Fishing Report for Lake Sam Rayburn: Bass, Crappie, and Catfish Biting Amidst Rising Levels

As of January 16, 2025, here’s the latest fishing report for Lake Sam Rayburn in Texas. First off, the water level is slightly below pool, about 0.32 feet down, and the water temperature is around 60 degrees. The clarity is a bit muddy in the creeks and upriver, but the main lake is clearer. With recent rains, the lake level has been rising, which is bringing bass into shallower waters. Sunrise today is at about 7:15 AM, and sunset will be around 5:30 PM. There’s no significant tidal activity to worry about on Lake Sam Rayburn, as it’s a freshwater reservoir. Bass fishing has been fair, with bass moving shallow into the bushes and grassy areas. When you find grass, especially on the south end of the lake, you can expect to catch some bass using crankbaits and swim jigs. Crappie and white bass are also active, moving upriver and can be caught using small white jigs on a split shot rig and minnows. Catfish are doing well in 15-26 feet of water on cut bait and minnows. Yesterday, anglers reported catching several largemouth bass in the 3-5 pound range, along with some crappie and catfish. The best lures to use right now include crankbaits, swim jigs, and small swimbaits for bass. For crappie, small white jigs and minnows are working well. If you’re looking for hot spots, try the areas around submerged aquatic vegetation, particularly the grassy edges and flats in the lower part of the reservoir. Brush piles and creek channels in the upper third of the lake are also productive. The south end of the lake, where you can find grass, is a good spot to target bass. Overall, it’s a good time to be out on Lake Sam Rayburn, with plenty of fish activity and various species to target. Just be prepared for the slightly muddy conditions in the creeks and upriver areas. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.