Boat safely this weekend




Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Game Wardens are investigating a double fatality boating accident on Lake Fork that occurred Monday. The incident involved two vessels and occurred at about 8:45 p.m. Both vessel operators were killed. A passenger in one of the vessels was severely injured and transported by helicopter from the scene to a Dallas area hospital. The names of the victims have not been released. One of the vessels involved sank at the scene and will be raised with specialized lift bags and then towed to shore for further investigation. Make boating safety a priority this upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend. Review your safety check list. Do not drink and operate a boat. The probability of being killed in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved. Boating while intoxicated (BWI) is strictly enforced and carries penalties similar to driving while intoxicated penalties, including possible Driver's License suspension, not to mention a citation. Have personal flotation device (PFD) or life jackets in both child and adult sizes in your boat for everyone. Children under 13 years of age are required by law to wear a life jacket while onboard a moving vessel, but it's recommended for everyone to wear a life jacket. Most boating fatality victims were found not wearing a PFD. When selecting a PFD, the proper size is important. Too small may not keep you afloat and too large may come off on impact if you are suddenly thrown into the water. Check out www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/safetylife_jackets/index.phtml for the different types of jackets and their uses. Don't overload your boat with people or equipment. Check the capacity plate for the maximum weight or the maximum number of people the boat can safely carry. Use navigation lights at all times when on the water at night. Check lights before it gets dark. Watch your speed and pay attention to your surroundings. Make sure you stay well clear of other vessels. Citations may be issued for excessive speed or reckless operation. Be especially careful while operating a Personal Watercraft. Operators must wear a PFD and maintain a 50 foot distance from other PWC's, vessels, persons, shore, or stationary platforms or other objects unless operating at idle speeds. Do not jump the wake of another boat. Have a great holiday weekend. If you are going to be out on the water, boat responsibly. Don't become a newspaper headline. Picture: PFD's come in a variety of styles. Choose the correct one for your boating needs.




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Lake Texoma Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

 

Lake Texoma Weather Forecast

Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 86

Sunday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 71

Columbus Day

Partly Sunny

Hi: 86

Monday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 68

Tuesday

Sunny

Hi: 86

Tuesday Night

Clear

Lo: 66

Wednesday

Sunny

Hi: 84

Wednesday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 66


Lake Texoma Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 10/12: 616.46 (-0.54)



Lake Texoma

Fishing Report from TPWD (Sep. 24)

GOOD. Water stained; 84 degrees; 0.21 feet above pool. Striped bass fishing is picking up with the cooler weather. Fish are schooling on the right day across deep flats eating small shad. Catching fish on swimbaits and small topwaters. Bigger fish are on structure in 25-45 feet of water. Expect the bite on live bait to pick up over the next week. Catfishing is good on baited holes in the backs of creeks and ditches in 20-30 feet of water on punch bait. Bigger blue catfish will start to feed on deep flats 40-60 feet of water drifting cut shad and whole gizzard shad. Locate bass on docks and structure as the water cools off and fish start to feed more frequently. Reaction baits and plastics off the banks in 8-15 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are staging off the banks on points with structure in 15-25 feet of water. Report by Jacob Orr, Lake Texoma, Guaranteed Guide Service. Stripers continue to be hit-or-miss with the best bite on topwaters switching to slabs later in the day. Target structure and the ledges of drop-offs in deeper water. Some bigger fish can be caught shallow in the morning. The forecasted cold front should improve the bite. Report by John Blasingame, Adventure Texoma Outdoors.

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