The length of largemouth bass in Lake Ray Roberts has officially changed

On September 1, 2009, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will officially change the length requirement for largemouth bass in Lake Ray Roberts. Currently, the regulation to retain wolves in the lake is below a 14 to 24 inch slot. Bass trapped within these parameters should be released immediately. Next week the law will be changed to the state minimum of 14 inches. Five wolves over 14 inches can be kept per licensed angler.

Lake Ray Roberts opened to the public in January 1990 and was first administered to the state minimum of 14 inches. Hoping to increase the number of trophy-sized bass, Texas Parks and Wildlife introduced a space limit in 1998. This management technique had worked successfully at Lake Fork, where in 1992; Barry St. Clair reached the state record of 18.18 pounds. Lake Fork also produced seven of the top ten bass caught in Texas and 243 bass fish (bass weighing more than 13 pounds).

However, fishing records and biological studies from the last eleven years have shown that Ray Roberts was not generating similar results. Despite the lake’s record of 14.59 pounds of largemouth bass (March 2000) being caught during the slot’s regulation, only three other wolves weighing 13 pounds or more were recorded during this time.

Although most bass fishermen and women practice catch and release, the new management statute (14-inch minimum) will allow tournament anglers to weigh bass that they previously had to release. Many club and tournament circuits avoid slot lakes because much of a lake’s bass population is within the 14 to 24-inch window. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, the bass in this slot can weigh between 1.45 and 8.52 pounds.

However, starting this fall, more tournaments will be scheduled that will bring more boats and fishing pressure to the 29,000 acres of Lake Ray Roberts. Some local fishermen are excited about the opportunity to fish these casts for cash events, while others are unhappy about the additional traffic. Last weekend, most of the boat ramps were packed with fishermen and women trying to find the perfect spot to profit from these contests. On a positive note, local businesses should benefit from the additional tournaments, as many anglers arrive days before the competition to practice.

Here’s a look at some of the tournaments scheduled for this fall: Ray Hubbard Bass Club September 5; Bass Champs September 12; PBM Big Bass Bash on September 19; Texoma Bass Club on September 19; Texas Poorman’s Bass Club on September 26; Christian Angler’s Bass Association October 10-11. In addition to these events, there are two weekly night tournaments on the lake: Tuesday nights, boat ramp at Pond Creek from 6 pm to 9 pm; Wednesday night Sanger access ramp from 6 pm to 9:30 pm.

Next spring it should be interesting if Media Bass, FLW, Bass Champs or any other circuit should host tournaments at Ray Roberts. Some anglers believe that the lake can produce five fish limits of 30 pounds or more.

Remember that September 1 is also the time to renew your fishing license unless you have purchased the license of the year from the purchase now offered by the state. A Lake Texoma license is still valid as it runs from January through December. Good luck fishing and tight lines.