How is the fishing there at these lakes in Jan and Feb. We are going to be staying in the area for 2 months. I am familiar with the area some as I have fished Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend quite a bit in the past. But never Livingston or Conroe. Any help would be appreciated. Like baits to throw, Fish Off shore humps, bank beating, ledges, etc. Thanks

Both lakes can be treacherous, but Conroe is your best bet. It's a hit or miss lake but you can have some good sacks on Conroe in late Jan to Feb.. Brush piles and Hard Spots dominate offshore, but if it's warm the bank riprap and bulkheads can hold fish too. North end of the lake is shallower and stumpy. South end is clear cut and deeper. Pleasure boaters shouldn't be a problem. Baits are your typical stuff. Darker worms do well imo.

Both are loaded with Hybrids and whites too which can add a bit of fun on a slow winter day.

Depending on how far you want to drive, Sommerville, Houston County, and Fayette County can be enjoyable.

If your bass fishing don't even think about Livingston. It's no where near the lake it used to be and it wasn't that great then.

I love fishing Conroe during those months. TxBazzn gave good advice on the. I mainly fish the North end and do well on soft plastic but that's my style of fishing. A few times, huge stripers have hit my spinner bait. Also, I like using Stow Away to launch.

Prespawn. Also can crank some big stringers off shore around shad balls.

Livingston u need to know how to run the north end, its a muddy lake, has decent bass, i have always done well there. To me its fishing like it always has, with exception to a few really good years after the hurricane. Conroe has the opportunity at a big bag, but i have zeroed there more times than i'm willing to admit, with very few good days mixed in. That time of year Conroe will produce some big bags.

Jan will be tough on both lakes.

Conroe in Feb...you have as good a chance catching a DD there as you do anywhere in the state. You may not catch a lot of fish, but they are there. Conroe fish will get shallow earlier than most in the spring as well. 4-5 foot of water and even shallower is about all you need. Throw in a little grass or wood, and you are in the right area for big uns. If you can find docks that are close to 10-12 foot of water with 2-3 foot under them, fish them! As always, you will be able to catch deeper fish as well, but that takes a little more time and refinement on that lake if you are not familiar with it. By late Feb or when water temps get to 55-56 and above, start looking for shallower areas and beds. Depending on rainfall and runoff, that lake can be as good a sight fishing lake as any. Hope this helps ya.

As for Livingston, I like it in February as well. Kickapoo, Penwaugh, Caney, White Rock, Palmetto creeks can all be decent. Stay shallow w sp baits, ch baits, small brightly colored cranks and something to pitch around cover, esp wood. Backwaters, oxbows, can be awesome with numbers but dont expect any giants.

I live by and fish Livingston...........Go to Conroe