An aerial tour of Lake Ray Roberts

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Chris Zaldain lives about an hour’s drive from Lake Ray Roberts, site of the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. The Classic qualifier took a scouting trip of the fishery before it went off limits in March.
Chris Zaldain lives about an hour’s drive from Lake Ray Roberts, site of the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. The Classic qualifier took a scouting trip of the fishery before it went off limits in March.
Two Classic anglers have a previous history here at the 2016 Toyota Texas Bass Classic held in May. Zaldain earned big bass awards with a largemouth weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces, while Classic qualifier Matt Herren won the tournament with 51 pounds, 12 ounces.
Two Classic anglers have a previous history here at the 2016 Toyota Texas Bass Classic held in May. Zaldain earned big bass awards with a largemouth weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces, while Classic qualifier Matt Herren won the tournament with 51 pounds, 12 ounces.
Lake Ray Roberts is 28,646 surface acres or about 7,000 acres larger than Lake Conroe, site of the 2017 Classic held in Texas. The tour begins at the dam, not far from the launch site at Isle du Bois State Park. Come along with Zaldain as he takes us on a tour of the lake.
Lake Ray Roberts is 28,646 surface acres or about 7,000 acres larger than Lake Conroe, site of the 2017 Classic held in Texas. The tour begins at the dam, not far from the launch site at Isle du Bois State Park. Come along with Zaldain as he takes us on a tour of the lake.
“Unique around Isle du Bois are steep walls and banks that provide shade during the hot summer.” There is also evidence of laydown trees, too.
“Unique around Isle du Bois are steep walls and banks that provide shade during the hot summer.” There is also evidence of laydown trees, too.
Isle du Bois region is known for it's offshore structure.
Isle du Bois region is known for it’s offshore structure.
You can see the close proximity to the dam in Isle du Bois.
You can see the close proximity to the dam in Isle du Bois.
“It’s got typical south lake characteristics like deep drops, and deeper, clearer water.”
“It’s got typical south lake characteristics like deep drops, and deeper, clearer water.”
On the eastern side and north of Isle du Bois is Sand Creek. A standout feature are the islands in the creek.
On the eastern side and north of Isle du Bois is Sand Creek. A standout feature are the islands in the creek.
“Sand creek has a meandering channel with lots of channel swings.”
“Sand creek has a meandering channel with lots of channel swings.”
In Sand Creek you begin to see signs to come as the tour goes up lake. “There is standing timber that will come into play, here and elsewhere on the lake.”
In Sand Creek you begin to see signs to come as the tour goes up lake. “There is standing timber that will come into play, here and elsewhere on the lake.”
The standing timber is located throughout Sand Creek.
The standing timber is located throughout Sand Creek.
North of Sand Creek is the Wolf Creek area. Significant to this area is Wolf Island. “The island is said to be the marker for exercising extreme caution when running farther up the lake.”
North of Sand Creek is the Wolf Creek area. Significant to this area is Wolf Island. “The island is said to be the marker for exercising extreme caution when running farther up the lake.”
Construction on Ray Roberts Dam began in May 1982, with impoundment of water beginning in June 1987. Much of the uncut timber growing in the lake remains standing.
Construction on Ray Roberts Dam began in May 1982, with impoundment of water beginning in June 1987. Much of the uncut timber growing in the lake remains standing.
Next stop at the uppermost reach of the east arm is Buck Creek. “This creek played heavily in Matt’s win at the TTBC held in May.”
Next stop at the uppermost reach of the east arm is Buck Creek. “This creek played heavily in Matt’s win at the TTBC held in May.”
“It’s a unique area with two causeways that provide shade and ambush points.”
“It’s a unique area with two causeways that provide shade and ambush points.”
“There is a shad spawn back here during the May timeframe.”
“There is a shad spawn back here during the May timeframe.”
The rocky shoreline gives an indication about the geology of the points and lake bottom.
The rocky shoreline gives an indication about the geology of the points and lake bottom.
Wolf Creek also has standing timber.
Wolf Creek also has standing timber.
And more standing timber nearer the shoreline.
And more standing timber nearer the shoreline.
Next to Wolf Creek is Indian Creek. “It’s said to be one of the best spawning creeks in the lake.”
Next to Wolf Creek is Indian Creek. “It’s said to be one of the best spawning creeks in the lake.”
Indian Creek has long, tapering points, some that are surrounded by standing timber.
Indian Creek has long, tapering points, some that are surrounded by standing timber.
“There is a well-defined creek channel with a shallow and deep side, along with dropoffs into deeper water.” There is further evidence of the main lake and secondary points leading from the creek mouth into the creek.
“There is a well-defined creek channel with a shallow and deep side, along with dropoffs into deeper water.” There is further evidence of the main lake and secondary points leading from the creek mouth into the creek.
In the late 1980s when the lake was filling the process flooded house foundations that can be located using electronics.
In the late 1980s when the lake was filling the process flooded house foundations that can be located using electronics.
Aquatic vegetation grows in Indian Creek and elsewhere during spring and summer. Native emergent vegetation includes water willow and cattail. Submerged vegetation includes Chara, milfoil and non-native hydrilla, which fluctuate with water level. Native floating-leaved vegetation includes pondweed.
Aquatic vegetation grows in Indian Creek and elsewhere during spring and summer. Native emergent vegetation includes water willow and cattail. Submerged vegetation includes Chara, milfoil and non-native hydrilla, which fluctuate with water level. Native floating-leaved vegetation includes pondweed.
Standing timber is prolific in Indian Creek, as it is elsewhere in the upper reaches of the lake. There is about 2,000 acres of standing timber in the lake, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Standing timber is prolific in Indian Creek, as it is elsewhere in the upper reaches of the lake. There is about 2,000 acres of standing timber in the lake, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Standing timber that broke off at or below the surface is the reason why. “The channel beyond Wolf Island is unmarked. You have no visual reference of where to look for and avoid standing timber as you run up the lake.”
Standing timber that broke off at or below the surface is the reason why. “The channel beyond Wolf Island is unmarked. You have no visual reference of where to look for and avoid standing timber as you run up the lake.”
There is a meandering creek and numerous channel swings.
There is a meandering creek and numerous channel swings.
Main lake points, and long, tapering secondary points with drop-offs are key habitat.
Main lake points, and long, tapering secondary points with drop-offs are key habitat.
Next stop is the Lick Creek and Lyn Creek areas. “Both are marked and easy to run.”
Next stop is the Lick Creek and Lyn Creek areas. “Both are marked and easy to run.”
“What makes this a standout area is the presence of vegetation, as you can see by the coots.” This photo was taken at the mouth of the creek. “It’ll be a player in the summertime, for sure.”
“What makes this a standout area is the presence of vegetation, as you can see by the coots.” This photo was taken at the mouth of the creek. “It’ll be a player in the summertime, for sure.”
Johnson Branch is popular for easy access with few boating hazards.
Johnson Branch is popular for easy access with few boating hazards.
“Toward the mouth is standing timber in deeper water that could be a player.”
“Toward the mouth is standing timber in deeper water that could be a player.”
What else makes it stand out is an abundance of laydowns for shade.
What else makes it stand out is an abundance of laydowns for shade.
Along with a boat ramp.
Along with a boat ramp.
There are plenty of options from which to choose in Johnson Branch.
There are plenty of options from which to choose in Johnson Branch.
“One thing I’ve learned about Texas bass fishing is there are resident bass living in shallow water all year.”
“One thing I’ve learned about Texas bass fishing is there are resident bass living in shallow water all year.”
The tour reaches the mid-lake area that divides the east and west arms.
The tour reaches the mid-lake area that divides the east and west arms.
This shoreline photo represents the common transition from laydowns and gravel bottom, to aquatic vegetation and then a dropoff into deeper water.
This shoreline photo represents the common transition from laydowns and gravel bottom, to aquatic vegetation and then a dropoff into deeper water.
“The west arm has lots of slow, tapering points into drop offs. There is plenty of offshore structure that can be quickly and efficiently fished, because there are fewer boating hazards in the open water.”
“The west arm has lots of slow, tapering points into drop offs. There is plenty of offshore structure that can be quickly and efficiently fished, because there are fewer boating hazards in the open water.”
Very common in the west arm are house foundations, mostly completely inundated in deeper water. “This is a good visual of what those look like, where small communities were flooded in the area. The foundations could be a player for the deep-water patterns.”
Very common in the west arm are house foundations, mostly completely inundated in deeper water. “This is a good visual of what those look like, where small communities were flooded in the area. The foundations could be a player for the deep-water patterns.”
The tour ends near where it began at the dam, and at Ray Roberts Marina. “A lot of tournament weigh-ins are held here, supporting a resident population of bass. The docks also provide lots of shade for bass and bait during summer.”
The tour ends near where it began at the dam, and at Ray Roberts Marina. “A lot of tournament weigh-ins are held here, supporting a resident population of bass. The docks also provide lots of shade for bass and bait during summer.”
Near the docks is a reef formed by tires. “The tire reef provides more shade.”
Near the docks is a reef formed by tires. “The tire reef provides more shade.”
“I expect to see a lot of guys stopping here, if they are fishing the docks around the marina.”
“I expect to see a lot of guys stopping here, if they are fishing the docks around the marina.”