Discover the Deepest Lake in Dallas Area

When you think of Texas, it is easy to picture desert and scrublands with no water in sight. However, Texas actually has more water than you think. The enormous state is home to more than 7,000 lakes and reservoirs! And over a dozen of those lakes are located close to Dallas. 

If you want to hit the water on one of the many Dallas area lakes, you may wonder which one offers the best experience. That depends on what you are looking for. Some are large enough to hold plenty of boats. Others are deep enough to provide exceptional fishing. Be careful not to fall in, though. Some of the lakes are quite deep and rival other record holders in the state. But what is the deepest lake in the Dallas area? Keep reading to find out!

What Is the Deepest Lake Near Dallas?

The deepest lake in the Dallas metro area is Joe Pool Lake. It sits just south of I20 and reaches a depth of 75 feet. However, it is not one of the state’s natural lakes. Instead, it is the brainchild of the Trinity River Authority, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Joe Pool Lake Planning Council, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The collaborators officially opened the lake in 1989. 

Now, Joe Pool Lake is an extremely popular destination for Dallas and Fort Worth residents. It has two state parks and two local parks overlapping its shorelines. The lake also has seven boat ramps, a marina, and two campgrounds nearby. 

The shoreline is over 60 miles long. So, there is plenty of space for the many visitors. When Joe Pool Lake is full, its surface area is over 7,400 acres. That ample amount of water is perfect for water sports and fishing.

Where Is Joe Pool Lake Located on a Map?

Joe Pool Lake is located between Dallas and Fort Worth, and in parts of Dallas, Ellis, and Tarrant counties. It is four miles south of Grand Prairie on Mountain Creek, a Trinity River tributary.

What Animals Live in Joe Pool Lake?

The fish most abundantly found in Joe Pool Lake are white crappie, white bass, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Other fish living in the lake include sunfish, bluegill, flathead catfish, yellow bass, and blue catfish.

Despite the metropolitan area surrounding the lake, larger animals are roaming around the edges of Joe Pool Lake. Residents have increasingly sighted bobcats and coyotes.

How is Fishing at Joe Pool Lake?

Anglers love stopping by Joe Pool Lake year-round. It has an abundance of fish most years. However, in some years, fishing is reportedly a little tough. Most years, largemouth bass are the most popular fish to catch. However, due to the lake’s popularity among fishermen, it does have size and bag limits. Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the regulations before you go. You will find them on the official website. 

What Is the Deepest Lake in Texas?

The title for the deepest lake in the state goes to Lake Amistad. This expansive body of water sits along the Rio Grande, at the border with Mexico. The reservoir was a joint construction project between both countries. It is 217 feet deep and 64,900 acres.

What Is the Deepest Lake in the United States?

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the entire United States. It is a stunning blue lake in Oregon. However, the amazing thing is that it does not have any inlets. Instead, its shocking blue color comes from snowmelt and rainfall. It is a natural lake formed by a volcanic eruption and it became a national park in 1902. 

It is 1,943 feet deep. And you can swim in it, though you may not want to. Due to its elevation and water source, the lake is typically freezing cold. The lake is large and boasts a 33-mile road around its shoreline. Known as the Rim Road, this epic trip has over 30 pullouts, so you can snap all the photos you want!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Kimmy Engen/Shutterstock.com