Acres Of Water & Miles Of Shoreline
41,356 acres and 330 miles of shoreline
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Brief Overview:
Review of Richland Chambers Reservoir
Richland Chambers Reservoir, impounded in 1989, is 44,752 Acres in size and boasts 330 miles of shoreline. Located about an hour south of Dallas on I-45, Richland Chambers offers good fishing and boating. The lake is quickly being developed with gated residential communities by a number of different development companies. Richland Chambers is reported to be the state's third-largest inland Lake, is fed by Richland and Chambers creeks, and it serves as a water source for Tarrant County. The shoreline is well treed, flat, and not real exciting. The maximum depth is 75 feet and the water is fairly clear.
Richland Chambers is considered more of a quiet lake, as compared to Travis, Lewisville, LBJ, and Texoma. It's not a "party" lake, but it's perfect for families, anglers, and boaters who want a relaxing lake experience. There are several free public boat ramps at various locations throughout the lake, and a couple of fee-based marinas.
The water is clean and pleasant to swim in. Richland Chambers is a great lake for all kinds of personal watercraft, including jet skis and sail boats. There is a large east-west expanse on the Richland arm of the lake that is reported to be the largest inland sailing basin in the state.
The fishing is amazing! Lots of fishing tournaments throughout the year. Fish include crappie, sand bass, catfish, hybrid striper, etc. There are a number of fishing guides easily found with a quick Internet search.
Richland Chambers is the 3rd largest lake in Texas. It's considered more of a quiet lake, as compared to Travis, Lewisville, LBJ, and Texoma. It's not a "party" lake, but it's perfect for families, anglers, and boaters who want a relaxing lake experience. There are several free public boat ramps at various locations throughout the lake, and a couple of fee-based marinas.
The water is clean and pleasant to swim in. Richland Chambers is a great lake for all kinds of personal watercraft, including jet skis and sail boats. There is a large east-west expanse on the Richland arm of the lake that is reported to be the largest inland sailing basin in the state.
The fishing is amazing! Lots of fishing tournaments throughout the year. Fish include crappie, sand bass, catfish, hybrid striper, etc. There are a number of fishing guides easily found with a quick Internet search.
A Typical Texas Outsider Day
We start the day by looking for some calm water for skiing which is usually down by the dam or in a small cove just south west of the Highway 287 bridge. Watch out for stumps if you plan on boating this lake during the drought of 2006. After skiing, we typically swim, eat, and play games. We didn't find the cruising very exciting because there isn't a lot to see, and what there is soon starts to look the same -- try fishing instead of cruising.
We enjoy boating over to Timz Tropical Paradise for drinks, food, and live music - its just south west of the Highway 287 bridge. During the summer, this is a fun and lively place to hang out.
Other Cool Things To Do:
Timz Tropical Paradise is the only spot that we know of that has food, music, and a nice deck. You should rent a boat and go fishing, cruising, or skiing - check here to find a rental location. There are plenty of fishing guides to help you catch some big fish - here is list of some of them. There are some beautiful homes on the southwest side of the lake.
What To Do If No Boat:
Find a place to fish or swim, visit one of the day use areas (call ahead to make sure that they are open), or have a meal and drink at Oak Cove or Timz Tropical Paradise. You can find a place to rent a boat by clicking here.
Nearby Activities:
Visit Corsicana or find a golf course in the Golfing Texas section of Texas Outside.
Restaurants, Bars, & Music:
The Harbor Restauant apparently has some pretty good food. Fisherman's Point has a good restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and diner at very reasonable prices. If you know of some fun places, let us know.
Wake Boarding & Skiing:
Check out the dam or the small cove that is just south west of the highway 287 bridge.
Fishing:
Looking for a Richland Chambers fishing guide, click here.
The following is thanks to Texas Parks and Wildlife. Richland Chambers is an excellent choice for anglers seeking catfishes, crappie, white bass or hybrid stripers. Angling for largemouth bass can be very good where anglers can find vegetation and clear water; however, these areas are somewhat limited in size compared to the lake surface. Many anglers set jug lines for catfishes and go after schooling white bass and hybrids while waiting for jug line action. Richland Chambers produces abundant crappie (both black and white) and may be area's the most consistent fishery for these fishes.
Native pondweeds are abundant in Big Cedar Creek and along the south bank of the Chambers Creek arm. Hydrilla is scattered along the south bank of the Richland Creek arm from Midway Marina west to the railroad trestle and from 7L ramp south to Pin Oak Creek. The old Trinity River levee forms a crescent-shaped underwater structure between the confluence of the Richland and Chambers creek arms and the dam.
Some tips and Tactics follow. Largemouth bass anglers should look for fish congregated around underwater structure where they can be caught with jigging spoons and deep-diving crankbaits. Crappie anglers will have success with jigs or minnows near bridge crossings and in the abundant timber in the upper Richland and Chambers creek arms. Catfishes are everywhere; cut bait, stink bait, chicken livers, and worms are all productive. White bass and hybrid stripers are active from the 287 bridge to the dam. Use a graph recorder to find schools of shad or follow the birds to find schooling activity. Heavy jigs or slabs work well when fish are deep.
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*Courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Camping, Waterfront Lodging, and Day Use Parks
Fisherman's Point Marina & Resort has cabins, a lodge, and campsites (some right on the water) plus a restaurant, gas dock, and small ships store - learn more by reading this review.
Oak Cove Marina has hotel rooms and campsites. You can read a review of Oak Cove Marina & RV Park in the Texas Outside Camping Section - click here.
Rental homes are available on Airbnb and VRBO.
Ramps & Marinas
Oak Cove Marina and Fisherman's Point both have ramps and Fisherman's has gas and a small ships store. Here is a list of facilities.
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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.