Lake guides

Where the fish are, season by season, and how to read the water. For today's numbers see the daily lake reports.

How-to guides

Best Texas bass lakes compared: size, depth and speciesA side-by-side comparison of ten of the top Texas bass lakes - size, depth, species, and standout structure - to help you pick where to fish next.
Best time to fish: sun, moon and wind explainedWhy sunrise, sunset, moon position and wind direction shift the bite, how fronts and pressure change fish behavior, and how LakeScope's bite times work.
Blue-green algae: how to tell if a lake is safeHow to spot harmful algae blooms, why dogs and kids are most at risk, and the simple rule to follow: when in doubt, stay out and check state advisories.
Fall turnover: what it is and how to fish through itWhat causes fall turnover on lakes, the signs to watch for, why the bite gets tough, and how to adjust your approach before, during and after it happens.
How to read a lake depth map: points, humps and channelsA plain guide to reading a lake depth map: contour spacing, points and drop-offs, humps, old river channels, and LakeScope's 3-D lake bed to find them fast.
Ice fishing safety: how thick does ice need to be?A plain guide to safe ice thickness for walking, ATVs, cars and trucks, plus clear vs. white ice, pressure ridges, inlets and the gear to carry on the ice.
Low water on a reservoir: where the fish actually goWhere fish actually move when a reservoir drops, which structure gets exposed, what happens to boat ramps, and how to use low water to scout for later.
Water temperature and where bass are, season by seasonHow water temperature tells you where bass and other fish are holding through the year, with a simple temperature-band table you can use on any lake.
Why you should fish the windy bank, not avoid itWhy wind-blown banks hold more active fish, how to read wind direction on a lake, and how to stay safe fishing wind and waves in a small boat.
Winter crappie fishing: depth, brush and slow presentationsHow to find crappie in cold reservoirs this winter - the depths they hold, the brush and bridges to check, and why slowing down matters most.