Lake O.H. Ivie Bass Fishing Guide
Lake O.H. Ivie (fishing is good right now - any cast could be a giant)
Surface area: 19,149 acres - Maximum depth: 119 feet - Impounded: 1990
Lake Record Largemouth: 17.06 lbs - Junior: 14.52 lbs
Lake Record Smallmouth: 6.25 lbs - LM x SM: 11.07 lbs
A West Texas trophy destination - 2-day minimum, launching out of Elm Creek Marina.
Today's Date: Sat Jul 11 2026
Sunrise time : 6:42 am Safe light: 30 minutes before sunrise
Lake O.H. Ivie can be one of the most exciting lakes around, with absolute giant bass caught here yearly. A few years ago, it produced the most big bass entered into the Texas ShareLunker program, and every year it puts out some giants - plus some nice smallmouth as well. This is a trophy lake, so there's a 2-day minimum to fish it with me. We almost always go out of Elm Creek Marina, which is a great place to eat before or after your trip and to grab tackle and baits you won't find anywhere else - and it's where the big fish get weighed on a certified scale.
See how this lake stacks up against the others near Austin
What you'll catch on Lake O.H. Ivie
Giant largemouth bass are the entire point of this trip - this is a genuine fish-of-a-lifetime lake. There are some nice smallmouth here too, and the lake even has a recorded largemouth-smallmouth hybrid over 11 pounds. Other species are around, but I almost always have you targeting big largemouth. I release the bass.
Seasonal patterns on Lake O.H. Ivie
Winter & early spring - peak giant season
The cold-water and pre-spawn months are when O.H. Ivie produces its biggest fish - the ShareLunker-class giants that put this lake on the map.
Spring (spawn)
Big females move up to spawn, offering a shot at the largest bass of your life around the right cover and structure.
Summer & fall
The lake stays capable of giants year-round; we follow the fish to where they're setting up and keep you on the best big-bite water.
How we fish it
O.H. Ivie is a pure trophy hunt - we put in the time on the right water for the chance at a true giant, the kind of fish that gets weighed on Elm Creek's certified scale. With the 2-day minimum, we've got time to do it right and maximize your shot at the fish of a lifetime. For more detail, here are the best lures to use on Lake O.H. Ivie.
Best for
Serious trophy hunters chasing a personal-best or a ShareLunker-class largemouth on a dedicated multi-day West Texas trip. See trip rates and book a Lake O.H. Ivie trip, or if you're weighing your options, take a look at Lake Falcon - the other big trophy destination I fish.
Lake O.H. Ivie fishing FAQs
Is Lake O.H. Ivie a good trophy bass lake?
It's one of the most exciting lakes around - absolute giant bass are caught here every year, and a few years ago it produced the most big bass entered into the Texas ShareLunker program. On O.H. Ivie, any cast could be a giant.
Is there a minimum trip length for Lake O.H. Ivie?
Yes - because it's a trophy lake and a haul from Central Texas, there's a 2-day minimum to fish here with me.
Where do you launch on Lake O.H. Ivie?
We almost always go out of Elm Creek Marina. It's a great place to eat before or after your trip, stock up on tackle and baits you won't find elsewhere, and where the big fish are weighed on a certified scale.
What can you catch on Lake O.H. Ivie?
Giant largemouth are the main target, plus some nice smallmouth - the lake even has a recorded largemouth-smallmouth hybrid over 11 pounds. There are other species too, but I almost always target big largemouth here.
Do I need my own boat or gear?
No. All rods, reels and tackle are provided. Just bring a valid Texas fishing license (17+), sunglasses, a hat, and food and drinks.
When is the best time to catch a trophy bass on Lake O.H. Ivie?
The winter and early-spring pre-spawn months are when O.H. Ivie produces its biggest fish - the ShareLunker-class giants that put this lake on the map. Big females move up to spawn in spring, offering a shot at the largest bass of your life. That said, the lake stays capable of giants year-round, so we follow the fish and keep you on the best big-bite water whenever you come.
Where is Lake O.H. Ivie and how far is it from Central Texas?
It's a West Texas trophy destination and a haul from Central Texas - that's exactly why there's a 2-day minimum on this one, so we've got time to do it right and maximize your shot at the fish of a lifetime rather than burning the trip on driving.