As of October 12, 2024, Lake Fork in Texas is offering some exceptional fishing opportunities, especially with the fall season in full swing.
### Weather and Water Conditions
The water temperature is ranging from the mid to upper 70s, occasionally reaching the low 80s on warmer days. The lake level is currently at 401.10 feet, almost 2 feet below the full pool elevation of 403 feet. Water clarity is good in the mid-lake to south areas, although the north areas are stained due to the ongoing fall turnover.
### Sunrise and Sunset
Today, sunrise is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 6:45 PM.
### Fish Activity
The bass fishing is aggressive, particularly in the early morning with topwater lures like Berkley Bullet Pop, J-Walker, or Berkley Choppo being highly effective around points and grassy areas. As the day progresses, switching to a Berkley Square Bull crankbait in timber or a Texas-rigged Berkley Powerworm around standing timber and boat docks can yield good results. For those targeting bigger fish, deep-water spots such as humps, points, roadbeds, and pond dams in 14-22 feet of water are promising, using a Carolina rig or deep diving crankbaits.
Crappie fishing is excellent, with fish found in a wide range of depths from 12 to 40 feet. Timber, brush piles, and underwater road beds are holding decent numbers of both white and black crappie. Minnows and small hand-tied jigs are working well, and the bite is expected to improve as the water cools down.
Catfish are also very active, particularly around timber along creek channels in 18-28 feet of water. They are following bait migrations and can be caught using any prepared bait, with cattle cubes or sour grain helping to attract and hold more fish.
### Hot Spots
- The upper east and west arms of the lake are good for early morning topwater action and shallow fishing.
- Areas around standing timber, boat docks, and brush piles are excellent for crappie and bass.
- Creek channels and roadbeds in deeper water are ideal for targeting larger bass and catfish.
### Bait and Lures
For bass, topwater lures like Berkley Bullet Pop and J-Walker, along with crankbaits like Berkley Square Bull, are effective. Texas-rigged Berkley Powerworms and bladed jigs like the Berkley SlobberKnocker are also good choices.
For crappie, minnows and small hand-tied jigs are recommended.
For catfish, prepared baits such as shad, liver, or smelly baits like cattle cubes and sour grain are highly effective.
Overall, Lake Fork is in great shape for fishing, with plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of species. Enjoy your time on the water