Fished Bowie yesterday from 1 pm until 8. Prior reports from the lake had been poor, so was hoping to see it full and improved. The lake is indeed full, going over the outflow - even the shallow top end 2-5' deep all over. Unfortunately the launch area has become completely overgrown - chest high grass and bushes growing at the water's edge. I had a hard time getting a kayak in and out of the water (compounded by the gradient of the bank). If you're hoping to launch a bass buster, would take help, and maybe a machete…. Needs a good bush-hogging. Might be possible to launch from the picnic area on the far side, but I didn't check.

Once on the water, the fishing was good. Water was 88 - 91 degf, and the usual stained 6" visibility. However, I caught fish steadily all afternoon. Most times I have been here the fish have been deep, but not this time. A pronounced thermocline at 12' and seemed like very few fish beneath that (deeper water must be very deoxygenated at this point), could see them hanging out in less than 8' of water. Thus nothing on carolina rigs and deep crank baits, caught most on either a square bill in 6-8' of water in the top half of the lake, or on senkos, also caught a few on rattle trap. Good top water bite on the east side of the lake late on. Ended the day with over 12 bass, best four were 3.3, 3.6, 3.9 and 6.6 - biggest fish on top water at the end of the day. All the fish were fat and healthy. Also caught a cat fish on a crank bait. Saw a huge cottonmouth at the top end - kept a respectful distance….

Seem like this lake is back, but the boat launch issue needs addressing, or will have to wait until late fall when the vegetation has died off.