May – North Texas Fly Fishing Report

White Bass: feeding aggressively, especially on cloudy days or during early morning and late afternoon hours.

Largemouth Bass: feeding aggressively, especially on cloudy days or during early morning and late afternoon hours. Bass are often found tight to the bank, particularly where shad are present. Fly anglers are also finding success with poppers and gurglers during warmer afternoons when fish are looking up.

Carp: are increasingly active in the shallows and can be sight-cast along gravel bars and backwater flats — a solid challenge for experienced fly anglers.

Best Flies: Clousers, baitfish patterns, and small crawfish imitations are producing well in deeper pools and slower-moving eddies. Look for activity near rock structure, undercut banks, and around current seams.

Watch water levels closely, as localized rain can affect clarity and flow. Wading is manageable in many stretches, but always check current conditions before heading out.

White Bass: are scattered but active, often schooling mid-morning in deeper water.

Striped Bass: are feeding early and late near points and submerged humps, with Clousers and other baitfish patterns working on intermediate and sinking lines.

Largemouth Bass: are shallow and aggressive during the spawn and post-spawn phases. Focus on coves with structure using frog patterns, streamers, or crawfish imitations. Topwater action is picking up during low light hours.

Carp: are cruising mud flats and shorelines and are catchable with small nymphs or crayfish flies when visibility is good.

Best Flies: Clousers, baitfish patterns, and crawfish imitations are working well around points, rocky structure, and submerged humps. Use intermediate or sinking lines to get down to suspended stripers and white bass. For largemouths holding shallow, poppers and frog patterns are effective early, while streamers and crawfish flies work throughout the day. Carp are taking small nymphs and worm patterns on mud flats when the water is clear enough for sight casting.

Use caution while launching or navigating due to low water levels, and keep an eye on weather-driven inflows that may affect clarity.

White Bass: are scattered but can be found schooling near creek mouths and deeper channels, especially on calm days. Flashy streamers and small baitfish imitations are producing solid numbers.

Striped Bass: fishing is strong on Lake Texoma as water temps rise and fish push shallow to chase shad. Early mornings and late afternoons are the most productive. Look for surface activity near main lake points, ledges, and mid-lake humps. Use sinking or intermediate lines with Clousers, Deceivers, and other baitfish patterns to reach schools holding deeper.

Largemouth Bass: are active along rocky banks, docks, and coves. Poppers and frog patterns are getting attention early, while crawfish and streamer patterns are effective throughout the day.

Carp: are showing up in coves and shallow flats. Ideal for sight-casting with small nymphs and hybrid worm patterns.

Best Flies: Clousers in chartreuse/white and gray/white are top producers for striped bass, especially when fished deep on sinking lines. Deceivers and EP baitfish patterns also work well when stripers are chasing shad near the surface. For largemouth bass, deer hair poppers and frog patterns are effective early, while crawfish and baitfish streamers excel around docks and rocky banks during the day. White bass are hitting small, flashy streamers like mini Clousers and Surf Candies. For carp in the shallows, go with hybrid worms, carp nymphs, or small backstabber-style patterns fished slow and quiet.

May brings strong fly fishing opportunities on Lake Fork as bass remain active during the spawn and post-spawn transition. Early mornings are productive with topwater action around grass lines, timber, and shallow flats. As the day progresses, fish move deeper into creek channels, ledges, and submerged structure.

Largemouth Bass: are the primary target this time of year, and they’re feeding aggressively. Look for fish near vegetation edges, laydowns, and shaded banks. Sight fishing for carp is also possible on calm, sunny days in the back of coves and flats.

Best Flies: Topwater poppers and frog patterns are excellent early in the day for targeting largemouth bass in shallow cover. As the sun rises, switch to baitfish streamers, crawfish patterns, and weighted leech flies for fishing deeper water and around structure. Clousers in olive/white or black/chartreuse perform well in off-colored water. For carp, small nymphs, hybrid worms, and buggy headstand flies are ideal for sight-casting in shallow, clear water.