When Charles Coffman of Ardmore nabbed a 10.6 lb. lake record largemouth bass from Fort Cobb Lake April 18, fisheries biologists were pleased, not only because the fish was the first known largemouth bass over 10 lbs. from the western Oklahoma lake, but also because it was caught in an area recently targeted for improving fishing opportunities.
The fish was caught from a new shallow-water brush pile near the new dock that was installed by Fort Cobb State Park and the Bureau of Reclamation. The brush pile, created by personnel with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, was part of an effort to draw fish to concentrated areas so anglers can enjoy improved success.
“We pursued the shallow-water brush project after results of last year’s bass sampling showed quick returns — adult bass found and used the trees within days — and it’s nice to see that it translated to angler success as well,” said Larry Cofer, southwest region fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife Department.
The shallow-water brush project at Ft. Cobb involved cutting and placing over 500 cedar trees in eight locations across the lake, and more than half of the trees are visible to anglers in no-wake zones of the lake.
“We already received several good comments from bass and crappie anglers and look forward to many more fishing success stories from Ft. Cobb,” Cofer said.