Does anyone have the Navonics app to post a safe route up north? I know their may not be such a route, but at least a somewhat reliable path would be helpful. Thanks .

Generally speaking once you get above 155 the east bank is the route to use but once you pass the Villages it gets tricky. I have the Navionics chip but it won't show you a safe route. You should consider hiring someone to show you how to navigate above 155 cause it can be treacherous especially if you're going to Kickapoo and/or the Neches area. Lake level has a lot to do with it too. I would suspect with all the rain there are some hard stumps 3-4" under water.

Here is a post from last year that was helpful.

Palestine Map Post

A friend of mine took me out with Tom Mayne. He allowed us to bring a graph and make trails as he ran the lake. Well worth the money if you plan to do much fishing there. It would have taken me years to learn and be confident in the routes he showed us. On top of that he is a serious stick and put us on fish as well.

Tom Mayne

The short answer is no because there is no "safe" route. There are preferred routes that 8 out of 10 times will result in not hitting something but the pathways are narrow and lake level has a major influence. I promise even seasoned veterans are touching cotton when they make they run north, generally speaking from Villages up.

I would trust those green lines above 155 as idle only. The green line on the west side may be 30ft wide in some places. The green line above the Villages is suspect as well. The suggestion about hiring Tom is definitely the best especially with a rising lake level. If you could see the lake 3' low as I have it would scare the bejesus out of you.

I told a friend of mine it is like landing on a beach and having the commanding officer tell you, "Most of you are going to be fine but we know there are two or three land mines that we haven't been able to get rid of. Good luck on not being the ones to step on them." The north end of Palestine is a mine field. I had a guy in the boat with me who has fished the lake for many years showing me where to run going north a few years ago. Right after he told me, "Just aim at that pole and you are fine to run here" I hit a submerged stump with my lower unit running wide open.

There is no safe route, there are only "I take my chances and so far I have always been lucky" routes. People are running trails where they know they could practically reach over the side of the boat and touch stumps.

When the lake is full the routes are a lot more forgiving. 1-3� low they become very narrow in places! Last weekend the fishing was pretty darn good! Had a great time with my customers! Glad to help!

Strong Work!!

There is only one way up there.
And you better know where you are going.
Beware of prop shaft point.