Lake Livingston is one of the best kept secrets in Eastern Texas. Because it is only 80 miles or so from Houston, depending on which lake town you’re visiting, Lake Livingston is an ideal weekend getaway or day trips for Houstonites. Just to give you some perspective on the size of the lake, here are a list of some of the towns in the Lake Livingston area: Sebastopol, Carlisle, Onalaska, Blanchard, Moore Hill, Livingston, Swartout, Goodrich, Urbana, Rose Hill, Wolf Creek, Willow Springs, Snow Hill, Pointblank, Oakhurst Palmetto Park and Gospel Hill. Many people have vacation and retirement homes on the lake and in some of the towns, and many of these vacation homes are available to rent. Contact a local vacation rental management company and discuss some of your options.
Noted for its boating opportunities, Lake Livingston has over 100 boat launching ramps in state parks, resorts, home communities, and marinas around the lake. However, due to the size of the lake there is usually plenty of room on the water for pontoon boats, speed boats, ski boats, and fishing boats, even on busy holiday weekends. Sometimes referred to as a "water wonderland," Lake Livingston is the second largest lake contained entirely within Texas. With over 450 miles of shoreline, it covers 83,000 acres and runs through four different counties: Polk, Walker, San Jacinto, and Trinity. The Trinity River Authority created Lake Livingston, under contract with the City of Houston, for municipal, industrial, and agricultural water supply. The Authority completed the Lake Livingston Dam in 1969, creating a reservoir 39 miles long and 7 miles wide at its widest. At 2-1/2 miles long and an average height of 55 feet, the dam controls the flow of the Trinity River. To take full advantage of the water, head to the lake during the week when you will have it almost to yourself.
The major draw to a lake is fishing; that’s why most people go, and Lake Livingston has good fishing. Known for its catfish and white bass fishery, a day at Lake Livingston is not complete without wetting a hook. Lake Livingston is often referred to as the "Catfish Capital of Texas." Fish records include a 78-pound blue catfish, a 114-pound flathead catfish, a 12.88-pound hybrid striped bass and a 31.5-pound striped bass. Fishing is great from shore as well as in a boat, so anyone with a rod and reel stands a good chance of catching something. Other fish in the lake include largemouth bass, blue gill, channel catfish, white bass, and black crappie.
Some vacationers to Lake Livingston, especially the young and the restless, don’t go to the lake to fish; they go to party and hang out. It’s not unusual to see one of the beaches maxed out with 20-somethings soaking up rays and brews. Often times you may see boats anchored in a secluded bay and tied together; that’s usually a sign of a throw down good time. If you don’t have a boat or watercraft, they are available to rent. Be it boating or jetskiing, check out the rental availability.
Lake Livingston has over 100 boat launching ramps in state parks, resorts, home communities, and marinas around the lake. However, due to the size of the lake there is usually plenty of room on the water for pontoon boats, speed boats, ski boats, and fishing boats, even on busy holiday weekends. To take full advantage of the water, head to the lake during the week when you will have it almost to yourself.
Lake Livingston, located down in East Texas, needs to be on your bucket list. You’ll have fun.