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Acres Of Water & Miles Of Shoreline
8,738 acres and 60 miles of shoreline
Brief Overview:
Eagle Mountain lake is a relatively small but fun lake. The water is fairly clear (you can see your knees if the water is to your shoulders), there are some large houses to cruise by and admire, some good coves for swimming and fishing, and some fun bars/restaurants. The only day use facility that we are aware of is Twin Points Resort and RV Park, which means to enjoy this lake you need a boat. Check with Twin Points Resort (817 237-3141) before you head out there, they may loose their lease and have to close around March of 2007. Good News - I have heard that by the end of 2008, Eagle Mountain will be a constant level lake.
A Typical Texas Outsider Day
Friday night after launching the boat, we will head over to one of the two Kelly's restaurants or Augie's for food and music. Note: Kelly's at the south end of the Lake is now Highfills. This trip was to Kelly's Cove for some good food and karaoke. The real reason we came to Eagle Mountain Lake is for the annual raft-up which is usually held the second or third weekend in August. The raft-up is held in Old Ranch House Slough on the north east side toward the middle of the lake. If you are into some great people watching (including various male and female parts) and a somewhat rowdy but fun loving crowd, you'll like this event. Starting around 11:00 on Saturday, boats of all sizes start rafting/tying up together in a large circle. In the middle of the circle is a pontoon boat with a DJ playing music and enticing the crowd to have fun. The pictures can describe it better than I can. You can also read the "Eagle Mountain Lake Thank God for Weekends" to learn more about the "raft-up" and see more pictures. Around 8 we headed over to the other Kelly's, Kelly's At Eagle Mountain Lake for some good food and music on the deck. Sunday we cruised the lake, tied up to one of the buoys in a cove just east of the spillway for swimming and tyring to stay cool in the 105 degree heat! Then over to Augie's for lunch.
Other Cool Things To Do:
Eagle Mountain is an excellent sailing lake with a very active group of sailors. The houses along the south east side of the lake are good for cruising. There are a couple good coves for swimming and fishing. Check out the marinas and the bars and restaurants. Old Ranch House Slough is a good place to raft up if you're a serious party goer. If you are more laid back or have kids, tie up in Big Carter Slough.
In addition to the annual raft up in late August each year, in June is the Eagle Mountain Classic Boat Club boat show and in December is the Parade of Lights.
What To Do If No Boat:
I can't help you much -- try Twin Points or spend some time on the lake enjoying the view, food, and music at Augie's, or any of the lake restaurants.
Nearby Activities:
Eagle Mountain Lake is about 20 minutes from downtown Forth Worth which has plenty to offer. Check out Texas Outside's Guide to Fort Worth. Some of our favorite things to do in Fort Worth include: the Stockyards, Sundance Square, bike along the Trinity River, and the Fort Worth Arts District has plenty to keep you entertained. There are lots of good golf courses, find one by clicking here.
Restaurants, Bars, & Music:
Kelly's has two restaurants, one of which is on the water. Kelly's Cove (817-236-8301) has a very nice deck on two levels overlooking the cove and Lake Country Marina. Inside on the lower level they serve some very good food ranging from burgers to Mexican food. The tortilla soup and carne guisada plate were excellent. On the second level they have karaoke and some great local singers and a very fun crowd of locals. They are open year round and occasionally have live music on the outside deck. Very laid back and friendly place with good service. At the south end of the lake, another restaurant operation called Highfills (817 237-0606) has taken over in 2008. We have been there since Highfills took over but we loved the outdoor patio on the water for food and music from the previous owners. On Friday an Saturday they had live music on the deck. The other restaurant on the lake is Augie's which has been around 11 years and is the model for fun, laid-back, friendly, anything goes restaurants and bars. They are known for their burgers, which are excellent. The deck outside is fun for listening, dancing, and drinking to the live bands on the weekends.
Wake Boarding & Skiing:
The best places to ski or board are usually down by the spillway or dam or by Twin Points Resort if the wind is coming from the south.
Fishing:
According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, Eagle Mountain has most of Texas' most popular sport fishes including largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, and white crappie. The upper portion of the lake has reed beds. The lower and mid lake areas have numerous fishing piers and boat houses that act as cover and structure for fish. Rocky points and bluffs in the lower end of the lake can also hold fish. Some tips and tactics include: largemouth bass can be found around private boat docks and reed beds. White crappie also utilize the boat houses a habitat and congregate in the lower end of the lake in the summer. Schooling white bass offer a popular summertime fishing opportunity..
| Species |
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Good |
Excellent |
| Largemouth Bass |
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| Spotted Bass |
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| Catfish |
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| Crappie |
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| White Bass |
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*Courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Day Use Parks, Camping, Lodges, & Cabins
The only lodging on the lake that we are aware of is a weekend retreat rental house (2 bedroom, 2 bath with a boat dock) on a bluff overlooking the lake. You can get more information at 817 427-8105.Twin Points Resort and RV park has a very limited number of RV sites. Make sure you check with Twin Points Resort (817 237-3141) before you head out there, they may loose their lease and have to close around March of 2007.
Ramps & Marinas
Texas Parks & Wildlife has a list of marinas on the lake. Call the marinas before you head out there, we have found some of TP&W's data to be inaccurate.
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More Pictures
Texas Outside Lakes Rating Scale
Texas Outside rates lakes on a 1 to 10 scale based on:
- Beauty: high scores are given for lots of trees, hills, or pretty houses
- Water Clarity: if you’re standing in two feet of water and can’t see your toes or the water has a deep brown color, we’re talking a 1
- Water Conditions: rough water with waves over a foot (good for PWCs or surfing) due to consistent wind or boat wakes don’t rate high on our scale
- Skiing & Board Conditions: on the weekends if you can typically find a good cove or part of the lake with glass, we’re talking a 10
- Beaches: don’t you hate those beaches when you step into the water you sink in mud up to your knees and loose your flip-flops or it’s all slime and weeds or small rocks – if so, that’s a 1
- Fun Scale: lakes scoring a 10 have fun restaurants and bars, great coves for raft ups or swimming, and fun rental toys
- Cruising & Touring: if you can cruise the lake and look at beautiful houses, nice marinas, pretty coves, or anything similar it will score high
- Restaurants & Bars: nothing better than cruising over and having some good food and listening to some great music on the deck of a fun restaurant – the ride back with smooth water and a fun moon is also pretty cool – we’re talking a 10
- Safety Level: lakes with lots of wild and crazy jet skiers or fast cigarette boats will score low
- Camping: we’re looking for beautiful spacious sites right on the water with a nice sandy beach to swim and park the boat
- Fishing: the bigger the better and they have to be easy to hook
*Fishing information was provided with permission of the Texas Parks and Wildlife (www.tpwd.state.tx.us) in 2006. Texas Parks and Wildlife does not endorse Texas Outside or information presented on texasoutside.com. ©Copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
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