Lake Fork is still turning over, and the fishing remains tough (for the most part). The best bite seems to be shallow, and if you can find some submerged vegetation, you will find some fish.

The lake is sitting at 399.36 or 3.64 ft below normal pool. Water temps have been in the mid-80s, but those will continue to fall with the cooler weather and shorter days. With the end of the turnover and the cooler water temps, the fishing will pick up.

Look for shad in the backs of pockets just off of the main lake and in the backs of major creeks as the month progresses. Just about any bait will work when these fish are actively feeding, but some of my favorites are a Santone Get Five spinnerbait, a Chatterbait with 3.5″ Lake Fork Trophy Lures Live Magic Shad, a squarebill crankbait, a lipless crankbait, and a frog.

The McDonald’s Big Bass Splash is coming up September 21-23, so the lake will be jam packed for that. If you don’t have a room yet, I hear that there are a few rooms at some of the hotels in Sulphur Springs. From what I understand, there is nothing available around the lake.

Best of luck to all of those competing in the coming weeks. October looks to be a great month to get out on Lake Fork. It is historically one of my favorite months to fish Lake Fork. If you’re looking for a guide, please give me a shout.