As of January 3, 2025, the fishing conditions at Lake Fork, Texas, are quite promising despite the recent changes in water levels and temperatures.
First, let's address the water conditions. The lake level is on the rise following recent rains, but it's still about 1.78 feet below pool. The water temperature is around 54 degrees, and the water clarity is stained[1].
For those familiar with tidal influences, it's important to note that Lake Fork is a freshwater lake and does not have tides. However, the general weather and time of day can affect fish activity. Today, sunrise is at 7:08 AM and sunset at 5:41 PM.
Fish activity has been good, especially for crappie, which are thriving as the surface temperatures drop. Crappie can be found in abundance on timber, brush, and bridges in depths ranging from 18 to 58 feet. If you locate areas with plenty of shad, you're likely to find crappie nearby. The jig bite has been particularly effective, with small hand-tied jigs and soft plastics getting a lot of bites. Minnows are also a reliable choice for crappie[1].
For largemouth bass, the best areas to target include creek channels, ditches, and around big wood or lay downs on the edges in 3-8 feet. Texas rigs and jigs are working well in these areas, and suspending jerkbaits are also producing results. Offshore, look for bass on road beds and high spots in 15-22 feet using Carolina rigs and spoons[1].
Some hot spots to consider include the main lake points, especially those near creek channels. These points, even if they appear plain with just some standing timber, can be excellent during the shad spawn as bass push shad up against these areas[4].
In summary, Lake Fork is offering some great fishing opportunities right now. Focus on crappie in deeper structures with jigs and minnows, and for bass, target the creek channels and offshore high spots with the appropriate rigs and lures. With the rising water levels and dropping temperatures, the fish are active and ready to be caught.