Classic: A close look at Lake Conroe

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Lake Conroe, about 65 miles north of downtown Houston will be the home of the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods. Lake Conroe covers 21,000 acres and is 21.13 miles, running from the dam on the south end of the lake to the West Fork of the San Jacinto river on the north.
Lake Conroe, about 65 miles north of downtown Houston will be the home of the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Lake Conroe covers 21,000 acres and is 21.13 miles, running from the dam on the south end of the lake to the West Fork of the San Jacinto river on the north.
The upper end of Lake Conroe is bordered by the Sam Houston National Forest.
The upper end of Lake Conroe is bordered by the Sam Houston National Forest.
After heavy rains, upper Lake Conroe can muddy up and stay that way for a while.
After heavy rains, upper Lake Conroe can muddy up and stay that way for a while.
Lake Conroe is fed by the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.
Lake Conroe is fed by the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.
Being so close to a metropolitan area as large as Houston, the Lake Conroe area has experienced incredible growth and transformation over the last quarter century.
Being so close to a metropolitan area as large as Houston, the Lake Conroe area has experienced incredible growth and transformation over the last quarter century.
Anglers fishing the upper reaches of the lake will find a marked difference in shoreline vegetation and water depth than what they will find on the southern end of the lake.
Anglers fishing the upper reaches of the lake will find a marked difference in shoreline vegetation and water depth than what they will find on the southern end of the lake.
Latest electroshocking of the lake noted that most of the bass found along the shorelines in the northern end of the lake were within the 8- to 11-inch size.
Latest electroshocking of the lake noted that most of the bass found along the shorelines in the northern end of the lake were within the 8- to 11-inch size.
The largemouth bass population was graded as “very healthy” according to the latest information from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
The largemouth bass population was graded as “very healthy” according to the latest information from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Bass reproduction on Lake Conroe exhibits a moderately high density with very good growth and condition.
Bass reproduction on Lake Conroe exhibits a moderately high density with very good growth and condition.
Small and secluded bridges, such as this one here, will offer professional bass anglers ideal fish-holding structure to work with a myriad of presentations.
Small and secluded bridges, such as this one here, will offer professional bass anglers ideal fish-holding structure to work with a myriad of presentations.
The vegetation is mixed, but torpedo grass is dominant with nice colonies of water willows scattered particularly in the Caney Creek arm.
The vegetation is mixed, but torpedo grass is dominant with nice colonies of water willows scattered particularly in the Caney Creek arm.
About 10,000 native aquatic plants have been planted in Lake Conroe with majority being water willow.
About 10,000 native aquatic plants have been planted in Lake Conroe with majority being water willow.
Conroe offers diverse scenery and fishing opportunities.
Conroe offers diverse scenery and fishing opportunities.
Man-made fish attractors (brush piles, spider blocks and Georgia structures) provide additional fish habitat for bass to hide in.
Man-made fish attractors (brush piles, spider blocks and Georgia structures) provide additional fish habitat for bass to hide in.
Primary forage for largemouth bass includes threadfin shad, gizzard shad and sunfish, which generally consist of bluegill and longear sunfish.
Primary forage for largemouth bass includes threadfin shad, gizzard shad and sunfish, which generally consist of bluegill and longear sunfish.
Results from several amateur bass tournaments on Lake Conroe during the spring of 2016 indicated average Top 10 places with five-fish limits that weighed 19.2 pounds.
Results from several amateur bass tournaments on Lake Conroe during the spring of 2016 indicated average Top 10 places with five-fish limits that weighed 19.2 pounds.
Numerous anglers fish off the riprap from the shore around the bridges that cross the lake.
Numerous anglers fish off the riprap from the shore around the bridges that cross the lake.
Fishing access is available from the bridge that crosses one of the tributaries on the northern end of the lake, a favorite place in the spring.
Fishing access is available from the bridge that crosses one of the tributaries on the northern end of the lake, a favorite place in the spring.
Piers and observation decks, usually around public boat ramps on the northern end of the lake are available to the public.
Piers and observation decks, usually around public boat ramps on the northern end of the lake are available to the public.
A secluded picnic table at one of the National Forest boat ramps.
A secluded picnic table at one of the National Forest boat ramps.
Bridges that cross the lake provide protection against impending weather, and are also habitat for largemouth bass around the bridge columns.
Bridges that cross the lake provide protection against impending weather, and are also habitat for largemouth bass around the bridge columns.
Fishing one of the arms and coves on the northern end of the lake are favorite fishing haunts of Lake Conroe bass anglers.
Fishing one of the arms and coves on the northern end of the lake are favorite fishing haunts of Lake Conroe bass anglers.
Trailer and RV camps make for a great place for a weekend vacation along the banks of Conroe.
Trailer and RV camps make for a great place for a weekend vacation along the banks of Conroe.
Boat docks are always a good spot to cast a Texas rigged worm in the spring.
Boat docks are always a good spot to cast a Texas rigged worm in the spring.
Catch rate along riprap produce 43 percent of the larger bass caught from the lake.
Catch rate along riprap produce 43 percent of the larger bass caught from the lake.
Brush piles and manmade structure sometime dot the manmade shorelines of the lake.
Brush piles and manmade structure sometime dot the manmade shorelines of the lake.
Any day on Lake Conroe is a good day, cloudy or in bright sunshine.
Any day on Lake Conroe is a good day, cloudy or in bright sunshine.
One of the angler favorites is Loch Ness Cove on the north end of Conroe.
One of the angler favorites is Loch Ness Cove on the north end of Conroe.
A well-stocked marina is available at the entrance of Loch Ness Cove.
A well-stocked marina is available at the entrance of Loch Ness Cove.
Lake Conroe is a favorite of boaters with all size of boats cruising the generally placid waters of the lake.
Lake Conroe is a favorite of boaters with all size of boats cruising the generally placid waters of the lake.
Shaded bulkheads provide a good place to try your luck in one of the arms of the lake.
Shaded bulkheads provide a good place to try your luck in one of the arms of the lake.
Man-made fish attractors (brush piles, spider blocks and Georgia structures) provide additional fish habitat for bass to hide in. Many of the brush piles are placed in river and creek channels.
Man-made fish attractors (brush piles, spider blocks and Georgia structures) provide additional fish habitat for bass to hide in. Many of the brush piles are placed in river and creek channels.
Besides plentiful places to launch your boat, the cleared areas around, or close to the ramps, provide good fishing places for the angler that does not have a boat.
Besides plentiful places to launch your boat, the cleared areas around, or close to the ramps, provide good fishing places for the angler that does not have a boat.
Miles of secluded shoreline greet the angler wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of Houston, about 65 miles south.
Miles of secluded shoreline greet the angler wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of Houston, about 65 miles south.
Close to the Hwy 1097 bridge at mid lake are well maintained lake front RV and travel trailer parks.
Close to the Hwy 1097 bridge at mid lake are well maintained lake front RV and travel trailer parks.
The riprap rock lining the approaches to bridge have been found to produce the larger bass from Lake Conroe.
The riprap rock lining the approaches to bridge have been found to produce the larger bass from Lake Conroe.
The record largemouth bass for Lake Conroe was 15.93 pounds, 27 inches in length.
The record largemouth bass for Lake Conroe was 15.93 pounds, 27 inches in length.
Seventeen bass over 13 pounds have been entered into the TPWD’s Toyota ShareLunker Program with the most recent in 2015.
Seventeen bass over 13 pounds have been entered into the TPWD’s Toyota ShareLunker Program with the most recent in 2015.
The TPWD’s Toyota ShareLunker Team Leader will be at the Classic to enter any eligible fish over 13 pounds into the program.
The TPWD’s Toyota ShareLunker Team Leader will be at the Classic to enter any eligible fish over 13 pounds into the program.
The predominant wind direction in March is from southeast, unless a late season cold front pushes that far south.
The predominant wind direction in March is from southeast, unless a late season cold front pushes that far south.
Shoreline anglers also know to take advantage of the abundant riprap near bridges and creek mouths. There’s a very good chance that a fish will be caught from this very spot and weighed on the Classic stage.
Shoreline anglers also know to take advantage of the abundant riprap near bridges and creek mouths. There’s a very good chance that a fish will be caught from this very spot and weighed on the Classic stage.
No need to go hungry when moving around the lake. Restaurants are a-plenty around the south end of the lake.
No need to go hungry when moving around the lake. Restaurants are a-plenty around the south end of the lake.
Besides fishing boat dock structure, many landowners make their own brush piles 5 to 10 feet out from their dock for fishing purposes.
Besides fishing boat dock structure, many landowners make their own brush piles 5 to 10 feet out from their dock for fishing purposes.