Eisenhower State Park lies on the southernmost tip of Lake Texoma near Denison. The park was named for the former President of the United States who hailed from Denison. The park offers excellent boating, fishing and camping opportunities. Lake Texoma ranks the third largest reservoir in the state of Texas with a total area of 100,000 square acres. The lake is so large that even the state of Texas can’t hold it all and must share some of its shoreline with the state of Oklahoma. Only one-third of the famous lake is within the Texas boundaries. Facilities for boating at the park include two boat ramps, boat parking and a full service marina. Sailing and water skiing are popular activities on the lake. The fishing on Lake Texoma is excellent. This lake is known for its BIG stripers and BIG catfish. It is also a popular bass fishing lake. Four fishing piers (one lighted) and a fish cleaning shelter with water and electricity can be found at the park. A fish cleaning table with water available is located at one of the boat ramps. Campsites at the park can accommodate up to eight people and are furnished with a picnic table, a fire ring and a BBQ grill. Restrooms are available nearby, most with hot showers. Campsites range from primitive (with water only) to back-in sites with water and electricity to pull-through sites with water, electricity and sewage connections for RVs. Shelters are also available. Other activities include swimming in a protected cove of the lake, where swimmers can find a sandy beach, and hiking along a total of 8.2 miles of trails through the beautiful rolling hills of North Texas. Nature Adventures is a program the park conducts for youth aged 9 through 12. Topics explored between July 10-13 will be the world of insects, the Native American culture, the world of bats and fish identification. Fishermen can fill their bait and tackle needs near the park at Dave’s Ski & Tackle, located two miles south of Denison Dam. Dave Parkey also has boat storage, archery supplies and groceries. Call Dave at (903) 465-6110. Pappy’s Bait & Grocery is also located near the park. Lee Marriott serves home cooking at the deli and caters mostly to boat fishermen. Lee can be reached at (903) 465-6769. The Tackle Box on FM 120 in Pottsboro comes highly recommended for all types of fishing tackle. Steve and Susan also do rod and reel repair and can help you with gas, shad tanks, electronics and propane. Call (903) 786-9010. Fishermen may want to hire a fishing guide for this lake. The fishing on Lake Texoma is unlike any other lake in the country. Charlie Coder is a striper guide in Denison and can be reached at (903) 463-5035. Another guide in Denison is Dave Beeson of Diamond Dave’s Guide Service. Call (903) 465-5518 for Dave. D.R. “Don” Swink is a striper guide on the south end of Lake Texoma. He has a 28-foot Pontoon and can take up to 8 people. He can be reached at (214) 465-8678 or by the handle “Donald Duck” on CB Channel 13. The park is located five miles northwest of Denison. Take Highway 75A to FM 1310 and travel 1.8 miles to Park Road 20.
– Texas Saltwater Fishing Guide