Guys I'm seeking input on the quality of the fishery at lake Palestine for all species - I already asked this more or less in the white bass section and I appreciate the response I received. I thought I would open up the dialogue here also. I'm deciding to build a retirement home there or not. I like the proximity to Tyler and I like the variety of fish. Has the bass fishing seen better days? We used to hammer them in the old Irving bass club tournaments. The sand bass & stripper don't seem as consistent as other lakes. The catfish I believe are good. All input welcome thanks

Palestine is often over-looked (overshadowed) as a fishers because of Lake Fork or Sam Rayburn. The larger of the bass fishing trails don't go to Palestine because of the lack of launching facilities for 100 to 200 boats.

As far as the fishing goes, it is hard to beat for all around fishing. You may not see many 10+ bass come out of the lake, but you better have 20+lbs for most tournaments from Jan thru May if you want a chance at winning.

I don't fish for many other species except for crappie and they are plentiful also with not much pressure.

Coach

If you compair it to Fork or Rayburn it is just an OK fishing lake. You will have a lot of Recreational boats and jet skis on the lake during the summer. There is also not a lot of grass on the lake, which I like. However with that being said there are fish in the lake and I enjoy fishing it.

There are several people on TFF with lake houses on Palestine. I have fshed it some. It is a good all around lake. It is pretty good for sandies, hybrids, cats and crappie. The are LMB in it but not the quality of Fork.

I am use to fishing lake around DFW and like Palenstine becasue it is no where near as crowded as some of the others.

I don't think you'll regret retiring on Palestine. We just closed on our retirement place there in August and couldn't be happier, even though I had never spent any time on the lake to speak of. I did my research like you're doing now. I'm still feeling my way around trying to get the lay of the lake but I believe that it is highly underrated as a fishery as it has good populations of all game species. I hear that the bass fishing can be fantastic up north of 155 and you don't have to worry too much about recreational boaters due to the timber and stumps. Our house is on Saline Bay, which is a fairly clear area (read JetSkis, etc.), but I can catch all of the catfish that I need right off of my boat house. We were looking at T-Bend...undoubtedly a top fishing lake. However, ,most places are so remote that if you had to get to the hospital in a hurry you would be in trouble. You have to pack a lunch to go to the grocery store. All in all, with the proximity to Tyler with it's good medical facilities and other services, Palestine is a much better retirement option IMHO.

Most of the ski boats and jet skis are limited to areas south of the 155 bridge because of the timber.

There is plent of grass in the lake, but it is north, ie Kickappoo, Old Folks, Neches etc.

Coach

Thanks for all the input I'm getting. You guys are very helpful. I'm kind of reluctant to pull the trigger on the big decisions without wearing it out from all angles. THANKS again

I've done very well there on the crappie, from what I can tell it's a good fishery.

Where else are you looking?

Coach

ITs a great place to fish for anything best I can tell!!! I'm trying to talk my parents into retiring there on the lake. Mom wants lake Tyler instead, but I'm working on her...

I looked at Lake Athens and Lake Tyler as well. Also considered Echo lake. Decided Echo wouldn't have Sand bass/stripper and Athens is small as well as pricey. Considered Fork but I have a farm Close to Lake Palestine which would make it an hour or more drive and no stripper /sandie. Not sure how long I will keep it(the farm), but for now I want to hang on. Cedar Creek is a possiblity, but it would be close to an hour depending where on the lake.

My family and myself have had property on Palestine for 30 years. I just broke ground on a waterfront house there myself, hard to think of it as a retirement place because I don't see that happening anytime soon. The lake is as good as you want to make it. South of 155 you can find lots of whites and hybrids certain times of the year, largemouth are up north for the bigger ones but you can get a limit on the south end after you get to know it better. Lots of catfish just about anywhere. I am from the Dallas area so "crowded lake" is a relative term. Memorial Day, 4th, and Labor Day on Palestine are just typical weekends on Lewisville and Ray Hubbard. No comparison the rest of the time.

great carp and buffalo fishing!

My family has had a trailer on Palestine for years. The catfishing is always good. As strange as it may sound, the flavor of fish from Palestine is (IMO)better than that of DFW lakes.

I like the boat houses that are on the lake. Lake Lewisville and Grapevine seem sterile without them.(can you use the word sterile when refering to LL?)

There seams to be a resurgence of building on the lake and the surrounding areas.

Very good Black Bass lake with a sizeable Spot population(numbers).