Lake Fork Fishing Report - Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Catfish on the Bite

Good morning from Lake Fork, Texas. This is Artificial Lure with your April 19th fishing report.

We’re sitting at a water temperature of around 63 degrees, with the lake just a quarter foot below pool. That stained spring water has the fish up and moving. Today’s sunrise was at 6:48 am, and sunset will hit at 7:59 pm, which means you’ve got plenty of daylight to put in some serious fishing.

The top story this week is the bass bite. Largemouths are shallow, hanging around spawning flats and secondary points in just 1 to 4 feet of water. Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits are working wonders, especially on those warm, windy banks. If you’re flipping, look to the edge of grass or flooded weeds—beaver-style baits and rage craws have been productive. Don’t overlook a frog on top of matted weeds early or late in the day. And with the topwater bite on, smaller baitfish patterns are also hooking plenty.

Crappie anglers are in for a challenge, as the bite’s been up and down. Some days the fish are shallow, under 5 feet, and other days you’ll find them deeper on timber, bridges, or brush piles. If you locate the school, you’re in for solid action—crappie are biting on swimbaits, minnows, hand-tied jigs, and soft plastics. The spawn is in full swing, so expect to find fish from the shallows to 40 feet, but you’ll need to move around to stay on them.

Bluegill and channel catfish have also pushed shallow. For bluegill, wooly buggers are getting bit, and channel cats are active in 2 to 4 feet, even taking clouser minnows. The morning bite has been most productive for both.

Weather is stable today, light winds from the south and skies partly cloudy. With the water warming and consistent conditions, fish activity should stay strong through the weekend.

Baitwise, your best bets right now are:
- Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits for largemouth bass
- Frogs and small swimbaits for topwater action
- Minnows and hand-tied jigs for crappie
- Worms and small minnows for bluegill and catfish

Hot spots to check out:
- The north end flats up around Little Caney and Glade Creek
- Secondary points along the west arm, especially near the submerged timber and grassy pockets

That’s your Lake Fork update for April 19th. Stay safe on the water, watch for those shallow stumps, and good luck. The fish are there for the taking if you put in the time and move as needed. Tight lines from Artificial Lure—see y’all on the water soon.

References: TPWD Weekly Fishing Reports, April 16, 2025; Lake Fork local guide reports, April 2025.[4][2][1]