Wood County, Texas
14 local notes for Wood County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. East Texas / Piney Woods.
Money & Taxes
Property Tax Basics
Who Handles Property Taxes in Wood County
Two separate offices handle your property taxes — the appraisal district sets the value, and the tax assessor-collector sends the bill.
Homestead Exemption
How to Lower Your Tax Bill with a Homestead Exemption
If your home in Wood County is your main residence, you likely qualify for a homestead exemption that reduces what you owe in property taxes.
Ag Valuation
How Agricultural Land Gets a Lower Tax Value
Land used for farming, ranching, or timber in Wood County can be valued at its agricultural use — not its market price — which sharply reduces property taxes.
Home & Property
Mineral Rights
Mineral Rights and Surface Rights Can Be Owned Separately
In Wood County, the person who owns the land surface may not own the oil, gas, or minerals beneath it — these are two legally separate estates in Texas.
Groundwater & Wells
What to Know Before Drilling a Water Well
Many rural properties in Wood County rely on private water wells, and Texas law requires licensed drillers to file reports on every well drilled.
Unincorporated Areas
Most of Wood County Has No Zoning or Deed Restrictions
Land outside city limits in Wood County is generally unincorporated with no county-level zoning, meaning land use is largely unrestricted — but cities do have their own rules inside their boundaries and ETJ.
Outdoors
Fishing Regulations
Fishing at Lake Fork: Special Rules You Need to Know
Lake Fork Reservoir in Wood County has strict catch rules for largemouth bass — most fish must be released, and only one trophy-size fish per day may be kept.
Invasive Species Rule
Drain Your Boat When You Leave Lake Fork
Texas law requires boaters to drain all water from their vessel before leaving Lake Fork to help stop zebra mussels from spreading to other lakes.
Geography & Land
Wood County Has Two Distinct Natural Landscapes
The western part of Wood County is Post Oak Savannah with oaks and open land; the eastern part is Piney Woods with pine forests — each side looks and feels different.
Lakes & Recreation
Wood County Has Four Major Recreational Lakes
Wood County has four lakes used for fishing, boating, and recreation: Lake Fork Reservoir, Lake Quitman, Lake Winnsboro, and Lake Hawkins.
Rules & Licenses
History & Culture
County History
Wood County Is Named for a Texas Governor
Wood County was created in 1850 and named for George T. Wood, who served as governor of Texas from 1847 to 1849.
County Seat
Quitman: The Small Town That Is Wood County's Seat of Government
Quitman has been Wood County's county seat since 1850 and is where you go for deeds, court filings, and most county government services.
Transportation & Community
Mineola: Wood County's Railroad Town With Amtrak Service
Mineola is Wood County's largest city and still has an active Amtrak stop, making it one of the few rural Texas towns with passenger rail service.