Lake O' the Pines

Quick Links: Fishing Regulations | Angling Opportunities | Cover & Structure | Tips & Tactics

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Lake Characteristics

Location: On Big Cypress Creek in the Cypress River Basin, 25 miles northeast of Longview in Marion, Morris, Upshur, and Camp counties
Surface acres: 19,780 at summer pool level; 18,700 at winter pool
Maximum depth: 49.5 feet
Impounded beginning August 1957, construction completed June 1958

Water Conditions

Current Lake Level
Conservation Pool Elevation:
Summer (May 20-September 15) - 230 ft. msl
Winter (September 16-May 19) - 228.5 ft. msl
Fluctuation: Average 4-5 feet annually
Normal Clarity: Moderately clear

Reservoir Controlling Authority

US Army Corps of Engineers
2669 FM 726
Jefferson, Texas 75657
(903) 665-2336 (information)
(877) 444-6777 (camping)

Aquatic Vegetation

Coverage ranges from 15% to 20% of the lake's surface area. Dominant species include hydrilla, buttonbush, water primrose and American lotus.

Predominant Fish Species

• Largemouth bass
• Spotted bass
• Blue, channel & flathead catfish
• White bass
• Crappie
• Sunfish
• Chain pickerel

Lake Records
Current Fishing Report
Stocking History
Latest Survey Report

Lake Maps

Commercial maps are available

Fishing Regulations

This reservoir has special regulations on some fishes. See bag and size limits for this lake.

The following regulation applies to Big Cypress Bayou below the dam on Lake O’ the Pines, including the Texas waters of Caddo Lake: it is unlawful to transport live, nongame fishes from these waters to any other water body. Nongame fishes may be collected and used for bait within the water body where they were caught. For more details, see Possession and Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species.

Angling Opportunities

This 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. 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.

Species	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent
Largemouth Bass
Blue & Flathead Catfish
Channel Catfish
Crappie
White Bass
Sunfish

Fishing Cover/Structure

Aquatic macrophytes are present in moderate densities throughout the reservoir. Hydrilla is the dominant aquatic plant species. Working with the US Army Corps of Engineers and local partners, TPWD has enhanced structure in this reservoir by installing artificial fish habitat.

Use the Habitat Structure Viewer for an interactive map of fish habitat structures and downloadable GPS coordinates.