Texoma ranked ahead of Grand for bass fishing by Bassmaster Magazine

The magazine now divides its top 100 list into the top 25 lakes in four different regions. In the Central Region, just Lake Texoma and Grand Lake made the cut from Oklahoma.

Lake Texoma, which appeared for the first time on Bassmaster Magazine. Gene Gilliland of Norman, conservation director for B.A.S.S. said in a recent interview that Texoma is producing some really quality bass and has been for several years.

About Texoma, Bassmaster.com stated: “This remains a stout fishery, offering plenty of options and lots of solid bass to catch. The USA Fishing Trails circuit has stopped here twice this spring, and both events were won with 19-plus pound limits. The February event was won with 20.06 pounds, and big fish (which was part of the third-place bag) pushed the scales to 7.77 pounds.”

The black bass fishing on Texoma often gets overshadowed by the outstanding striped bass fishery.

BASSfest was held on Lake Texoma last summer and more major bass tournaments would be held on the lake if there were better facilities, Gilliland said.

He said the thing that really prevents Texoma from being much higher on the radar of a lot of people is the fact the facilities, especially on the Oklahoma side, are just not there for having large tournaments.

Texoma's menu of stripers, white bass, trophy blue catfish, crappie, black bass, etc., is next to none.

Bassmaster Magazine bases its rankings on bass tournament results, spring electrofishing surveys on lakes by state wildlife agencies, and interviews with BASS Nation members, state biologists and conservation directors.

Texas had 11 lakes in the top 25 counting Toledo Bend and Caddo, which it shares with Louisiana, and Texoma, which it shares with Oklahoma. The majority of Texoma's waters, however, are in Oklahoma.

To view the complete list of rankings for each region, visit bassmaster.com.