On September 1, 2009, the Texas Department of Wildlife and Parks will officially change the length requirement for largemouth bass in Lake Ray Roberts. Currently, the regulation for retention of largemouth bass in the lake is in a 14- to 24-inch slot. Bass captured within these parameters should be released immediately. Next week the law will be changed to the state minimum of 14 inches. A licensed angler may keep five largemouth bass over 14 inches.

Lake Ray Roberts opened to the public in January 1990 and was first managed at the state minimum of 14 inches. Hoping to increase the number of trophy-size largemouth bass, Texas Parks and Wildlife introduced a space limit in 1998. This management technique had worked successfully at Lake Fork, where in 1992; Barry St. Clair caught the state record at 18.18 pounds. Lake Fork also produced seven of the top ten bass caught in Texas and 243 share fish (bass weighing over 13 pounds).

However, fishing records and biological studies over the last eleven years have shown that Ray Roberts was not generating similar results. Even though the lake record of 14.59 pounds of bass (March 2000) was caught during slot regulation, only three other bass weighing 13 pounds or more were recorded during this time.

Although most bass anglers practice catch and release, the new management statute (14-inch minimum) will allow tournament anglers to weigh bass that they previously had to release. Many club and tournament circuits avoid slot lakes because much of a lake’s bass population is within the 14- to 24-inch window. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, bass in this slot can weigh between 1.45 and 8.52 pounds.

However, starting this fall, more tournaments will be scheduled that will bring additional boats and fishing pressure to the 29,000-acre Lake Ray Roberts. Some local anglers are excited about the opportunity to reel in this cast for cash events, while others are unhappy with the additional traffic. Last weekend, most of the boat ramps were packed with fishermen and women trying to find the perfect spot to cash in on these contests. On a positive note, local businesses should benefit from the additional tournaments, as many anglers arrive days before the competition to practice.

Here’s a look at some of the tournaments scheduled for this fall: Ray Hubbard Bass Club September 5; Bass Champs September 12; PBM Big Bass Bash September 19; Texoma Bass Club September 19; Bass Club of Texas Poorman’s September 26; Christian Angler Bass Association October 10-11. In addition to these events, there are two weekly nightly tournaments on the lake: Tuesday nights, Pond Creek Boat Ramp, 6 pm to 9 pm; Wednesday night Access ramp to Sanger 6:00-9:30 p.m.

Next spring should be interesting if Media Bass, FLW, Bass Champs or any other circuit hosts tournaments at Ray Roberts. Some anglers believe the lake can produce five fish limits of 30 pounds or more.

Remember that September 1 is also the time to renew your fishing license, unless you have purchased the annual license now offered by the state. A Lake Texoma license is still valid as it runs from January through December. Good luck fishing and tight lines.