Heading to Toledo bend for the first time tomorrow just for a fun fishing vacation. Would yall recommend fishing Housen and six mile or have they been getting too over fished in yalls opinion.

Just fall in line . The Internet has done its job on that lake. The main boat lanes look a lot like I20 on the weekends. No matter where ya go there will already be boats there or will be before you make a cast. And if you catch a fish get ready for who ever saw it to be in your back pocket before your next cast.

Or join the crowd and look for the most boats and "elbow" your way in!

I couldn't believe the amount of boats in Housen and Indian Mounds this weekend. I have a place on the lake so I am there pretty often. This past weekend was the most boats I've ever seen on the lake and that includes weekends with 400 plus boat tournaments. Apparently Bassmaster ranking it the number one lake in the country has people flocking to it. I recommend going North of Patroon on Texas side or Blue lake area and north on Louisiana side. Still boats up there but not nearly as crowded.

I've seen this same thing happen to a few different lakes. Some pics get added on the internet forums and some stories get exaggerated every time they are told, and then all of the sudden people start driving 500+ miles to fish for a week because they think it will automatically be a smash fest. A lot of people have been having a different experience on the bend lately I'd be willing to bet. There are still several sacks being caught, and there always will be. But it's not an automatic trip of the lifetime where you're guaranteed to catch toads all day every day like some people make it out to be. And like you said, there has literally been an insane amount of boats in every creek arm you run to. With that many boats on the water every day, even during the middle of the week, I would hope we are still producing 10+ pounders often. It's crazy.

I fished Patroon last week and it was only fair. The spawn is mostly over there for sure. The high water has put a damper on some of the regular community spots. It wasn't as crowded as I expected. The weather and the lake was beautiful!

Fish the coves with no creek. Find the grass and you'll have clearer water. Jig and baby brush hog will get you a big one

How many boats were up on or looking for the spots mentioned in John Lee Smith's book ?
the 17 mile BIG BASS stretch !!!!!!
The guides used by our group on TB last week didn't seem to be bothered by his map tips that much.

The bassmasters ranking, Fork fishing so poorly, and the fact the lake is cranking out 10's at an impressive rate are contributing factors to the crowds I'm sure. Unfortunately I've seen the pressure badly damage fisheries before. T-Bend is big, but so is Sturgeon Bay... Check out the tournament results there since bass ranked them number one. It's a shame. Fortunately folks chase phantoms and when the numbers drop off the crowds will be on to the next "hot" lake.

I didn't mean that to sound like they were not good spots or tips,,,,just that it didn't bother the guides.