The population is 3,619 and the altitude is 170 Town and nearby lake named for Karankawa Indian legend of brave who bested his rival by crossing lake and returning with an eagle for an Indian maiden. Today noted as duck and goose hunting area. During annual migratory waterfowl season, hunters bag thousands at nearby hunting clubs.
Area produces abundant rice harvest that exceed a million bushels annually.
Eagle Lake lies along the Texas Pioneer Trail covering four county area. Rate of decline in bird population exceeded that of whooping cranes through middle years of this century. Recently established refuge has won support of landowners and conservationists in saving prairie chickens that once numbered hundreds of thousands. Tours may be arranged by contradicting the Eagle lake Chamber of Commerce. 408 East Main Street.