Fishing in Lake Conroe is good as the water cools as cold fronts move through. Water is clearing in the main lake, but still a bit muddy in creeks, backwaters and lake runoff areas. The water temperature at the dam has been 53 degrees in the early morning and it warms up on the surface and in the shallows when the sun comes up. Lake release is 0 CFS, City of Houston Diversion (COH) 0 CFS, and Ground Reduction Plan (GRP) is 0 CFS. The lake level is 200.3 feet according to the San Jacinto River Authority.
Black bass are a bit slow according to tournament anglers. Some said with the water so cold now is the time to fish around the rocks and dodge, dock bollards and other structure in about 12 feet. Carolina rigged worms in watermelon, pumpkin seed or black on 5/0 hooks will work well in brush, as well as deep diving crankbaits, Jigs and Rat-L-Traps.
Catfish are slow and the best fishing spots will be around baited holes along river banks and creek channels in 20 to 30 feet of water. Some are also being caught on the north end of the lake around stumps at the same depth. Most of those caught are up to three pounds.
Fishing is still pretty good if you can find a calm day. They are found in deep water at a depth of 22 to 27 feet over brush that will stick about four feet above the bottom and around bridge pylons and other structures. Fishing a 30 second sixteen or one ounce seems to be a good producer if the wind allows it to be used. Minnows are always good bait if the wind is too much for the pieces.
According to recent reports, hybrid Stripers are being caught with catfish in chicken liver. Those caught are 17 to 22 inches long. Some have been reported following shad schools in 20 to 30 feet of water. Juvenile hybrids look very similar to white bass, so if you catch one under 18 inches long and aren’t sure which fish it is, put it back in the lake.
Sea bream are good. Large hand bream are plentiful. Just hang a basket of range cubes about 6 feet below your boat around dam rocks or bridges and you’ll see plenty of action. Mealworms or night crawlers are the best bait. Some are also being caught in the brush with the crappie.