The October 2018 Fishing Report for Lake O’ the Pines, Texas is compiled from my personal fishing trips on the lake, as well as conversations with other Crappie and Bass fisherman on the lake.
Crappie Fishing Report
The Crappie bite is good and getting better. The water temperature has been in the mid 80’s but, thanks
to some colder weather, it has dropped into the mid 70’s driving Crappie from the deeper water to the Crappie Structure and brush piles. The fish are congregating on brush piles in 11 to 15 feet of water and are aggressively hitting both minnows and jigs. I am a jig fisherman and have been getting good results on Chartreuse yellow Roadrunner Jig Heads and Bonehead Tackle’s White Brush Glider dipped in Spike it Garlic scent. I have also caught a good number of fish on Shineee Hineee. This trend should continue until the water temperature drops into the mid 50’s at which time they will head to the deep water between Johnson creek and the Damn. See the latest Video here.
Bass Fishing Report
Bass fishing has improved with the cooler water temperatures as well. With plenty of bait fish balls in the lake it is easy to find bass. Generally in the evening you can find bass running bait fish in 6 to 2 feet of water where there are numerous bait balls. Bass are hitting some top water lures and bladed jigs as well as buzz baits. Some fisherman I talked to are still catching bass on points and rock outcroppings on plastic works and flukes. I have seen a lot of fish hitting the top around the Crappie structure on the lake. I caught a big bass on a crappie jig on the structure just last week. Bass fishing should continue to be fair to good in the near future.
Catfish Fishing Report
Catfish are still biting well on the Lake. They are fattening up before cold weather sets in and can be caught around docks and rock outcropping in the evening. They are biting on dough bait and worms. Fish are fair on trotlines baited with cut shad.
Lake Conditions
Water Temperature, 74 to 79 degrees. I was fishing on October 10th and the water temperature was 81.5 on the surface on Johnson Creek. We just got a cold rain today, October 15th, and I have not checked the temperature, but I suspect it is 72 to 74 degrees and dropping
Water Clarity, The lake is clear due to the influx of rain.It may be muddy near creek inflows, but overall the clarity is good.
Water Level, The current water level on Lake O’ the Pines is 227.17. 226.25 is normal Summer pool elevation. It is 1.3 feet below Summer Normal elevation. The Corps of Engineers is releasing 26 cfs.
This Lake O the Pines Fishing Report is done as a courtesy.
Useful Information
Place to Stay on Lake O’ the Pines, Texas
Boat Rental on Lake O’ the Pines
Lake O’ the Pines Public Access Information
Park and Boat Ramp information
Zebra Mussel Alert Information