|
Click on Links Below
To Book a Trip at Robinson's Lodge
Call Us Toll Free at 1-888-296-2211 or
Email Robinson's Lodge
Robinson's will take care of all the details
Robinson's Lodge 376 Toledo Lodge Rd. Shelbyville, TX. 75973 |
Toledo Bend Facts
Toledo Bend By Mark Robinson
Toledo Bend History Toledo Bend is the largest man-made lake in the south and the fifth largest in surface area in the United States. Toledo Bend at normal pool covers an area of 186,000 acres, and has a shoreline of about 1200 miles. Water impoundment began in October of 1966. The power plant was completed, and began operating in the early part of 1969. Toledo Bend was built in agreement of both the Louisiana and Texas Sabine River Authorities for the sum of $30,000,000. Toledo Bend is the only Public water conservation and hydroelectric power project to be undertaken without Federal participation in it’s financing.
Toledo Bend Fishing History The Popular Species of fish on Toledo Bend are Largemouth Bass, Crappie, White and Striped Bass, Bream and Catfish.
Largemouth Bass population on the lake took off at an explosive rate when the lake was first impounded, due to the amount of food and nutrients captured by the quickly rising Sabine River. Toledo Bend soon became well known nation wide for the sheer numbers of keeper-sized bass. Through the next 20 years the growing numbers of enthusiastic bass fishermen tried to thin the bass population. Still today, fishermen from across the nation travel to Toledo Bend to try their skill with the still abundant bass population. Today, even more than those first years, the quality of the black bass has increased to a whopping 3 to 6 pound average. Some fishermen say that Toledo Bend’s bass population has decreased. I don’t think so! I feel that the fishing on Toledo Bend has just become a little harder at times. This, I think, is due to the lake’s natural aging factors. These factors are the falling of much of the exposed timber and silting in of the smaller creeks. The bass are still here, just a little harder to locate without these tattletale signs.
Crappie in Toledo Bend have always been one of the largest draws to the lake. From the very beginning and still today Toledo Bend boast a healthy population of both white and black crappie. Many crappie fishermen from all over the United States make the pilgrimage each fall and winter to take part in the best crappie fishing to be had in the country. Catches of up to a limit of fifty fish per person per day, and some individual fish weighing up to 4 lbs. Are a common sight throughout the season.
White Bass are regarded as an old stand by on the lake. They are very abundant, very hungry, and very easy to catch, at just about any time of the year. The whites of Toledo Bend are of world-class size. There are numerous line class and world records set here on the lake and on the Sabine River feeding into the lake.
Striped Bass were introduced into the lake in the late 70’s and are still in great number and size even though not actively being stocked any longer. Many fish in the forty-pound class come from the lake every year. It is very exciting (and common) to be fishing for white or black bass and hook up with a striper you can’t control.
Toledo Bend is also known for it’s abundant numbers of huge Bream . It’s not uncommon to see many hard core bass fishermen lay their bass tackle aside when the big bull bream congregate in the shallows every spring. Pound for pound the bream is the best fighting fish in the lake, not to speak of the sweet and tasty hand size filets they supply for table fare. There is no better way to hook a youngster on fishing than the fast and furious catches of bedding bream.
Last but not least is the Catfish. Toledo Bend has more than it’s share of channel, blue, and flathead catfish. Many people fishing the lake swear the bottom must be covered with catfish. Cat fishermen take abundant catches out of the lake every year in almost every conceivable method. Every legal method from trotlines to rod and reels baited with marshmallows will render a sizable catch of these wonderful tasting beauties.
A Great Place To Mix Business And Pleasure |
