This past weekend, select Bowie High School anglers earned the right to compete at the Texas High School Bass Association state tournament.
The event took place at Toledo Bend Reservoir, which straddles both Texas and Louisiana.
And the fishery has reclaimed the No. 1 spot as the best location for bass fishing across the entire United States.
“More than three months of research went into this year’s rankings,” Bassmaster magazine editor James Hall said. “We scoured the Internet for current catch-rate data, using the results of more than two dozen tournament organizations. It’s a brutal process.”
Input was gleaned from B.A.S.S. nation members, state fisheries biologists, the B.A.S.S. Council and from fans of the organization on Facebook.
Toledo Bend also was tops in the Central Division, with Falcon Lake third, Sam Rayburn Reservoir fourth, Lake Palestine sixth and Lake Ray Roberts in rural Sanger also among the top-10 from Texas.
“Our panel of judges who finalized the rankings was absolutely blown away by the production of Toledo Bend the past 12 months,” Hall added.
Toledo Bend has yielded 139 certified bass weighing 10 pounds or more, with a 14¼-pounder topping the list.

TPWD participates in Operation Dry Water

Boaters beware.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be one of many participating agencies from around the nation during Operation Dry Water.
Operation Dry Water will run from June 24-26.
The purpose of the operation is to bring heightened awareness and increased enforcement of waterways.
Game wardens will step up patrol, and be on alert for those violating boating under the influence laws. Read more in the June 22 Bowie News.

Toledo Bend Lake was named the No. 1 spot for bass fishing in the United States according to Bassmaster Magazine. (Courtesy photo by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, used with permission)