Lake Fork -- Dream Trip

Texas Fishing Forum Newbie here! And yup...I am that guy who shows up seeking some advice!

I ended up with a week in March that freed up and looking to fly across the country and spend it in Texas. Already had the Rona so should not bring it with me! Anyways I am an avid bass fisherman. Tournament fish the local bass scene and Lake Fork is kind of a dream trip. I see quite a few Air BnBs close by so I will likely go that route. I'm not big on guides, but I assume they would be booked this late anyway. I am only finding one boat rental shop...The Boat Rental at Lake Fork. Is this my only option? I will be there the week of March 22nd. What should a guy typically expect for water temps and fishing conditions? I have seen it recommended to stay in the "boat lanes" and to look at the chip offered by Lance Vick...although I'm not sure what kind of electronics I will have available.

Any words of advice? Not fishing spot related. I know how lame that is to ask. More so areas to avoid etc to save a lower unit expense! Will be my first time to Texas so a little tourist in me as well. Love to check out local food, pubs, etc. But ultimately coming to fish.

Thanks for any advice!
Nick

Not sure on boat rental information. The boat lanes are easily marked with large white buoys just stay around those keep on the right side of the buoys just like you would if your driving on the road.

The lake has allot of good ramps, I would find a ramp that is near a major creek then just drop the TM and start beating the bank and the stumps with a Texas rig senko, square bill and other shallow power fishing techniques. keep a frog tied on as well for any shallow grass and a creature bait or craw for bed fishing.

Good luck.

Try J&J marine for a rental. Fish will be pre spawn, on beds and even some post spawners. Put in at Coffee Creek ramp and you can fish for days.

Welcome to TFF Nick.

Lots of guides will be happy to oblige you for a day or two and I would HIGHLY recommend it. It would make your trip so much more enjoyable & productive if you get the right guide. As far as places to fish there are too many to list. By 3rd week in March there will be fish in all 3 stages of the spawn.

You can expect to see water temps ranging from low 70's up north to low 60's near the dam. Your best bet will be to IDLE only unless you are in the main boat lanes running buoy to buoy. The electronics on the rental boats will most likely not have the ability to plug a boat-lane chip into.

Fish the baits you have confidence in. Squarebills, chatterbaits, lizards, Senkos, Flukes, Trick worms. There is a new secret color the fish love. It is called watermelon-red-flake. Just kidding. WM red flake and green pumpkin will catch fish anywhere. A wacky rigged black blue flake Senko will catch em as good as anything all over the lake.

I will add this. Lake Fork is just a shadow of the lake it was 10 yrs ago. Have realistic expectations.

Good luck to ya

Good food & folks at Lake Fork Marina and Oak Ridge. Also great tackle selection at both.

Veronas is good Italian. There used to be good Mexican food on the lake but it burned down twice.

Good information here:
Fishing Reports: http://www.ets-systems.com/lakefork/services/fishreport.htm
Main Page: http://www.ets-systems.com/index.htm

I also follow several of the guides on Instagram and Twitter.

Welcome to TFF. Going out with a guide for a day or two would make your week a lot better and worth the extra money to make your Lake Fork experience better. Give Jay Shipe a Call he can help you out. 214-566-4588

Thanks for the info! I was responding to your first meassage but it vanished! A guy has to say he has fished Lake Fork at least once in his life right? Ha! If I was driving the 1800 miles and towing my boat I might be able to fish a few more lakes. Unfortunately I will be relegated to a rental car and hopefully a rental boat. Have a couple calls in now for that. First time flying with rods and tackle as well. Typically a homebody. It was -5* where I was yesterday so I am looking forward to the trip regardless of fishing conditions or quality!

Ken A. makes a good point. I started making trips to Fork back in 1989. The 90's were absolutely the best. It is certainly a different lake now; but, don't let that stop you. It's still a trip I look forward to every time I go.

+1 for Jay

Right on! Thanks for the quick replies!

My only suggestions that I haven't already seen; idle when not in a boat lane. You are on vacation, take your time and enjoy yourself. It's a dangerous lake with the majority of trees under water now. It's going to be very crowded during that time. Fishing should be good everywhere. Heck, I'm sure I will be there or Rayburn during that time. Good luck!

Welcome to the Jungle!

Best places for breakfast.
Captain Jacks on FM 17 across from the car wash.
Yantis Cafe in the town of Yantis on FM 154 a couple miles north of Lake Fork.
Oakridge on FM 154. Take 515 east to the light at 154, turn right, cross the lake, go past the Minnow bucket and it will be on your right.
Several places around the lake are good for lunch and dinner.

Wife and I have been going 2-3 times a year for the last 20 years and have always caught fish; except one trip that we traveled from our home in SE Texas and halfway there drove through a terrible front/rainstorm. Water temperatures dropped and for three days of hard fishing we boated one fish. Glad that was the only trip like that.
Usually on Wednesday, the Texas Parks and Wildlife will have a fishing report that provides the water temperatures and lake level for a lot of state lakes.

to TFF

Pretty darn friendly group! Probably not so friendly when guys are competing against one another! Ha! But that is standard everywhere.

to the TFF!

Water temps could be anywhere from the mid 50's to near 70's. It all depends on these weather fronts and conditions. Launch in the major creek arms and fish in/out. There is a big tournament around that time, so get your place to stay early!!!