Hey there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene at Lake Fork, Texas, as of February 9, 2025.
First off, let's talk about the conditions. The water temperature is sitting at about 49 degrees, and the water is stained, which is pretty typical for this time of year. The lake is currently 0.40 feet below pool, so keep that in mind when navigating those underwater structures.
Sunrise today is at around 6:57 AM, and sunset will be at about 5:53 PM, giving us a good window to get out there and catch some fish. There's no tidal report to worry about since Lake Fork is a freshwater lake, but the recent warm and sunny days are starting to kick off the pre-spawn bite for larger male bass.
For bass fishing, you're looking at a couple of different scenarios. There are still some shallow fish hanging around in 3-5 feet of water around channels and ditches, where chatterbaits and square bill crankbaits are doing the trick. However, the real action is offshore around road beds, jumps, and long points in 18-23 feet of water, where Alabama rigs are proving to be very effective. If you're targeting bigger wood near channels in 5-10 feet, Viper XP jigs and Texas rigs are your best bet.
As we move into the pre-spawn phase, focus on creek bends and drop-offs with flooded trees. Slow-retrieved fish patterns on rocky banks on sunny days can be particularly productive. With the warm forecast for the rest of February, we might start seeing these larger male bass move into shallower waters around 5-8 feet.
Crappie fishing is also picking up after the recent cold snap. The crappie are still scattered, so you'll need to cover some water to find them, but once you do, they're hungry and ready to bite. Artificial baits seem to be outperforming live bait right now, likely because they sit still in the water, which is what the crappie are looking for given the cold water temperatures. Look for crappie in water deeper than 20 feet, around timber, brush, bridges, and even roaming in open water chasing shad.
For hot spots, I recommend checking out the areas around Squaw Creek and the main lake points. These areas have a mix of underwater structures like road beds and timber that attract both bass and crappie. Another good spot is around the creek bends and drop-offs, especially where there are flooded trees.
In terms of lures, for bass, stick with those Alabama rigs, chatterbaits, and square bill crankbaits. For crappie, artificial baits that sit still in the water are your best bet. Remember, the key right now is to not move your bait too much, as the fish are targeting barely moving shad.
So, grab your gear, and let's get out there and make the most of these improving conditions. Tight lines, everyone