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 Fishing's Big — Big lake, Big fish, BIG FUN!
With 89,000 acres of water, Lake Texoma boasts many different habitats that attract several popular species of fish. Striped bass (better known as STRIPERS), largemouth and smallmouth bass, sand bass,
catfish, crappie, and bluegill are all plentiful and popular.
Striped Bass
Lake Texoma is recognized as one of the largest inland striper fisheries in the world. Striper fishing generates an estimated $30 million
annually as thousands of anglers fish Texoma every month year round. A ten fish per person limit with two fish 20 inches and over continue
to bring anglers back. There is no lake in the United States with such a limit of fish. Stripers are a very prolific fish species and Texoma
offers the conditions, a slightly saline water condition coupled with a slight current that allow these fish to reproduce in the millions
every year. This accounts for Lake Texoma's reputation as "The Striper Capital of the World".
You can catch them with a number of methods:
- Top Water Artificial Baits
- Live Shad (Local bait caught with a cast net)
- Sassy Shads or Coho Minnows
- Live store bought Shiners
- Slabs or Spoons
- Ghost Minnows (seined along the shoreline)
- Spinner Baits
- Trolling
- Crank Baits and Cut Bait
When they're bitin', you can tie on almost anything and just HANG ON! You can fish for Stripers yourself or hire a local professional guide.
Whichever bait you use or whomever you go with, be ready for a wild ride and enough filets to take home for a big fish fry.
Black Bass
Texoma is also a premier black bass lake whether you fish recreationally or competitively. Over 100 tournaments are held annually,
from small jackpot night tournaments ot large championship bass tournaments. Lake Texoma is a popular stop on many major tournament
circuits such as CAST, Honey Hole, BASS, BassMasters, and more. Black bass, which include largemouth, small mouth and Kentucky spotted bass,
have a strong foothold in Texoma. Texas Parks and Wildlife have stocked Florida strain bass in the Little Mineral and Big Mineral arms of Texoma.
In the Little Mineral Arm of the lake, results from shocking surveys show a 30% Florida bass strain with 40% of those being full-blooded Florida bass.
Catfish
 Blues (BIG blues), channels, and yellows all make Texoma their home.
Blues especially thrive in Texoma, with fish over 50 pounds not uncommon. Jug lines, trotlines, and rod and reel techniques all catch plenty of big cats
(including a few small ones). A stringer of fresh catfish like these shown makes a tasty meal.
"Splash", the state record blue catfish, was caught on Lake Texoma in February of 2004. At 121 pounds, certification as the world record for the species
by the international Game Fish Association is pending. Fortunately for Splash, he was spared the dinner table and is now on display at the Freshwater Fisheries Center
in Athens, TX.
Facilities
The area has everything you need to fish Lake Texoma and enjoy the experience. Area businesses offer plenty and varied lodging, restaurants for all tastes,
marinas for any boat, widely located fuel centers, and a full selection of tackle.
Professional Fishing Guides
For professional help "catchin' the big'un", please contact one of the chamber members listed below:
G & C Guide Service — Black Bass Specialist
Gene & Cindi Mowdy
P.O. Box 548 Pottsboro, Texas 75076
Phone: 903-821-5867
Tinker's Striper Guide Service was founded over 20 years ago to provide fishermen the most gratifying striper fishing
adventure possible. Our group of licensed, professional guides possess more than thirty years of knowledge and equipment to
ensure you a safe and fulfilling fishing excursion.
Safety
When fishing, be aware of weather hazards that can make your fishing trip unenjoyable. In the summer, temperatures over 100 degrees are common.
A hat, sunscreen, and plenty of drinking water is advised. Anytime can bring a thunderstorm around Texoma, just be cognizant of the weather and especially lightening.
If you see lightening, get under cover quick. In the winter temperatures can dip below freezing and, along with wind speeds over 20 miles per hour,
can make the air a little nippy. Warm clothes, gloves, hand warmers, and other cold weather items are needed. The most common problem on Texoma is the wind.
When winds approach 30 miles per hour, swells up to 6 ft. high are not uncommon. Use common sense when boating in the wind. Fish in areas where
there is wind cover or just don't fish at all.
License
A license is required of everyone over 16 years of age.A special "Lake Texoma" license is available which is good in both the Texas and Oklahoma areas of the lake.
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