Fishing

Lake Palestine offers good fishing just outside Tyler

Lake Palestine is a 25,560-acre reservoir on the Neches River with strong populations of bass, catfish, crappie, and striped bass.

Smith County The Great Outdoors

Lake Palestine sits about 15 miles southwest of Tyler on Texas 155. It was impounded in 1962 on the Neches River. The Upper Neches River Authority manages the reservoir. TPWD rates catfish and striped bass as excellent and largemouth bass as good.

The lake has special regulations on some fish species — bag and size limits may differ from statewide rules. Always check the current TPWD regulations for Lake Palestine before you fish. Five public boat ramps provide access, and private marinas offer additional services.

Source to confirm: TPWD — Fishing Lake Palestine

More Smith County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two offices handle your property tax in Smith County

The Smith County Appraisal District sets your property value; a separate tax office collects what you owe.

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Homestead Exemption

File a homestead exemption to lower your Smith County tax bill

If your home is your primary residence, you can file a homestead exemption with Smith CAD to reduce the taxable value.

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Over-65 Exemption

Turning 65 freezes your school taxes in Smith County

Once you qualify for the over-65 homestead exemption, your school taxes cannot go higher than the amount you paid in your first qualifying year.

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Appraisal Protest

You can protest your property value in Smith County

If you think Smith CAD valued your property too high, you have the right to protest — and the deadline is printed on your appraisal notice.

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