The Outdoors in Redwater, Texas

Redwater's premier outdoor destination is Wright Patman Lake, a sprawling reservoir of nearly 19,000 acres on the Sulphur River, just southwest of town. Built and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and recreation, it's one of the largest lakes in the region, with Redwater among the towns in its immediate vicinity.

Fishing is the big draw. The lake is well known for white bass, with high numbers of quality fish, along with crappie, channel and blue catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish. Anglers, boaters, and swimmers all find plenty of room on its wide waters, making it a year-round centerpiece for outdoor life close to home.

The Corps of Engineers maintains about a dozen parks around Wright Patman Lake, giving easy access for boating, swimming, and fishing, plus camping, picnicking, hiking, and equestrian trails. Popular spots include Clear Springs Recreation Area, Piney Point, and Rocky Point, where campsites and day-use areas put families right on the water.

With that many parks ringing the lake, Redwater residents have their pick of places to launch a boat, drop a line, pitch a tent, or spend an afternoon by the shore. The mix of developed campgrounds and shaded picnic areas makes the lake just as good for a relaxed family outing as for a serious day of fishing.

Beyond the lake, Redwater is surrounded by the rolling timber and farmland of southeastern Bowie County — the kind of mixed pine-and-hardwood country that built the area's old sawmill economy. Quiet country roads offer scenic drives, and the surrounding woods make for good hunting, with deer, hogs, and other game across the region.

The broader area adds more rivers, creeks, and outdoor opportunities within a reasonable drive. But the heart of Redwater's outdoor life is Wright Patman Lake — a vast, fish-rich reservoir that, combined with the surrounding woods and hunting country, makes the town a fine base for outdoor recreation in any season.