So I've decided to make weekend trips out to some of the smaller lakes in the north east part of the state and see what's going on.

First up, Lake Gilmer.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/gilmer/

It's just west of.. well.. Gilmer, TX. If you go to Fork on 154 from Sulphur Springs just keep going and when you get to Quitman keep going east again, then it's north on FM852.

There is only one launch area with no ramp/day use fee. Double ramp with a doc in between them. The north ramp had good sand on it's north side and a grassy area to unload and drag down to the water from. There's a dumpster and a port-a-john and parking lot lights, and that's the long and short of the amenities.

The lake sits north/south and fairly narrow across with TONS of standing timber. The lake didn't "feel" low, however it looked like it might have been down 2 feet MAX.

Water depth was 11~14 with a few places in the 9' range and a the creek channel dropped it to 18' in a few places as well.

I pulled 1 2lb LMB off of the edge of the hydrilla along the bridge with a tiny torpedo and I was told by a reliable source (my father) that it was a great crappie lake.

Well he was WRONG. Not a crappie one, but I caught the biggest bluegill I've ever seen in the wild today and he was over 9" long. They were stacked around the timber and aggressive towards baby shad jigs in pink/chart, red/chart, blue/chart.

Next Saturday I'm thinking Coffee Mill @ the Caddo National Grasslands just west of Paris.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/coffee_mill/index.phtml

nice report. also heard that it was a good lake.

Cool stuff, looking forward to reading about your adventures.

I hear ya... I LOVE finding the smaller, off-the-beaten-path places that no one ever talks about...I've heard that Gilmer has some donkeys in it... It's on my list...

Good luck at Coffee Mill... That part of the Grasslands is great! If you're not getting much action there, Crockett is next door. Love that lake, though the last two times I've been there it was so low it was not fishing great. The bass on the left in my sig came from there.

Other places I've been and would recommend are Hawkins (lots of pickerel there) and Brandy Branch (great for winter fishing, 70 degree water temps last December). Lake Bryson is another one, REALLY off the beaten path.

More on my list: Big Creek, Pinkston, Murvaul, Kurth, Moss, Nocona, Stryker, Welsh (I bet you've fished here)...There's others... I spent so much time running out to Fork this summer that I didn't get to cross any of these off my list. Need to rectify that...

Nice report. I need to start exploring new waters as well.