Recreation

Lake Ralph Hall will provide recreational opportunities

Once Lake Ralph Hall is filled and open to the public, the reservoir will provide North Texans with another new recreation destination. UTRWD is working with local officials to make sure that the lake will offer a whole host of new opportunities, including fishing, boating and nature viewing.

Recreation and construction together will bring significant financial benefits to the surrounding areas. The new commercial opportunities will draw locals and visitor alike, bringing additional revenue to Fannin, Denton, Dallas and Collin Counties.

Fishing

UTRWD is already working to make Lake Ralph Hall a prime fishing location. A pond inside the future Lake Ralph Hall footprint is being stocked with a variety of advanced fingerlings (young fish about the size of a finger) as part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Departments’ Toyota ShareLunker program. Introducing the adolescent bass and threadfin gamefish now will help them mature and establish a healthy population by the time Lake Ralph Hall fills up. Texas Parks and Wildlife will also eventually stock forage species such as bluegill sunfish and gizzard shad as well as black and white crappie, and channel and blue catfish for additional fishing opportunities.

Construction crews are also strategically leaving some timber standing as they clear the future lake’s footprint. The standing timber will provide fish habitat, while cut timber will be collected for the Visitor Center and other local uses. In addition, crew members are creating fish habitat structures (like the one below) by arranging rocks, logs and brush into piles and strapping them down with steel cables and earthen anchors. These structures will ideally be 20-30 feet under the lake’s surface to provide ideal fish spawning areas.

Preparations are also underway to create a fishing jetty. The jetty will provide access for fishermen and visitors without a boat and offer sightseeing out on the lake. It will be located east of Hwy 34 at the northern part of the lake. A portion of the funding for the jetty is being provided through a $250,000 grant that Texas Parks and Wildlife received from Bass Pro Shops.

Boating and Sailing

Plans are underway for public boat ramps/docks around the future reservoir. From stand up paddle boarding to motor boating, Lake Ralph Hall will offer a plethora of new boating opportunities. In addition, the new bridge to cross the lake was built to a height that will allow sailboats to float underneath.

Walking and Bicycling

The new bridge over Lake Ralph Hall isn’t just for motorized vehicles. Visitors will be able to stroll over the lake using the bridge’s 10-foot pedestrian walkway. The walkway connects with the lake’s administration facility/visitor center and other trails in the Ladonia area for activities like hiking and bicycling. There will be many opportunities for sightseeing.

Hunting and Camping

Planning is underway to allow permitted hunting and designated camping at Lake Ralph Hall. More details to come.