Lake Waco, Texas, USA

Also known as:  Waco Lake

Lake Waco, also known as Waco Lake, is located in the Prairies and Lakes region of Central Texas. Its boundary lies within the city limits of Waco in McLennan County. Conveniently located near I-35 halfway between Dallas to the north and Austin to the south, this 7,200+ acre reservoir provides a thriving source of recreation and wildlife conservation to this area. The 60 miles of Waco Lake’s…
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    • All About Lake Waco, TX

    Lake Locations: USA - US Southwest Region - Texas - Prairies and Lakes Region, TX -

    Lake Waco, also known as Waco Lake, is located in the Prairies and Lakes region of Central Texas. Its boundary lies within the city limits of Waco in McLennan County. Conveniently located near I-35 halfway between Dallas to the north and Austin to the south, this 7,200+ acre reservoir provides a thriving source of recreation and wildlife conservation to this area.

    The 60 miles of Waco Lake’s shoreline contain ample opportunity for outdoor fun with public recreation areas, picnic sites, camping sites, playgrounds, boat ramps, marinas, a fishing dock, and two swimming beaches. Eight miles of scenic trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding also make this a favorite of the nature enthusiast. Lake Waco Wetlands provide an eco-friendly preserve for wildlife conservation and education.

    An angler’s pleasure, Lake Waco is home to 51 species of fish. Crappie fishing is very popular, and said to be tough to beat at the lake. Many coves also provide opportunities to catch channel, blue and flathead catfish as well as largemouth and white bass. An average depth of around 20 feet and a maximum depth of 85 feet are available with an average fluctuation of 2 to 6 feet.

    Lake Waco was man-made in the late 1920’s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by constructing a dam on the Bosque River as a primary water source for the Waco area. Later, in 1965, the reservoir was enlarged for flood control, conservation, and water supply with the addition of a new dam which encompassed the original lake. In 2003, Lake Waco was again expanded to its present normal lake elevation of 462 feet to provide a long-term, dependable water supply for the growing Waco community. The Corps of Engineers controls the water supply for the Waco Lake with water rights for the City of Waco and Brazos River Authority.

    The city of Waco is known for its hospitality and boasts a semi-tropical climate with short, mild winters. It offers many local attractions including 18 museums, historical areas, golf courses, 35 parks and a scenic River Walk along the Brazos River though the city. Education is also an important attraction to the area being home to Baylor University, as well as other smaller colleges in Waco. Hotels and restaurants are plentiful nearby, so come out and enjoy a relaxing visit to Lake Waco soon.

    Things to Do at Lake Waco

    These are some activities in the Lake Waco, TX area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Museum
    • Playground

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Waco?

    Lake Waco has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Flathead Catfish
    • White Bass
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Waco

    If you’re considering a Lake Waco lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Lake Waco Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Waco lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake Waco Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Not Known

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 7,270 acres

    Shoreline Length: 60 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 462 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 445 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 500 feet

    Average Depth: 20 feet

    Maximum Depth: 85 feet

    Water Volume: 208,000 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1965

    Drainage Area: 1,670 sq. miles

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