Striper numbers high at Possum Kingdom




According to surveys from Texas Parks and Wildlife fisheries biologists, the striped bass population at Possum Kingdom Reservoir is at its highest level in 14 years.
The abundance of stripers at PK is the highest since the golden algae fish kills of 2001 and 2003. One year-class of fish have spawned naturally, an uncommon occurrence in Texas lakes other than Lake Texoma.

"We did not stock striped bass in 2016, it was a surprise to find quite a few stripers belonging to that year-class," said biologist Robert Mauk. "We've seen evidence of natural reproduction in the past but not to the extent we've seen in 2016."

Conditions were right for spawning to occur with a high, unimpeded flowing Brazos River. Many of the sampled stripers were of legal length, 18 inches and above. Largemouth bass and blue catfish numbers were higher than usual, while bluegill, white bass and channel catfish were at their average historical populations.

Mauk said all the game fish appeared healthy, and the scenic lake northwest of Fort Worth has an average supply of baitfish to support them. GPS coordinates for artificial fishing structures at PK are online at tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/possum_kingdom/




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Possum Kingdom Lake Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

 

Possum Kingdom Lake Weather Forecast

Friday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 89

Friday Night

Chance Rain Showers

Lo: 68

Saturday

Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 89

Saturday Night

Clear

Lo: 55

Sunday

Sunny

Hi: 78

Sunday Night

Clear

Lo: 57

Monday

Sunny

Hi: 95

Monday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 60


Possum Kingdom Lake Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 10/18: 997.10 (-1.90)



Possum Kingdom Lake

Fishing Report from TPWD (Sep. 24)

FAIR. Water stained; 82 degrees; 1.19 feet below pool. Stripers are slow to fair with live bait in 20-40 feet of water. Put your baits down in areas that you have marked fish recently and slowly move around with your trolling motor. You will bump into smaller schools of fish, but it will take patience while you wait for a bite. Sand bass are m fair to good moving quickly in 20-25 feet of water on main lake points and sand flats. Chrome and white seem to be out producing all other colors. Catfish are still fair to good with shad in 10-20 feet of water fished on the bottom. Baited holes are your best bet to catch numbers but will not produce big fish. Bait with cattle cubes and wait 2-3 hours before fishing. Use punch bait for best results on baited holes. Catfish should be spawning, so expect a slower bite. Water clarity is 2-6 feet of visibility but slowly becoming clearer. Report by TJ Ranft, Ranft Guide Service. This week has been a warm week, which has caused the bite to slow a bit. The fish are still moving fast. Water temperature is in the high seventies with 3-4 foot visibility. The striper and white bass are hitting topwater in the early morning and late afternoon. Fish are stacking up on shallow points in 10–20 feet, with sporadic surface feeding early and late when there is a little wind. Fish are feeding on very small shad so downsize your swimbaits, slabs and topwater baits. The eating-size 1–3 pound catfish bite is absolutely on fire. Limits are coming in fast, often within just a few hours, using punch baits and dip baits. For channels and blues, baited holes in 20–25 feet near points and flats are paying off. The crappie bite has picked up nicely. Minnows are the go-to in 12–20 feet of water around structures and brush. Largemouth bass are crushing topwater at first light, then shifting to shallow crankbaits around dock legs as the sun climbs. Shaky heads are producing steady catches as well. Once the sun gets higher, a Texas-rigged worm fished in 15–2

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