Wood County, Texas is home to some of the finest lakes in the nation; yet there is more beyond the lure of big fish!
Fishermen aren‘t the only folks getting hooked on the Lakes of Wood County. There‘s always something big happening, from site-seeing historic architecture and museums to an arts scene buzzing with fine art, folk art and live art. And if it‘s music you love, catch one of our many live performances and festivals. So if you‘re looking for a little more, check out the charm of Wood County, Texas. It‘s big fun, way beyond the lure of big fish!
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.
The Lakes of Wood County are just one of myriad of signature attractions as a gateway for great living, shopping, working or relaxing in the piney woods of east Texas. Excellent accommodations, professional fishing guides, surround area shopping, restaurants, arts and entertainment make Lake Fork and Wood County a must destination!
RECREATION AND SPORTING.
Water, fish, and wildlife are important natural resources in Wood County. Lake Fork Reservoir (27,690 acres), Lake Quitman (814 acres), Lake Winnsboro (806 acres), Lake Hawkins (776 acres) and Lake Holbrook (653 acres)offer family fun...swimming, fishing, water-skiing, picnicking, and camping., and many smaller private lakes and ponds provide abundant water for recreational activities and for domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses.
Lake Fork Reservoir, known for producing most of the record largemouth bass in Texas and one of the top trophy largemouth bass lakes in the nation, is definitely a fisherman’s paradise. Lake Fork has produced the current state record largemouth bass in the state, weighing in at 18.18 pounds. Of all record largemouth bass caught in Texas, 37 of the top 50 were caught from Lake Fork. Out of 533 entries to the Texas Parks and Wildlife ShareLunker Program (13 pounds or greater), 249 have come from Lake Fork! For current information on the Toyota/TPWD ShareLunker program, click here. One of the many Lake Fork event calendars is located at this Web site, click here.
Lake Fork Fishing Regulations:
Largemouth Bass
16” – 24” slot length limit
(No fish kept between 16”-24”), 5 fish daily bag limit of which only 1 fish 14” or greater may be retained each day per angler.
Black & WhIte Crappie
March-November 10” Minimum length limit, 25 fish daily bag limit
December-February No minimum length limit, 25 fish daily bag limit, All fish caught must be kept – No culling
Flathead Catfish
18” minimum length limit, 5 fish daily bag limit
Blue Catfish & Channel Catfish
12” minimum length limit, 25 fish daily bag limit
White (sand) Bass
10” minimum length limit, 25 fish daily bag limit
LODGING.
For RV interests, Hotel Accomodations, Bed and Breakfast or Marinas in Wood County, click on our web site link above "Lodging" or click here. Also, check out the detailed information in the Wood County Demographics and Profile report on our web site.
SHOPPING.
Main Street Cities, Mineola and Winnsboro offer hours of shopping, dining and the simple relaxation of friendly rural communities. These towns have a number of fine Bed and Breakfast establishments and cultural activities throughout the year. Their calendars are available through their Chamber of Commerce Web sites, shown on our "Links" page, or click here.
ATTRACTIONS.
Lake Country Playhouse & The Historic Select TheaterLake Country Playhouse & The Historic Select Theater
As one of the oldest, continuously operating theaters in Texas, the famous Select Theater, 114 N. Johnson St., is a true Texas (and Mineola) treasure. Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Hooks opened the Theater as a movie house in 1920, and the building retains much of its historical style and ambiance today. In 1978, a group of actors determined to bring live theater to the Lake Country area formed the Lake Country Playhouse. They purchased the Theater in 1993, ensuring that Mineola would continue to have a movie theater and a venue for live theatrical and musical productions. The Playhouse produces four live plays each year---one in each season---and shows first -run movies each weekend. Patrons especially love the summer musicals and popular Christmas shows. The Theater is also home to the Lake Country Symphonic Band (formally the Wood County Orchestra), which presents four scheduled performances during the year.
Mineola Nature Preserve on The Sabine River is located South of Mineola on CR 2724 on approximately 3000 acres. It is a free venue and open to the public, and is generally open 7 a.m. to sunset. The pristine East Texas flora and fauna to be witnessed on this magnificent open space project has earned Mineola distinction across the country. The Mineola Nature Preserve has walking, hiking, biking and equestrian trails. GREAT FOR BIRD WATCHING! Home to hundreds of bird species, Mineola claims the title of Birding Capitol of Texas. For more information on this natural treasure, contact the City of Mineola at 903-569-6983 or visit their Web site here: http://mineolanaturepreserve.com/ or http://www.mineola.com/ .
Quitman is home to a quality of life envied by many. The gentle hills of Northeast Texas, nestled among pine and hardwoods shade the more delicate dogwoods that show their white and pink blossoms each spring. As county seat, Quitman is home to the Wood County Courthouse, one of the most photographed landmarks in Wood County. Quitman is also home to Governor Jim Hogg Park, with a nice pavillion/gazebo and recreation facilities. It is located on Hwy. 37 just south of downtown Quitman and the Wood County Courthouse. For more information on Quitman attractions, visit http://www.quitmanchamber.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=81
Winnsboro, in northern Wood County, has acclaimed a wide reputation as a center for live music and the arts. In fact, Winnsboro received one of the first seven Cultural Arts District designations in the state in 2008. Many restaurants in the area also feature live entertainment regularly, and many weekend nights host live music opportunities in at least four venues. The Winnsboro Gallery, voted “Best Gallery,” showcases fine art, while the non-profit Winnsboro Center for the Arts stages art shows and performances, as well as art classes and other events. For more information on current events, visit www.winnsboroonlineguide.com.
Golf
The Links at Land’s End
http://www.golflakefork.com
Lake Fork Golf Course
http://www.lakeforkgolfcourse.com
Holly Lake Ranch Golf Course
http://www.lakeforkgolfcourse.com
Mineola Country Club
http://www.mineolacountryclub.com
Creekside Mini Golf
Facebook.com/creeksideminigolf
Skating
Let’s Roll Skating Rink, 903-768-2317, 484 FM 1799, Alba, TX
Annual Calendar of Scheduled Events
(For Updates, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
