Bois D’Arc Observations From the Weekend

I just got back. Always wanted to check the box of fishing a new lake when it opened. This is my take. Fishing was good. Caught around 25 from 7-3 oclcok. I was fishing solo and best 5 went 23 pounds with big fish of 5.98. I did not catch any dinks. Average fish was around 2-2.5. No 10
Inchers. Lake was crowded as expected and at one point pretty much a boat every 30-40 yards. It was the most crowded I have ever felt on any body of water even Ivie. Today was post front so I know that it wasn’t a good “fishing day” but with work crazy it was one of my only chances for a bit. Talked to several people that didn’t catch but 2’or 3 all day and as expected lake had a morning bite.

Pattern I got on was actually bed fishing the old
Bank line using livescope. Some fish took me 3 minutes to catch some took 30
Minutes but eventually they all ate at least the ones I was fishing for.

The cons.
The parking is a complete chit show. The 897 ramp or whatever the closest one is to 82 is horrific when bass fishermen cannot follow the rules and park in designated spots. They have 3 rows and perimeter fencing and it’s tight . When people decided to make their own spots around the perimeter they were blocking in boats. Couldn’t back up because you would hit the row behind you. Couldn’t pull forward and make the swing because you would hit the boat/ truck to your left or right. They def need to get a handle on it. I had about an inch to spare on my trailer and an inch to spare from hitting the idiot that blocked me in. I’d bet money if you go several times chances are real strong you will eventually get your trailer hit.

Overalll good experience. Lake looked as expected and fished as expected. The crowds were more than anticipated but that’s what you get for fishing a new lake on a Sunday. Only thing they really screwed up on was the parking imo. I’ll be back but I wouldn’t say anybody here should just be dying to go. It has a squaw creek vibe to me. I went to the first spot that looked good and started swinging- pretty easy fishing. After the morning bite it got slightly more complicated but not rocket science imo.

I'd sure like to know how those highschool tournaments that were scheduled for earlier this year were going to happen.

Thats what I posted on the other thread from my Sunday experience. Talked to a decent amount of people that struggled. It’s def getting hammered already. I think I got lucky and happened to pull up to the right spot that morning but after that bite died the fish got real color specific quick. I got cut off prob 10 times yesterday but I didn't even care- there were so many people on top of each other it honestly didn't bother me at all.

Honest question….why go if you already knew it was a [censored] show?

This is going to be different than all of the other BDA posts of 50 fish smash fests… let’s talk about the for real that nobody is posting about…. We had a good couple of days despite the rain and post frontal conditions, but they sure weren’t just jumping in the boat for everyone like you hear people saying.

So many boats it feels like Squaw Creek when fully booked. Counted 15 boats in one small pocket yesterday. Biggest difference is on Squaw everyone is catching.

Spoke to lots of other folks on the lake that had 1 or 2 fish for the entire day, some still on zero. That wasn’t just Sunday either, Wednesday through Friday still lots of folks struggling big time. Some really good fisherman I know didn’t even boat 5 fish yesterday…

Miles and miles of dead water.

Launching solo from the north or south ramps sucks… they lined the area around the ramp with rip rap, courtesy docks are still closed, and the floating dock the south ramp is 100 yards from the actual ramp. Just an FYI.

Saturday we learned that little lake has some teeth in an ENE wind…. GIANT swells rolling down the lake.

Only got cut off once but it was a good one… dude did it right and cut off two of us at the same time. LOL!

Anyone else have any for real observations from the water to share?

and now y'all know why I won't be goin for another 2 weeks or so and then it will be midweek early.

personally, I am glad they limited the parking the lake can only handle so many boats, after that everyone gets po'd.

I had a blast fishing a new lake. Its set up like a playground. You can tell they def spent a lot of money and time building this thing. I would probably just try that ramp on the north side or if you park make sure you park in a center row so you dont get blocked in.

my advantage is I am only about 10 mins. from the 897 ramp, 5 or so from the north ramp. I can drive over before hooking up to check out the ramps.

They've already got the THSBA schedules out for the 2024-25 season and it looks like they took it completely off all the division schedules. I'm assuming they looked at the parking situation and decided against bringing HS fishing to that lake. There is probably more to it than that but it was probably a factor.

I'll bet the 16-inch maximum length limit (can only hold fish in the livewell under 16") had something to do with that also?

They've already got the THSBA schedules out for the 2024-25 season and it looks like they took it completely off all the division schedules. I'm assuming they looked at the parking situation and decided against bringing HS fishing to that lake. There is probably more to it than that but it was probably a factor.

p.s. - Never happen. Folks around the lake depend on revenue from weekend tournament anglers.

BUT…wouldn’t it be interesting to see what Bois D’ Arc could become if closed to tournaments? Fork never had tons of tournaments until the dinkfests began.

The lake did just fine prior to the era of 10 tournaments/month.

Age is what took a toll on Fork. For teenagers , anyway.

Like all lakes. They’re hot for 10-20 years, then begin a natural decline.

Rayburn and Toledo may be the lone exceptions. But, I recall catching a 8.75 on Rayburn after it had gone horribly downhill. Maybe 15-20 yrs ago. There were 25 guides and anglers at the ramp to see that fish.

It’s back now as is Toledo Bend. Exceptions to the rule but both lakes are large and fertile enough to absorb the pressure and rebound.

Hop, would you mind giving me a ramp report this Wednesday around 5am? Thanks!!!!

Oh the days! A/C Plugs on creek channel edges in December. Strolling from April thru August. It was like a box of chocolates.

Honest question….why go if you already knew it was a [censored] show?

Honest question….why go if you already knew it was a [censored] show?

I'll bet the 16-inch maximum length limit (can only hold fish in the livewell under 16") had something to do with that also?

I can’t see why everyone is calling this lake small. It is 15,000 acres which is a a pretty decent medium size lake in Texas.

2/3 of the shoreline is not accessible. Probably won't be for many years. And there is not many creeks. It fishes real small right now.

How is it not accessible?

100 yards of forest so thick you couldn't get a remote control boat through it for one.

Has anybody heard if a map chip is coming out for Bois Darc?

Navionics has it for both map layers. Just look at it on their website's Chart Viewer.

Walmart, McDonalds, Starbucks… all kinds of stuff less than 10 miles from the bridge ramp. Not sure what a reasonable distance is, but thats the same mileage as driving from the minnow bucket to lake fork marina. Lol.

in bonham you have, mickey D's, couple of tex mex places further south on 78, on 56 far east end of town is the best burger place ever, TNT, north side of 56 east edge of town, in town, taco bell is on 56, on 121 by 82 is most of the fast food, braums, whataburger, burger king, a triple place with fried chicken/pizza/something else, mud burgers (think that is the name, south of sonic), sonic, wal mart for snacks, I probably missed one but there is a selection for in and out food.

tnt burgers does bkfst also, burgers are handmade 1/2# patties and I have never had a bad one

Went yesterday for a few hours, did a lot of looking and a little fishing. Caught some, nothing bigger than 4#.

Some really cool areas of the lake and if this lake can hold up, it is going to have some excellent off shore fishing.

What they need is a Taco Casa on that drag IMO.

I love me some Taco Casa, chilada, soft taco and a giant tea.