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Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? #13934422 03/24/21 12:32 PM
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Ken A. Offline OP
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I am sure this will spark a spirited debate but I was looking at some of the posts calling OH Ivie the greatest big bass factory of all time. Those of you that know me know I am fiercely proud of anything or anybody from the great state of Texas. Yay Ivie - Go Team!

Here are some numbers:

In an 11 year period Lake Fork produced 182 bass over 13 pounds including Two State Records. In 1991 alone Fork produced 22 fish over 13 pounds including a 17.08 caught from the bank by Emory angler Troy Coates.

I'll give credit where credit is due but Ivie has a LONG way to go to catch the fabled Lake Fork. I know she is long in the tooth and many may say she is even over the hill but I thought it was time for a little history lesson.

Have a great day!





Last edited by Ken A.; 03/24/21 12:33 PM.


Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Ken A.] #13934476 03/24/21 01:04 PM
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Walls Offline
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I agree that Fork was the best big bass lake ever during that period, but "what have you done for me lately?". Is it only because of the massive water fluctuations that lakes like Ivie, Falcon and Amistad (been awhile, but it was not a "new" lake when it had its' big bass time) are able to have these incredible runs at their age? Serious question.

Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Ken A.] #13934482 03/24/21 01:08 PM
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Jarrett Latta Offline
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Agreed it's Fork on top for big fish and falcon a close second. In it's prime the number of 8-12lbers put out was pretty incredible

Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Ken A.] #13934490 03/24/21 01:11 PM
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Frank the Tank Offline
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The question on everyone's mind is will the Great Lady ever make a comeback?!!


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Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Ken A.] #13934492 03/24/21 01:12 PM
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FMJag64 Offline
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Literally no lake in Texas even comes close to Fork, per the numbers. Sure, some may fish better bc of the amount of pressure on Fork nonstop but straight data, Fork is the Top dog by a landslide.

Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Ken A.] #13934495 03/24/21 01:13 PM
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Dubee Offline
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Ivie is my favorite lake. But it doesn't come close to Fork in it's prime

Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Ken A.] #13934536 03/24/21 01:38 PM
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Hobbs McAvoy Offline
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Fork was the best in the 1990s for big bass. Right now there are a lot of lakes producing bigger bass on a consistent basis. But if we are looking at the "all time" records, then yes fork "was" the best. It won't come close to producing like it did without the vegetation.

Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Ken A.] #13934547 03/24/21 01:50 PM
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Rockfisherman Offline
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Fork = MJ (best ever)
Ivie = Luka (1 of the best current)


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Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Ken A.] #13934565 03/24/21 01:59 PM
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UTDmiller Offline
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Its also hard to know, for both mentioned lakes, how many locals catch big fish and never say anything. A friend of mine just caught a 11 last week on fork, weighed/picture/release back to where she was caught. Wonder how many times that happens with the same or bigger fish on Fork/Ivie/Falcon etc. Just hard to know


John Miller
Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Frank the Tank] #13934578 03/24/21 02:09 PM
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Cameron Offline
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Originally Posted by Frank the Tank
The question on everyone's mind is will the Great Lady ever make a comeback?!!


Lakes cycle. Fork is in a lull. Giants are here but the population of fish overall is low. I see giants moving around while livescoping all the time but compared to other lakes I just don’t see a big population of bass.

Ivie caught a bunch of water. Hopefully they can keep some water in it and the fishing continues to be good for the next several years. I am really glad that at least one lake in Texas is fishing well. Those years where fishing is terrible statewide is bad for everyone.

I think the 80s and 90s on Fork were a once in a lifetime deal. It will never return to that level but the awesome fishing from 2002-2010 area will return once we get some grass back. I have seen 3 areas with hydrilla this year that I haven’t seen it in years. Hopefully it will really get serious this year. One benefit of the low bass population is the crappie fishing is incredible. No other lake in Texas produces the size of crappie like Fork has right now.

Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Frank the Tank] #13934596 03/24/21 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Frank the Tank
The question on everyone's mind is will the Great Lady ever make a comeback?!!

Only if the spraying stops and the hydrilla comes back.


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Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Cameron] #13934653 03/24/21 02:51 PM
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Ken A. Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Cameron
Originally Posted by Frank the Tank
The question on everyone's mind is will the Great Lady ever make a comeback?!!


Lakes cycle. Fork is in a lull. Giants are here but the population of fish overall is low. I see giants moving around while livescoping all the time but compared to other lakes I just don’t see a big population of bass.

Ivie caught a bunch of water. Hopefully they can keep some water in it and the fishing continues to be good for the next several years. I am really glad that at least one lake in Texas is fishing well. Those years where fishing is terrible statewide is bad for everyone.

I think the 80s and 90s on Fork were a once in a lifetime deal. It will never return to that level but the awesome fishing from 2002-2010 area will return once we get some grass back. I have seen 3 areas with hydrilla this year that I haven’t seen it in years. Hopefully it will really get serious this year. One benefit of the low bass population is the crappie fishing is incredible. No other lake in Texas produces the size of crappie like Fork has right now.


Agreed



Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Ken A.] #13934690 03/24/21 03:18 PM
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Ivie has been better thank Fork so far this year. Fork is legendary, even if it’s been a decade since it was close to what she was in the 90s. It will be a long, long time, before another Texas lake even comes close to the success Fork has had.

Greatest trophy lake of all time? I’m not sure, but probably.


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Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Ken A.] #13934812 03/24/21 05:27 PM
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The quality of, the pressure on and the ever increasing level of available technology will likely prevent another lake from reaching the lofty heights that Fork attained. That and Dairy Cow manure, very important ingredient! Only thing better would be yearly infusions of trout burgers but Texas doesn't quite fit that deli offering.


Robert Oleson
aka Slide_R

Re: Lake Fork - The Greatest Trophy Bass Fishery of All Time?? [Re: Slide_R] #13934954 03/24/21 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Slide_R
The quality of, the pressure on and the ever increasing level of available technology will likely prevent another lake from reaching the lofty heights that Fork attained. That and Dairy Cow manure, very important ingredient! Only thing better would be yearly infusions of trout burgers but Texas doesn't quite fit that deli offering.


I agree with the trout offering. I heard that the lakes in S. Cali have them and with mild/warm winters enjoy a long growing stage. With the current "climate change" Texas is also enjoying milder winters. Even this year with the arctic week we were still back in the 80's the next week. Would be an interesting experiment.

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