Anybody with experience with Lake Palestine? I passed through the other day and was stunned with how beautiful the lake is. We are in the market for a lake house for water sports (tubing, surfing, wakeboarding) and just relaxing with friends and family. Also, have to ask - what is the gator situation on this lake?

Lots of timber...can buy a chip from a guide there that marks boat lanes
That's all I know... Other than it's a great crappie lake

It's a great lake for water sports and fishing. You'll want to research a little about where you buy the house but there are several locations where the timber is not hindering any kind of activity. We have had a lake house out there for 20 years and our family has been on the lake longer than that. Happy to talk to you some more if you are interested. We love it out there. The 3 hour drive from Houston can feel a little long if you're only making it up there for a quick weekend trip but worth it when you get up there at least by early Friday morning.

Just one cool story. Our there for golf. Stayed on the lake with a lit pier. Had Zebco 33 ultralight and few in line spinners. Caught white bass for 3 hours straight. Barely caught a buzz because I spent the whole time reeling

I have a place on the lake. We love it. It is rarely crowded and good for both fishing and water sports. There is a lot of timber west and north of the 155 bridge, but still some good open areas. South and east of the bridge has much less timber and very few problems for water sports. The other good thing is that right now, nobody but Tyler pulls water from the lake. Ft. Worth, I believe has rights to the water, but they haven't acquired right-of-way for a pipeline and there is some concern that the water is a little too brackish for drinking water for them.

I think it is typical of most lakes in Texas in that property on the lake is generally very nice and well maintained, while across the street is a total crap shoot.

I believe it is still possible to get relative bargains on the lake.

Have a good buddy who has a place out there. Love it. Great fishing right off the dock.

This is my favorite lake in East Texas. I travel there to fish at least 4 times a year. Boat traffic is fairly low. I hope to own a house on that lake one day. It is very easy to learn the lake on where to go and not.

I'll add that if you are a golfer, Pine Dunes just a bit south of the lake is a fantastic course.

I am on the lake a couple of times a week typically. As mentioned, for recreational boating you will want to stay south of 155 bridge (even that gets iffy when the water drops, but it is good right now). The arm southeast of 155 bridge is called Saline Bay, you can stay in that arm all weekend if you are just there for recreation boating.

I am sure there could be gators on the very north end, but I have yet to see one and you would never want to go up there anyways. Never seen gators on the South end or even mid lake.

And I will go ahead and say it, the areas off the lake are what people think of when you say East Texas People. Ever since Coffee Landing burned down there is no reason to visit anything around the lake, except maybe the burgers at Lake Palestine Resort.

Pretty good gator at back of Chimney Cove.

MAROON said:

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I'll add that if you are a golfer, Pine Dunes just a bit south of the lake is a fantastic course.

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Have u played recently?
I heard it's gone downhill from what it was 4 years ago

I dont get much past the bridge in Chimney so you may be right.

i have not