Hi Fellow Anglers,
Cooper Lake is one of my favorites for hybrid and sandie. So my dad called me up on Friday to go bank fishing with him and I took the offer since he's been limiting out on hybrids and some sandies along with the cats during the week. We've got to the Tira boat ramp at 7:30am; boy, I knew the lake was at least 14 ft last I've read. It sure was sad to see what became of the ramp. Saw two guys launched their flat bottom boat and they made it. Later I went to Doctor's Creek Unit State Park and check their ramp and it was also depressing to see. We NEED rain badly... check out the pictures.

TIRA BOAT RAMP:



DOCTOR'S CREEK UNIT BOAT RAMP



FROM 10/2011 SAME RAMP AS ABOVE:

Hopefully we get good rain like hurricane or something to fill all the lakes back up. I remember when this lake was full back in 2009.
Oh we ended the day with two 20" hybrids. It was a slow day.

Yes, Cooper is very very low. This was taken last weekend, even us kayakers have to drag our yaks 40 yards out!



Every time we go Cooper, the locals would come over and talk to us about getting a kayaks just so they could fish this amazing lake. Last I heard, the corp had cease pumping water out of Cooper due to the water intake clogged with mud. As soon as they fixed that, they will dredge Tira 3-4 ft deeper. Was also told, the corp can still pump an additional 8ft out from Cooper before they will quit.

Tough situation on both parties...I'm thinking of getting myself a kayak too. Cooper lake is an amazing lake. No fishing pressure at all. Good luck and be safe out there.

Thanks for the latest updated pics. Yessir very sad along with the rest of the area lakes. We sure had a blast last August at Cooper... Looks like we will not repeat the August Party trip this year!! Not sure we're will hold it this August if the rain doesn't start falling.....

Cooper always seems to have some obstacles to getting on the water but one must improvise. This was about a week and a half ago:



The hybrids are doing well:



Cats aren't too shabby either:

I live about a mile from the lake. I haven't had my boat in the water since last spring. It's really sad to drive across the dam and see no boats on the lake.
Did you catch any from the bank? Think I'll go try it this week.

Thanks for the report ILF. That is really sad but it looks like the catching is still good if you can get out there.

That is a sad sight. I have heard great things about this lake and I hope to fish it soon. Good news is we are getting into spring and yesterday was just the beginning. Should get some good storm systems in the state for the next few months and hopefully they drop some more rain.

I spoke with the rangers there and they said they were told it would take a 12" rain to do it and that might not even be enough for a ramp to be used.

We ended a day with two 20" hybrids caught with ghost minnows. You had to cast out pretty far at the point. We left early cause we didn't have the proper clothing. Didn't expect it to be that chilly. Big mistake. We were cold all morning. Left at 11 am normally we'll stay until 6pm. Last time I put my boat in this lake was 2011. Now I have a deep-v definitely won't be able to put it in. Sticking to banking until spawning season is over. This is my first time fishing at Tira boat ramp...anyone causes any problems with vehicles? I guess what am I asking is is it pretty safe if I were to be out alone? Have anyone seen any problems or run into problems? Y'all be safe out there.

Wow...that's a huge hybrid! Fat and chunky! Nice cat too! What did you caught them with?

ILF, these were caught deadsticking. Specifically using Moe's Tackle deadhead jig heads, clips and flukes.


To your question about safety - no, I've never had any problem at the Tira ramp - the ranger does make occasional passes through there.

FishAll50
that is one fat healthy HYBRID and 26 " must have given you a long ride prior to the net. Thanks for the report. All of us winter "dead Stick " junkies will need to invest in a Yak and begin to learn what you have mastered. ! Without rain.

Thanks for the report. I've fished out of Tira for years. The only problem I've had is a nasty note from the Ranger one day when I forgot to pay. LOL It's like any place else, things can change at any time.

Wow! I'll try and bring the rain south the end of the month.

Here is the biggest reason we cant use cooper. This log jam keeps a most of the water a lot of the water from reaching the lake. river south of jam if nice and full tho.

Dynomite will fix that!!!

I agree Brandon, or just a few gallons of fuel and a match.

I am surprised the Corp of Enginners hasn't done something about that.

I bet there's a lot of fish in there. Crappies and sandies!

Good news is lake is up 5.28 inches since last rain. Now we need a big slow rain.

The corp may not know that stuff is there. You may want to pass on a picture of that to them.

Corp, TPWD, and TDOT all know about it. No one wants to mess with it. They are waiting for the river to re-route itself around log jam. No sure how long that will take jam is about 4 miles long.

Damn! 4 miles long. That would take a while to clean up.

Is it between Hwy 71 and the lake? I was out there today and the creek is full with no current.

Why is this not blown up? Crazy?

You can see that log Jam on Google Maps

DYNOMITE!