As of December 22, 2024, Lake Fork in Texas is offering some exceptional fishing conditions, even though it's not a tidal lake, so we don't have to worry about tides here.

First off, the weather has been unseasonably warm this fall, with water temperatures ranging from 67 to 72 degrees. The lake is currently about two feet low, but recent fall rains have helped maintain good water levels heading into 2025. Water clarity is fair on the main lake, but it's stained in some of the creeks due to the recent rain.

Sunrise today is at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 5:34 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get out on the water.

This time of year is prime for catching trophy bass. The big fish are congregating on huge schools of shad, bar fish, sandies, crappie, and other edible prey. Most of the bass are located in 18-25 feet of water, so focus on humps, points, road beds, pond dams, and ridges. Good electronics, like the latest Garmin units, are crucial for locating these schools and differentiating between species.

Yesterday, anglers reported catching several largemouth bass, some of which were real giants. The fish are gorging themselves on anything edible, so it's not uncommon to catch a big fish with a mouth full already. White bass and channel catfish were also caught in decent numbers.

For lures, stick to deep-diving crankbaits, jigs, and A-rigs that can reach those deeper waters. Soft plastics like curly tail grubs and plastic worms are also effective. Live bait such as shad, crappie, and even large minnows can be very enticing to these hungry bass.

Some hot spots to check out include the main lake points, especially those with some standing timber, and the rounded clay points that can push shad up during their spawn. The area near the dam and the creek channels are also worth exploring.

Overall, now through the end of the year is a great time to catch a giant bass at Lake Fork, so make sure to get out there and take advantage of these excellent fishing conditions.