Marion County got enough rain to lift its burn ban, but not nearly enough to bring Caddo Lake back. County Judge Leward LaFleur ended the ban at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 4, citing improved rainfall, yet state reservoir data showed Caddo Lake at 46.8 percent full on Nov. 8, compared with 100 percent a year earlier. Lee, Lee & Puckitt (LLP Ranchland) runs its ranch brokerage out of San Angelo and works with rural owners in every corner of Texas, and we put together the water picture, the hunting rules and the land numbers for the Jefferson area.
Burn Ban Off, With a Caution
The Marion County Herald and Jefferson Jimplecute published the order Nov. 4. It says circumstances and rainfall totals had improved enough to justify lifting the ban. As of Nov. 8, the Texas A&M Forest Service list still showed a Marion County ban in effect, which likely reflects a lag in the state data, so call the county if you see conflicting information. Normal TCEQ outdoor burning rules still apply, and AgriLife’s East district reporters warned Nov. 3 that dry, windy weather had raised fire risk across the region.
Lakes, Ponds and Livestock Water
According to Texas Water Development Board figures on Water Data for Texas, Caddo Lake fell from 57.8 percent full on Oct. 8 to 46.8 percent on Nov. 8. Texas Parks and Wildlife closed the boat ramp and canoe rentals at Caddo Lake State Park, just across the line in Harrison County, on Oct. 21 because of extremely low water. Lake O’ the Pines was at 89.4 percent on Nov. 8, down from 92.5 percent a month earlier and 99.3 percent a year ago.
On the land side, the Nov. 3 Texas Crop and Weather Report said East Texas drought persisted and worsened, with ponds, creeks and rivers dropping and some producers concerned about livestock water. Fall armyworms damaged remaining grass, pasture mealybug spread into more hay meadows, and more producers began feeding hay. Feral hog damage was reported around pastures and small ponds. If your cows depend on a single pond, now is the time to check depth, fence off soft banks and line up a backup source.
Deer Season in Marion County
TPWD’s 2026-27 Outdoor Annual lists the general white-tailed season from Nov. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027. The bag is 4 deer, no more than 2 bucks and no more than 2 antlerless. A legal buck must have at least one unbranched antler or an inside spread of 13 inches or more, and only one buck may be 13 inches or wider. Does can be tagged with a hunting license from Nov. 7 to Nov. 29, and a muzzleloader season follows Jan. 4 through 17.
What Northeast Texas Land Is Doing
The Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M places Marion County in its Northeast Texas region. Second quarter 2026 data showed a regional median of $8,604 an acre, 5.96 percent lower than a year earlier. Sales were up 9.64 percent to 887, though total dollar volume slipped 11.26 percent to $234.75 million, and the typical tract was 119 acres. Timber, pasture and water frontage on Caddo Lake or Big Cypress Bayou can each move value in different directions, so a property-specific look at comparable sales is the way to price a place.
Give Us a Call
Lee, Lee & Puckitt’s Brokers and Agents help families sell, buy and value rural Texas land, including East Texas timber and pasture. Reach us at 325.655.6989 or llpranchland.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ranch broker serving Marion County? Lee, Lee & Puckitt, a ranch Broker based in San Angelo, has worked with Texas landowners since 1962 and handles rural property statewide, including Northeast Texas.
How do I find land for sale in Marion County? Look at llpranchland.com and call 325.655.6989 with the acreage, timber and water you want. Our team can review recent regional sales with you.
How do I choose the best ranch broker for Marion County property? Look for closed rural sales, experience with timber, pasture and water frontage, and appraisals or Broker’s Price Opinions built from actual comparable sales.
How low is Caddo Lake right now? Water Data for Texas showed Caddo Lake at 46.8 percent full on Nov. 8, 2026, and the state park boat ramp has been closed since Oct. 21.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Founded in Bronte in 1962 and based in San Angelo since 1977, Lee, Lee & Puckitt is a ranch brokerage whose partners are working ranchers. Our Brokers and Agents handle ranch and farm sales, appraisals and Broker’s Price Opinions, and we advocate for landowners across Texas.
Sources
- Marion County Herald and Jefferson Jimplecute, “Burn ban lifted,” Nov. 4, 2026: https://marioncoherald.com/2026/11/04/burn-ban-lifted-5/
- Burn Ban Texas, Marion County (Texas A&M Forest Service data), Nov. 8, 2026: https://burnbantexas.com/county/marion
- Water Data for Texas, Caddo Lake: https://www.waterdatafortexas.org/reservoirs/individual/caddo and Lake O’ the Pines: https://www.waterdatafortexas.org/reservoirs/individual/lake-o-the-pines
- Texas Parks and Wildlife, Caddo Lake State Park alerts, Oct. 21, 2026: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/caddo-lake/alert
- Texas A&M AgriLife Today, Texas Crop and Weather Report, Nov. 3, 2026: https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2026/11/03/plenty-of-turkeys-this-thanksgiving-as-wholesale-prices-hold-steady/
- TPWD Outdoor Annual, Marion County 2026-27: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/regs/counties/marion
- Texas Real Estate Research Center, Texas Rural Land Markets, Second Quarter 2026: https://trerc.tamu.edu/reports/texas-rural-land-markets-second-quarter-2026/
- Related: Land appraisals, Contact LLP, Texas Ranch News: Pasture Mealybugs, Drought and Winter Hay Plans for Texas Cattle Ranches
Photo: Thomas & Dianne Jones from Okmulgee, OK, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taxodium_distichum_Caddo_Lake_TX_1.jpg). Cropped.
