Toledo Bend Reservoir

Toledo Bend Reservoir is a large man-made lake on the Sabine River that straddles the Texas-Louisiana border, created by the Toledo Bend Dam and completed in 1969. It is one of the largest reservoirs by surface area in the continental United States.

The reservoir offers extensive boating and fishing opportunities across roughly 185,000 acres and more than a thousand miles of shoreline, with numerous public boat ramps and marinas. Recreational facilities include campgrounds, picnic areas and waterfront access used for powerboating, waterskiing and canoeing.

Construction of the dam and impoundment of the Sabine River were carried out by regional authorities in the late 1960s, with the dam completed in 1969 to provide water supply, hydroelectric power potential, flood control and recreational opportunities. Shoreline development since then has added public recreation areas, private marinas and infrastructure to support tourism and sportfishing.

The reservoir lies along the Texas-Louisiana state line in east Texas and western Louisiana, extending across several counties/parishes. It spans a rural area of pine forests and agricultural land and is accessed by state highways and local roads on both sides of the border.

• Size and shoreline: Covers roughly 185,000 acres and offers more than 1,100 miles of shoreline, making it one of the largest reservoirs by surface area in the continental United States.
• Fishing: Renowned for freshwater fishing, particularly largemouth bass tournaments that draw anglers from across the region.

What to See #

• Toledo Bend Dam: Forms where the Sabine River is impounded by the Toledo Bend Dam; the dam was completed in 1969 to create the reservoir.
• Recreation areas and boat ramps: Public boat ramps, marinas and multiple campgrounds are spread along the shoreline, providing access for anglers and powerboaters across both Texas and Louisiana sides.