Texoma Striper Fishing Guide Tim Cline

Lake Pro Fishing Guide Tim Cline grew up in North Texas fishing Lake Texoma and other Lakes in the DFW area. He graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a degree in Mathematics. Tim currently works in the engineering department for the City of Sherman, where he lives, but his true passion is fishing. Just ask his wife, Heather. She’ll tell you Tim is a year-round fisherman who is a firm believer that a day spent fishing is better than, well, you fill in the blank.

Fishing Lake Texoma - The Striper Capital of the World

Over 250 million years ago, there was a sea in the region that is now the Texas-Oklahoma border, just about where The Red River currently runs. Salt deposits left from that sea leech through natural seeps in tributaries above Lake Texoma, sending as much as 3,450 tons of salt per day flowing down the Red River. This creates a problem with the water in the Red River because much of it is too salty and requires costly treatment, if it is usable at all. However, the silver lining to this phenomenon is that striped bass, a saltwater fish, thrive in Lake Texoma, which is home to the only self-sustaining population of striped bass in Texas. In fact, Lake Texoma is actually known as the Striper Capital of the World, with Stipers regularly reaching up to 15-20 lbs or, as in the case of Tim’s personal best of 23 pounds, more. 

Texoma can fluctuate as much as 5 to 8 feet in any given year and the normal water clarity is moderate to clear. There are some stands of water willow, American lotus, floating heart, and bushy pondweed and it is worth noting that blue-green algae blooms occasionally occur in this reservoir.

Texoma stocking history provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife. 
Latest survey results, also from TPWD.

Texoma Fishing Regulations

Oklahoma has more of the lake within its boundaries than Texas but you can pick up a Lake Texoma fishing license at most of the local convenience stores and you’ll be legal in both Oklahoma and Texas waters.

Special bag and size limits are in effect for several fish species on this lake.

Be aware of rules in effect here to prevent the spread of exotic invasive species. Boats, livewells, and bait buckets must be drained of all water before leaving the area. In the Red River downstream, from the Texoma dam to the Arkansas state line, it is unlawful to transport live, nongame fishes from this stretch of river to any other water body. Nongame fishes may be collected and used for bait within these waters. For more details, see Possession and Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species.