Anyone fished Lake Raven recently? I cannot seem to find much since 2012-2013. I have never been and am concerned about older comments I have read about the lake being changed or not really recovering from the drought.

What say you?

Well, I just read the other post about the pads and such at Raven having been destroyed. Is the fishing bad there overall now?

It has its days

The fish are still in Raven...just not concentrated in predictable spots. 15 years ago, you could fish along the banks, and put a good sack together. When the hydrilla arrived, you could catch 'em pretty good in the grass. After that disappeared, you could punch and pitch to your heart's content in the pads. Although there are some pads still around in the backs of the creeks, they are not holding fish with the warmer water right now.

Most of the fish that I have been catching on Raven this summer has been by fishing contour, and structure. Laydowns, stumps, points, extended points, creek bends, spoil banks, humps and ridges have helped me to an estimated 17 and 19 pound sacks in the last two weeks. TX rigged plastics have been the ticket for me, but I've witnessed fish being caught on spinners and cranks as well.

One thing regarding Raven, is that after the TPWD came out with their Top TX Lakes press release two years ago (with Raven listed at #3 for quality and quantity), that little lake has seen fishing pressure skyrocket. I have even seen guides running parties out there. Those fish have been exposed to a lot of lures, and they are a wise bunch these days. Raven fish pretty much suspend under the pods of threadfin shad all summer long, and will school up for very brief moments throughout the day. If you find one fish (offshore), you will likely find others.

Raven is being treated for both hyacinths and giant salvinia right now. As the hyacinth dies back, it is releasing the salvinia out into the open. Please be sure to clean, drain, and dry...and check your trailer bunks for plant life before you hit the road to go home. Salvinia is a nasty plant that can completely take over a body of water in a relatively short time.

^^ I have been fishing Raven for the past few weeks, including today, and this is 100% accurate.

I appreciate the info! My son and I hit it this morning and it was indeed fairly tough fishing. We caught 4 with the largest being 2-2.50#. Two were on TX rig and the other two on cranks. Sadly the pig of the day broke my line and took my favorite crank. I suspect a poorly tied line but I had eyes on him as it was right next to the boat. Anyway, nice little lake, I will be back for sure.