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Lake Fork Profile

Lake Fork is like a scene out of a Disney movie with the standing and fallen timber, the aquatic vegetation, and the wildlife. Boasting the Texas state record largemouth 18.18 lbs., out of the top 50 largemouth caught in Texas 35 came out of Fork with top six weighing over 17 lbs. As the lake suggests there are two arms the East and West with the West arm being the most popular fishing. The main tributary is the Sabine River. Fork is a mass of jungles with a lot of underwater stumps, take your time and follow the boat lanes. Lake Fork is 27,700 surface acres and was impounded in 1980.

Fork is rated the top destinations for trophy bass in the US

Location	Lake Fork is located 91 miles East of Dallas. Here are two routes there; 1. State Hwy 80 to Mineola then State Hwy 37 N to Quitman then West on State Hwy 182 to the Dam. 2. Interstate 30 East out of Dallas to Greenville then State Hwy 69 S to Emory, then E on FM 515 to mid lake.
Fishing Regulations	Largemouth bass -- five fish per day, with all fish 16 to 22 inches unlawful to possess plus only one bass over 22 inches may be kept (new slot of 16 to 22 effective Sept 1, 1998). Also on crappie from December 1st to the last day of February there is no minimum length and all crappie caught must be retained. All other species is same as state wide.
Comments	What can I say about Fork? It is a bass fishermans dream where excellent management and stocking by Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. has led to this world premier largemouth fishery. On the average this lake will yield consistently larger fish than anywhere I know of with the opportunity to catch that fish of your dreams. Main forage is a combination of shad and crayfish. From the beginning of the lake, there has been a steady stocking of Florida strain largemouth with a bag and size limit that has produced very large fish. A survey by TP&WD reported that 3200 bass over seven pounds were caught with 800 being over ten pounds. This survey was over a four month period. TP&WD has a program called the "Share a Lunker" which is a research program where fisherman state wide can donate a largemouth bass weighing over 13 pounds between the months of Dec through April. From the start of the program in 1986, 216 bass have been donated statewide with 145 coming from Fork. I have an important suggestion that you call the Sabine River Authority/Lake Fork Division (903-878-2262) and make sure that the gate's are closed. When the gate's are open it seems to make a current in this shallow lake that shuts down the fishing.
Facilities	Here is your one stop for fishing on Lake Fork, Rolling Fork Mobil Home and RV Park (1-800-449-5947) with your host Gordon & Nancy Krantz The Park is located on CR 3330 just North of FM 515, East of Emory TX.There are several other facilities around Fork, here are a few. Lake Fork Marina (903-765-2764); Lunker Lodge (903-765-2987): Pope's Landing (903-765-2943); Fisherman's Cove (903-765-2943); Minnow Bucket (903-878-2500); Fisherman's Cove and Mustang Resort (903-765-2244). There is good launching on either end of the 2946 bridge. Other good spots to launch are Pope's Landing, and Lake Fork Fisherman's Cove (pay launches) both off of FM17.
Fishing Tip	We have fished Lake Fork since it opened and most everything that you have heard is true about the fantastic fishing at this East Texas impoundment. Over the years we have fished some spots that have consistently yielded big fish. Little Mustang and Mustang are great spots especially west of FM17 bridge, look for creek channels, treelines, and also don't forget the flooded grass in the backs of these creeks. Birch Creek although it gets a lot of fishing pressure, is a huge area with plenty of great spring and fall fishing with the laydowns, standing timber and vegetation on or just off the shoreline with a favorite spot East of the 514 bridge. Other good spots are; Little Caney Creek, Byrd Island, Wolf Creek, Glade Creek, Williams Creek and don't forget the humps in Dale Creek. A large (7-10") gizzard shad flipped or cast around the shoreline structure during the spring spawn can be a heart stopper. Also the first structure break out from shore, is a good bet. Gizzard shad or Threadfin shad on a downline drifting points humps or road beds in the summer and winter work well. The fishing in winter, if you can brave the cold, is a good time for a huge bite. Also in the summer a live shad on a carolina rig working deep water structure and main lake points is very effective. Last but not least a drift rig on a flat line with a balloon drifting flats and weedlines will get plenty of action during post spawn and fall. Fork gets a lot of pressure and is the best during the middle of the week. For those of you that are nocturnal the night fishing at the peak of the moon phases is excellent. Rated in the top five destinations for Crappie in the state try small live shad or minnows during the spawn in 18-24" of water, and in the summer and winter good around the pylons under the 2946 and 515 bridges. Deep tire reefs and brush piles will hold huge schools of Black and White Crappie. In the winter the Crappie go very deep (up to 40-50 feet) and this is why there are special regulations from December through February. Crappie will not survive being caught from so deep. Artificial lures that are very effective at Fork are a plastic lizard, especially in black with chartreuse tail, spinner baits, rattle traps, buzz baits, a local lure called a tail kicker (resembles a little george), and last but not least a jig and pig in a blue and black. Also a very effective color with soft and hard baits is red. A red rattle trap will tear them up especially when the largemouth start to school up. With Fork being such a big bass lake with all the fishing pressure so the lures that you use be sure and vary up your retrieve and presentation. Don't forget to use your pitching and flipping techniques on soft plastics and be QUIET!
Lake Records & Ratings
Species	Record	Rating
Largemouth Bass	18.18 lbs.	* Top Rated *
Black Crappie	3.27 lbs.	* Top Rated *
White Crappie	3.09 lbs.	* Top Rated *
Blue Cat	72 lbs.
Channel Cat	16.62 lbs.
Flathead Cat	47.50 lbs.
Links
Texas Parks and Wildlife ~ Fishing Report Bass Fishing Home Page ~ Texas Lake Reports		Texas Parks and Wildlife ~ Regulations
Lake	Fork	Fishing	Information

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