#1 food source for the reds and they multiply like crazy, are tough as nails and stay alive in almost any water condition. Without them, the red population wouldn't sustain.

Where did you seine at, I need some for bait, and will take a few with my bow for the table.

I seined right by the boat ram. It get deep quick. I used the throw net to catch the keepers in some coves.

The Reds will sustain without Tilapia, just not prosper as well. There are plenty of Tennessee and Gizzard shad as well in Fairfield.

However, the Fairfield, Calaveras and Bruanig Reds grow especially well because of the abundant Tilapia population which converts algae and mold directly into as large as pan size fish flesh for the reds to forage upon.

There were about 10-20 lakes stocked with red drum in years past. There were lakes stocked with Red Drum that did not have Tilapia populations, nor do the coastal waters contain Tilapia.

The power plant lakes stocked with Reds where they have died occurred because a reduced or shutdown power station cut off the heat supply and the lake temperature fell too low for the reds. By the way, water temperatures that low would have likely killed any Tilapia and any TPWD previously stocked Tennessee Shad populations as well. Recent years TPWD has only stocked Red Drum in Calaveras, Braunig, Trading House Creek, and Fairfield inland lakes. The first three have gotten about twice the stocking per acre than does Fairfield.

The Trading House Creek Power Station operation has become sporadic cooling the lake in the winter time. So far the Reds have just gone dormant during these last few winter periods. TPWD stocked about 400,000 fingerling reds in Trading House Creek last year alone.

WILL SHRIMP WORK

If they are biting well , shrimp will definately get bit.
I have a customer that gets good results with live
crawfish. Other proven options ,live bream , live or cut shad,
good luck
MO

talipia you can catch all you can fish with at the lake.
use a castnet and go fish.Good bait
FISH ON DEE.

What size hook do you guys use? I assume you need a fairly large hook and hunk of lead to hold a 3 inch bait down. I am itching to get back. Maybe I should pay my ticket in person so I have an excuse to go back. Two hours is a long drive.

what boat launch do you use? there is two ways i can get to lake fairfield. i can come from streetman, or through fairfield. which is the best way to go?

Hey man is that you in the pic? How much dirt did you eat. Awesome shot. Can't help with your question never been there but full intend to go this month sometime. I think there is only one boat ramp though.

Only north (east side) ramp has enough water to work. Power company ramp on the west side is private unless you work for Luminent. Do not try the south ramp unless you have a carry in hull, even that you will carry twice.

From the front park gate stay on that road until it ends at the north ramp (~4 miles), or a boat trailer rear end and prop, not yet within sight of water.

These types of holiday weekends are rooky loading and unloading times, bring plenty of patience. There is just enough hole for one trailer to work. Have your buddy do his best to help the folks ahead of your rig. It might take 2 or 3 back downs to get the fenders in the hole evenly so boats will load straight on their bunks for the ride home. If everybody can have their buddy help guide the trailers ahead of them get into the hole first time the number of adjusting retrys will be minimized.

The lake is getting down to about the level where some rigs had to towed out some months ago. If one rig gets stuck in the hole without enough power or traction to pull his trailer up and out of the hole or up the wet ramp pavement, everybody behind him is stuck also. If you have a tow strap or chain you would be wise to not leave it at home.

yes it is me, all the dirt was in the air behind me! it was a nice sandy corner i was carving through. im a professional racer, but a privateer on the top level of our sport. i compete in supercross in the reliant stadium, and the old dallas cowboys stadium. 2010 will be the new arlington cowboys stadium. this year i have stopped racing full time and just do select events. i am married now with my first child at 14 months and one due in dec! so i need to be home more now. but im an active outdoorsman! i cant get enough hunt'n and fish'n. matter fact we have a track just across from fairfield outside of wortham. check out the site www.freestonemx.com we have one of the 12 rounds of the outdoor nationals at our track. and a lot more great racing throughout the year as well. there is a race there this weekend on sunday.

that was a nice long answer for you hahaha!

whoa seriously! haha i can go there anytime. im in that area at our family ranch often! thank you for your info!

Boat launch is in the State Park - only way to get to Lake Fairfield that I know of. Water is very low ( and to this beginner ) ... launching is pretty scary ! BUT WELL WORTH THE 5 MINUTES OF FEAR !!

hey guys having grownup down here on the coast can you tell me what the difference is in the taste of freshwater reds compared to saltwater reds?

my family is from Winkler (we moved down here in the 50's) not far from Fairfield right on Richland Chambers Lake. Anyone fishing there? thanks