Wardens Aid Disabled Vet

February 16, 2021

Public Fishing, Paddling Expands

March 9, 2021

While much of Texas was still reeling from the big freeze, Lake O.H. Ivie near San Angelo made fast work of building a reputation as the hottest big bass lake in country.

The bite has been insane out West.

Between Feb. 19-25, the 19,000-acre fishery cranked out five Legacy Class Toyota ShareLunkers, including a new lake record 16.40 pounder. The fish ranks as the No. 16 heaviest Texas largemouth of all-time and the biggest bass reported statewide since Feb. 1999.

’Ivie’s newest record largemouth was caught Feb. 19 by Joe McKay of Bussey, IA. The other four ShareLunkers include a 13.20 pounder caught on Feb. 21 by Josh Jones of Sapulpa, Okla., a 13.40 pounder caught Feb. 23 by Donald Burks of Weatherford, a 14.4 pounder reeled in Feb. 25 by Brett Cannon of Willis and a 14.2 pounder caught by Casey Sobczak of Spring, also on Feb. 25.

Joe McKay (right) and Ben Milliken with the 16.40-pound Toyota ShareLunker McKay landed at Lake O.H. Ivie on Feb. 19. The 19,000-acre lake near San Angelo produced four other fish ranging 13.20 to 14.4 pounds between Feb. 21-25. (Photo courtesy Milliken Fishing)

Numerous other big bass between 8-12 pounds were caught and released during the magical February run.

McKay and his fishing partner, Ben Milliken, said their heaviest five fish on Feb. 19 weighed close to 60 pounds, including the 16.40 pounder. The incredible day was captured on video and will appear on Milliken Fishing’s YouTube channel soon.

Jones, an Oklahoma fishing guide and YouTuber, said he boated five bass on Feb. 22 that weighed about 51 pounds. Brandon Burks caught a 12.4 pounder the same day his dad landed the 13.40 ShareLunker.

A high percentage of the big ‘Ivie bass are reportedly being caught on Alabama rigs using Garmin Panoptix LiveScope, a forward-facing sonar technology that allows anglers to see structure, cover, fish and their lure in real time, ahead of the boat. McKay said he actually saw his 16.40 pounder on the depth finder screen, cast to it and watched as the big bass gobbled up his bait in about 20 feet of water.

Amazingly, trophy class largemouths aren’t only big ones that have been biting at O.H. Ivie lately.

The lake’s smallmouth bass record was broken three times between Feb. 20-24, twice by what is believed to be the same fish that was caught by two anglers, two days apart.

The smallmouth flurry began Feb. 20 with a 6.25 pounder caught by Joey Wynn. Milliken boated a 6.6 pounder on Feb. 22 and Luke Dunkin landed a 6.8 pounder on Feb. 24.

The five ‘Ivie Legacy fish bring the 2021 Toyota ShareLunker season total to 10 as of Feb. 26. Sam Rayburn has produced two entries this season, while lakes Palestine, Austin and Conroe have one apiece. Legacy class fish (over 13 pounds) will be accepted through March 31 for the spawning phase of the program.

Matt Williams