College student alternative spring break fishing trip--your help needed!

[Mickey Fitch]

Hi folks,

I am an administrator (and avid bass fisherman) in residence life at University of Wisconsin-Superior.  This next year, we are embarking on something awesome: an alternative spring break trip somewhere south to do some bass/panfishing.    Typically, a lot of students travel to places like TX or Mexico to have your "standard crazy spring break", but we want to offer a healthy and fun alternative that appeals to our students.  Being in northern Wisconsin, we have a lot of students who are very avid fishermen and hunters, and I want to be able to take them somewhere warm and fun to do some bass and panfishing.  I've traveled to the mid-South a few times in mid-March and its been a bit chilly for fishing/being outdoors, but I am hoping you all could help me out with locations and such.

Our break is March 18-27th.  I will be leading the trip with 3 or 4 college students with me. 

Can you recommend a lake/area that we should go to?  I am looking for basic accomodations for the students (basic cabins, or rooms in a lodge).  100% ideal would be able to be at a place that is an all-inclusive (meals, boat rental, housing) and access to a guide to get the students on some fish.  Our budget is limited seeing that we are coming from a university, and I am hoping to strike some deals with our destination financially for the students.  I really want the trip to be a lot of fun and an opportunity to get away from our frozen tundra up north, but want to be able to get the students on fish and not break the bank at the same time. 

I am really hoping you can help make recommendations or email me request for info onto your fishing colleagues.  Maybe someone will know of a place they'd recommend, maybe they own/rent out cabins on a lake, or maybe they are a guide looking to look in some business with some eager college students.  I'd take any and all help you can provide.  I'm going to post this on a bunch of major fishing sites, but want to appeal to experts out there too!  I need to make a decision FAST so I look forward to hearing back from you.

Again, please feel free to forward this onto folks who you think would best be able to help me.

You can reply directly to mfitch1@uwsuper.edu

[FD.]

Mid south is going to be cold in March, but this is a place we stay when leave Fl.

http://www.highlandmarina.com/

If you want to come to central Fl then you have a chance at better weather and plenty of on the lakes to stay.

[Bassn Blvd]

Head here to S. Florida. Lake Okeechobee should be on fire for bass and speck (Crappie) during March. Roland Martin's fish camp, Clewiston, Florida, has great accommodations and a guide service. There are also others to chose from.

[Captain Obvious]

I would suggest Lake Ray Roberts Down here in Texas but seeing that we get snow or rain in March-April you might not want to do that lol.

Why not Fork. Should be south enough and the towns around there know how to cater to bass fishermen

[Glenn]

I second lake Fork. Should be relatively warm with a good chance of catching a double-digit bass.  Guides and resorts abound, so you should have plenty of options.

[Long Mike]

X3 on Lake Fork, but be prepared for everything when it comes to the weather in March. One day you may be wearing a T-shirt and shorts. The same day you may have to change to three layers of winter clothing and a rain suit. That probably will not happen though. When those types of fronts come through, you will be blown off the water. Lake Fork is dangerous even at the best of times. When the wind starts howling, your best bet is to get off the water.

If I were in your position I would opt for Florida. It offers the best chance of you and your students having a great trip.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Head here to S. Florida. Lake Okeechobee should be on fire for bass and speck (Crappie) during March. Roland Martin's fish camp, Clewiston, Florida, has great accommodations and a guide service. There are also others to chose from.

Exactly the same thing I thought when I read the OP. You don't have to stay at Roland's if you don't want to for one reason or another.  There are plenty of other options in the immediate area. Okeechobee is hard to beat during March. Plus you won't be cold like you mentioned earlier. Theres a reason it's one of the most famous bass lakes in the world. Plus you stand a good chance at sticking a 10+ pounder in the boat.

If you don't want to hit the Big O, there are plenty of other fantastic lakes in South/Central Florida you can go to. Istokpoga, Toho, etc etc. Several of them have fish camps right on the water as well.

[Catt]

Fork, Rayburn, Toledo, or any of a dozen other Texas lakes

[fishfordollars]

If you come to Texas bring ALL of your warm weather gear. All the major waters you've read about will be producing and are worth a visit.

[piscicidal]

It would be REALLY hard to beat the weather in South Florida in March. The fishing ain't half bad either...we get very little rain from November thru April. The everglades dry up and all the water ends up in the deep canals around the marsh areas. The bass pile up in the canals and they're easy pickins. 100 fish days are not uncommon in March/April, provided it's a dry winter.

Perfect weather, great fishing. Okeechobee is an hour North. Toho/Stick Marsh/Istokpoga two hours north. Any of these options offer a chance at a double digit fish. Plus it is South Florida...there are other amenities that may be attractive to college students as well.

[WRB]

Contact Byron Velvick at Amistad lake resort, Del Rio, TX. Byron can set your group up at his resort at a fare price and Amistad is excellent fishing during march.

California's Clear lake also has good weather and fishing during march but the prices are higher.

WRB

[NBR]

Look at Lake Point Resort in Eufaula, AL. Good largemouth, spots, hybrids and crappie. The weather would be colder than FL but it  is closer and should feel real warm coompared to northern WI.

[Dr. Watson]

There are a ton of places around lake Okeechobee also look at Mayaka State park, there are a ton of places in Orlando and Kissimmee, and if you want a more old fashioned secluded place try: http://www.moonriseresort.com/

this place was great, my family went there with some friends and had a great time.

[Bass_Fanatic]

Im going to have to agree with Fork.  I go there every year for my spring break and we catch alot of solid (3-6lbs) fish.  Last March I caught one that went 9-14.  It is a blast, but be aware that the weather can turn quick and you can get into some trouble.  I have been stranded on the opposite side of the lake before.  I had to wait for the storm to pass and the wind to die down that night to come back across the lake!

[lynyrdsky1]

I say Lake Fork too because thats where im heading for my spring break this year. its pretty chilly here in March in West Tennessee i mean we are fishing at this time, mostly crappie, but it wont be warm

[southtexasbassin]

FALCON LAKE

ZAPATA, TX

Some of the best fishing!!!! Can't go wrong.

[Taylor Fishin 4 life]

I would have to say Lake Fork to. I used to do a lot of fishing there when I lived in that area. And on the time your going the Prespawn bite should be awsome. If you can find your grass out there that time of the year those places are gold. I used to have great success Rattle trapping the grass lines with big 3/4 to 1 oz traps.

[ROCbass]

I say Lake Fork too because thats where im heading for my spring break this year. its pretty chilly here in March in West Tennessee i mean we are fishing at this time, mostly crappie, but it wont be warm

I'm not sure if kids from Wisconsin would agree with you that Tennessee in March is "chilly" lol.

[lynyrdsky1]

I say Lake Fork too because thats where im heading for my spring break this year. its pretty chilly here in March in West Tennessee i mean we are fishing at this time, mostly crappie, but it wont be warm

I'm not sure if kids from Wisconsin would agree with you that Tennessee in March is "chilly" lol.

Haha yea i know. But last march was pretty bad tho

[Taylor Fishin 4 life]

FALCON LAKE

ZAPATA, TX

Some of the best fishing!!!! Can't go wrong.

Kinda dangerous when you can just go to Choke Canyon

[bassman31783]

I agree with the Lake Fork suggestions. I grew up living only 20min from Fork so I'm a little biased towards it but rightfully so. The lake just produces fish & big ones at that. The good thing is that you will catch fish at that time of the year, and you stand a real good chance of putting a DD in the boat. The bad thing is that the weather in East Texas at that time of the year is extremely fickle. The weather channels usually just put N/A for the following week in March because there is no way to know. ;D Also, like Bass_Fanatic said, the lake can get bad in a hurry. However if you don't mind that then Fork will probably reward you.

I don't know of any all inclusive places to stay on the lake but I do know of a few nice cabins with nice amenities right on the lake. If you do chose to go to Fork & you want a guide you better book far in advance. Lake Fork guides go quick in the spring.

If you have any ?'s on the area or just ?'s on the lake feel free to PM me.  I'd be more then happy to help out in any way I can.

[Fishes in trees]

If you don't want to drive so far - consider Table Rock in Misssouri or Bull Shoals in Arkansas.  There are cheap places to stay and generally there is a jerkbait or shakey head bite going on.  Weather is extremely variable.