Lake Texoma Fishing Flourishes Despite Frigid Conditions: Striped Bass, Catfish, and Crappie Biting Well, According to Multiple Reports

Few anglers ventured onto the frigid waters of Lake Texoma due to the cold weather. According to the Texas Parks & Wildlife report, striped bass activity was notable, with successful catches achieved by deadsticking in open water or near drop-offs, humps, and points at depths ranging from 10 to 20 feet. The recommended baits included ice cubes, icicles, and swimbaits1. Adventure Texoma Outdoors – John Blasingame In an additional report by John Blasingame from Adventure Texoma Outdoors, the water was reported to be at a normal stain with a temperature of 55 degrees, sitting 1.05 feet below pool level. Striped bass fishing was deemed good, especially when drifting flukes along river ledges in 60-80 feet of water off the bottom. Larger striped bass were found near stumps on shallow points in 15-25 feet of water, with swimbaits proving effective. Catfish were also biting well, particularly for eater-sized fish, by drifting cut gizzard shad in 40-50 feet of water. Crappie activity was slow on boathouse structures using jigs and dead minnows, while bass were fair on jerkbaits along bluffs in 10-12 feet of water and in stumps on points in 15-20 feet of water2. Lake Texoma Guaranteed Guide Service – Jacob Orr Jacob Orr from Lake Texoma Guaranteed Guide Service reported a stable lake elevation, clear water with a temperature of 48°F, and a lake level 2 feet below normal. Striped bass were reported to be good on live shad and plastic baits around various areas including channels, flats, main lake, and points. Catfish were fair and found near channels, coves, docks, and points, biting on chicken liver, cut bait, live shad, and punch bait. Crappie activity was also fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and nymphs around brush structures, covers, docks, points, and standing timber3. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Lake Texoma Fishing Report | January 17, 2024 The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation provided additional insights into Lake Texoma’s fishing conditions. Striped bass were reported to be biting well on live shad and plastic baits, particularly around channels, flats, main lake, and points. Catfish were fair and attracted to chicken liver, cut bait, live shad, and punch bait around various areas such as channels, coves, docks, points, and river channels. Crappie activity was fair, with success using hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and nymphs around brush structures, covers, docks, points, and standing timber3. Game Warden Bryan County – Garrett Beam Garrett Beam, a Game Warden from Bryan County, submitted a report affirming the positive fishing conditions. Striper fishing was particularly successful using live bait, and the cold front was expected to enhance deadsticking methods. Catfish were biting on jug lines with live shad and cut bait, while crappie were actively biting on jigs near brush piles3. Sources: Footnotes Texas Parks & Wildlife Lake Texoma Fishing Report, January 17, 2024 ↩ Adventure Texoma Outdoors – John Blasingame ↩ Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Lake Texoma Fishing Report, January 17, 2024 ↩ ↩2 ↩3