Warmer Water Adds To Golden Algae Problem?

After hearing on the news about Golden Algae popping up again in an Oklahoma creek just off the lake, I went back in my log books just to see what the lake temperature and level was in 2004 and 2005 this time of year.

In January 2004 the lake temp was 49 degrees, in 2005 it was 48 and in 2006 it is 52.

Now I don’t think global warming has anything to do with it. We have just had about as mild a winter as I can remember so far.

Lack of rain, no long periods of freezing weather or cold runoff is probably one reason the lake hasn’t got out of the 50s yet.

Checking elevation in 2004, when we first had the Algae Bloom, the lake was at 611 feet. In 2005, which was a very good year fishing-wise, it was 616.5. Now it’s at 614.

The closest common thread between the year of the bloom and now was a low lake elevation, and no runoff or river flow to speak of.

While two of these conditions — low level and sluggish water — are now present, in 2004 we had a lot of cold, cloudy days.

This year so far we have only had a few cloudy or really cold days. Most of the time it’s been sunny, windy and smokey.

Cold, cloudy days are conducive to the Golden Algae while sunshine sees more of the good green algae in the water.

Ever since the out break of GoldenAlgae the Texas and Oklahoma Fisheries personnel have been taking samples at each end of the lake and rivers.

As both departments told us two years ago, the algae has been found in almost all of Lake Texoma and is likely here to stay.

Some areas test higher than others. We were also told then that if we had an outbreak it could be confined to one area or any or all of the lake at anytime.

In 2005 after the algae ran its course we had one of the best years of fishing in a while, despite lots of dead shad and fish in January- February.

The good fishing is carrying over into 2006 and the days people can get on the water without getting blown off almost everyone is catching fish.

As Bruce Hysmith said two years ago, there is no magic pill made for a lake as big as Texoma that will cure it if we have an algae bloom.

Until we begin to see Texoma itself affected, let’s not get too upset. Just hope the algae stays in the Lebanon pool and the sun keeps shining.

Just for comparison, back in 1991 the lake was at 617 feet and the water temp was 44; in 2000 it was 42 and at 618. It does seem like the lake is staying a little warmer than in years past.

I’ve been occupied this week and haven’t had a chance to go fishing so I don’t have a fresh Black Bass report for you. Striper and Catfish are good.

No really huge cats have been caught I know about but catching eating size blues according to people fishing for them is very good.

Most are using shad for bait. Stripers are good also on plastics, spoons and live bait off the river channels and flats close to the river.

I’ll be back on the water next week, weather allowing, and have an updated hands-on bass report for you. Thank you to all who came to Gander Mountain Saturday to hear my seminars.

You now know why they don’t give me a microphone at many events, I like to talk. I was told Gander Mountain is still getting in new tackle and equipment so you might want to drop in every few days to check out what may be new.

By J.B. Webb