Texas Porch
Fishing Stories & local character

Lake Palestine offers good fishing just outside Tyler

Smith County The Great Outdoors

Lake Palestine sits about 15 miles southwest of Tyler on Texas 155. It was impounded in 1962 on the Neches River. The Upper Neches River Authority manages the reservoir. TPWD rates catfish and striped bass as excellent and largemouth bass as good.

The lake has special regulations on some fish species — bag and size limits may differ from statewide rules. Always check the current TPWD regulations for Lake Palestine before you fish. Five public boat ramps provide access, and private marinas offer additional services.

Content last revised 2026-07-11

Keep reading

More stories and useful context near Smith County

A balanced next shelf: local character first, with practical context close by.

Stories & local character

Tyler State Park gives Smith County a piney lake anchor

Tyler State Park, just north of Tyler, wraps a cool 64-acre spring-fed lake in 100-foot pines, with camping, trails, fishing, and swimming.

Read note →

Stories & local character

Tyler State Park trails carry a Civilian Conservation Corps story

Many of Tyler State Park's trails and stonework were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and you can still walk past their handiwork.

Read note →

Practical

Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East supply water to the city of Tyler

Smith County has two city-owned lakes that serve as Tyler's drinking water source and also provide recreational access.

Read note →

Stories & local character

Tyler became the center of U.S. rose production in the 20th century

By the 1940s, Smith County growers produced around half of the rose bushes sold in the United States, earning Tyler its nickname as the Rose Capital.

Read note →

Place pages in Smith County

ArpBullardHideawayLindaleNew Chapel HillNoonday

Nearby county shelves

Gregg (36) Wood (13) Upshur (13) Rusk (25) Van Zandt (19) Henderson (22)