March 26, 2019 – UPDATE: TPWD withdrew their proposal to reduce the minimum length for bass from 16″ to 14″ based on feedback from the Texas BASS Nation Conservation group.  The 16″ minimum length for bass on lake Conroe will remain in effect.

March 14, 2019 – Lake Conroe has seen its share of ups and downs since it was impounded in the 1970s. Initially the bass fishing was outstanding, which helped to start careers in the class of the Rick Clunn’s and the Zell Rowland’s. Hydrilla management in the early 1980s created a downtrend in the bass fishery, but restocking of native aquatic plants helped the fishery rebound. More hydrilla in 2007 forced more management to be implemented in the lake, with more replanting of “natives” that soon followed. To help protect the fishery, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) instituted a 16-inch minimum length for largemouth bass in the lake. This protection, along with the habitat reintroductions, has helped to bring back the quality of bass fishing on Lake Conroe, which has evolved from a numbers lake, to a big bass lake. It is not rare for local bass tournaments to see three-fish limits weighing more than 20 pounds throughout the year.

Lake Conroe produced three “Share Lunker” bass over 13 pounds between 2005-2007, and just saw another 13-plus donated to the program on March 9 of this year. The reputation of Lake Conroe has drawn the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, the B.A.S.S. Nation National Championship, the Bassmaster Classic and numerous other professional circuits to its waters.

There is currently a proposal from the TPWD to reduce the minimum size regulation for largemouth bass on Lake Conroe from 16 inches down to 14 inches. Tournament anglers are fearful that this change could harm Conroe’s newly earned “big bass” reputation. “We have been through many wars to protect the bass fishery on Lake Conroe” said Ron Gunter with the Seven Coves Bass Club. “We lost quite a bit of the habitat in the lake, which gave us concern on the recruitment end, but we’ve learned to accept it. Now that we are seeing big fish come out of the lake, we are very fearful that reducing the minimum size for largemouth down to 14 inches could have yet one more negative impact to the overall fishery”

The Seven Coves Bass Club has been involved with the plantings of native aquatics since 2007, and the club has agreed to take a stance to try to keep the current 16 inch minimum length limit for largemouth in place.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is currently taking everyone’s thoughts on the proposed changes to the Conroe regulation. The deadline for submittals is March 19, 2019. The results will be presented to their board of Commissioners on March 20, 2019. Submittals will be accepted nationwide. Anyone wishing to include their opinions on this proposed change can submit them by the following ways:

Through the TPWD’s Facebook page or via their public comment page.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Forty Creek®, an award-winning Canadian whisky distiller based in Ontario, has signed on as a Conservation Partner of B.A.S.S. and sponsor of former Bassmaster Classic champion Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C., B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin announced today.
 
As part of the Conservation Partnership, the whisky brand will contribute $30,000 to B.A.S.S. Nation conservation projects in Georgia, Missouri and Texas. Each state organization will receive $10,000.
 
“We commend Forty Creek for focusing its support on two things our bass fishing fans care so much about — quality bass fishing and outstanding bass anglers like Casey,” Akin said. “These conservation donations will serve as an example of how other companies both outside and within the sportfishing industry can contribute to our natural resources and those who enjoy them.”
 
The B.A.S.S. Nation is a network of affiliated B.A.S.S. clubs in 47 states and 10 foreign countries. Organizations in each state or country have volunteer conservation directors who work with government agencies and volunteers to promote fisheries management, public access, youth fishing and more. Nation members are among the most avid and conservation-minded anglers among the 500,000 members of B.A.S.S.
 
“I think it is fantastic when companies that are not a traditional part of the fishing industry make a commitment to conservation like Forty Creek has done,” added Gene Gilliland, national conservation director for B.A.S.S. “It recognizes that our B.A.S.S. Nation members are dedicated stewards of our environment and that their work to protect and enhance aquatic habitats benefits the broader public.
 
“This partnership with Forty Creek will help shine a spotlight on projects in Texas, Georgia and Missouri and show how industry and bass anglers are not only working to make fishing better, but also are giving back to their communities.”
 
The company will be permitted to use the B.A.S.S. Conservation logo with its “Proud Partner” designation in signage and other media promoting the program.
 
Forty Creek also has engaged Ashley, one of the most popular and successful anglers on the prestigious Elite Series circuit, to promote and represent the brand. The 34-year-old professional angler has won four Bassmaster championships, including the 2015 Classic on Lake Hartwell, South Carolina.
 
“I’m really excited to partner with Forty Creek because, like us anglers, they are passionate about the outdoors and committed to the conservation and improvement of our fisheries,” Ashley said. “I’m fortunate to be working with a company that wants to use their resources to make a difference and that they’ve chosen me to take part in it.”