Every August, a local tradition takes place near the dam at Lake Lewisville. In an Army Corps of Engineers office building next to a golf course, hundreds of duck hunters from across the DFW metroplex show up to claim their slice of hunting heaven: a Lake Lewisville hunting permit.
For local duck hunters, it's the true first sign of fall. Even if it's hotter than a two dollar pistol outside, the feeling of a brisk morning, frigid water and setting up in the dark feel right around the corner. When hunting licenses become available from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on August 15, the tradition begins. In a typical year, you must have a valid license for the upcoming year already in hand before applying for the Lake Lewisville hunting permit, along with a Hunter's Safety Certificate. Since most hunters use the lake to hunt ducks, then you also need to make sure you have a Migratory Bird Stamp, HIP Certification and a Federal Duck Stamp on that license as well. The Super Combo license is a popular choice, which includes everything needed except the duck stamp, along with freshwater and saltwater fishing.
About Lake Lewisville Hunting Permits
Lake Lewisville is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and that includes hunting. Every year, the Army Corps local office gives away hundreds of hunting permits that allow hunters to hunt select waters and surrounding shoreline. In the past few years, the office has granted 600 of these permits, which typically run out within the first two or three days after Texas hunting licenses become available. Each hunter is given a card to place in their wallet with their hunting license, and a larger placard to place on their dashboard when parked at the lake in order to hunt.
Most hunters get their Lake Lewisville hunting permit in order to hunt ducks on the water, but the permit also allows you to hunt for dove, turkey, even hogs and coyotes. Squirrel and rabbit hunting is year-round, and typically a pre-spring endeavor for some, although not as popular around Lake Lewisville as ducks are.
For safety, shotguns and bows are the only methods permitted on and around the lake. Being public land, blaze orange is required when not hunting birds. Of course, most people are going to be hunting birds, so keep a keen eye and ear out for other hunters, and make sure to maintain a safe distance.
Lake Lewisville hunting permits also allow you to bring one hunter along with you, as long as you're hunting the same area. They must have their Hunter's Safety
Virtual Permits in 2020
In years past, you would have to show yourself at the office in order to obtain a permit, but as 2020 is unlike any other year, the office has changed policy and gone virtual. You can apply by mail or email here.
This year is also different in that you don't need a permit in hand in order to apply for a permit, you just need one before you hunt. So take your time getting a license, no need to make the mid-August rush, but be sure not to forget it on opening day.
Where to Hunt on Lake Lewisville
As with any suburban public land, hunting areas are restricted for safety's sake. The only huntable areas on Lake Lewisville are north and west, leaving the most popular recreational parts of the lake open all year, although they are seldom crowded during the cold months of hunting season. Most of these areas are going to be accessible by boat or kayak, especially for duck hunting, with some walkable areas accessible by street parking or parking lot.
Call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lewisville Lake office at (469) 645-9100 or visit https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/lewisville/Recreation/Hunting.asp for more details, and a downloadable GPS map of huntable areas.
