My brother and I have been fishing Lake Fork for 30 years...I guess we were spoiled by the great trips we had in the 80's and 90's. Even our young sons were catching 4-8 lb bass back then. We took 4 springtime (primetime) trips last year ( one trip with a guide), and 5 trips this spring (one with a guide). Total haul for 9 trips.....1-6lb bass and 26 bass under 3 lbs. 27 measley bass in 9 trips (two guide trips to boot). It's time to reconsider if the 210 mile roundtrip is worth it anymore. It's hard to say goodbye to a place that provided so many good memories. I understand that fishing Fork can be a humbling experience but the good days used to balance out the bad days......not anymore it seems. Are we the only ones that have come to this point ?

I was there this weekend and with all the boats on the water I can see why they don't bite like they did in the past.
You have to remember that Fork is one of the premier fisheries for BIG bass and will always have alot of pressure on it.
Just my opinion of course.

Most locals, including guides, would like to forget Jan-Mar this year. Crazy weather patterns along with a colder than normal winter made for tough fishing this spring. Overall it seemed the fish were harder to find and even harder to stay on. On some days it still fishes like the 90's with good numbers and quality.

I've talked with 3 guides in the last month or so, and all 3 said the lake is fishing very strange this year, and yea the winter was cold, but they all think something else is up. No idea what, but the lake is just fishing different than usual.

Words of wisdom from someone who knows of what he speaks...

The lack of grass throughout the lake also hurts the results of the dream days. It is what it is, and that's one of the best lakes in Texas, you guys hang in there it'll get better. This spring was screwy, once the water warmed all the fish ran to the banks it seemed at once... We were catching barfish, bass, crappie, sandbass, catfish, and gennel on minner's off or dock with the grandkids in March and early April

Constant fishing pressure has taken it's toll over the years.

I heard that Athens is on fire!

It is not as good as it use to be. But it is still a lot better than most of our lakes.

Athens has been and still is on fire. Finished first in club tournament this last weekend with 13.5 lbs. had a beautiful 25" - 9lb for a kicker. Lots of slots up to 20" and tons of small fish.

I've been saying that for years. I had an argument the other day with a co-worker. He said that the next state record would come from fork. I said there is no way!! It is waaaaaaaaaaaaay to pressured. No top fish have come from fork for years. The records were set long before side-imaging sonars, GPS, and all the modern technology. He says I'm wrong, but I'm proven right as every day goes by. It's just a lake, nothing more. Don't be suckered by the past and all of the hype. But I am glad that my boat lives 2 miles from it and I get to fish it pretty often.

I still haven't heard a good explaination of how the hydrilla disapeared. The loss of the hydrilla, too much fishing pressure and too many tournaments have all contributed to the tough fishing. Also there are a ton of guides on Fork too. I'm his frustrated brother.

Fished this weekend 0 out. My wife hate lake fork, loaded up and when to Holbrook and caught some nice Bass. It will be a while before going back to fork.

I doubt I will ever give up on it. It kicks out enough good days and good fish for me I keep coming back. I think a lot of people simply keep trying to fish it like they did 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago. Things change and you have to change with it. I have heard for years you can't catch them shallow year round out there. All I can say is sure, OK, whatever. I can take you out in the hottest part of the day in summer and we can smash them in 2' of water or less. I am talking good sized slot fish and usually in decent numbers. More than one TFFr has been in those areas with me in my boat and saw it as well. Is it always a sure thing? Heck no but its consistent. Caught them in same type areas in freezing cold water too and super shallow. My point is you got to get out of the same routine throwing the same baits at times. The fish are there its just up to us to figure them out.

+1

Good Points Mark

Agree with Mark. Don't give up on it. Habitat is changing and so are fish patterns. Shallow fishing anglers have been hit the hardest. I fish deeper than most even during the spawn. Hang in there