Boating on Lake Lewisville, Texas

Little Elm Park on Lake Lewisville, Texas

Table of Contents

Lake Lewisville Boating Guide

Lake Lewisville is one of North Texas’ most popular boating destinations, located just north of Dallas and easily accessible from I-35. Known for its open water, marina network, and abundance of tow-sport and powerboat activities, Lake Lewisville is a go-to for wakeboarding, wakesurfing, tubing, cruising, PWC riding, and fishing. With multiple parks, boat ramps, beaches, and rental operators, it’s a highly versatile lake for both new and experienced boaters.

Lake Overview & Key Highlights

Lake Lewisville is a 29,000+ acre reservoir with significant open water and several protected coves. Its size and shoreline diversity support a full range of boating activities from leisure cruising to high-energy tow sports.

Highlights at a glance:

  • Large reservoir with expansive open water

  • Multiple public boat ramps and full-service marinas

  • Strong rental ecosystem (pontoons, surf boats, PWCs)

  • Popular party & social coves

  • Fishing for striped bass, hybrid stripers, catfish & crappie

  • Close to major DFW suburbs (Lewisville, Denton, Frisco, Plano)

Size, Depth & Features

  • Surface Area: ~29,000 acres

  • Shoreline: ~233 miles

  • Max Depth: ~67 ft (varies by region & inflow)

The lake’s main body between Hickory Creek and Lakeview Marina is ideal for high-speed boating and watersports, while coves and fingers near Little Elm and Hidden Cove are better for anchoring and relaxing.

Popular Boating Activities

Lake Lewisville has a broad activity mix. Powerboat watersports dominate on summer weekends.

Common activities include:

  • Wakeboarding & wakesurfing

  • Tubing & skiing

  • Jet skiing & PWCs

  • Leisure cruising

  • Floating & cove rafting

  • Guided fishing

  • Sunset cruises

Tow-sports are most active on the main body, especially weekdays and mornings when wind and chop are lower.

Boat Ramps, Marinas & Access Points

Public Boat Ramps

Lake Lewisville has numerous public launch sites spread around the shoreline:

Notable ramps include:

  • Lake Park Boat Ramp (Lewisville)

  • Tower Bay Boat Ramp

  • Little Elm Boat Ramp

  • Hidden Cove Park Boat Ramp

  • East Hill Park Ramp

These ramps provide convenient access for private boat owners with ample parking during non-peak seasons.

Lake Lewisville Boating Access Points
Credit: TPWD

Marinas on Lake Lewisville

Marinas support fueling, dockage, storage, rentals, and charters. Key marinas include:

  • Lakeview Marina

  • Eagle Point Marina

  • Pier 121 Marina

  • Hidden Cove Marina

Many offer wet slips, dry storage, mechanic service, fuel docks, and ship stores.

Map: Marinas on Lake Lewisville

View the map below for Marinas and Boat Rental locations on lake lewisville.

Boat Rentals & Charters

If you don’t own a boat, Lake Lewisville has one of the strongest rental markets in North Texas.

Typical rental options include:

  • Pontoon & tritoon boats

  • Wake boats (surf & board)

  • Deck boats

  • Jet skis

  • Party charters

  • Captained cruises

This makes the lake highly accessible for groups, events, and first-time visitors.

Best Boating Areas on Lake Lewisville

Main Body (Open Water)

The stretch between Lakeview Marina and Little Elm is ideal for cruising, wakesurfing, and tubing due to its wide-open layout.

Party Coves

Lake Lewisville is known for its social boating scene, especially during summer.

Popular rafting and party zones:

  • Party Cove (near Westlake Park)

  • Hidden Cove areas

  • Little Elm fingers

These areas get busy on weekends and holidays — weekdays are considerably calmer.

Fishing Zones

Anglers target striped and hybrid bass, catfish, and crappie. Structure along the old river channel and bridge pilings holds fish year-round.

Boating Rules & Local Regulations

Lake Lewisville falls under state boating rules enforced by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) and local law enforcement.

Key regulatory notes:

  • PFDs required for all on PWCs and tow sports

  • ECOS lanyard attachment required on applicable vessels

  • No-wake zones marked around marinas & docks

  • PWCs operate daylight hours only

  • Alcohol laws apply on the water (BWI enforced)

For full legal requirements, see:

Texas Parks & Wildlife — Boating (Official)
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/boating

Best Time to Go Boating on Lake Lewisville

Seasonally:

  • Spring & Fall — best blend of weather + manageable traffic

  • Summer — busiest boating season; rentals book out early

  • Winter — limited boating but fishing is productive

By time of day:

  • Mornings: best for tow sports (smooth water)

  • Afternoons: highest recreational traffic

  • Evenings: popular for cruises & sunset anchoring

Nearby Attractions & Shore Amenities

Around the lake you’ll find:

  • Lakeside dining

  • Campgrounds

  • Parks & beaches

  • Hiking trails

  • Seasonal events

Communities like Little Elm, The Colony, and Lewisville provide dense food and lodging options.

Planning Your Trip

When planning a boating day on Lake Lewisville, consider:

  • Fuel availability (marina vs trailer)

  • Ramp parking during peak holidays

  • Wind forecasts (affects chop)

  • Rental availability if not trailering

  • Designated pickup locations for charters

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lake Lewisville good for boating?
Yes — it’s one of the best boating lakes in North Texas due to its size, marinas, rentals, and proximity to DFW.

Are boat rentals available?
Yes — pontoons, wake boats, and PWCs are widely available with and without captains.

Can you wakeboard or wakesurf on Lake Lewisville?
Yes — tow sports are very popular, especially on the main body zones.

Is Lake Lewisville crowded?
Summer weekends can be busy; weekdays and mornings offer calmer water.

Do I need a boating license?
Most operators born on/after Sept. 1, 1993 need a TPWD-approved boater education certificate.

Is fishing good on Lake Lewisville?
Yes — the lake supports striped/hybrid bass, catfish, crappie, and more.

Texas Boater Safety Card

Get the Texas Boating License Online

Take the Texas TPWD Approved Course to get your Official Texas Boater Education Card.