Pineywoods Fishing Report — Week of July 23, 2025

Information provided by Texas Parks & Wildlife

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) released their latest weekly report, and here’s what’s biting around our local lakes:

Toledo Bend

Water is stained and sitting just under a foot below pool at 90 degrees. Fishing’s been tough lately, thanks to recent rain and more in the forecast. Still, early risers have a chance — try Texas or Carolina rigs with big worms along main lake ridges (15–18 feet). On breezy mornings, a DD500 crankbait may get some bites. A few schooling fish are showing up near the surface, mostly small to keeper size, and responding to shallow-running, shad-colored crankbaits and topwaters.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir

At 86 degrees and 3.66 feet below pool, Rayburn is settling into its usual summer rhythm. Bass are most active around deeper structure and main lake points. Bluegill are hitting hard on brush, and while crappie are around the piles too, the bite has been inconsistent. Still worth a try if you’re patient and willing to move.

B.A. Steinhagen

Fair conditions reported with a light stain, water temperatures at 84 degrees, and levels sitting about 0.64 feet below pool. Angler activity has been low, but it’s a quiet spot if you’re looking for some peace on the water.

Lake Livingston

Fishing’s been great early in the morning and late evening. Water temp is around 88 degrees, and white bass are schooling hard after daylight in 6–17 feet, and also on humps down to 30 feet. Ducktracker slabs are the lure of choice. Catfish are steady on the flats at 10–20 feet with drifting shad. Largemouth bass are working swim jigs and square bill crankbaits near rocks on windblown points.

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