to learn that Lake Ray Hubbard is one of the largest lakes in North Texas. Growing up in the suburbs of Dallas, our drinking water mostly came from Lake Ray Hubbard. It may be an artificial lake, but it’s actually a pretty great destination for water sports. It’s popular for the Rockwall Harbor shopping area that overlooks the water, but Lake Ray Hubbard is also good for a spot of fishing. I wouldn’t recommend swimming here, though: the vegetation and overall lake setup makes Lake Ray Hubbard better for boating.
- Address: 6775 Miller Rd, Rowlett, TX 75088
- Website: Lake Ray Hubbard
22. Lake Travis (19,048 acres)
You can’t visit the Austin area without making a trip to Lake Travis. This iconic lake is an essential part of Central Texas life. Lake Travis is definitely more of a party destination, so if you’ve always wanted to rent a yacht or treat your BFFs to a party boat, this is the place to go.
P.S. If you plan on swimming in Lake Travis, be super careful. Swimming is allowed, but there have been accidents where drunk boaters have crashed into swimmers. Always swim in designated areas!
- Address: 4370 Mansfield Dam Park Rd., Austin, TX 78732
- Website: Lake Travis
46. Canyon Lake (8,308 acres)
I have to admit that Canyon Lake is one of my favorite lakes in the state of Texas. Situated about 40 minutes north of San Antonio, this natural area features one of the deepest lakes in the state of Texas. The awesome thing about Canyon Lake is the color of the water: the lake’s depth and other features make for stunningly blue water that invites you in for a dip.
While you’re free to boat and swim in Canyon Lake, it’s a popular destination for tubing and rafting. Rent a boat for the day and enjoy the exhilarating, warm Texas air on your face as you race across the lake on a tube.
- Address: 1178 Comal Park Rd, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
- Website: Canyon Lake
Full list of the 100 largest lakes in Texas by surface area
Here is the full list of the biggest lakes in Texas, sorted by surface area:
Rank | Lake | Surface area (acres) |
1 | Toledo Bend Reservoir | 182,490 |
2 | Sam Rayburn Reservoir | 112,590 |
3 | Falcon Reservoir | 85,195 |
4 | Lake Texoma | 78,420 |
5 | Amistad Reservior | 66,465 |
6 | Richland-Chambers Reservoir | 43,384 |
7 | Lake Tawakoni | 37,325 |
8 | Cedar Creek Reservoir | 32,873 |
9 | Lake Livingston | 32,583 |
10 | Ray Roberts Lake | 28,646 |
11 | Lake Fork Reservoir | 27,264 |
12 | Lake Lewisville | 27,175 |
13 | Lake Caddo | 26,800 |
14 | Choke Canyon Reservoir | 25,989 |
15 | Lake Whitney | 23,220 |
16 | Lake Palestine | 22,656 |
17 | Lake Buchanan | 22,137 |
18 | Lake Ray Hubbard | 20,963 |
19 | Lake Lavon | 20,559 |
20 | Lake Conroe | 20,118 |
21 | O.H. Ivie Reservoir | 19,149 |
22 | Lake Travis | 19,048 |
23 | Lake Corpus Christ | 18,256 |
24 | Wright Patman Lake (Texarkana) | 18,247 |
25 | Cooper Lake | 17,958 |
26 | Barker Reservoir | 17,225 |
27 | Lake O’ the Pines | 16,919 |
28 | Addicks Reservoir | 16,780 |
29 | Possum Kingdom Lake | 16,716 |
30 | Lake Meredith | 16,411 |
31 | Lake Kemp | 15,357 |
32 | Hubbard Creek Reservoir | 14,992 |
33 | Lake Arrowhead | 14,969 |
34 | Spence Reservoir, E.V. | 14,640 |
35 | Lake Limestone | 12,553 |
36 | Belton Lake | 12,135 |
37 | Bridgeport, Lake | 11,954 |
38 | Houston, Lake | 11,854 |
39 | Somerville Lake | 10,843 |
40 | Steinhagen Lake, B.A. | 10,687 |
41 | Cisco, Lake | 10,430 |
42 | Texana, Lake | 9,676 |
43 | Bob Sandlin, Lake | 8,703 |
44 | Eagle Mountain Lake | 8,694 |
45 | Twin Buttes Reservoir | 8,445 |
46 | Canyon Lake | 8,308 |
47 | Waco, Lake | 8,190 |
48 | Granbury, Lake | 7,945 |
49 | Red Bluff Reservoir | 7,495 |
50 | Joe Pool Lake | 7,470 |
51 | J.B. Thomas, Lake | 7,282 |
52 | South Texas Project Reservoir | 7,000 |
53 | Grapevine Lake | 6,893 |
54 | J.D. Murphree WMA Impoundments | 6,881 |
55 | Stillhouse Hollow Lake | 6,484 |
56 | Brownwood, Lake | 6,443 |
57 | Kickapoo, Lake | 6,028 |
58 | Lake Lyndon B. Johnson | 6,024 |
59 | Pat Mayse Lake | 5,638 |
60 | Medina Lake | 5,426 |
61 | O.C. Fisher Lake | 5,348 |
62 | Stamford, Lake | 5,158 |
63 | Anahuac, Lake | 5,035 |
64 | Martin Creek Lake | 4,981 |
65 | Tyler, Lake / Lake Tyler East | 4,737 |
66 | Navarro Mills Lake | 4,736 |
67 | Proctor Lake | 4,537 |
68 | Fort Phantom Hill, Lake | 4,213 |
69 | Granger Lake | 4,203 |
70 | Natural Dam Lake | 3,710 |
71 | Benbrook Lake | 3,635 |
72 | Calaveras Lake | 3,624 |
73 | Murvaul, Lake | 3,507 |
74 | Cherokee, Lake | 3,467 |
75 | Worth, Lake | 3,458 |
76 | Cypress Springs, Lake | 3,252 |
77 | Squaw Creek Reservoir | 3,169 |
78 | Truscott Brine Lake | 3,146 |
79 | Bardwell Lake | 3,138 |
80 | Diverson, Lake | 3,133 |
81 | Coleto Creek Reservoir | 3,100 |
82 | Aquilla Lake | 3,066 |
83 | Gibbons Creek Reservoir | 2,770 |
84 | Alan Henry, Lake | 2,741 |
85 | Mountain Creek Lake | 2,696 |
86 | Loma Alta Lake | 2,490 |
87 | Smithers Lake | 2,480 |
88 | Graham, Lake | 2,444 |
89 | Palo Duro Reservoir | 2,413 |
90 | Fayette County Reservoir | 2,400 |
91 | Oak Creek Reservoir | 2,375 |
92 | Delta Lake, Units 1, 2 | 2,371 |
93 | Twin Oaks Reservoir | 2,330 |
94 | Millers Creek Reservoir | 2,212 |
95 | Nacogdoches, Lake | 2,212 |
96 | Wichita, Lake | 2,200 |
97 | Palo Pinto, Lake | 2,176 |
98 | Fairfield Lake | 2,159 |
99 | Greenbelt Lake | 2,025 |
100 | Brady Creek Reservoir | 2,020 |
Source stats from Texas Almanac & Texas Parks & Wildlife