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By Victor Gonzales, Lee County Game Warden

Monday, January 30, 2012

Lake Somerville up about one foot, Bass still not running

Recent rains have added to Lake Somerville’s water level but probably not as much as some would like. The lake has risen approximately a foot or so but let’s remember it was also about 10’ low. Now that we’ve been able to see how flat the lake bed is, it’s going to take a lot more runoff to fill it.

The question I’ve been receiving: is this enough water to get the white bass running up the creek? I really don’t think so because so much of the runoff has to cover a large volume of flat land before it actually fills an area deep enough for the whites to find. Gone are the creek channels that used to provide access upstream; they’ve silted in and offer nothing.

This past weekend I worked the lake with other wardens and checked fisherman both on land and water. The water is still a little cold which can sometimes make the bite test even the most patient of fishermen, but we saw enough crappie being caught around Big Creek Marina to make the wait worthwhile.

Citations were issued for registration and water safety equipment. Early season boaters oftentimes take chances by assuming wardens will not be out, as is the usual comment from those failing a water safety inspection.

Water is something you should not play with when safety equipment is not 100% safe. Likewise, registering a boat is similar to vehicle registration in that titles are required. If someone gives you a boat or sells you a boat without proper paperwork, I guarantee until executed properly, that boat will always become a target just by looking at registration numbers and/or validation decal.

I may be contacted at 979-540-0194 (c) or victor.gonzales@tpwd.state.tx.us.


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Resources Texas Parks & Wildlife Lee County Offices City of Giddings	Outdoor News By Victor Gonzales, Lee County Game Warden Monday, January 30, 2012 Lake Somerville up about one foot, Bass still not running Recent rains have added to Lake Somerville’s water level but probably not as much as some would like. The lake has risen approximately a foot or so but let’s remember it was also about 10’ low. Now that we’ve been able to see how flat the lake bed is, it’s going to take a lot more runoff to fill it. The question I’ve been receiving: is this enough water to get the white bass running up the creek? I really don’t think so because so much of the runoff has to cover a large volume of flat land before it actually fills an area deep enough for the whites to find. Gone are the creek channels that used to provide access upstream; they’ve silted in and offer nothing. This past weekend I worked the lake with other wardens and checked fisherman both on land and water. The water is still a little cold which can sometimes make the bite test even the most patient of fishermen, but we saw enough crappie being caught around Big Creek Marina to make the wait worthwhile. Citations were issued for registration and water safety equipment. Early season boaters oftentimes take chances by assuming wardens will not be out, as is the usual comment from those failing a water safety inspection. Water is something you should not play with when safety equipment is not 100% safe. Likewise, registering a boat is similar to vehicle registration in that titles are required. If someone gives you a boat or sells you a boat without proper paperwork, I guarantee until executed properly, that boat will always become a target just by looking at registration numbers and/or validation decal. I may be contacted at 979-540-0194 (c) or victor.gonzales@tpwd.state.tx.us.