Headed from Wyoming to Lake Fork next week. Bringing my Hobie PA14 to catch me some bass. Any advice from you Lone Star yakkers on good places to put in and maybe spend the night. I have a slide in pop up camper I sleep in and trailer the aircraft carrier. Also would like to hit some good smaller lakes on the weekend to avoid the tournament fishermen. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Coming from God's country. Wish I was headed there, but then, Jackson Hole is probably still under 5 ft of snow.

Southlake in Farmersville, TX is a nice small lake somewhat close to there. And good luck on Fork, I hope you get a DD!

I have only been there once but we stayed at Chaney Point RV Park and it was really nice put in spot away from Power Boats and good cabins for crashing and cooking something on the grill.

Good luck!

Quitman, Bob Sandlin, & Holbrook are small & close to Lake Fork. I have only heard good things about them.

I personally think taking a trip to the fish hatchery in Athens while you camp and fish Lake Athens over the weekend would be well worth the trip. Almost everything is light green and in bloom here already. Foliage should all be dark green and beautiful by the time you arrive. Lake should be near to or at pool by now. More rain coming
Lake Athens is a nice smaller lake with lots of grass and some lilly
Frogs and spinner baits work later topwaters work well early.


thess videos may give you an idea of the kind of lake. HD available




http://kayakfishingtexas.blogspot.com/2012/05/lake-athens-and-mill-creek-5-13-12.html

If you want to chase some Hybrid Striped Bass then Tawakoni is just west of Fork and producing well.

I fish Athens more than all other lakes combined, at least when I'm in my bass boat. Awesome place!

Hawkins is about 20 miles east of Holbrook, and has ramps at the dam, mid lake and just north of the bridge on the north end, so you can hit multiple areas from the yak. The water is pretty clear, there's good vegetation and it has chain pickerel to distract you at times.

Places to stay at Fork:

Lake Fork Marina
Chaney Point RV park
Oak Ridge Marina
Hideaway Hollow

if you Google any of the above you'll find a website or number that'll help you find out whether it'll work for you

As far as best launching spots, you're hitting the lake at prime spawn big fish time. There will be quality fishing in less than 10 feet in every cove on the lake. My decision where to put in at fork often depends on the wind direction and speed. If it's blowing good from the south I use Chaney Point, the ramp at Pope's in mustang creek, and maybe axtons at the mouth of penson creek. If wind is hard from north I go Hideaway Hollow in little caney, the highway 515 east ramp and go into glade, or a commando launch at one of the bridges in birch or coffee or running creeks. These don't have ramps but with a cart they're all pretty doable. If the wind is light or from the east or west you can take your pick but the northern creeks are known for having the hydrilla and vegetation. My best fish have come from little caney (Hideaway Hollow) and Chaney areas personally.

And you're smart for considering a break from the crowds at fork and going to one of the small lakes around there at least once while you're here. My picks in order:

1. Lake Gilmer
2. Lake Athens
3. Mill Creek (drive into Canton TX and ask for directions at a convenience store)
4. Lake Monticello (this is a power plant lake whose plant has not run thus year so those fish should be acting like normal, bedding up shallow)
5. Lake Hawkins (really good grassy stuff on the north end by the bridge like Art said)
6. Purtis Creek (small and kayak friendly big fish but it can be tough sometimes)

My guess is that you're gonna catch some good ones. Give us a report while you're here if you have a chance.

Lake Winnsboro isn't far either and I have never seen very many power boats on it. It's small and has plenty of fish.

It's true Lake Fork gets pretty busy this time of year. With a lot of great bass fishing lakes around it. I strongly recommend what Gutcheck and TheMajor just recommended. Then maybe come back to Fork post spawn when the boats have cleared. Let us know how you do and good luck.