Late Summer Sizzle on Lake Fork: Bass, Crappie and Catfish Bite is On Fire

Good morning fish heads! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Fork, Texas fishing report for Friday, August 29th, 2025.

We’re rolling into one of those sticky late summer mornings—already feeling that muggy blanket at the ramp, with temps climbing into the upper 70s at dawn and topping out near 100 by mid-afternoon. Winds are swinging out of the south at about 10 to 15 mph, which gives just enough chop for those topwater shenanigans. Today’s sunrise popped at 6:53 a.m., and you can pack it in around 7:53 p.m. if you’re determined to squeeze every cast out of the light.

Now, tidal action is a non-factor here on Fork, but if you’re bouncing over to Port Aransas or considering some coastal play, NOAA called for a low tide early, rising to a 0.99-foot high around 1:35 p.m.

Here on home waters, the **bass bite is on fire in classic late summer fashion**. Recent catches have been plentiful, with solid numbers of largemouth in the 3- to 8-pound range stretched across the shallow grass and deeper timber. Guides and locals report that topwaters like **walking baits and buzzbaits** are drawing big pops early around hydrilla and along main-lake points. Once the sun gets up, tongue-wag out your favorite **deep-diving crankbaits, Carolina rigs with watermelon or green pumpkin plastics, and don’t overlook a classic Texas-rigged worm** dragged through the timber or off secondary points.

And speaking of plastics, wacky rigs and shaky heads are sticking some fish on the edges of the creek channels, especially up Little Caney and Birch Creek arms. Midday, if you’re marking bait, a drop shot in 15 to 25 feet or even a flutter spoon jigged over humps is putting a few kickers in the livewell.

**Crappie** are holding true to form for August: best catches have been coming off the deeper brush piles in 18 to 24 feet, especially close to the dam and around the Hwy 515 bridge. Minnows just off bottom are the trick, though a small chartreuse jig tight-lined will get you plenty. A YouTube video from earlier this month, Hot August Crappie in East Texas, showed limits dropping quick on brush—key being stay tight to the timber and mind that thermocline.

**Catfish** are cruising the main lake flats and creek mouths. Folks soaking cut shad or punch bait on the bottom in 10 to 20 feet have been hauling in good messes of channels and blues. Nighttime is even better if you can stand the heat and mosquitos.

If you want specifics, a local guide this week shared that “the bite is best from sun-up to about nine, then again near dusk. Fish are schooled on main lake points and classic summer structure.” Most productive waters have stayed in the 6-to-18-foot range, depending on cloud cover and bait position.

If you’re looking for **hot spots**, put in some time at:
- **SRA Point and Little Caney Creek** (work topwater early, plastics later)
- **Hwy 515 West Bridge** and the **old 154 bridge pilings** for crappie and deep bass
- **Wolf Creek** for evening schooling activity

In other news, white bass are popping up here and there chasing shad schools. If you see birds working or surface commotion mid-day, throw a small slab spoon and have some fun.

That about covers it for this scorcher of a Friday. Time your outings for early and late and don’t forget a gallon of water and a hat you can trust.

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