As of November 17, 2024, Lake Fork in Texas is offering some excellent fishing opportunities, despite the transitional season.
### Weather and Water Conditions
The water temperature is around 81 degrees, and the lake is slightly stained with a water level 2.22 feet below pool. The weather is mild, making it ideal for a day on the water.
### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise today is at about 6:53 AM, and sunset will be around 5:13 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to fish.
### Fish Activity
Bass fishing is good, particularly in the early morning and mid-morning hours. You can expect to catch bass in shallow waters using topwaters and small spinnerbaits. Long 1.5-inch squarebill crankbaits and lipless crankbaits are effective on flats in 3-5 feet of water. Shaky Heads around docks and shallow ridges in 5-7 feet are also producing good results. For those targeting deeper waters, Carolina rigs on long points and ridges in 5-10 feet are a good choice[4][5].
Crappie fishing is phenomenal, with fish found in depths ranging from 14 to 58 feet. They are often grouped around timber, pole timber, and Bois D'Arc trees, as well as near bridges. Minnows are the best bait, but jigs also work well[4][5].
Catfish are abundant, especially around timber in the 20-25 feet range. Using cattle cubes or sour grain can yield catches within 30 minutes[4][5].
### Best Lures and Bait
For bass, topwater baits like the Berkley Bullet Pop and walking styles such as the Berkley J Walker are highly effective. Squarebill crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, and spinnerbaits in shad patterns or white and white/chartreuse combinations are also good choices. A Texas-rigged worm with an Elite Tungsten weight and a Berkley Powerbait power worm in colors like blue fleck, cherry seed, or black and blue is another reliable option[1].
For crappie, minnows and jigs are the go-to baits. For catfish, prepared baits like cattle cubes or sour grain are very effective.
### Hot Spots
- Main lake points, pockets, and coves at the mouth to mid-way back in the creeks are great spots for bass.
- Timber areas, pole timber, and Bois D'Arc trees are hot spots for crappie.
- Areas around bridges where crappie tend to migrate are also worth targeting.
- For catfish, focus on the 20-25 feet range around timber.
Overall, Lake Fork is in great shape for fishing right now, with plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of species. Make sure to follow local regulations and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.