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Lake Info: Fork Reservoir, Texas
Lake Fork is one of the premier trophy bass fishing lakes in Texas.
It holds 15 of the top 20 Texas State Record Largemouth Bass. It was impounded in 1980, and reached is normal pool surface elevation of 403.0 feet (123 m) above mean sea level in 1985. It consists of 27,690 acres (112 km²), situated in Wood and Rains County in Northeast Texas, between the towns of Quitman, Alba, Emory, and Yantis, Texas. It offers 315 miles (507 km) of shoreline, and has a drainage area of 493 square miles (1,277 km²). The dam is 12,410 feet (3,783 m) in length and impounds Lake Fork Creek, a tributary of the Sabine River, and other major creeks are Big Caney and Little Caney.
The Sabine River Authority (903) 878-2262 operates four public boat ramps and a free day use area. There are also numerous privately-owned access and accommodation facilities in the immediate vicinity of the lake. Accommodations range from motels and cabins to RV sites and tent camping. Individual facilities include services such as bait and tackle shops, convenience stores, fishing piers, gas pumps, and restaurants.
Largemouth bass are the most popular sportfish in this reservoir. A combination of restrictive harvest regulations, stocking of Florida strain largemouth bass, and good habitat has contributed to Lake Fork's development as one of the country's premier trophy bass lakes. More than 65% of the Texas Top 50 largest bass (including the current state record) and more than half of those entered in the Budweiser ShareLunker Program, were caught from Lake Fork. Crappie fishing is generally good, especially in standing timber and under the lake's numerous bridges. Channel catfish provide an excellent sport fishery, though this remains a well-kept secret. Sunfish, primarily bluegill, offer additional angling opportunities during spring and summer.
Fishing Cover/Structure
Flooded timber is found throughout Lake Fork and provides excellent fish habitat. Although access through the reservoir is provided by numerous buoyed boat lanes, submerged timber represents a substantial hazard, so care should be exercised while boating in all areas. Areas containing hydrilla, boat houses and docks, and lake points have historically provided some of the best fishing for largemouth bass.
Largemouth bass anglers are most successful on this reservoir during the spring, fall, and winter months. Spinnerbaits, plastic worms and lizards, jigs and jerk baits are all popular baits during peak fishing in the spring (mid-February to April) when fishing is concentrated along the shoreline for spawning fish. Nightime fishing during the hot summer months can be very productive and a good way to beat the Texas heat. At this time, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwaters are often used. During late summer and early fall, when fish are schooling, crankbaits and topwater lures can be very effective. In winter jigging spoons, jigs and crankbaits are most productive.
Crappie anglers concentrate their efforts in deep water near the dam during the winter months. In late spring and early fall, most angler fish for crappie under the bridges (Highway 154, Highway 515, CR 2946 and CR 514). Live minnows and crappie jigs are among the most popular baits used. The catfish population is dominated by channel catfish, but also includes flathead cats. Stinkbait and cutbait work well for channel cats, while live bait is preferred for flatheads. Anglers occasionally catch large blue catfish.
Sunfish such as bluegill and redear can be caught in early summer, in shallow water, using crickets, earthworms and small spinners. During the remainder of the year they can be caught using the same baits around piers, boathouses and submerged humps.
Businesses Located Nearby
Bait & Tackle
- Lockhart Lures
- 392 County Road 1985 - Yantis, TX
- (903) 383-7663
- Bait & Tackle Shop
- 1702 S Broadway St - Sulphur Springs, TX
- (903) 885-9858
- Mark Pack Lake Fork Tackle
- 515 Us-69 - Emory, TX
- (903) 473-1132
Boat Rental
- Ricky's Lake Fork Boat Rental
- 8394 Fm-515 - Yantis, TX
- (903) 383-2814
- Lake Fork Boat Rental
- 4340 Fm-17 - Alba, TX
- (903) 765-3209
- Sonny's Discount Boat Parts
- 1305 E Tx-276 - Quinlan, TX
- (903) 447-2449
Vacation Rental
- Trophy Lodge
- 2784 W State Highway 154 - Quitman, TX
- (903) 878-2277
- Minnow Bucket Lodge Motel
- 3035 Tx-154 - Quitman, TX
- (903) 878-2500
- Chaney Point Rv Park
- 800 County Road 1590 - Alba, TX
- (903) 765-2264
Bar and Restaurant
- Sleeping Bear Bbq
- 125 S Pacific St - Mineola, TX
- (903) 569-5040
- CHELOS Mexican Grill & BAR Restaurant
- 351 Fm 148 - Terrell, TX
- (972) 563-3222
- Pooch and Lous Barbeque Grill
- 2318 E Main St - Como, TX
- (903) 488-2068