Florida comes to mind when we think of the alligator’s fearsome grin, huge snout, and many teeth. What about other states?
In southeastern North America, these deadly carnivores rule. They inhabit Alabama, Arkansas, the Carolinas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and part of Oklahoma.
Ever heard that Texas also has alligators? Today We will examine four lakes that these large predators consider great real estate since they love lakes, rivers, and marshes. Four of Texas’ most alligator-infested lakes. But first of all let’s learn how many alligators are there in Texas.
How Many Alligators Are in Texas?
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department predicts 400,000–500,000 alligators. Wyoming is the least populous state at 578,758. About the same as Texas’ estimated alligator population!
Texas, with 29 million people, is one of the most populous states. About 1 alligator per 60 humans.
Its alligator population isn’t the highest either. Around 2 million alligators live in Louisiana and 1.3 million in Florida. About 250,000 alligators live in Georgia and 100,000 in South Carolina below Texas. Alligators also live in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and North Carolina.
Texas has a high alligator population, although not everywhere. They’re more common in marshes around Louisiana or the Gulf Coast. So, let’s explore the lakes in Texas which are highly infested with alligators.
Lewisville Lake
Many knew it as Lewisville Lake, one of Texas’ major lakes in the north. Great leisure activities including swimming, jet-skiing, sailboarding, camping, picnics, biking, and more make this lake famous.
Driving along the I-35 W access road, you may see deer, mink, turkeys, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and insects.
You may encounter a gigantic alligator crossing the road to the lake, whether you anticipated it or not. Several alligator populations are also known in Lake Lewisville.
The most significant sighting was a nine-foot alligator that moved into the lake in 2015. Many people fear seeing a huge alligator, and nuisance alligators can appear out of the water to attack. Nuisance alligators are at least four feet long and known to threaten lakegoers.
Texas Parks and Wildlife estimates a “few dozen” alligators in North Texas lakes like Lake Worth and Lewisville Lake. Since Dallas sits on the boundary of the American alligator’s range, that concentration is remarkable despite being lower than in Florida or Louisiana.
Lake Worth
Lake Worth is a popular destination for people who want a vibrant downtown life without paying much. Beaches, historic buildings, antique stores, shops, restaurants, art galleries, etc. all on this 3,489-acre lake. You may also see the Lake Worth Painting Festival, an open-air museum, and other cultural events that tourists and residents eagerly await each year.
During your holiday, you may see armadillos, foxes, coyotes, birds, and brown rats. Additionally, alligators are unexpectedly common. Lake Worth residents saw two huge alligators on weekends in 2021. Many lakegoers and residents are alarmed by this.
Lake Worth management has also implemented safety tips and alligator emergency hotlines to alert residents, especially if they observe a nuisance alligator. Lake Worth’s alligator population is estimated around 15–25, according to preliminary surveys.
Visitors are always warned of alligator sightings. Even so, Lake Worth remains a top Texas vacation spot.
Caddo Lake
Caddo Lake has several bayous, ponds, canals, and creeks due to its cypress trees. The 25,400-acre cypress swamp has a curious past. However, the lake is too small for speedboats, and few Texas residents of half-flooded towns can navigate it.
This is open to tourists, and adjacent lodging is available. The lake is home to 93 fish species, 46 reptiles, 22 amphibians, 47 mammals, 20 mussels, warblers, woodpeckers, ducks, buntings, and herons.
This lake is also known for unconfirmed Bigfoot sightings. Caddo Lake’s beaches are impassable, so tourists and locals think it’s the perfect place for a bigfoot to live.
Other than Bigfoot, alligator sightings are prevalent here, and they’re not staged because there have been several.
The most notable occurrence was in 2016 when amateur alligator hunter Jeremy Moore killed a 13-foot alligator that threatened him and his kids in Caddo Lake.
He didn’t know that his first gator hunt would be his last because enormous alligators like this one are rarely hunted especially not on private property. Moore quickly promised to hunt a smaller gator using proper methods next time.
Eagle Mountain Lake
Eagle Mountain Lake is home to largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, and white crappie, making it a popular fishing area and fishing sports event venue. In addition to sports fishing, this area is great for skiing, wakeboarding, and boating.
In addition to fish, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, raccoon, and migrating birds can be seen on the lake’s sandy shoreline. You may see an alligator in the lake or on its shores.
The latest significant alligator sighting was in 2013, but nuisance alligators always warned visitors. To protect tourists and locals from alligator attacks, there are hotlines for sightings.