National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Caddo Lake State Park
State Park Information
State Park Overview
Nature of the Area
Camping
Maximum 8 people per campsite unless otherwise noted. Applicable daily entrance fees are charged in addition to the campsite or facility fee.
20Campsites with waterSites have a picnic table, fire ring and
a grill. Motorhomes are not permitted in this area. Pop-Ups and small trailers are allowed. Generators may not run from 10pm7am. $8 per night, $50 weekly rate.
18Campsites with electric and water hook-upsSites have a picnic table, fire ring and
a grill. $12 per night, $75 weekly rate.
8Campsites with electric, sewer and
water hook-upsSites have a picnic table, fire ring - grill, 50 amp RV pedestal and
sewer connections. No tents are allowed in this area. $18 per night, $108 weekly rate.
8Screened SheltersShelters are 12 X 16 screened enclosures. They have a picnic table and electricity inside. A water spigot, grill and electricity (20 and 30 amp plugs) are located outside. $20 per night, $120 weekly rate.
Fishing and Hunting
Fishing Regulations
Game fishes on the Texas side of the lake are managed under statewide regulations with the exception of largemouth bass, which is subject to a 1428 inch slot length limit, 5 fish daily bag limit. Louisiana harvest regulations differ for many species and apply when fishing the Louisiana side of Caddo Lake. For more information, visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website or call (318) 676-7594.
Angling Opportunities
Largemouth bass is the most popular sportfish at Caddo Lake with good numbers of trophy-size bass (over 8 lbs) available. The lake also supports quality crappie, white bass and
sunfish fisheries. Channel, blue and
flathead catfish are present and provide good seasonal fishing opportunities. Chain pickerel - smaller cousin of the northern pike, is also present and frequently sought by anglers because of its sporting qualities.
Tips & Tactics
Although largemouth bass fishing is good throughout the year, the time to fish for trophy fish is spring, with March being the most productive month. Crappie fishing is most productive in winter and early spring with good numbers of legal-size fish available for harvest. Peak fishing time for white bass occurs during winter and early spring in areas where water current is present. Chain pickerel are also good at this time of the year the best habitat to fish is around submerged aquatic vegetation. Late spring and early summer is a most productive time to fish for sunfishes and catfishes at Caddo Lake.
History of the Area
This lake was the only natural lake in Texas until it was artificially dammed in the early 1900s when oil was found and for flood control in 1914. A new dam replaced the old one in 1971. Caddo Indian legend attributes the formation of the lake to a giant flood. Scientists believe the lake formed when floodwaters, blocked by massive log jams on the Red River, backed up into the Cypress Bayou watershed, forming the lake.
The parks original improvements were made by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Begun by Company 889 in June to November of 1933 and completed by Company 857 between October 1934 and March 1937. The U.S. Army had 15 barracks and an Army mess hall that were converted into the 9 log cabins and group recreation hall that we use today. There is also a CCC pavilion and remnants of original picnic sites and a latrine along the trails.