I took some time to
visit Daingerfield State Park a couple weeks ago for a kid free
weekend getaway with my hawt lady. We
were hardly surprised at our typical luck of being assigned the camp cul de sac
shared with a Boy Scout Troop. Not too romantic, but we made it work!
It's a great little
lake to take a family. The park has clean and updated amenities including a
fishing pier, hiking trail, and park store. The restrooms and showers are especially clean!
The fishing pier is
super large, lighted, and nice, with built in seating and a cleaning station
close by. The water was crystal clear and I had a good time watching the little
blue gill steal the wigglers of my #6 bait hooks. Additional pier entertainment
included casting for the hawt lady's new pink fishing hat that drifted away
after a wind gust blew it off her brain. I was finally given worth that day
after about 20 casts, a tackle switch, and a line snarl with the hawt lady. A separate
pair of pier visitors claimed it as the "catch of the day"!
A well maintained 2.5
mile hiking trail circles the lake.
I was coerced into
making the trek with my condition that we bring along our fishing rods.
My request proved to be pointless. The trail is lacking in bank fishing spots.
I would recommend renting one of the boats for fishing towards the bank. The
dam area seemed to be a popular place for the small boats to gather. Fallen
timber skirts the bank. My lone cast ended with a snapped line from hooking a log (tree bass). Some of the shallow areas are packed with white flower
topped lily pads. Other siting’s included lizards, turtles, frogs, birds, and
wildflowers. The pace of our hike at one point went to turbo after we saw a
huge black snake with yellow stripes!
The park store is
located by a beautiful swimming area. They sell snacks, drinks, ice cream, souvenirs,
and fishing worms! For an affordable fee you are able to rent paddle boats,
canoes, and kayaks. The friendly host advised us to visit Bailey's Hardware Store for minnows. (For some reason I can't
find the place on Google maps so I dropped a marker on my map if anyone is
interested.) Be sure and purchase some of the fire color changing sticks that
they sell at the park store. They make camp fires psychedelic!
Web researching the
lake I learned the lily pads are often the location for chain
pickerel, an uncommon species in the north Texas area. My next visits of
this beautiful park will definitely include a canoe rental and chain pickerel
hunt! I loved this place and can't wait to return with the kids.