Lake Santa Fe

Following the 2025 mid-summer season and leading into fall, panfish and bass remain the primary targets for anglers on this lake. Panfish are still active in vegetation around the lake and can be reliably caught using crickets, worms, or grass shrimp fished just off the bottom.

Crappie fishing has transitioned into the post-spawn phase, and anglers are finding success offshore by trolling or drifting small jigs, spinners, or minnows. Locating suspended fish near offshore structure is key; using a fish finder is highly recommended. Covering water remains essential, so be sure to experiment with depth, lure style, and color, and trolling speed to dial in productive patterns.

Bass fishing remains steady, particularly during the cooler parts of the day. Productive spots include nearshore maidencane beds, shaded areas under docks, cypress tree cover, and offshore structure. The narrow channels that connect the lake’s lobes continue to produce quality bites. Anglers should find success with soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits, especially when worked through transitional zones and edges.

Live bait anglers should try slow trolling golden shiners along the outer edges of submerged vegetation or when targeting schooling bass in deeper water. For those using artificial lures, shad imitations or flashy baits are generating the most strikes right now.

With increased recreational boat traffic and hot daytime temperatures, the best fishing windows are early morning and late evening. This lake continues to be a strong producer of 5-7-pound bass, and reports of 8+ pound fish remain consistent with recent seasons.