Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene at Lake Fork, Texas, for today, February 15, 2025.
First off, let's talk about the weather. According to the forecast, today is looking like it'll be a bit wet, with moderate rain expected and temperatures ranging from 47°F to 63°F. The wind will be coming out of the SSW at about 18 mph, so make sure to dress accordingly and secure your gear.
Now, let's dive into the fishing conditions. The water level is currently 0.28 feet below pool, and the water is stained, which can be a bit challenging but also presents some opportunities. The water temperature is around 57 degrees, which is starting to get into that pre-spawn range for largemouth bass.
Recently, the largemouth bass have been quite active, especially with the warmer sunny days we've been having. You can expect to find them in the 5-8 feet range, particularly around creek bends, drop-offs, and areas with flooded trees. For these bass, Alabama rigs are doing well offshore around road beds and long points in 18-23 feet. If you're targeting shallower fish, chatterbaits and square bill crankbaits are your best bets in the 3-5 feet range around channels and ditches. Viper XP jigs and Texas rigs are also fair on big wood near channels in 5-10 feet.
Crappie fishing is also picking up after the recent cold snap. These fish are still scattered, so you'll need to cover some water to find them. They're mostly in water deeper than 20 feet, and you can find them on timber, brush, bridges, and even roaming in open water chasing shad. Artificial baits seem to be outperforming live bait right now because they sit still in the water, which is important since the shad they're eating are barely moving due to the cold water temperatures.
For other species, hybrid striped bass and white bass are active, often found chasing schools of baitfish anywhere from the surface to deeper river channels. Catfish, including blue, channel, and flathead, are also present and can be caught year-round.
Here are a couple of hot spots to consider today:
1. **Creek Bends and Drop-offs**: These areas are prime for largemouth bass, especially with the pre-spawn activity kicking in. Look for flooded trees and use slow-retrieved fish patterns on rocky banks.
2. **Road Beds and Long Points**: For offshore fishing, these spots are great for using Alabama rigs in 18-23 feet of water.
In terms of lures, here are some recommendations:
- Alabama rigs for offshore bass
- Chatterbaits and square bill crankbaits for shallower bass
- Viper XP jigs and Texas rigs for bass near big wood
- Artificial baits for crappie, as they seem to be more effective than live bait right now
Sunrise today is at about 6:53 AM, and sunset will be around 6:04 PM, so you've got a good window to get out there and catch some fish.
Remember to always follow local regulations and practice catch-and-release to help maintain the health of our fish populations. And don't forget to drain your boat and onboard receptacles to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
Good luck out there, and tight lines
