Alazan Bayou Wildlife Management Area
The Alazan Bayou WMA has 2,063 acres located in southern Nacogdoches County. The WMA was purchased in 1991 to preserve mature bottomland hardwood forests adjacent to the Angelina River. In addition to the Angelina River other significant drainages include Loco Bayou and Moral Creek. The bottomland forest typically begins to flood during mid winter as the river and bayous overbank and inundation continues through early spring. Hunting is permitted with an Annual Public Hunting Permit (APH) and some special permit hunts may be offered. Check the Outdoor Annual and the Public Hunting Lands Maps Booklet for information on methods, species, seasons and bag limits.
Please Note:
• Bring your own drinking water.
• Insect repellant is recommended for mosquitoes.
• High heat and humidity in the summer should be
taken into consideration when planning a visit.
• There are no restroom facilities.
• The WMA is not wheel-chair accessible.
• Primitive camping is available.
Phone:
(936) 569-8547
Address:
8096 FM 2782
Nacogdoches, TX 75964
Contact:
Ron Mize
General Access:
Alazan Bayou (WMA) is located in southern Nacogdoches County and is within the Pineywoods Ecological Region of East Texas. The WMA is located 6.2 miles south of Nacogdoches and 1.1 miles west of Hwy 59 on FM 2782. The WMA totals 2063 acres and is primarily comprised of bottom hardwood forests and old field habitats adjacent to the Angelina River. The WMA provides excellent habitat for over wintering waterfowl, white-tail deer, turkey, rabbits, squirrels and feral hogs. Other activities include wildlife viewing, camping, and hiking.
Required Permits:
Visitors 17 years and older must possess either an Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit, or Limited Public Use (LPU) Permit. Hunters must also possess a valid hunting license.
Directions:
Alazan Bayou WMA is located north of Houston about 140 miles. The WMA is located approximately 6.2 miles south of Nacogdoches off of highway 59. Go west on FM 2782 approximately 1.1 miles to the WMA. There are three entrances along FM 2782 with information/registration stations.
Registration is required.
Cassells-Boykin County Park
Cassells-Boykin County Park is located on the 142,700 acre Lake Sam Rayburn. The Park provides an excellent year round access to the northern part of Lake Sam Rayburn, which is noted for excellent fishing. Boating, Skiing, and other water related activities also are quite popular.
Facilities and Activities
• The park has 27 campsites.
• Ten (10) are multi-use sites which are paved
and 17 are tent or picnic sites.
• Seventeen (17) sites have water and electricity.
• There is a fourteen day camping limitation.
• Water and electrical hookups are $20.00 per day
(an Annual Permit for $25.00 can be purchased in
lieu of the $3.00 daily facility fee).
• Senior citizens can purchase an Annual Permit for
$10.00.
• There are two restrooms in the park. No
showers are available.
• A trailer dump station is available.
• A boat ramp is available.
• The water-related recreational activities afforded
by Lake Sam Rayburn are legendary in East Texas.
• Stores, a marina, restaurants and lodging are
available nearby.
Coming Prepared
Bring:
Firewood, insect repellent, and drinking water. Pets must be kept on a leash. You are responsible for knowing and obeying park rules and regulations.
Weather:
July average high is 94°; January average low is 39°. May is the wettest month. First/last freeze: November 13/March 14.
Directions:
South from Lufkin on Hwy. 69, East on Texas 147 from Zavalla, go four miles on FM 3123, turn left.
Kurth Lake & Reservoir
The Lake Kurth Reservoir is located six miles north of Lufkin off of US 59. Its surface area spans a whopping 726 acres with depths up to 40 feet. Its aquatic vegetation consists primarily of submerged aquatic vegetation (mainly hydrilla), standing timber, and lily pads. Game fish are typically found around vegetation edges, points, and creek channels. The species of fish range from Largemouth bass to Spotted bass to Catfish and Crappie, among others.
Fishing Regulations:
A Triploid Grass Carp Permit is in effect on this lake. If a grass carp is caught, it must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. All other species are currently managed under statewide regulations.
Angling Opportunities:
The black bass fishery at Kurth Reservoir is very popular. Equal numbers of spotted and largemouth bass exist. Recently, a good hybrid striped bass fishery has developed. Good numbers of fish 18-20 inches are present. Crappie and catfish are present in the reservoir, but numbers are relatively low and few anglers target these species. Bluegill and redear sunfish are present in high numbers and provide fast action, especially for youth or inexperienced anglers.
Tips & Tactics:
Anglers are most successful at catching largemouth bass during the fall and spring months. Due to cooler water temperatures, fish are active for longer periods of the day and are typically found in shallow water. When fish are active, crankbaits and spinnerbaits worked over the vegetation will catch bass. During the hot summer, the bite slows and fish activity is usually concentrated during early morning and late evening. Poppers and propeller baits are good topwater choices during low light conditions. As the sun rises, bass concentrate in or around vegetation edges or seek refuge on deep creek channel ledges. During this time, plastic worms are the preferred bait. Anglers catch spotted bass all summer long on smaller finesse-type baits.
Hybrid striped bass can be caught schooling around the dam and inflow structure. Topwaters and rattle traps are good choices for schooling fish. Sunfish, especially bluegill and redear sunfish, can be caught year-round but fishing peaks in late spring or summer when fish are on their spawning beds. Small jigs, spinners, and crickets all catch sunfish.
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
History:
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park is a 639.8-acre park located on the heavily-wooded shoreline on the north side of the 9400-acre Lake Bob Sandlin, located southeast of Mount Pleasant in Titus County. It was acquired in 1979 and was opened 1987.
There is evidence of prehistoric Caddoan people which occupied East Texas from 200 B.C. to 1700. The French and Spanish periodically occupied the area; establishing relations with the Caddo. Choctaw, Cherokee, and Kickapoo moved into East Texas in the late 18th to early 19th century. By 1841, Fort Sherman, a wooden stockade whose site is believed to be in or near the park, was established. The Fort Sherman cemetery is located in the park. Since 1860, the land has been used for farming and ranching.
Activities:
Activities include picnicking; hiking; swimming; mountain biking; in-line skating; and fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. Eagles can be spotted during winter months. A variety of birds and wildlife can be viewed year round.
Campsites & Other Facilities:
Facilities include restrooms with showers; premium lakeside campsites with water and electricity; two primitive camping areas; campsites (back-in) with water and electricity; screen shelters; Limited use cabins (air-conditioning and heating, bunk beds with mattresses, no linens, no inside plumbing); a group picnic pavilion with 6 or 8 tables, water and electricity, a large barbeque grill, and restrooms; 5 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails with 8 footbridges; a playground; a lighted fishing pier; a fish-cleaning facility; and a two-lane boat ramp; and a Texas State Park Store.
Directions:
The park is located approximately 12 miles southwest of Mt. Pleasant on FM 21. Exit Interstate 30 on Highway 37 South at Mt. Vernon. Go .8 mile; turn left on Highway 21; go 11.2 miles to the park entrance.
Information courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
Lake Murvaul
DeLacy Photography
Lake Murvaul provides recreational facilities for residents and visitors across portions of its 3,820 acres. It is located twelve miles SW of Carthage via FM10, and also accessible from Henderson, Tenaha and Mt. Enterprise. It is fed by the Murvaul Bayou and numours creeks. There is excellent fishing, water skiing, boating and swimming, plus camp sites and cabins at lake side.
Lake Murvaul is created by Murvaul Bayou Dam in Panola County, Texas. Construction of Murvaul Bayou Dam was completed in 1956. At normal levels it has a surface area of 5.8 square miles. It is the property of Panola County Fresh Water Sd No 1.
Lake Murvaul is an area tourist attraction, a place for many fishermen to while away the hours and catch several sizable fish. Common fish species include largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill, and redear sunfish. The current bluegill record is 8.5 inches long.
The Boy Scout camp at Camp Pirtle on Lake Murvaul draws many boy scouts into the area for canoeing, sail boating and badge ceremonies.
Photo and article by Kathy Lacy of DeLacy Photography
Lake Characteristics
Location:
On Murvaul Bayou in Panola County, 15 miles west of Carthage
Surface area:
3,397 acres
Maximum depth:
36 feet
Impounded:
1958
Panola County Fresh Water District
154 CR 1839
Carthage, TX 75633
(903) 693-6562
Predominant Fish Species
• Largemouth bass
• Crappie
• Channel catfish
• Flathead catfish
• Bluegill & redear sunfish
Fishing Regulations
Most species are currently managed with statewide regulations. One exception is a 14-21-inch slot length for largemouth bass. Bass 14 inches and less or 21 inches and greater may be retained. Only 5 bass may be retained each day, and only one of those can be more than 21 inches in length.Angling Opportunities
Lake Murvaul has an excellent and highly utilized largemouth bass fishery. The reservoir received national recognition in the 1960s for its trophy bass production and continues to produce bass over 8 lbs. Management strategies have been developed to take advantage of Murvaul's ability to grow large bass. During the late 1990s, a supplemental stocking program was conducted to increase the Florida bass genotype in the population and harvest regulations were modified to protect intermediate-size bass and increase fishing quality. Channel catfish are present in high numbers and provide excellent opportunities for anglers. Quality-size crappie are present with best fishing success in winter and spring. Sunfish (bluegill and redear) are present in good numbers with high numbers of fish over 6 inches available for harvest.
Tips & Tactics:
Although largemouth bass fishing is good throughout the year, the most productive months are January through March. Jig combinations, oversized crankbaits and spinner baits are the most popular lures. Fish are located in deep water along creek channels during winter months and tend to move into shallow water flats during the spring. Aquatic and terrestrial vegetation may also be productive habitat to fish during the spring through fall months. During warmer months, top-water lures can produce strikes in the early morning hours. Artificial worms are effective in deeper water off major points and secondary points at midl-day in summer months
Crappie fishing is steady throughout the year with higher success rates generally occurring in March and April. Minnows and artificial jigs are productive. Jones Branch and the creek channel near the FM 1971 bridge are popular fishing areas. Best catch rates for channel catfish occur April through October. Live baits such as night crawlers, minnows, and catalpa worms are most effective but commercial prepared dough or stink baits can also be used. The best months to fish for sunfish are May and June. Fish can be found near shorelines in 2-6 ft of water. Earthworms and crickets are good bait choices.
Courtesy of Kathy DeLacy |
Lake Livingston State Park
Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
History:
Lake Livingston State Park is in Polk County, one mile southwest of Livingston, contains 635.5 acres along Lake Livingston a 84,800-acre reservoir. It was acquired by warranty deed and from private landowners in 1971 and opened to the public in 1977.It is located near the ghost town of Swartwout, a steamboat landing on the Trinity River in the 1830s and 1850s, and the meeting place of Polk County's first commissioners court before voters selected Livingston as county seat.
Activities:
The park offers camping; picnicking; swimming pool (Memorial Day to Labor Day); mountain biking; nature study; fishing (crappie, perch, catfish, and bass); and boating; Day use equestrian is now available: Visitors use the horses provided by Lake Livingston stables and are not allowed to bring their own horses.
Campsites & Other Facilities:
Facilities include commemorative representation of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas; the restored Rice Family Log Home; picnic sites; campsites with water; campsites with water and electricity; campsites with water, electricity, and sewer; group picnic areas; a group picnic pavilion; restrooms with and without showers; a group camping area; an amphitheater; a trailer dump station; 3 1/2 miles of hiking trails; a playground; and a nature pond (approximately 1 acre in size). Winter rates are available. Be sure to visit the Texas State Park Store.
Area Attractions:
Nearby attractions include Martin Dies, Jr. State Park and Huntsville State Park; Trinity River Authority-operated Wolf Creek and Tigerville Parks; hundreds of privately-owned parks and marinas; Big Thicket National Preserve (Big Sandy Creek and Menard Creek) near Woodville, 30 miles away; Sam Houston National Forest near Coldspring, 30 miles away; the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation, where "Beyond the Sundown" outdoor drama shows during the summer months, and the Big Pow-Wow is held during the first weekend of June; and the Lake Livingston Dam with fishing right below the dam at Southland Park, a county park. The City of Livingston, 10 miles away, offers ball fields; a bowling alley; a 18-hole golf course; lighted tennis courts; city parks; a municipal airport; and Polk County Library and Museum. Astrodome, AstroWorld, NASA Spacecenter Houston, and many more attractions in Houston, 70 miles away, and two 18-hole golf courses within 30 minutes. Special annual events include the Annual Crappiethon (mid-February through mid-April); Easter Festival and Bazaar (Memorial Day weekend); the Texas Youth Rodeo "Texas' Largest" (first week in July); Pine Cone Festival (first full-weekend in October); and Christmas Candle Light Tour of Homes (first Saturday in December).
Natural Features:
Park vegetation includes pine-oak woodlands, dominated by loblolly pine and water oak. Typical wildlife of the pineywoods includes an occasional white-tailed deer, mallard duck, raccoon, armadillo, swamp rabbit, or squirrel. Popular fish include crappie, perch, catfish, and bass.
Schedule:
Open 7 days a week year-round.
Directions:
The park is located 1 mile south of Livingston on US Highway 59, 4 miles west on FM 1988, 1/2 mile north on FM 3126 to Park Road 65, which is 75 miles north of Houston. Current conditions including, fire bans & water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park at, 300 Park Road 65, Livingston, TX, 77351, (936) 365-2201.
Information courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
Lake O´ The Pines
Lake O' the Pines'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. 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. 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.
There are fish attractors out in the main body of the lake. These areas are generally man-made brush piles or tire reefs and they are marked by buoys marked Fish Attractors. These areas are well know for catching crappie. There are several submerged bridges that are hot spots at times. In addition to boat fishing we have areas for bank fishing both on the lake and below the dam along the Big Cypress Bayou. When the bass or crappie are schooling fishing is excellent.
Local Information:
Lake O´ the Pines Chamber of Commerce
Rt. 2 Box 1106
Avinger, Texas 75630
(903) 755-2597 or (877) 347-4567 toll
Nearby State Parks:
Daingerfield
Caddo Lake
Martin Creek Lake
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
Rob McCorkle © Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.
History:
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park until 1965 known as the Dam B State Park, is a 705-acre recreational area in Jasper and Tyler Counties between Woodville and Jasper on B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir (15,000 acres). The land for the park was acquired under a 50-year lease from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1964 and was opened in 1965.
Activities:
Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, boating, canoeing, fishing, swimming, mountain biking and wildlife and bird watching. There are canoes, bicycles, a flat bottom boat, volleyballs and horseshoes for rent.
Campsites & Other Facilities:
The park has 2 Limited Use Cabins (also known as mini-cabins), one in the "Hen House Ridge" shelter area and one in the “Walnut Ridge” shelter area. The cabins have heat, air conditioning, bunk beds (bring your own linen) and a screened porch. The outside has water, a fire-ring with a grill, a BBQ pit, and a picnic table. 4 Screen shelters have been remodeled to include heat and air conditioning. These Shelters with Amenities are located in the “Hen House” and “Walnut Ridge” shelter areas.
Other facilities include screened shelters; campsites with water; campsites with water and electricity; a group dining/meeting hall; restrooms with hot showers; trailer dump stations; playgrounds; lighted fishing piers; fish-cleaning facilities; boat ramps; 4 miles of multi-use trails for hiking and mountain biking; 2 miles of nature/interpretive trail; a Texas State Park Store located at the Headquarters and a Nature Center located in the Walnut Ridge unit.
Area Attractions:
Nearby points of interest include Village Creek State Park; Angelina-Neches-Dam B Wildlife Management Area; Winter bald eagle census conducted at the Sam Rayburn Reservoir; the Dogwood Festival held at Woodville; and a rodeo held in Jasper. In addition, the park is located approximately 30 miles from the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation, Big Thicket National Preserve, National Forest Service areas, and Sam Rayburn Lake and Toledo Bend Lake.
Natural Features:
Located at the edge of the Big Thicket National Preserve, the park is in the heavily-forested area known as the "East Texas Pineywoods." The park has numerous creeks, known as sloughs, and cypress, willow, beech, magnolia and sweet bay are common. Each fall the golden hues of beeches are brilliant against the reds of blackgums and oaks, mixed among the evergreen pines. Hiking trails provide excellent opportunities to view wildlife, including woodland warblers, woodpeckers, bluebirds, herons, wood ducks, cranes, bald eagles and swallow tailed kites. Alligators can be spotted in the water, as the park is adjacent to Angelina-Neches-Dam B Wildlife Management Area.
Schedule:
Open 7 days a week year-round.
Directions:
To reach the park from US Highway 69, travel 17 miles east from Woodville on US Highway 190; from US Highway 96, travel 12 miles west from Jasper on US Highway 190; or from Houston, take US Highway 59 north to Livingston, and then travel east on US Highway 190 for 65 miles to the park via Park Road 48. Current conditions including, fire bans & water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park at, 634 Private Road 5025, Jasper, TX, 75951, or (409) 384-5231
Information courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
Mission Tejas State Park
Artwork courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
History:
Mission Tejas State Park is a 363.5-acre park in Houston County, 22 miles northeast of Crockett. The park was constructed in 1935 and acquired in 1957 by Legislative Act from the Texas Forest Service, at which time it was open to the public.
The park was built in 1934 by Co. 888 of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as a commemorative representation of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, the first Spanish mission in the province of Texas, which was established in 1690. Also in the park is the restored Rice Family Log Home, built in 1828 and restored in 1974. The home, which Joseph Redmund Rice, Sr. constructed between 1828 and 1838, is one of the oldest structures in the area. The home served as a stopover for immigrants, adventurers, and local residents traveling the Old San Antonio Road across pioneer Texas.
Activities:
include camping; picnicking; hiking; and fishing. A pond located near the picnic area offers an excellent opportunity to explore aquatic life and fish. Hiking and nature trails provide access to the natural beauty of the east Texas Pineywoods. The dogwood are beautiful the last week or so of March, usually around the 25th.
Campsites & Other Facilities:
Facilities include commemorative representation of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas; the restored Rice Family Log Home; picnic sites; campsites with water; campsites with water and electricity; campsites with water, electricity, and sewer; group picnic areas; a group picnic pavilion; restrooms with and without showers; a group camping area; an amphitheater; a trailer dump station; 3 1/2 miles of hiking trails; a playground; and a nature pond (approximately 1 acre in size). Winter rates are available. Be sure to visit the Texas State Park Store.
Area Attractions:
Nearby attractions include Caddoan Mounds State Historic Site, Jim Hogg Historic Site; Texas State Railroad; Davy Crockett National Forest, Fairfield Lake State Park, Texas Forestry Museum, in Lufkin; and Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area (a U.S. Forest Service park, 12 miles away, that has a nice swimming beach).
Natural Features:
Situated near the northern end of the Davy Crockett National Forest, the park offers an atmosphere of rustic beauty and tranquility, among the tall pine trees. You can fish for perch and bream.
Schedule:
Open 7 days a week year-round. Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 365 days a year. Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.
Directions:
The park is located 21 miles northeast of Crockett and 12 miles west of Alto on State Highway 21. The entrance to the park is in Weches, where Park Road 44 intersects with State Highway 21. Current conditions including, fire bans & water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park, at 120 State Park Rd. 44, Grapeland, TX 75844, or call (936) 687-2394.
Information courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2004
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