Fishing Lake Sam Rayburn: Weather, Levels, and Top Spots for Bass, Crappie, and Catfish

If you're planning to hit Lake Sam Rayburn today, here's what you need to know. First off, the weather is looking partly sunny with a high of 89 degrees and a low of 71 tonight, so make sure to pack your sunscreen and a light jacket for the evening.

The lake level is currently slightly stained and 1.24 feet below pool, with the water temperature at a comfortable 80 degrees. Sunrise is at about 7:30 AM, and sunset will be around 6:45 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to catch some big ones.

Bass fishing is consistent, with these fish schooling more in the morning, especially around grass edges and points. Expect some topwater action early in the day using lures like frogs, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits. As the day progresses, shallow bass can be found around shoreline brush, hay grass, high spots, and creek channel swings. For deeper bass, try using Texas rigs, wacky rigs, shallow water crankbaits, or deep diving crankbaits around main lake ledges in 17-22 feet and main lake drains in 10-17 feet.

Crappie are fair on standing timber in about 27 feet of water, with minnows and jigs being the best baits. Blue and channel catfish are also active in 24-27 feet of water and in the river bends, where cut bait and minnows are working well.

For hot spots, focus on the areas around main lake ledges, main lake drains, and secondary points where schooling bass are chasing bait balls. The mouth of creeks and offshore flats are also prime spots, especially early in the morning.

Given the current conditions, using jig head minnows and forward-facing sonar can help you locate suspended bass. When they're schooling on the bottom, a Carolina rig or a dropshot can be very effective.

So, grab your gear and head out to Lake Sam Rayburn – it's shaping up to be a great day for fishing.