Trout Stocked for Thanksgiving, Bass Crushing Crankbaits on Lake Fork

Artificial Lure here, bringing you the latest from legendary Lake Fork, Texas, on this brisk Wednesday, November 26, 2025. We’ve just kicked off the holiday trout stocking, and it’s a classic North Texas late-fall morning — cool air, big skies, and anticipation running high on the water. The weather at sunrise featured low 40s and light northeast winds, with high temps expected to touch the mid-50s by afternoon. A scattered cloud deck should keep bass active longer, especially around wood and shallow grass. Anglers started early, with sunrise at 7:00 a.m. and sunset coming at 5:20 p.m. Solunar tables from FishingReminder say today’s major feeding times are right at sunrise, 5:15 to 7:15 a.m., and again from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., lining up perfectly with low light and peak activity — always your best bet for trophy bites in fall. Let’s talk action: Lake Fork is coughing up some beauties as water continues to cool. Largemouths are packing on weight, with several in the 6- to 9-pound range reported this week both in the creeks and off mid-depth timber, per local guide chatter and fishing forums. Hybrids and crappie are both making a strong fall showing. In fact, TPWD’s records still show Lake Fork remains the home of monsters — think double-digit bass are a thing of the past? Just ask the pros who landed several over seven pounds a week ago, including a 7-14 giant by Alton Jones Jr. on November 14, as mentioned in Major League Fishing’s recent updates. Right now, the hot baits are very much in line with the seasonal transition. According to recent Bass Pro Tour coverage, pros are whacking big bass on red or craw-pattern flat-sided crankbaits, white and chartreuse spinnerbaits with Colorado blades, and suspending jerkbaits: Rapala Shadow Rap Deep and Berkley Stunna 112 in bone white are pulling hawgs, especially around timber in 8 to 15 feet. For a slow bite, try a black-and-blue or green pumpkin jig near stumps down in the 6- to 10-foot drains. Crappie have moved deeper and are stacking up near bridges and brush in 18 to 22 feet — live minnows and small chartreuse jigs are putting slabs in the livewell. Catfish? Blues are being caught drifting cut shad in open water, while channel cats can be picked up around the dam and creeks on punch bait. The big news for the week: Rainbow trout stocking for winter started today across Texas, including nearby managed ponds and some smaller lakes per Texas Parks and Wildlife, with easy fishing on light tackle, nightcrawlers, corn, and small in-line spinners. Anyone looking for a change of pace should try one of TPWD’s “Neighborhood Fishin’” ponds within a short drive. Top spots to try your luck today: - **Little Mustang Creek:** This arm continues to produce strong numbers of 3- to 7-pound bass, especially early, with fish roaming shallow flats and around isolated timber. - **SRA Point and the mouth of Williams Creek:** Both have been consistent for big crankbait and spinnerbait strikes, and crappie are thi This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.