I am seeing sores on most of the bass at lake fork I have caught in the last month or two. I am concerned because the last time I saw it to this extent was just before the big fish kill in 2000. Has there been any news from TPW on this?

probably from being bombarded by sandbass

Maybe you should notify the TPW, SRA,..game warden.

Fish Care is most important by all fisherman, i hate keeping fish out of the water and i don't use a net except when i'm fishing a tournament. IF the slime coat protection on the fish gets wiped off or they flop in the bottom of your boat this will cause the slime coat on them that protects them from bacteria to get infected. This is probabaly what you are seeing..

hopefully when not fishing in a tournament most fisherman would not use a net..
Funny about a month ago my nephew came over from La and i tried netting a fish for him that was 8-8.5 lbs and he came off after he was half way in the net.

just make sure you take care of the fish as best as possible and try and not let them flop around in/on your boat deck..

I heard all the guides on Fork were moving to Falcon and Sugar lake......

There was an article on the forum a few weeks ago about this and the TPW said it was a virus, most likely caused by the excessive rain and likely not fatal.

Awesome first post...this is far from anything that relates to a fish kill.

Were you there for the 2000 fish kill? Where are you coming from sir?

The LMB virus on Fork was in 1999. It's my understanding that the virus will only effect a lake once.

IMO it is parasites off of the trees/bushes and flooded weeds. When the bass get in there and hide these little bugs get on them and create sores as they eat away on the fish. Just my opinion.

Probably std's from all you dirty mofos touching them.

Saw the same thing during the Skeeter Owners, also noticed it on Bassmaster Live on Toledo Bend. They said it was due to the fish being worn out from the spawn and having a week immune system, then in came flood waters and lots of bugs, parasites, and what not, and thuse the fish get sores. I believe it is non fatal.

they fight like they are okay.

TPWD posted a few years ago that it is possibly Stress Sores. It happens every year and they get over it until next year. Happens on many of the East Texas Lakes.

Every lake I've fished this year has had fish with sores on them. It's not just Fork.

Good info. Are the tails still bloody too?

I had a great weekend at monti last weekend. Caught lots of healthy fish. Strong azz fish. And about half had these sore spots