Bass fishing grew into a major outdoor sport and leisure activity in Texas beginning in the 1950s, when reservoir construction expanded fishing opportunities after a severe statewide drought led to water shortages. Its popularity was further driven by urbanization after World War II, as many families moved to cities and took up bass fishing for recreation. In 1955, the Waco Tribune-Herald organized a competitive tournament on Lake Whitney, the first of its kind, which became the Texas State Bass Tournament in 1956. Advances in fishing technology made anglers more efficient, and government efforts supported healthy fish populations, including federal funding authorized by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act in 1950 for state hatcheries and fish restoration and management programs. By the 1970s, Florida largemouth bass, well suited to Texas reservoir environments, had been introduced, and in 1986 stricter length and daily bag limits encouraged catch-and-release fishing. As interest continued to expand, sporting clubs formed, related businesses grew, and bass fishing became one of the most popular sports in Texas as well as a profitable business.