Vann’s Tavern Fishing Tournament

From late April through early September, Vann’s Tavern in Pottsboro, Texas anchors one of Lake Texoma‘s most community-oriented bass fishing series. The Vann’s Tavern Fishing Tournament is a season-long competition that brings anglers back to the water on a regular schedule from April 18 through September 5, 2026, with each event running from roughly 7:00 AM through the late afternoon. Lake Texoma covers 74,686 acres on the Texas-Oklahoma border, impounded since 1944 by Denison Dam across the Red River, and it holds the distinction of being one of the very few freshwater lakes in the United States with a self-sustaining, landlocked population of striped bass. That naturally reproducing striper fishery, which began with Oklahoma’s first stocking in 1965, is the centerpiece of most tournaments run on this water.

Pottsboro sits on the Texas side of the lake, 10 miles north of Sherman, and the area around Vann’s Tavern has long served as a local gathering point for recreational anglers who want a social context around their fishing. Entry fees, weight classes, and exact payout structures vary by event date within the series; confirm registration details with the organizer before each scheduled event. Highport Marina, the largest marina on Lake Texoma with more than 800 covered and open slips, operates on Texoma Harbor Drive about four miles east of Pottsboro and serves as a common launch point for tournament participants in this part of the lake.

The Fishery and What You Are Getting Into

Lake Texoma is not a typical bass reservoir. Two-thirds of its surface lies in Oklahoma, and anglers must carry either a Texas license, an Oklahoma license, or a Lake Texoma-specific license (available for around $12) that covers both sides of the state line. Striped bass are the headline species, but largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass are also present, and catfish tournaments draw dedicated followings as well. The lake’s 580 miles of shoreline vary from rocky bluffs and cut banks to sandy flats and standing timber, and its moderate-to-clear water favors a range of presentations depending on season and structure.

April on Lake Texoma is excellent fishing time. Water temperatures climb through the 60s and bass move toward shallower structure as the calendar turns. Striper fishing peaks in spring when fish stack in the river arms ahead of their upstream spawning run, and live bait rigs fished near the dam tailwaters and creek mouths produce reliably during this period.

> Good to Know
> Spring afternoons on Lake Texoma can produce strong south winds that push chop across open water quickly. Check the forecast for wind direction before launch, and build in a buffer of time to reach the more protected coves on the lake’s north arms if conditions deteriorate. Zebra mussels are present in Lake Texoma; all boats, trailers, and live wells must be drained of water before leaving the ramp area, as required by Texas and Oklahoma law.

Beyond the Tournament: Exploring Lake Texoma

Lake Texoma State Park on the Oklahoma side and Eisenhower State Park in Texas both offer camping, hiking, and swimming access that extend a fishing weekend into a fuller outdoor stay. The lake’s sandy beach islands near Highport attract recreational boaters throughout spring and summer and are worth a detour by kayak or pontoon on non-tournament days. Pottsboro itself is a quiet town with a handful of local restaurants; the Sherman-Denison metro area 10 to 15 miles south expands your dining and supply options considerably.

> If You’re Bringing a Dog
> Lake Texoma’s shoreline parks and many of the informal access areas around Pottsboro are dog-friendly. Keep a towel in the truck for post-swim clean-up, and check individual park rules on leash requirements before arriving.

Find Your Spot on Lake.com

For visitors making a weekend out of the tournament, Lake.com lists vacation rentals near Lake Texoma on both the Texas and Oklahoma shores. Properties with private dock access and outdoor grilling areas fill fastest for spring tournament weekends; reserve several weeks ahead.