Sam Rayburn Reservoir occupies a little less real estate in Sabine County, but don’t let that deceive you. Tournament anglers and outdoor adventurers alike will tell you that “Big Sam” is top-notch for living the lake life.
Located on the South end of Sabine County, Sam Rayburn reservoir is the largest reservoir in the state wholly situated in Texas. Big Sam is approximately 80 miles long, stretches over 600 miles of shoreline, and has a surface area of 114,500 acres. There are roughly 3,997,600 acre-feet of water in Sam Rayburn, and the water elevation sits at 164 feet. The reservoir is fed by the Angelina River, which is the major tributary of the Neches River.
Construction of the reservoir began September 7, 1956, and was originally named the McGee Bend Dam and Reservoir. In September 1963, the 88th Congress adopted a special resolution changing the reservoir’s name to Sam Rayburn Dam.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir occupies a little less real estate in Sabine County, but don’t let that deceive you. Tournament anglers and outdoor adventurers alike will tell you that “Big Sam” is top-notch for living the lake life.
Located on the South end of Sabine County, Sam Rayburn reservoir is the largest reservoir in the state wholly situated in Texas. Big Sam is approximately 80 miles long, stretches over 600 miles of shoreline, and has a surface area of 114,500 acres. There are roughly 3,997,600 acre-feet of water in Sam Rayburn, and the water elevation sits at 164 feet. The reservoir is fed by the Angelina River, which is the major tributary of the Neches River.
Construction of the reservoir began September 7, 1956, and was originally named the McGee Bend Dam and Reservoir. In September 1963, the 88th Congress adopted a special resolution changing the reservoir’s name to Sam Rayburn Dam and Reservoir in honor of recently deceased House Speaker Sam Rayburn, a long-time proponent of soil and water conservation. Operation of the dam opened March 29, 1965, and dedication ceremonies followed on May 8, 1965.
Today, the reservoir is operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The reservoir serves to provide flood control, hydroelectric power generation, and water conservation. Construction costs, including recreation facilities, were approximately $66 million.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir is home to many fish species. These species include crappie, catfish, bluegill, red-ear bream, and many species of bass. Numerous tournament trail anglers name Big Sam a favorite bass fishing destination. This lake puts out big bass and a lot of them, which explains why it’s home to over 300 fishing tournaments per year. In 2018, Bassmasters magazine named Sam Rayburn Reservoir the #1 bass fishing lake in the U.S.
Fishing is not the only sport that outdoor lovers source on this lake. The lake is a popular recreational destination that gets considerable attention due to its proximity to nearby larger metropolitan areas such as Beaumont and Houston, Texas. Rayburn lake-goers also enjoy other water activities like boating, jet skiing, water skiing, and swimming.
This scenic lake is also a great destination for other outdoor activities on and near the lake such as bird watching, nature hiking, and driving the panoramic roads around the lake.
Come experience the fun and serenity of Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend reservoirs; there’s something to be had for everyone in Sabine County!
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District welcomes you to Sam Rayburn Reservoir, located north of Jasper, Texas, in the heart of the East Texas Pineywoods. Our mission: to provide flood control to the Angelina & Neches River basins in Southeast Texas (including Beaumont and Port Arthur), supply water to the Lower Neches Valley Authority, the Beaumont area, the city of Lufkin, and to offer some of the best fishing, camping and boating in Texas.