Shore Thing, Partner | Rave Review

Possum Kingdom Lake is a special place for Steve Kennemer and his family. It's been that way for a long time.

When Steve first begain dating his now wife Cindy, before proceeding any further, he had to pass the “Lake Test.”

That was a weekend with her parents and siblings at Possum Kingdom Lake. When they pulled up to the house for the first time, his first reaction was: “I’ve been here before!” Allow us to explain.

Almost 50 years ago, Steve’s dad, who worked at a boat dealership, worked on boats out at Possum Kingdom over the weekends. He and his father had worked on Cidy’s family’s boat. Fast forward... Steve passed that test, and the lake has been his and Cindy’s second home ever since. There’s plenty of history between the Kennemers and Possum Kingdom Lake, but it’s history that’s still being made.

“That’s my getaway. We are heading out to the lake house there almost every weekend during the spring and summer, and every other weekend in the fall and winter,” Steve said. “We love the water, love that the grandkids can enjoy this place so much, and just love skiing and riding jet skis by day, and enjoying one of the greatest sunsets I’ve seen in Texas at night.”

Possum Kingdom Lake, often called “PK” by locals, is one of Texas’ true gems. Nestled along the Brazos River, this expansive lake is known for its deep blue waters, scenic limestone cliffs, and wide-open spaces perfect for boating, fishing, or simply relaxing on the shore. What really sets Possum Kingdom Lake apart is its stunning natural beauty. The famous “Hell’s Gate” cliffs, a dramatic set of sheer rock walls rising from the water, have become an iconic landmark and the backdrop for events like fireworks shows and boat parades.

If there’s one “shore” thing in Texas, it’s that there’s a lake not too far away from the house. Fishing at Lake Fork near Sulphur Springs? Skiing at Lake Lewisville, or just catching a sunset at the picturesque Possum Kingdom Lake? Choose your adventure, but just know that in the Texas heat, getting wet is a weekend essential. A few other Datamaxers share their stories below.

Trey McFarlin

Sulphur Springs-based Lake and Fishing Outfitter

Fishing Lakes: Lake Fork - #1 Bass Fishing Venue in the state of Texas. They hold the Bass Masters Fishing Tournament there twice a year - in the spring and in the fall.

Lake Tawakoni - known as the "Catfish Capital of Texas" - Tawakoni is the prime location for Blue and Channel Catfish but also has some decent bass fishing as well.

Lake Ray Hubbard - Ray Hubbard is known for attracting anglers all year long due to its vegetation and trees on the North side of the lake. It is known for housing some of the largest "trophy-sized" fish in the state as well which attracts fisherman from all across the state.

Lake Texoma - Known as the "Striper Capital of the World" - Lake Texoma is the prime spot for any type of bass fishing. This lake is unique in the fact that it's brackish water (mix of both saltwater and freshwater from the Red River) make it the perfect dwelling place for Striper Bass to spawn - which is rare in lakes as they are naturally ocean-dwelling fish.

As For Me: I much prefer fishing in ponds over lakes - Whether its catching Channel Catfish in the East Texas pines out at my Folk's property in Garden Valley or taking my boys Crappie fishing at Harry Myers Park in Rockwall - Im much more fond of fishing in the local ponds over the larger lakes. Its typically more quiet and relaxing for me than lake-fishing. Also its typically easier to catch more fish in the smaller ponds and, as anyone who knows me can attest, Im not known for being the most patient person in the world.

Brad McClure

Dallas/Fort Worth Office

Over the years I’ve had a bass fishing boat, a Cobalt ski boat, and a pontoon boat. We go to Lake Ray Roberts simply because it’s close to us. It’s a good fishing lake. When the kids were younger, we enjoyed fishing, skiing, tubing, all the stuff like that. There’s a couple of nice State Parks to stay out there as well.

Jordan Conley

Tyler Office

On the weekends growing up we’d head out to Lake Hawkins for tubing. We’d get two people on one tube and do everything we could almost kill one another to get them off, ha. We’d also spend weekends out at Lake Fork and visit Lake Palestine often. It was a great way to spend the weekend as a family!

Shore Thing, Partner.

Possum Kingdom Lake is a special place for Steve Kennemer and his family. It's been that way for a long time.

Trey McFarlin

Brad McClure

Jordan Conley

Steve Kennemer

“That’s my getaway. We are heading out to the lake house there almost every weekend during the spring and summer, and every other weekend in the fall and winter."