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/