If you're planning to hit Lake Sam Rayburn today, here’s what you need to know. As of November 14, 2024, the lake is slightly stained with a water temperature of 72 degrees and is currently 2.43 feet below pool level.

### Weather and Tidal Report
The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of 80 degrees and a low of 68 degrees. There's a slight chance of rain showers, so be prepared. Sunrise is at around 6:45 AM, and sunset will be at about 5:15 PM. Since Lake Sam Rayburn is a freshwater lake, there are no tidal changes to worry about.

### Fish Activity
The fishing has been good, especially for bass. Shallow bass are actively feeding on the abundant shad in the shallow waters. You can catch these bass using spinnerbaits, topwater frogs, Texas rigs, wacky rigs, and shallow water crankbaits. They are centered around shoreline brush, hay grass, high spots, shallow ditches, and creek channel swings. There is also a large population of schooling bass chasing bait balls around main lake ledges in 17-22 feet, main lake drains in 10-17 feet, and main lake and secondary points.

Crappie are transitioning from main lake brush to creek channels. You can find them on brush piles in 15-27 feet of water using minnows over jigs. Blue and channel catfish are fair in 24-27 feet of water and in the river bends on cut bait and minnows.

### Best Lures and Bait
For bass, use spinnerbaits, topwater frogs, chatterbaits, swimbaits, and Carolina rigs. Crappie are biting well on minnows over jigs in the creek channels. For catfish, cut bait and minnows are your best bet.

### Hot Spots
Focus on the shoreline brush and hay grass areas, especially early in the morning when bass are chasing bait. The creek channel swings and high spots are also productive. For crappie, target the brush piles in the creek channels. The river bends are good spots for catfish.

Overall, Lake Sam Rayburn is offering some excellent fishing opportunities right now, so make sure to take advantage of the active fish and favorable conditions.