Is it just me or does it seem that way to you also.
The survey of the Sealy's big bass tournament got me to thinking this today.

Why would they not focus on and showcase arguably their best bass fishing asset?

Well you have seen a lot of arguing on here on how to help fork or what has hurt it. Maybe some people spoke out to them so they are trying to figure out what they may or may not be able to do

I thought TPWD killed Lake Fork

Fork has been the Crown Jewel of Texas lakes for three decades. That one lake has poured millions, if not billions of dollars into the Texas economy. So to echo Mark's question, Why would they not??

I would agree with that when the lake first opened. But TPWD has kept it propped up by putting 1/2 million fish in there every year.
What would Sam Rayburn be producing if it had that kind of help every year?

Good question Slim. Can't answer that one.

But I have one for you:

If you built a lake that produced a 17.67 state record four years after filling, where would you devote your resources?

I don't really have a problem with TPWD making lake fork there crown jewel or favorite lake but I do think they should spread the wealth a little and restock some of the other lakes on a regular basis I think they would be better for it maybe take some pressure off of fork.

At least they are promoting fishing at all! Remember, they are Texas Parks and WILDLIFE. They could be spending the allocated fishery money on growing the biggest whitetail in the world.

This. In my opinion, the best way to help Fork regain some of its past glory is to figure out how to take some of the pressure off, and I think the best way to do that without killing a lot of the local businesses is to focus more stocking energy on other lakes. Maybe some metro lakes that aren't necessarily known for big time bass fishing or have been forgotten about like Hubbard, Chambers, Cooper, Lavon, etc. Let some of the metro lakes start kicking out 25 lb stringers on a regular basis and I think the pressure problem on Fork will take care of itself.

As for the local businesses, people will still come from long distances to fish Fork because it is Fork, and they're the ones that really spend money there. I know you can't discount the money from the metroplex, but speaking for myself only, I live there, and never go to Fork anymore strictly due to the pressure. It's a balancing act, but Fork is number 1 in kicking out big bass for a reason, and I firmly believe that if you take some of the pressure off, it will heal itself.

Does SE Texas lakes really need the help ?
I thought Sam Rayburn & Toledo Bend were already two of the top bass producers in the country.
It is very difficult to get anyone to talk about the fishing on those 2 lakes like they do about Fork. if you think I am mis-speaking about that just go into the TFF history and look at the number of threads about Sam & Toledo vs Fork.
The whole idea of the TP&W is to promote TEXAS Fishing & Hunting and if you can't get anyone to talk about the South East Texas lakes then you better promote the one that people talk about all the time.

I know a lot of the lakes west of hwy 35 have been really low so maybe if they continue to get water maybe TPWD will restock them.

Somebody is always butt hurt because people won't give info about Rayburn.

Lake Fork IS the grand experiment. Before it was ever flooded TPWD had brood ponds going all over the bottoms full of Florida strain bass.

Back in the late 80's and early 90's Lake Fork was the lake of record for Texas. The experiment worked. I believe if the large mouth bass virus had not hit Fork and 22 other lakes in the south Fork would have broken the record over and over.

According to Gary DeArmand who was guiding on the lake at that time you could literally walk on all the 10 lb+ bass floating on the north end. Up where Ethel was caught.

And even though the lake has seemed to recover those large schools of "big bass" are just rarely caught. But Fork is still pumping out enough big bass to keep a lot of people interested in visiting in the hope of catching their bass of a lifetime. Just look at the surveys in all of the marinas. Pages upon pages of 7 lb plus bass listed. And most don't take the time to even bother with it. I personally have never listed any big bass I have caught on them.

Lake Fork has left a trail all over Texas. From the surveys done by TPWD and using DNA they know exactly where a bass came from. The share a lunker program "babies" have been spread throughout our state for the betterment of us all.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/action/stock_bywater.php?WB_code=0640

Stocking report for Sam Rayburn......you have my permission to shut up now