Hi all,
New here. I'm going to be visiting Fork for a few weeks next spring (late March/early April), I was down there for a week this past spring and loved Fork and caught some tanks. Since I'm coming from Minnesota I decided to add a week on to our trip for this next spring.

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone had good suggestions on smaller lakes in the area (within an hour or so) of Fork I could explore if there was a day or two I wanted to change it up? I fished Welsh last year and it was decent. Sounds like Lake Quitman and Gilmer are decent for big fish?

I'd rather have a chance at catching a 9-10lber and catch 2 fish all day.....vs. a bunch of 2-3lbers. Not asking anyone for their secret ponds....but if anyone has any suggestions on smaller lakes that provide a better chance than others for a big fish that'd be awesome.

Thanks in advance.

If I were hunting big fish, I'd stick to Fork. I've fished most of the smaller lakes in Wood County, and they are great. But Fork = big fish.

Welcome to THF

Monticello would be great. Unfortunately, it's closed.

Caddo is an experience worth taking even if the chance at a 9-10 isn't there. It is 90 minutes from Lake Fork!

Welcome to the forum.
Sounds like you are on the right track. Impressive for your first post.

Holbrook, Quitman, Winnsboro, Bob Sandlin, Cypress Springs, Welsh, Caddo, Palestine, and Lake O' the Pines. I've fished most of them and they all have big fish potential but nothing like Fork. If you want to catch some fish and see some beautiful cypress back drop and wildlife Caddo for sure. All of these lakes have stumps, some a lot more than others. Be aware. Welcome to the forum!

I am with ogles, stick to fork and maybe try a couple of new tactics.

if you are here in march and nail a bigun you can join share a lunker, 13+ and hit the legacy class with some nice rewards for the effort.

none of the local to fork lakes will give you as much opportunity to get R done.

if you haven't booked yet, check with scott at fishermans cove, number below.

I have been fishing fork since 2012 and moved there in 13, still have not boated an over. have been within a 1/8" a bunch but just never quite broke that magic number.

Plenty of lakes in the area for a change of pace but if you want to chase big bass then Ivie, Fork and Rayburn (none of which are particularly close to each other) are your best Texas bets. Maybe next spring will bring us something new but it hasn't risen yet. Good luck on your trip and enjoy.

if you just want a good chance at a DD, sardis and mcgee creek in Okie land should be hot march/april, that is prime spawn time there and on your way down.

mcgee creek is like a mini fork and sardis has a great rep. also arbuckle is close to mcgee creek and I have fished 2 tournaments that it took almost 34# to win, big fish were over 12 in both.

maybe some options if fork is still way down, spend a couple of days there on the way to fork.

Palestine or Lake O' the Pines are your best shots for a "big one" besides Fork

Holbrook
Sandlin
Cypress Springs
Winnsboro

Awesome responses. Thanks all! Honestly, that's what I was thinking this spring when I was fishing Welsh. "This is fun, and I'm catching a bunch of nice fish, but I should be on Fork right now" Haha.

I did fish Sandlin for a a few hours as well, fishes more like a lake up here with the clear water (at least when I was there). Caught a couple nice ones as they were bedding...seemed like a decent lake. I'll have to do some research on some of these....sometimes after a week or so I just like to look at different structure and water.

Don't forget Naconiche, Murvaul, Palestine, and Fairfield.

Rayburn and Toledo if you don't mind a couple hour drive

My favorites are Winnsboro and Holbrook but chances of catching a 10 out of either would be slim at best. Might try Athens, never been there but have heard good things about it.

If Fork is anything like it was during the spawn last year, you'll need to hit Athens to sight fish anything of any size! Keep this one in your back pocket.