If the lake never bounces back, it'll be interesting to see how long the lore of Lake Fork continues to bring in people from all over the country. I really don't think it'll ever be what it once was. I think it'll always be a good lake, but being a great lake again is gonna be hard to accomplish. I've been on Lewisville and Fork about the same amount this year... And right now I'd rather go to Lewisville.

How many private fisheries are sizable? Most are a maximum of a couple hundred acres, if that. Aquatic vegetation is much harder to control in a small water body like that. Comparing a small private fishery to a 27,000 acre reservoir doesn't have much merit.

I'm not saying every fishery needs grass, there are some great trophy lakes that don't have grass, sure, but the majority of public lakes thrive when hydrilla is present.

No doubt hydrilla contributes to better fishing, but it is an exotic, and has to occur (naturally).
Do we, as anglers, just accept the fact that fishing is gonna be poor due to lack of hydrilla, and make no adjustments, or do we adopt a plan to protect the rescource due to the lack of vegetation and the issues that arise from that lack of vegetation?

I am not opposed to changing the harvest regulations on Fork, but I think it should be based on data and science. I am against imposing harsher restrictions on certain types of fishermen because they don't fit the mold of what is deemed ok by locals. Limiting harvest or changing harvest regulations to improve a population is a successful tactic and has proven results, particularly in saltwater environments.

I am curious, what type of habitat projects are ongoing at Fork?

Limiting people's access is a little scary, IMO.

LFSA has planted willows and buckbrush.
TPWD has planted water willows.
Neither of these plants replace vegetation such as coontail, milfoil, or hydrilla, but it is a lot better than nothing.
I'm not proposing limited access, but I am advocating limited harvest while the lake is under duress.

Habitat projects: planting button bushes grown by a partnership between the Yantis HS and the Lake Fork Sportsman's Assoc and TPWD has been ongoing for about 4 years. I believe they have planted over 2000 bushes thus far and will be planting perhaps another 600-800 plants this fall.

Brush piles and structure. Once again the LFSA, TPWD and the WCCC are working to construct 40 large plastic structures to add to the 21 they built and "planted" last year. In addition TPWD has enhanced those locations with cement filled tubs with tall bamboo in them.

Brush piles. Every Tom, Dick and Harry that fishes for crappie puts out brush piles. They are everywhere.

No offense Bruce, but I am totally against plastic brushpiles.
In my mind, it is simply litter in the lake.
Plastic brushpiles might be a fish attractant, but it is still plastic, and litter.
Imagine a drained lake that is full of these plastic fish attractors.

the point that TPWD made when that same lake is drained all the wood will have rotted away but the "structure" will remain. you and I will not be here to see it however, but your grandchildren will.

With all due respect, A pile of plastic is litter, regardless of what generation will see it.
A plastic brushpile has no benefit to fry survival.
It is simply a fish attractant, made out of plastic.
Again, if the lake was drained, or simply never was, it would be litter.

Richard - What are the biologists thoughts on this situation?

To guide on Lake Fork all you do is pay $132 a year for a guide's license? I would think the guides would be required to pay more of a fee for such a great place to work. Y'all are getting a bargain.

Not trying to stir anything up, but since it appears the older guides are the ones posting here blasting the tournament anglers and tournament trails for the demise of Lake Fork.

I have but one question, you have been using a tax payer funded resource to make a living for many years, for a very minimal usage fee, why didn't any or all of you worry about the depleted fish populations of Fork in the past?

Not trying to stir anything up, just curious ....

Shhhhhhh! Don't tell them to go to Rayburn, bro! Don't tell them about the huge sacks being caught over there right now!

Everyone just disregard his post and pretend you didn't hear it. Just disregard that 20#-24# sacks are often left outside the money cut in many tournies this year.

Stay at Fork!

LOL

Man Please don't stir me back into this. The last time I surfaced I got hit by a Old jerk bait just because I catch a few good fish. When spring hits the lake will fish just fine and the old geezers wont wine so much.

Nobody appreciates the fact that I've been able to
Make a living fishing more than I do, and yes, we pay a very minimal fee to do so. I don't have to fish another day for money but that doesn't mean I can't still have concern for the lake. It saddens me to see Fork become 'just another lake'. This is why I've voiced my opinion. Is old geezers were fortunate to experience the glory days of fork, and can only hope y'all and future fishers get to experience something close. I'm kinda bummed that some don't appreciate us voicing our concern.

Mr McCarty I respect your opinions and also the things you've accomplished in fishing throughout your life.

But, there is a tone in your posts that many others are "below" you. Maybe it's just me, but maybe not.

My first time on Fork was in 1982 I believe. I was 13 and I grew up fishing the lake so I remember and lived the "good ole days". When you could literally leave the ramp and catch fish. I had a bass buster and used to put it in and I cannot remember but a handful of days back then when i didn't go home with my hands bleeding.

Let's be realistic, lakes age and lose their ability to thrive after 25 years or so, it's a lot of what has happened to Fork. I don't think it's the tournaments, guides or any other thing man has done. It's just the way nature works. I think Fork still fishes pretty good considering her age and the pressure she gets.

One of the side effects of Fork opening was some of our smaller East Texas lakes got a chance to breathe again. It took a ton of pressure off of them.

Now the 64 thousand dollar question, can anything really be done to bring back Fork to say 70% of her glory?
I think sadly the answer is no, she will always be special and produce but not like she did from 86- mid 90's.

I will say I'm grateful to you and Mr Rodgers and others that are trying to explore options to try and nurse the ole girl back to some resemblance of her glory days.


Keep up the good fight!!