I noticed that the TP&W Fishing Report had some questionable water temps in so cold water lakes the last couple of weeks. This brought up a bigger question for me. Do you read these reports with in confidence? Do you read and trust any newspaper reports? If so which ones?

What do you think of printed or online fishing reports in general?

Beside this forum what other sources do you use if any?

Thanks in advance,

No, no

Some guides will put fishing reports on here and on their website that I read and appreciate as they are closer to accurate. And then I'm sure some are best case scenarios trying to fill a calendar with bookings.

Time on the water.

The lake Athens report says bass fishing is good in 45/49 degree water.... Sike!

The Whitney report had water temp in the 60s. I haven't been on Whitney lately, but I think the BS meter is high.

As a rule of thumb, don't ever believe anything you read on the internet.

the tp&w fishing report is worth about as much as you pay for it.

Considering the fishing report is managed by some kid sitting in Austin behind a desk... Yeah no.

We've got lakes where we consistently get quality fishing reports and some that are a constant struggle. It's all dependent on the local contact. When we start having problems with the accuracy of a report, we start looking for a new contact. No one is BSing, but the information is based on a system that is subject to some degree of error.

There are 4 reporters who gather the reports from the local contacts. A lot of work goes in to creating them. The goal is to give you a general idea what to expect and some basics to help your fishing.

I have found the water temps to be accurate in the DFW area lakes (Lewisville, Grapevine, Joe Pool).

Mr. Greeson,

Do you help collect info for TP&W fishing Report?

I am referring to TP&W site and newspaper reports like the �Outdoors East Texas Fishing Report� , like is in the Athens paper. And the accuracy level of said publications.

Another thing to keep in mind with fishing reports is whether or not they are written/given by people who have a financial interest in bringing you to the lake.

I specifically remember a guy in our club calling a guy out at Amistad who had a trailer for rent. My friend called to get a fishing report and it was, "Oh, there's a ton of grass in the lake; best in years" and we were to make the connection that grass = bass. So we booked his trailer and of course the fishing sucked. The guy didn't lie, but he didn't really give a representation of the fishing... so it's just something to keep in mind.

for the most of the lakes I have been on in the past month it's rather simple, water cold and bites are rare

Yes, I am the TPWD contractor for the weekly fishing report you see on the web site and in many of the newspapers across the state. I think Matt Williams may do his own for the Athens newspaper.




You are absolutely correct. That's another issue we run in to.