Artificial Lure here, bringing you the Lake Fork fishing report for Friday, August 15, 2025.

We woke to a muggy East Texas dawn, with sunrise at 6:39 AM and sunset lining up for 8:11 PM tonight. Storms rumbled through a couple days back, but today we’re blessed with those legendary summer clouds keeping the sun in check—jigging_jake shared that overcast days like this mean big bass get lively, which is holding true this morning.

Lake Fork was just rated the third best bass fishing lake in the U.S., and local anglers are proving why. Recent days saw plenty of action: folks at Big Bass RV Park and the Oak Ridge area reporting solid catches of largemouth bass, many pushing the 5 to 8 pound mark, with a couple bruisers tipping double digits. School bass are active early around points and submerged roadbeds; even the bank bite’s been good, with smallmouth and spotted bass showing up in the mix, particularly along shady stretches and stump fields.

Water temps are at their typical August highs, nudging 84 to 87°F, so focus on early morning and late evening for your best shot. Texas Insider Fishing Report highlighted the dam area, Little Caney, and the timber lines off Dale Creek as hot spots this week, with plenty of bites tightening up around there.

You’ll want to keep your lure selection versatile today:
- **Texas rigs** with 7-10" plum or watermelon-colored worms have been putting numbers in the boat, especially near shallower brush early.
- After sun-up, try **deep crankbaits** or **Carolina rigs** along creek channels. Chartreuse and blue have outpaced other colors in the deeper water.
- For active fish around timber, go old school—**Booyah Pond Magic spinnerbaits** are working, especially paired with slow retrieves in the shade (check out Outdoor Joe’s TikTok tip from yesterday).
- Locals are tossing **topwater frogs** early near lily pads and getting explosive strikes.
- If chasing big ones in the grass, jigging black/blue or green pumpkin has been the ticket.
- For panfish, minnows and small jigs near bridge pilings have filled stringers with good-sized crappie.

The bite is classic Lake Fork: heavy and rewarding if you stay patient and grind through the midsummer lull. Catfish have been steady, especially at night; cut bait or chicken livers are leading to solid hauls near the 515 West bridge and Ray Branch.

Looking for hot spots?
- **Little Caney Creek**: Early bass school along channel bends and hydrilla patches.
- **Dale Creek timber line**: Deep-water brush piles are loaded, especially at sunrise.
- **Oak Ridge Marina cove**: Good bank bite, especially for first-timers and kids.
- **Dam area**: Consistent action for bigger fish for those who can work crankbaits deep and slow right at dawn.

Whether you’re casting from a boat or bank-fishing, adapt to the conditions, and fish with confidence. Don't forget to hydrate—East Texas humidity sneaks up on you.

Thanks as always for tuning in to the Lake Fork fishing report—subscribe for more tips and up-to-the-minute details every week. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.

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