Want to know what are the rules for sailing on Grapevine Lake in Texas? Are you aware of the fishing codes in this district? Do you know what is the best season for navigating on this reservoir? If no, read on—because we have all the answers in this post.
Fishing & Sailing on Grapevine Lake in Texas
- Geographical Information
- Best Season for Sailing on Grapevine Lake, TX
- Boating Codes and Regulations
- Fishing in Grapevine Lake
- Public Access Facilities and Boat Launches
In this article of Sailingyes, we will let you know what are the codes of fishing and sailing on Grapevine Lake. The following is a list of most important things a boater should know before launching a PWC.
Geographical Information
Full Name: Grapevine Lake
Acres of water: 7,280
Deepest part: 65 ft.
Current water level: 536.64 Feet MSL
2019 highest water level: 551.95 ft. MSL (May 22)
Shoreline extent: 60 mi.
Location & coordinates: Denton / Tarrant counties, North Texas, United States, 32°58′20″N 97°3′24″W
Lake purpose: it’s part of a flood control system. However, it’s also aimed to create a recreation and navigating area.
Water providing river: Denton Creek
Best Season for Sailing on Grapevine Lake, TX
Sailing and boating season usually starts from late-May to mid-September. That’s because the temperature during these months drops to 70-75 °F, allowing the visitors to enjoy summertime doings.
However, below you can find a detailed weather report based on factors that influence your sailing/boating or cruising experience.
1.Temperature
The warmest month of the year is July, 90°F. The two upcoming months (Aug & Sep) are also among the hottest periods with an average temperature of 88°F and above.
The coolest months in this district are November, December, January, February. The lowest temperature during this cycle is 37°F (Jan 5) while the highest one being 64°F (Nov 25).
The average temperature should help you get your head around the idea of what to pack. However, if you are still confused, read our guide on Packing for a Sailing Trip on Hot and Cold Days.
2.Wind
One of the reasons why sailing on Grapevine Lake is popular is having 7 windy months each year. The cycle of blowy days starts from October and lasts until early June. The mid-core airstream speed during these days is approximately 10.0 miles per hour.
However, if you’re willing to operate a windblown craft on the lake, March, April, and May own the windiest days.
3.Sun
Skippers usually prefer daytime navigating over nighttime activities. That’s because being able to observe the surrounding area is a primary success key in navigation. So, that’s why you might want to know which days of the year offer the longest sun presence in this district.
Thru June, you get to have the longest daytimes, 14h per day. So, planning a cruise or sail during this month is the ideal option for sun lovers. However, the shortest days are in November and December—9 hours (approximately). That’s why the lake is often empty of boaters during these months.
4.Humidity
Texas is a muggy state and you may be worried that it can harm your trip. But according to Weather Spark, there are some cycles in which the humidity and temperature are very close to “comfortable.”
In the jargon of meteorology, humidity comfort level is a scale of 0-100% with the highest number being the most relaxing condition.
Grapevine Lake’s humidity comfort level reaches 82% for 3 months starting from June and ending in August. So, opt to go to Texas in this cycle to avoid struggling with intolerable oppressive or muggy conditions.
5.Cloud
Clouds are another reason why sailing on Grapevine Lake is well-liked. There are almost 6 months with a clear sky each year. The clearest time is October; however, you can enjoy navigating underneath the perfect sky from late-May to early-November.
According to Weather Spark, the clearest day of the year is the 5th of October. On this day, the sky is clear 74% of the time.
6.Precipitation
April through May is the rainiest phase of time each year. Thru these months the chance of having a rainy day is nearly 31%. May eventually tops the list of average rainfall with getting 4.2 inches of precipitation each year.
However, the driest month in Grapevine Lake June, July, August, and early-September. This is when the middling rainfall drops to 1.5 inches. And boaters, therefore, like it better to be on the water at this point of the year.
Boating Codes and Regulations
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Registration
any vessel navigating on public waters of Texas must be registered. The titleholder should get the Texas Certificate of Number before letting the craft sail across Grapevine Lake.
Crafts that do not require the registration card are under-14-feet sailboats, and non-motorized watercraft including canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and rubber rafts.
Plus, any vessel owning the registration card of another state that will leave the Grapevine Lake in less than 90 days is exempt from this rule.
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Skippering Age Limit
There is no age restriction for navigating a watercraft on Grapevine Lake. However, any skipper younger than 12 years of age must be accompanied by a certified adult (18 or older).
Operators who are 13-17 years old can steer the vessel alone only if they own a TWPD-approved pass. Otherwise, having a certificated adult on the deck is compulsory.
Note: people behind the helm of a boat who have an exempted adult onboard do not need any pass.
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Boater Safety Course
TWPD urges all the skippers born after August 31, 1993, to own a boater safety license. This would approve that the overseer of the craft on the water can navigate it by the book.
The code applies to all personal watercraft captains and those skippering a motorized, above-14-feet vessel. Crafts that are under 14 feet in size, windblown, and/or having less than 15 horsepower are exempt from the code.
Fishing in Grapevine Lake
Angling is a well-liked doing in this reservoir due to the variety of stocked species. However, there are some rules about this activity that must be followed by the anglers.
Below you can find out more about these rules/codes and learn how to fish properly. We also included a table showing what are the most common species in the area.
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Most Common Fish Types
Right now, Largemouth Bass, Blue Catfish, Blue Catfish are easy to find and catch in the reservoir. But below you can see what are other fishes in the lake and what is the fishing opportunity like.
Species | Fair | Good | Excellent |
Largemouth Bass | ✔ | ||
Smallmouth Bass | ✔ | ||
Spotted Bass | ✔ | ||
Blue Catfish | ✔ | ||
Channel Catfish | ✔ | ||
Crappie | ✔ | ||
White Bass | ✔ |
Note: this table is using the information provided by the Texas Wildlife & Park Department
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Rules and Limits
Angling in Grapevine Lake should take place according to the Bag and Size Limits code. This is a regulation that restricts the amount of daily catch for each angler, preserving the wildlife of Texas.
The following table indicates the exact amount of fish one can carry/capture per day. Remember, each species has its own limitation rule; so, check the codes before opting to angle. Otherwise, you’ll face penalties.
Species | minimum length limit (inches) | daily bag limit (fish) |
Largemouth Bass | ❌ | two largemouth bass less than 18 inches per day |
Smallmouth Bass | 14 | 5 fishes |
Spotted Bass | ❌ | 5 |
Blue Catfish | 12 | 25 |
Channel Catfish | 12 | 25 |
Crappie | 10 | 25 |
White Bass | 10 | 25 |
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Tips & How-to Instructions
Best places to find scholars of fishes are the Twin Coves and boathouses in McPherson Slough.
If you’re looking for White Bass, head out to the water intake close to the dam. This is like a ventilation structure that seems inviting to this species.
The ideal bait for catching Blue Catfish is fresh shad. Crappies, on the other hand, prefer jigs and it’s easier to catch them with such a lure.
Drop-offs, underwater boulders, and rocky shorelines are the finest spots to find largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass.
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Zebra Mussels Alert
According to the official website of TPWD, “to prevent the spread of zebra mussels, the law requires draining of water from boats and onboard receptacles when leaving or approaching public fresh waters.”
Zebra mussel is an exotic aquatic species that can harm the ecosystem of TX. So, anyone transporting them to the area will face penalties immediately. Right now, all vessels entering the Canyon Lake must be drained of water. This will help to prevent the growth of such species in the district and save the wildlife.
Public Access Facilities and Boat Launches
If you’re looking to find the right spot for launching your PWC into Grapevine Lake, this list is for you. The following are the public access facilities that offer boat ramps for skippers willing to sail on Grapevine Lake, TX.
The facilities listed below charge for launch and parking.
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Meadowmere Park
- 2 separate ramps on diverse spots
- Each slipway can hold 30-50 crafts
- Operates year-round
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Lakeview Park
- 2 distinct slipways on diverse places
- Parking for 15 PWC
- Operating perennially
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Oak Grove Park
- Several ramps
- Open 24/7 by the year
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Vineyards Campgrounds and Cabins
- 1 2-lane slipway
- Ramp open only to overnight guests (it’s not free)
- Operates 24/7 all year long
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Katie’s Woods Park
- 1 2-lane ramp
- Space for 47 crafts
- One limited-parking 2-lane high-water slipway
- Open all year long
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Silverlake Marina
- 1 2-lane slipway
- Open yearlong
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Murrell Park & Twin Coves Marina
- 2 slipway offering four PWC lanes with parking for 40 crafts
- Open 12 months of the year
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Twin Coves Park
- 2-lane slipway
- parking for 10 PWC
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Trophy Club Park
- Two-lane concrete slipway
- Parking for 15 vehicles
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