A BIOLOGIST'S INSIGHTS
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Paul Mauck has the daunting task of overseeing Lake Texoma, as well as several other fisheries in the region he manages. Mauck does a tremendous job scientifically bettering the lake's ecosystem by tirelessly monitoring several environmental factors, which contribute to the lake's success.

"For being over 60 years old, Lake Texoma is remarkably well structured in largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass populations," Mauck surmised. "With the addition of stripers and sand bass, Texoma is a highly competitive lake for shad."

Lacking the high percentage of Florida-strain bass genetics, the lake's largemouths still do remarkably well, although their habitat is not as good as what can be found at other lakes in Oklahoma.

"Texoma doesn't have the weedbeds that other lakes have," said Mauck. "But with the cover that is available, and with the 14-inch minimum length imposed, we see some pretty nice bass caught there. A legal bass normally will weigh around 2 pounds.

"In June most of the lake's bass have spawned," Mauck continued. "They will be lean and mean and ready to feed, moving from the shallows to water that is a little deeper than the water they spawned in."

"Traditionally, according to reports I hear from other anglers, the best spots for catching post-spawn largemouths are Catfish Bay, Johnson Creek, Buncombe Creek, Newberry Creek, Alberta Creek, Soldier Creek, Caney Creek, and Little Mineral Creek. Most of the bass in those areas are going to be in the coves and near the boathouses, where they can find some cover."

Mauck was most excited about the lake's smallmouth bass population, and reminded me that the lake has produced at least five previous state records. "Texoma's smallmouth bass continue to be good, and we have successful reproduction each year. We have a lot of 5- to 6-pound smallmouths in the lake, and some a lot larger. Texoma is a tremendous smallmouth fishery."

He further said that anglers targeting smallmouths should concentrate on the riprap areas around the bridges and dam, and many of the rocky points on the Texas side of the lake. Remember a Texas fishing license is required when fishing on that side of the huge impoundment. Mauck also named Willow Springs as a good spot for smallies.

The biologist said that smallmouth bass like to move into the shallows early and late to feed, and that nighttime anglers should do as well. Some anglers like to use live shad hooked weightless and let them swim in areas smallmouths frequent. Though this is an effective tactic, Mauck cautioned that, much of the time, a smallmouth will swallow the bait so deeply that it can't be released.

According to Mauck, the lake has a great population of spotted bass that are generally around the same areas where smallmouth are found except in deeper water. He said the lake's "Kentuckies" will average 1 to 2 pounds, as they're generally slow-growing, adding that a 3-pounder is a real nice spot.

Mauck said the future looks bright for Texoma's bass anglers, due to some unique management plans. "We have been working on a water level manipulation plan for the past 15 years," Mauck explained. "We are able to raise and lower the lake level at strategic times to make the fishing better."

EXPERT ADVICE FOR BIG LARGEMOUTHS
Ardmore professional angler Jeff Kriet, who cut his teeth on Texoma's largemouth bass fishing, rates the lake as an excellent fishery. Though the soft-spoken pro owns a hunting and fishing store -- Outdoor Headquarters, (580) 226-2196, in downtown Ardmore -- he's been making his living through bass fishing for the past eight years. He reported that though Texoma has a lot of black bass, the average size of fish caught there will be smaller than that of those in most lakes.