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Lake O' the Pines
Lakes in the East Texas Area
 Map showing the location of Lake O' the Pines |
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, Wright Patman, Lake Fork, Sam Rayburn, Lake Tawakoni, Caddo Lake and many others.
Lake O' the Pines
Lake O' the Pines is located on Big Cypress Creek in the Cypress River Basin, 25 miles northeast of Longview in Marion, Morris, Upshur, and Camp counties.
The lake(formerly known as "Ferrell's Bridge Reservoir") was created by the construction of the Ferrells Bridge Dam on the Big Cypress Bayou approximately 81 miles upstream from the bayou's confluence with the Red River. The reservoir was created as part of the overall plan for flood control in the Red River Basin below Denison Dam in Oklahoma.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began construction of the dam in January 1955 and the dam was completed on December 11, 1959. It has a surface area of 16,919 acres, and a maximum depth of 49.5 feet.
In addition to a providing a variety of recreational options, the lake provides water supply storage for the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District which serves the cities of Jefferson, Ore City, Lone Star, Avinger, Hughes Springs, Daingerfield, and Longview.
Boating and fishing access is provided by the Corps of Engineers, Marion County, and private marinas. Launch fees are charged at most boat ramps; however, the Corps maintains five free ramps in addition to developed park areas.
Campsites with water and electricity are available at Brushy Creek, Buckhorn Creek, Johnson Creek, and Alley Creek. Primitive camping is available at Cedar Springs and Hurricane Creek.
Nearby communities include Jefferson, Ore City and Avinger.
Fishing at Lake O' the Pines
The lake's diverse fish community offers many angling opportunities. White bass are native to the Cypress River Basin; the population is abundant and contains many legal-size fishes.
Access to the lake is available from a number of Lake O' the Pines marinas and boat ramps.
Channel, blue, and flathead catfish are all present. The largemouth bass population is abundant with many legal-size fish available for harvest. Sunfish (bluegill, redear, and redbreast) are abundant with quality-size fish available.
Crappie, also popular with anglers, are quite abundant with large proportions of legal-size fish available. Both white and black crappie are present with black crappie being the dominant species.
Another great day of Crappie fishing on Lake O' the Pines! |
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Aerial view of the dam at Lake O' the Pines |
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More Scenes Around Lake O' the Pines
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Brushy Creek Park at Lake O' the Pines |
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Map of the Lake O' the Pines
Lake O' the Pines Water Level: Conservation Pool Elevation is 228.5'
Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey
Nearby Jefferson, Texas
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The City of Jefferson is the county seat of Marion County, Texas, north of Marshall and south of Linden. Nearby are the communities of Uncertain and Karnack.
It is located on U.S. Highway 59 and Texas Highway 49. The Jefferson Zip Code is 75657, and its Area Code is 903. Its population in 2020 is about 2,000 residents.
Jefferson became a port of entry into the Republic of Texas and then the State of Texas. It was a major shipping port for agricultural products, especially cotton. Obstructions were removed from Big Cypress Bayou in 1845, allowing steamboats to reach Jefferson from New Orleans. Jefferson’s "Golden Era" as a steamboat port lasted from 1845 until 1875.
Attractions and Things to Do in Jefferson
Today, Jefferson is a tourism center, with popular attractions including Jay Gould's railroad car, the Jefferson Historical Society Museum, Sterne Fountain, the Jefferson Carnegie Library, Excelsior House, and the bayous formed by Big Cypress Bayou located in and around the city.
A trip to Jefferson is a journey back through time to a bustling 19th century riverport. Jefferson is a great locale with antique shops lining the original brick streets, horse-drawn carriage tours, and boat trips down the bayous and around Caddo Lake.
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Things to Do in Jefferson Traveler reviews and photos at TripAdvisor |
Hotel and B&B Information for JeffersonVisitors to Jefferson can choose between a wide variety of excellent B&Bs and other lodging. Jefferson offers hotels and bed & breakfasts, including those listed and reviewed below at TripAdvisor. White Oak Manor Bed & Breakfast Carriage House Bed & Breakfast Other Jefferson Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts Vacation Home Rentals in JeffersonPlanning a trip to Jefferson and need a vacation rental?
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More Lake O' the Pines Area Information
Fishing Lake O' the Pines - TPWD
Access to Lake O' the Pines - TPWD
Lake O' the Pines Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Information
Lake O' the Pines RV Park, Marina & Inn
Jefferson - Marion County Chamber of Commerce