Many people have been worried about the fishing outlook for Lake Texoma in 2011. Both the Texas and Oklahoma biologists are reporting lower numbers in Striper survey's. One thing people need to remember is Texoma has had a very large population of Stripers over the last few years. Even with a slightly lower than normal population of Stripers, Texoma is still the best lake in Texas for Striper fishing.

The Threadfin Shad kill last year did result in a increased mortality rate for Stripers in the late summer and early fall. Since that time the bait population has made an amazing recovery. More bait than fish has made Striper fishing a little tougher than normal this spring. The fishing will improve as the water warms and the shad get more active. The Stripers are in great condition going into the spawn. The fish we are catching are some of the fattest fish I have ever seen and are ready to spawn as soon as the spring rains arrive. I think the Stripers population is going to rebound very quickly with a large bait population to feed upon. I look forward to some very good fishing in the next few years.

Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass populations are doing very well on Lake Texoma. The Zebra Mussels are providing a food source for increased population of crayfish. Which in turn is supporting a good population of bass. I expect Lake Texoma to have some of it's best bass fishing in the next few years. Smallmouth fishing should be especially good and I would not be surprised some of the records are broken.

Crappie fishing is looking very good this year. Crappie are starting to spawn and people are catching nice stringers of Crappie in tree beds and the creeks feeding into the lake. The high fry survival rate from the flood a few years ago is now producing nice sized Crappie.

Cat fishing remains very good on lake Texoma. Texoma has always been a big fishery for catfish. Texoma has large numbers of Blue Catfish and has produced world records in the past. Blue's in the 30 to 40 lb. range are not uncommon on Lake Texoma. The lake also supports good populations of Channel and Yellow Catfish.

- Scott Bridgess
guidetexoma.com