Gonna go to Fork for my first time next week. What ramp do y'all recommend I put in at? I will be coming from the dfw area. Also where is a good cheap place to stay for the night?

The Burnin' Stump Lodge is the best place to stay on the lake, especially if you have a boat. Ralph, the owner, is really good people.

There are several ramps to choose from, I'd recommend deciding what part of the lake you plan on fishing before you get dead set on the launch location. But, as a first time on Fork....might be helpful to know the ramps that have close access to the marked boat lane. Or, in an open area that's somewhat clear to run:

515 West public launch - mid west to northwest arm
Oakridge Marina (great food and great tackle) - Mid East to southeast arm
Little Mustang - Mid west to southwest arm
515 East public launch - Mid East to northeast arm
154 public launch - same as Oakridge

Good luck and be safe, when in doubt...."idle".

Hey thanks for the info!

You are going to hate it.

You can also put in in little mustang and just drop the trolling motor! There is a pay ramp right by the bridge that is really nice.

"Good luck and be safe, when in doubt...."idle".

yes, what he said

This is a very good plan. Little mustang or Popes landing in mustang

Be careful. Lots of stumps.

The rooms at Oak Ridge aren't bad, and the restaurant is pretty good. It doesn't matter where you stay, take your rods and electronics in the room at night. The peace of mind is worth the time it takes. If you haven't ever been, I would re comment putting in at a ramp near the dam. That part of the lake is more open, and you can follow the boat lanes from there easily. When you get out of the lanes, trim it up and idle. There are more stumps than you can count, and many are just below the surface.
In my mind, the greatest thing about that lake is that your next cast could be the fish of a lifetime. Relax and have fun fishing. There is something magical about that lake in the late afternoon/evening. It always brings me back.

Fork is over rated!! There's a lot better lakes in east Tx. Were you can catch same quality fish without putting up with the crowds. Fork is for tourist fishermen. Lol.

Only 34 of the top 50 largest bass caught and recorded in Texas come from Fork.

Get yourself a Martins map and study it to find where you want to fish. Fork is very easy to run, main lake boat lanes are marked pretty well. Out of the boat lanes IDLE. You can probably do good in any cove on the lake right now, fishing spawn or prespawn. One thing you need to know about Fork is if you are fishing jigs or plastics, slow down. The slower you fish it the better you will do. Good Luck

If you want to do some window shopping for a bass boat, go to Fork. You will see every make, model, engine combo, etc. this time of year. And the coves definitely will be the best place to fish, if you can find a parking spot. Be happy if you catch two fish a day. Fishing pressure and the weather has been hard on them this spring.
Other than that, it's a beautiful "little" lake (down 4-1/2'). Seriously, idle if you aren't in the boat channels.

Main reason I don't fish Fork much is the crowds. Hard to relax.

If people would get a map look at it and go exploring you would find acres of good water that gets very little pressure. Instead of being a sheep following the crowds, go find your own water.

and for the guy that only hopes to catch 2 fish on Fork this time of year, you might want to change your tactics