Happy New Year from Lake Fork everyone! It’s hard to believe that another year is already beginning. This year will make 21 years of guiding full time on Lake Fork for me. I’m excited to see what it has in store and am definitely looking forward to another year of some great fishing with my many great customers. With Lake Fork in great shape as we start the year, it’s going to be a fun one. I hope that you can make it out to the lake for some fun, fishing, and relaxation!
Lake Fork is in great shape right now despite low water conditions. We are currently sitting at 400.18 which is close to 3 feet low. If we have normal precipitation amounts this spring though, we could find ourselves with an overflow of water. The water conditions are great with fairly clear water 2-3 ft in most areas except the backs of some of the creeks and windblown areas. The water temperatures have been in the 50–55-degree range, which is normal for this time of year, after an unseasonably warm fall and winter. Occasionally if we get a serious cold front, you could see the water temps dip into the 40’s but none so far. I’m excited to see a lot of the grass that is rebounding and continue to hold on through winter. I think if the temperatures remain mild, we will see a lot of new grass in a lot of different areas this spring. Fresh and healthy vegetation is always fun to fish in!
The best pattern for me in January is always in the shallow to mid-depth regions. I like to target main lake areas or secondary points at the mouth of any of the major creeks. A lot of fish hold out in these areas until the water temperatures rise in the spring and the backs of the creeks are conducive for spawning. I start off shallow in the 2-8 ft range and fish reaction baits like a red/orange lipless crank bait. If you can reel it past, rip it off the grass, bang it off a tree, etc.… These fish will react to it and bite it. Other great choices for reaction baits are a ½ oz Santone Lures spinner bait with a single Colorado blade in chart/white or black/chart. I also use a ½ oz chatter bait like the Berkley Slobberknocker a lot this time of year in white or chartreuse/white. Covering water and making lots of casts at cover along the bank will pay off. Remember to hit everything at different casting angles to ensure that you are covering the areas thoroughly. If you catch a few fish in a certain stretch of bank, be sure and back track and make multiple passes through that area. There is always a key feature holding fish in these areas. Sometimes it’s a depth change like a ditch or drain, bottom change from rock, to sand, or vegetation that is causing the fish to hold there. If the fishing gets tough up shallow I like to back off a little deeper and throw a little heavier lipless bait like a ¾ oz model. I will also break out the suspending jerk bait like a Berkley Stunna on an Abu Garcia Zenon rod with the new Zenon MGX reel so that I can cast it long distances. The jerk bait can really save the day especially when it’s cold and the sun is up high under calm wind conditions. I like to throw gold, shad fillet, stunna shad, and Pro blue. I like to use a smaller line on these like 12 lb Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon if I can get away with it. Otherwise, if I am in heavy cover I opt for 15 lb. Sometimes I opt for the Jr. size in a +1 if I am Livescoping them. I will also pull out to the creek channel edges this time of year and flip timber. The depths I target are 8-16 ft. With the low water conditions, you can really read the water and tell exactly where the creeks run through the middle of the areas you are fishing. I will take a Santone Lures 3/8 oz or 1/2 oz Rattlin jig and pitch at every tree along the channel edges. Pay attention to the direction the wind is blowing, as the fish will position themselves a certain way on the timber according to wind direction and channel drops. I like to focus on areas where the creeks make a bend and especially if it makes a bend near a point or any other bottom structure. My favorite jig colors in January are black/blue, black /blue/purple, JC’s Spicy Craw, or Fouzman. I will trail my jig with a Berkley Power bait Chigger Craw or the Pit Boss in matching colors. The big female bass on Lake Fork can’t resist this jig combination!
Look for the deep bite out there too as there are lots of fish still roaming around out in the depths. I will look at main lake structure on my Garmin Echomap 16 or the 18” I SEE U electronics monitor. If you haven’t seen these new screens, you’ll want to check them out. Not just for scoping, but also for the built-in android technology, which provides an endless amount of information from Google Maps or text messages, to watching the ball game or news on your screen. You can view anything on your monitor that you can view on your phone. They are truly amazing units! I also have Garmin Livescope of course and they can’t hide from these state-of-the-art electronics. I will look for schools around bait in 18-25 ft. Sometimes the bass are suspended but you can catch them on big flutter spoons or a small slab spoon. Tail kickers are also very productive as well as drop shots with a finesse worm. I like to use watermelon red, chart pepper, and red shad colors during the winter. I am also catching a number of fish on the Hog Farmer umbrella rig tipped with Santone Rig Heads, jig head minnows, and Berkley swimbaits. It’s not easy to cast so having the right equipment is important. Once you start catching fish on them, it’s a ton of fun!
Well, I hope this helps anyone that’s coming out for the new year’s fishing season to chase some big bass around. If you would like to fish with me this year, I still have some dates available. My 2026 schedule is filling fast though so contact me as soon as possible if you are beginning to plan your trip. I also have gift certificates available for those of you that are interested in purchasing a friend or loved one a guided trip on Lake Fork. You can contact me to make your reservation at 903-736-9888 or send me an email at la****************@***oo.com You can also visit my website for more information about Lake Fork and my guide service at www.officiallakeforktrophybass.com You can find me on Facebook and follow my official Lake Fork Trophy Bass Guide page at https://www.facebook.com/lakeforktrophybassguide
I have really enjoyed my Bass Cat boats the past few years and have been thrilled with my 4th new Puma STS this past year. I am expecting the all new 2026 Lynx model any day now to start getting it ready for this season. I couldn’t be happier to be serving my customers on Lake Fork as part of the Bass Cat Team and am looking forward to providing more great trips this year out of my new boat! If you’re interested in checking out any of the Bass Cat models, be sure to reach out to Conroy Motorsports in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. They are the new Bass Cat dealer in Texas, and just a short distance from Lake Fork. They will be serving the area well with their team of sales professionals and service for Bass Cat Boats any of your service needs if you are around Lake Fork. They also carry ATV’s and other outdoor power equipment for all your recreational needs! Contact Steven Stroman and tell him I sent ya.
I would like to thank all my sponsors for 2025 and some new ones that have teamed up with me for the 2026 season. I appreciate all their support as I serve all my great guide clients throughout the year on Lake Fork as well! Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Cat Boats, Mercury, Conroy Motor Sports, I Am Second, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Garmin, Santone Lures, AFTCO, Costa Sunglasses, Power Pole, I SEE U, Elite Tungsten, Johnson Communications, Pro Guide Batteries, DD26 Fishing, Bass Boat Technologies, BDS Suspension, and Method Wheels.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. -Proverbs 3:6
Tight Lines & God Bless,
James Caldemeyer
The post Lake Fork Fishing Report January 2026 appeared first on Lake Fork Bass Fishing Guide.