As of January 18, 2025, the fishing scene at Lake Fork, Texas, is quite promising despite the chilly winter conditions.

First, let's talk about the water conditions. The lake is currently at 1.66 feet below pool, with water temperatures around 47 degrees, and the water is stained. This cooler water temperature has the bass and crappie moving into deeper areas.

For bass, the best spots are around the main lake humps and ledges in 15-25 feet of water. You can also find them in 3-5 feet of water in timber or grass. Chatterbaits, square bill crankbaits, and flukes are working well in these areas. Around docks in 5-10 feet of water, Texas rigs and shaky heads are effective. Carolina rigs on roadbeds and high spots in 14-17 feet are also producing some bites[1].

Crappie fishing is excellent, with lots of fish found on timber, brush, and bridges in 18-58 feet. Areas with plenty of shad are likely to have crappie nearby. Small hand-tied jigs and soft plastics are doing extremely well, and minnows remain a reliable choice[1].

While Lake Fork is a freshwater lake and does not have tides, the general weather and daylight hours are important. Today, sunrise is at 7:08 AM and sunset is at 5:53 PM.

In terms of hot spots, one of the best areas is around the main lake points, especially those with some standing timber. These points can be particularly good during the shad spawn when bass push shad up against these areas. Another good spot is near the creek channels, where fish often migrate towards deeper water[4].

Overall, the cold front has not significantly impacted the bite yet, but it's worth noting that historically, a strong cold front can shut off the bite when water temperatures drop to 43 degrees or lower[1].

So, grab your gear, bundle up, and head out to Lake Fork for what promises to be a productive day of fishing.