Lake Texoma news

93.1 KMKT, 97.5 KLAK and Mad Rock 102.5, Tyson Foods, Serenity Best Home Health, Lankford Roofing and the Bob Skaggs Family are excited to announce the dates of the 20th Annual Bob Skaggs Memorial Food Drive, benefiting the Salvation Army of Grayson County. The annual community event will kick off on Monday, November 21st and run through Wednesday, November 23rd. During the food drive, radio station personnel, members of the Bob Skaggs Family, event sponsors and other volunteers will accept canned goods, other non-perishable items and cash donations from the community during LIVE broadcasts in front of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Sherman (Highways 75 & 82).

Last year the donations we received during the Bob Skaggs Memorial Food Drive filled up 6 U-Haul tucks, an ambulance and a Salvation Army truck with roughly 100,000 non-perishable food items and other supplies.

“Big Dave” Hilton, Mad Rock 102.5 Morning Show Host, says they have big plans for the food drive, “This year, in 2016, we hope to break last year’s record, in honor of 20 years helping local families. Our goal is to DOUBLE last year’s donations to celebrate 20 years with 200,000 donated items. We are also extending our hours this year to give people more time to drop off their food donations. We’ll accept donations from 6am-8pm on Monday, November 21st, 6am-8pm Tuesday, November 22nd and from 6am-Noon on Wednesday, November 23rd.”

Governor Fallin’s Office | October 27, 2016

The state of Oklahoma and the Chickasaw Nation today announced plans to develop a resort hotel and other amenities at Lake Texoma in southeastern Oklahoma.

The initial plans call for the Chickasaw Nation to construct a three-story hotel, a restaurant and gift shop, a casino featuring up to 300 electronic games and as many as 10 lakefront fishing/boating cottages, Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby said. The project covers 50 acres of lakefront property, overlooking Lake Texoma and the historic Roosevelt Bridge. It also involves about 11.5 acres of land acquired by the Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) from the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.

The hotel will include a lounge and meeting rooms, an outdoor pool and recreation area, a fitness center, gift shop, restaurant and a business center, he said.

The project is the result of a settlement negotiated by the CLO, which worked to bring a resolution to the property that was once home to the popular Lake Texoma State Park Lodge and Resort. A private developer bought the property in 2006 and the lodge was demolished in 2009, but plans did not come to fruition. Developers blamed the economic downturn of 2008.

“We believe this project will help launch a transformation of this area into a major tourism and recreation attraction,” said Anoatubby. “We look forward to working with the state on a project we expect to have a positive impact on jobs and our economy for decades to come.”

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said she has been a long-time believer in the potential of the Lake Texoma area to be an economic driver in Oklahoma.

“This project will create jobs and revenue for southern Oklahoma while at the same time maintaining the beauty of the site,” said Fallin. “The Lake Texoma lodge and golf course for many years were a top tourist attraction in the region. This hotel and commercial development will be the catalyst to stimulate significantly greater economic development in the future. I appreciate Governor Anoatubby’s vision and willingness to partner with the state of Oklahoma to continue our joint efforts focusing on tourism in this beautiful and strategically located part of our state.”

The development will be off U.S. 70, across from the Chickasaw Pointe Golf Course near the site of the old Lake Texoma State Lodge.  Preliminary plans allow for future expansion of the hotel and the construction of additional waterfront cottages.

The Chickasaw Nation must first apply to place the land just north of the Texas border into trust status – a process that potentially could take several months or more.

“If the land can be placed into trust, our intent and plan is to develop this premier lakefront property into destination lodging and a casino,” said Bill Lance, secretary of commerce for the Chickasaw Nation.

HAPPY FALL EVERYONE! The cooler weather has been great! Cool mornings, beautiful sunrises, and the fish are on the move. I’m catching more striper, putting most back to grow up (unless they are injured) and catching some HUGE sandbass. I’ve been using slabs in 8 to 15 feet of water on humps and ledges, and finding some good fish under the birds, though most of those are small. The water has cooled to 78-81 degrees this last week and the fish are responding by moving a bit shallower.

During yesterdays trip most of our fish were caught in less than 2 feet of water! Some were schooling on bait, but some were just hanging around in that cooler water on little points, cuts and small ledges….you just have to know the lake and hunt them down on that type of structure.

This is the beginning of a shallow water pattern that will only continue to get better. Shallow water topwater will begin very soon as long as we continue to get these early season cool fronts.

More seagulls are showing up daily. I’ve seen a couple bald eagles, and a bunch of ospreys, and pelicans…sure signs that the seasons are changing…and changing into one of the best times of year to get on the lake!

This is a great time of year to come out to Lake Texoma. Get up here to your favorite marina, resort or restaurant and enjoy the season! The water is still warm enough for water sports so get that last run in on your boat before it gets too cold!

If you have any fishing questions or want to get out on the water with me, just give me a shout!

See y’all out there!

Capt. Stephen

972-816-6000…call or text

www.texomastriperhunter.com