Striper fishing is Lake Texoma's top attraction, but BASSfest arrives in June

One of Oklahoma's most popular summertime activities is a striped bass fishing trip on Lake Texoma.

Last year was one of the best striper fishing years in recent memory on the lake, especially for big fish. Normally, late May is a time when striper fishing is going gangbusters, especially for top-water action.

However, a high and muddy lake has slowed the striper bite this spring.

“It's been pretty poor lately,” said Matt Mauck, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's chief of fisheries for south-central Oklahoma.

“However, the past couple of weeks the guides have been saying it's really picked up and been more consistent. They are catching smaller fish, 12- to 14-inch fish, but a whole lot of white bass to go with them.”

Several flooding events in recent months have affected the fishing. Lake Texoma lost stripers during the floods and this, coupled with poor recruitment years due to the drought, has left Texoma not living up to its usual reputation.

"It's still not up to our expectations at this point,” Mauck said of the striper fishing. “We have just had high, muddy water much of the time. There hasn't been a lot of consistentcy in the water conditions of the lake the past year which really affects the stripers. It's just been a series of events that kind of turned the lake on its head.”

As the water clears up, the striper fishing should improve. But when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has to release floodwaters, it pulls muddy water through the lake, Mauck said.

“It has been tough the past month, but the past two weeks have reportedly been much better, much more consistent catches,” he said. “White bass are really helping to fill in the void and create opportunities in the absence of stripers being willing to cooperate.”

BASSfest coming to Texoma

During June 8-12, Lake Texoma will be the site of BASSfest, a pro bass tournament on the Bassmaster Elite Series.

Public viewing for the launch each day of the tournament will be at Dam Site Park in Denison, Texas. The weigh-in will be in Durant at the Choctaw Casino Resort.

Oklahoma pro Edwin Evers, who won the 2016 Bassmaster Classic, is the defending champion of BASSfest.

Other than the Bassmaster Classic, which was held earlier this year on Oklahoma's Grand Lake, BASSfest is the Bass Angler Sportsman Society's (B.A.S.S.) biggest event.

In addition to the fishing tournament, there is a festival which includes the BASSfest Expo and Bassmaster University seminars at the Choctaw Event Center.

There will be angler autograph and photo sessions for fans along with a children's area for activities.

The pros do not fish on the Saturday of BASSfest, instead taking the day to meet fans and conduct the free Bassmaster University seminars.

Also on the water that weekend, the Bassmaster High School All American Tournament will be held June 10 on nearby McGee Creek Lake where the 12 high school anglers chosen as All-Americans this year are paired with the pros for a one-day paper tournament.

A college tournament also will be held June 9-11 on Lake Murray with the winning team advancing to the national championship tournament. The college anglers will weigh-in at Lake Murray the first two days but travel to Durant for the weigh-in on the final day.

The Oklahoma pros competing in BASSfest are Tommy Biffle of Wagoner; Jay Brainard of Enid; Jason Christie of Park Hill; James Elam of Tulsa; Evers of Talala; Jeff Kriet of Ardmore; and Fred Roumbanis of Bixby.