Fannin County Land & Bois d'Arc Lake Guide 2026

Fannin County Land Guide: Bois d'Arc Lake and the Bonham Boom

Fannin County has the newest major lake in Texas, a public marina on the way, and Bonham's first master-planned community. It is about an hour from Dallas and still priced like the country. Here is what buyers and landowners should know.

Bois d'Arc Lake at a glance

16,641 surface acres (about 26 square miles), 22-ft average and 70-ft maximum depth, full pool at 534 ft above sea level (Texas Parks & Wildlife; BoisdArcLake.org).
Built by the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), it was the first major reservoir built in Texas in nearly 30 years. It was dedicated in October 2022, and water delivery began in March 2023 (BoisdArcLake.org).
Three free public boat-ramp areas (FM 897 and north/south FM 1396), open year-round (TPWD access page). The lake was stocked with largemouth bass and catfish, and crappie are present. Largemouth bass are managed under a 16-inch maximum length limit (TPWD).
NTMWD owns the shoreline. Adjacent owners may request permission for private docks and other shoreline uses under NTMWD's Shoreline Management Plan (BoisdArcLake.org).

The marina and what's coming

On Aug. 27, 2026, the NTMWD board approved a marina lease with JW Marina Development for the lake's first public marina, with at least 200 boat slips in the first phase, operated by Waterview Marinas (Lake Grapevine, Lake Texoma). It could open as early as the end of 2028 on north FM 897. NTMWD estimates lake recreation could ultimately generate about $166 million a year for the county (BEDCO release via North Texas e-News, Sept. 2026).

In Bonham, Powder Creek Ranch (the city's first master-planned community) is planned for about 3,000 homes through 2035. Asher Oaks is adding 78 D.R. Horton lots, and Centurion American's Legacy Ridge plans 400+ homes. Vector Systems moved its headquarters to Bonham, and the city created its first four TIRZs (same source). Fannin County's population was an estimated 39,265 in July 2025 (Census QuickFacts).

Thinking about buying, selling or holding land in Fannin County? Cooper Land Company works land every day: growth-corridor tracts, commercial corners and lake lots. Call or text 214-714-5638 or email dan@cooperlandcompany.com. You can also get the free North Texas Land Value Report.

Buying a lake lot: the five things to check

Elevation. Full pool is 534 ft. Know where your build site sits relative to the floodplain and the NTMWD take line. At Cypress Point, homes are built above 545 ft.
Dock eligibility. Docks require NTMWD permission under the Shoreline Management Plan (December 2023). Confirm the lot is dock-eligible before you pay a dock premium.
Utilities. Water supply corporation, fiber and electric availability vary lot by lot. Septic needs suitable soils.
Restrictions. HOA/PID terms, short-term-rental rules and building minimums.
Access. Paved road frontage and drive time to Bonham, Sherman and McKinney (Bonham is about 40 minutes from McKinney and 30 from Sherman, per BEDCO).

Cypress Point on Bois d'Arc Lake

Cooper Land Company is developing Cypress Point: 112 wooded custom-home lots on Bois d'Arc Lake near Bonham and Dodd City, every lot at least an acre, with 27 lots planned for private docks (subject to NTMWD approval). Planned amenities include a clubhouse, a stocked fishing pond, parks and an outdoor amphitheater. Lot deposits open soon. See Cypress Point, lake and dock rules FAQ and CypressPointTX.com.

Beyond the lake: rural land in Fannin County

Fannin County also offers farms, hunting land and homesite acreage along US 82 and SH 121, plus nearby Lake Bonham and Coffee Mill Lake. In the south of the county, Lake Ralph Hall began holding water in July 2026. Filling depends on rainfall and is expected to take about three to five years, and the lake will boost water supply for growing cities including Prosper and Celina (Lake Ralph Hall / UTRWD; Prosper-Celina Journal). That makes a second new lake in one county. The county updated its subdivision regulations on Oct. 13, 2026, including lake-area provisions (Fannin County), so anyone planning to split a tract should read them first.

Frequently asked questions

How big is Bois d'Arc Lake?

Bois d'Arc Lake covers 16,641 surface acres (about 26 square miles) in Fannin County, with a maximum depth of 70 feet and full pool at 534 feet above sea level.

Can I build a private dock on Bois d'Arc Lake?

The North Texas Municipal Water District owns the shoreline. Adjacent landowners may request permission for private docks under NTMWD's Shoreline Management Plan, so confirm a lot's dock eligibility before buying.

Is there a marina on Bois d'Arc Lake?

The NTMWD board approved a lease for the lake's first public marina in August 2026, with at least 200 slips planned. It could open as early as the end of 2028.

Where can I buy a lot on Bois d'Arc Lake?

Cooper Land Company is developing Cypress Point, 112 wooded lots of at least an acre on Bois d'Arc Lake, 27 of them planned for private docks. Call 214-714-5638 or visit cooperlandcompany.com.

How far is Bois d'Arc Lake from Dallas?

The lake is about 10 minutes northeast of Bonham, roughly an hour or so north-northeast of Dallas depending on your starting point.

Sources

Last updated October 28, 2026. Figures come from the public sources linked above and describe areas and trends, not the value of any specific property. Verify current facts with the listed agency before you buy or sell. Cooper Land Company, 2501 Greenspoint Ln, Prosper, TX 75078 Â· 214-714-5638 Â· TREC Consumer Protection Notice Â· Information About Brokerage Services