Reservation Number : 43700
Property Name : Deer Trail Ranch
Reservation Date : 05/31/2025 All Day -
Total Fish/Sizes : 59 (including 6 crappie) - dinks to 4+ LBS
Lures Used : Most effective lures were: spinnerbait, t-rig speed worm, ned rig, squarebill

Wife and I fished Deer Trail in Sulphur Bluff under sunny and calm conditions. Lake is maybe 2FT short of full pool. Vegetation (coontail and lily pads) is plentiful, but core of the lake is very fishable. Water viz was about 3FT. I don’t know the temp as my fish finder is on the blink. We had a very productive day from about 7:15 AM to 6:15 PM with a long, relaxed shore lunch break in between. We landed 53 LMB and 6 Crappie. Bass were from dinks to 4+ LBS – my digital scale also died today as well, so weights are inexact, but several good fish between 17 and 20.5 IN. Probably the best quality day we’ve had out at Deer. We harvested 27 (and 6 crappie) and released 26. Remember the lake currently has a 16IN harvest restriction, so we cleaned some good sized fish. Most effective lures were: spinnerbait, t-rig speed worm, ned rig, and squarebill. The fish were less than “active”, so finesse still ruled the day including counting down and deadsticking the ned rig and slow rolling the spinnerbait. No surface action or activity. Most bites (but not all) were off the deeper edges of the weedlines along with a few in the shallower pockets. Just a fantastic day out at this PWF gem!

Mark & Pam