I can fish Fork when I want and I still hit those smaller lakes on occasion. No shame here. As much as I like Fork I am comfortable knowing when it sucks it just plain sucks.

Quitman Welsh Monte worth a try.

Thanks for all the fedback guys. We really appreciate it. For us, this trip is about fishing OFF a boat rather than fishing THROUGH a hole in the ice. Hopefully I can post some great pics while we are visiting.

Love Quitman & Hawkins. Some of my best days fishing came from Quitman & I've caught some pigs out of Hawkins. Hawkins is a beautiful lake as well. However, it's hard to fish any lake other then Fork knowing that it could produce the next SAL on any given cast.

Holbrook docks, lots of smaller fish
Winnsboro lake has lots of timber all over under water mostly on southern end, can't run too much timber, but there is a lane to get up North on east bank, from ramp CR4864 head straight toward point on east side, be aware there are stumps on east bank going out towards middle of lake, we run under them next to docks. North upper end has good timber, few docks, good size bass
Hawkins upper end timber, fish bridge area, I would not drive that far though, if you drive go to Gilmer, don't run Gilmer either too much timber underneath, but small enough to idle and fish a lot of water
Quitman be your closest bet to Fork and can be good at times
Gilmer Minimum 18" on blacks, lake good size fish, ramp area good area for 5XD have caught 3 to 4 pounders, don't run Gilmer either too much timber underneath, but small enough to idle and fish a lot of water

also if you just want to wreck a ton of fish don't forget Welsh.

I would hit Welsh for sure. Those fish in that lake will rip the road out of your hand! Worth the trip!

I'm in the same.....boat so to speak I'm from northwest Illinois.

We have been going to Fork in March since 1990. Some good years....some not so good. But we like the area, the people and lack of ice and snow. I'm not looking for secret spots or to put a guide out of work just a lake I can run/idle without tearing my rig upfirst time Im on it. I understand the pigs are in Fork and once again we will be staying lake fork marina. Whats a good lake for numbers vs size near by that is safe to run? My son is home from Afganistan and hasn't been down since 2003. Any suggestions would be appreciaped

Most of the lakes we mentioned are small enough where you will not lose any fishing time by idling. Out of those mentioned I think Holbrook is about the easiest to run and Hawkins is not bad if you use common sense.

I heard winnsboro was full.

Winnsboro is full pool......if you don't know how to run it you will tear up your boat.....everything is under the surface now.

Holbrook. -- lots of fish and good reeds, boat houses, timber and off shore structure. Best stringer last year - 19.14 lbs.

Hawkins. -- lots of timber, lilly pads and clear water. Some offshore structure. Best last year - 18.45 lbs.


Winnsboro. -- some timber, good boat houses. Best last year - 17.94 lbs.

Quitman -- lots of timber and a few good boat houses. Not so good for numbers but real good avg size.
Gilmer -- hydrilla, hydrilla, hydrilla, timber. Good numbers and good size but heavily pressured.

If it is a 10 lber you want though, stay on Fork.

If the weather is inhospitable, Monticello size, and Welsh for numbers.