Lake Bob Sandlin Guide: Fishing, State Park, Things to Do & Where to Stay
Lake Bob Sandlin is a 9,000-acre reservoir in the Piney Woods of Northeast Texas, about two hours east of Dallas. It has good bass and crappie fishing, a quiet state park with wooded trails, and what Texas Parks and Wildlife calls “spectacular fall foliage.” This guide covers everything you need to plan a trip: the state park, fishing, things to do nearby, the best time to visit and where to stay.
We host six homes on and around the lake, so we wrote this for the questions our guests ask us most.
In this guide
Lake Bob Sandlin at a glance
| Location | On Big Cypress Creek, about 5 miles southwest of Mount Pleasant, Texas |
|---|---|
| Counties | Titus, Camp and Franklin |
| Surface area | 9,004 acres |
| Maximum depth | 65.6 feet |
| Water clarity | Moderate, about 2 to 4 feet of visibility |
| Built | Impounded in 1977 behind Fort Sherman Dam |
| Managed by | Titus County Freshwater Supply District |
| Nearby towns | Mount Pleasant, Pittsburg and Mount Vernon |
| Drive from Dallas | About 2 hours 15 minutes (114 miles) |
Lake facts from Texas Parks and Wildlife. The lake is named for Bob Sandlin, a local businessman and civic leader who championed the project.
Where is Lake Bob Sandlin, and how far is it?
Lake Bob Sandlin sits in Northeast Texas between Mount Pleasant and Pittsburg, about 2 hours 15 minutes east of Dallas. From Dallas, take I-30 east to Mount Vernon (exit 146), go south on TX-37 for under a mile, then turn left on TX-21 and drive about 10 miles to the state park.
| Driving from | Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler | About 1 hr 30 min | 70 miles |
| Texarkana | About 1 hr 35 min | 77 miles |
| Dallas | About 2 hr 15 min | 114 miles |
| Shreveport | About 2 hr 20 min | 116 miles |
| Fort Worth | About 2 hr 50 min | 146 miles |
| Houston | About 5 hr 30 min | 262 miles |
Times are to Lake Bob Sandlin State Park without traffic.
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park covers about 640 acres on the lake’s north shore. Two ecoregions meet here, which gives the park massive trees, tall grasses and a fascinating mix of plants and animals. It’s also the easiest way to get on the water if you don’t have a boat.
What to do in the park
- Hike or mountain bike 3.3 miles of wooded trails.
- Fish from the lighted fishing pier or the shore, or try the Trout Pond and Brim Pond. The park loans fishing poles and has a fish cleaning station.
- Paddle and swim. The park rents kayaks, and you can swim in the lake.
- Launch a boat from the park’s boat ramp.
- Camp at one of 75 campsites with water and electricity, a primitive site, a cabin or a screened shelter.
- See some history. The historic Fort Sherman Cemetery is inside the park, named for Fort Sherman, a Republic of Texas stockade established in the area by 1838.
Park hours, fees and contact
| Entrance fee | $5 per adult per day; children 12 and under free |
|---|---|
| Gate hours | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily |
| Office hours | 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily |
| Address | 341 State Park Road 2117, Pittsburg, TX 75686 |
| Phone | (903) 572-5531 |
Fees and hours can change. Check the official park page before you go.
Take a quick look around the park in this video from the City of Pittsburg:
Lake Bob Sandlin fishing guide
Lake Bob Sandlin is a well-rounded fishing lake. Texas Parks and Wildlife rates its largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, catfish and sunfish fishing as good.
| Species | TPWD rating | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | Good | Moderately abundant, with good numbers of legal-size fish |
| Crappie | Good | Good numbers of legal-size crappie |
| White bass | Good | A popular catch, with high numbers of quality-size fish |
| Channel catfish | Good | More abundant across all sizes in recent years |
| Redear sunfish | Good | Moderately abundant, with good sizes |
| Spotted bass | Fair | Present, but in low numbers |
Ratings from Texas Parks and Wildlife’s lake survey.
Where the fish are
The lake’s cover is mostly flooded timber, with a little hydrilla (under 3% of the surface), plus plenty of boat docks and fishing piers. There are also six artificial fish habitat sites; use GPS and a fish finder to locate them. All species are managed under statewide regulations, so there are no special lake limits to learn.
Do you need a fishing license?
Not if you fish from the shore or the pier inside Lake Bob Sandlin State Park. You do need a Texas fishing license to fish from a boat.
Fishing tips by season
In fall, local guides report crappie moving from their deeper summer spots up to shallower brush piles as the water cools, and the bite picks up. If you want a shot at a true trophy bass, Lake Fork is under an hour away and pairs well with a Bob Sandlin trip.
For a closer look at structure and offshore spots, this breakdown from Simplistic Fishing is worth a watch:
Things to do near Lake Bob Sandlin
Get on the water
Kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming and boating are the main event. Many lake homes, including ours, come with kayaks, and the state park rents them too.
Pittsburg: hot links and the Ezekiel Airship
Pittsburg, just southeast of the lake, calls itself the official Hot Link Capital of Texas and holds the Texas Hot Link Festival every April. While you’re in town, see the full-size replica of the Ezekiel Airship at the Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Center and Museum on Marshall Street. According to local accounts, a preacher’s flying machine got off the ground here in 1902, a year before the Wright brothers’ first flight. No record proves it, which makes it a fun story to argue about over lunch.
Winnsboro Autumn Trails (October)
About 30 minutes from the lake, Winnsboro celebrates fall every weekend in October. The big day is Old Car Weekend on the fourth Saturday (Oct 24 in 2026), with an antique car parade downtown and a classic car show on Main Street. See the Autumn Trails schedule.
Daingerfield State Park
A small, pretty park built around 74-acre Little Pine Lake, under an hour away. Walk the 2.4-mile Rustling Leaves Trail under pines, oaks and dogwoods, or rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard. You can fish here without a license, too. Daingerfield State Park info.
Lake Fork
One of the most famous trophy bass lakes in Texas, under an hour from Lake Bob Sandlin. Serious anglers often fish both on one trip.
Jefferson’s Candlelight Tour of Homes (December)
About 70 to 90 minutes away, historic Jefferson opens four decorated historic homes by candlelight on two December weekends (Dec 3 to 5 and Dec 10 to 12 in 2026). The free Enchanted Forest in Lions Park lights up 115 decorated Christmas trees. Jefferson’s inns fill up months ahead, so the lake makes a smart home base. Candlelight Tour details.
Want more ideas? See our guide to things to do in East Texas.
Best time to visit Lake Bob Sandlin
There’s no bad season, but each one offers something different.
| Season | Why go |
|---|---|
| Spring | Mild weather, blooming dogwoods in the Piney Woods and comfortable hiking. |
| Summer | Swimming, boating and long days on the dock. Book early for summer weekends. |
| Fall | Peak color from late October through mid-November, a better crappie bite as the water cools, and Winnsboro’s Autumn Trails every October weekend. Texas general deer season (North Zone) opens Nov 7, 2026. |
| Winter | A slower, cozier season, with fireplace nights and Christmas events like Jefferson’s Candlelight Tour and Pittsburg’s Home for the Holidays festival. |
Lake Bob Sandlin vs. Broken Bow
A lot of North Texans drive to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, for a cabin in the woods. Lake Bob Sandlin gives you the same piney woods more than an hour closer to Dallas, and many homes sit right on the water.
| Lake Bob Sandlin, TX | Broken Bow, OK | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive from Dallas | About 2 hr 15 min | About 3 hr 30 min to 3 hr 45 min |
| State line | You stay in Texas | You cross into Oklahoma |
| Typical stay | Lakefront homes, many with private docks | Cabins in the woods around Hochatown |
| Fishing | Bass, crappie and catfish, with Lake Fork under an hour away | Lake and river fishing around Beavers Bend |
Where to stay: Lake Bob Sandlin lake house rentals
Skip’s House hosts six homes on and around Lake Bob Sandlin, from a cozy A-frame for eight to an estate for 16-plus guests. Our local team cleans and stocks every home, and we’re on call 24/7 during your stay. Here are all six:
Plan your Lake Bob Sandlin getaway
Book direct for our best rate, or call our local team and we’ll help you pick the right home for your group.
Lake Bob Sandlin FAQ
Where is Lake Bob Sandlin?
Lake Bob Sandlin is in Northeast Texas on Big Cypress Creek, about 5 miles southwest of Mount Pleasant, in Titus, Camp and Franklin counties. Pittsburg is about 6 miles to the southeast.
How far is Lake Bob Sandlin from Dallas?
About 114 miles, or roughly 2 hours 15 minutes without traffic. Take I-30 east to Mount Vernon, then TX-37 south and TX-21 to the lake.
Is Lake Bob Sandlin good for fishing?
Yes. Texas Parks and Wildlife rates its largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, channel catfish and redear sunfish fishing as good.
Do I need a fishing license at Lake Bob Sandlin State Park?
Not to fish from the shore or pier inside the state park. You need a Texas fishing license to fish from a boat.
How much does it cost to enter Lake Bob Sandlin State Park?
The entrance fee is $5 per adult per day, and children 12 and under get in free. Check the official park page for current fees.
Can you swim in Lake Bob Sandlin?
Yes. Swimming, paddling and boating are all popular, and some lakefront homes have private swimming beaches.
How deep is Lake Bob Sandlin?
Its maximum depth is 65.6 feet, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
When is the best time to see fall colors at Lake Bob Sandlin?
Usually from late October through mid-November, when the hardwoods turn red and gold among the pines.
Are there pet-friendly rentals at Lake Bob Sandlin?
Yes. Our 2 Acre Lakefront Retreat welcomes dogs.
Is Lake Bob Sandlin a good alternative to Broken Bow?
For many Dallas-area travelers, yes. It’s more than an hour closer, you stay in Texas, and many homes are right on the water.
Sources: Texas Parks and Wildlife: Lake Bob Sandlin State Park; TPWD: Fishing Lake Bob Sandlin; Texas State Historical Association; Texas Highways: the Ezekiel Airship; Visit Pittsburg, Texas.
