Howdy, y'all! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Fork fishing report for this fine Monday morning, May 26th, 2025.
The water temps have bumped up to around 75-77 degrees with the recent heat we've been having, and the lake's sitting about a third of a foot above pool level. Water's still showing that stained clarity we've been seeing all month.
Let me tell you what, them bass are on a tear right now! The post-spawn pattern is in full swing, and these hungry largemouth are attacking topwater baits something fierce in the early mornings. Get yourself on the water before the sun gets too high, and throw them diesel chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, and KVD sexy dawgs on points where you spot shad spawning activity. Them bass are just tearing 'em up!
Once the sun climbs a bit, you'll want to target grass and pond weed with frogs in 1-4 feet of water. Been seeing folks have good success with that pattern all month long. For mid-day fishing, them mid-running crankbaits in the 2.5-3.5 inch range are working mighty fine on points in 5-7 feet. When the bite slows, switch to Carolina rigs offshore on points and high spots in the 12-16 foot range.
The crappie fishing is just plain outstanding right now. We got a tremendous population of black crappie stacked up on all kinds of structure in 12-28 feet. White crappie are also loading up on certain trees. Folks are bringing in limits without breaking a sweat.
For you fly fishing enthusiasts, them small clousers are producing well for crappie. The big bream have moved shallow, and wooly buggers are catching good fish. Channel cats are cruising in 2-4 feet and hitting clousers too.
Hot spots this week include the 515 bridge area for early morning topwater action, Birch Creek for them frog patterns in vegetation, and the main lake points around Penson Island for Carolina rigs. The timber around the 154 bridge has been holding some monster crappie.
Y'all get out there early to beat this late May heat. The bite's been best from first light until about 10 AM, then picking back up in the evening from about 6 PM until dark. Don't forget your sunscreen and plenty of water!
This is Artificial Lure signing off – tight lines and God bless, friends!