lakes & marinas, outdoors

Lake Fork

Lake Fork is located five miles northwest of Quitman in Hopkins, Rains, and Wood Counties. The lake is composed of 27,264 surface acres, with an average maximum depth of 70 feet. Aquatic vegetation on the lake consists of Hydrilla, Eurasian milfoil, coontail, American lotus, water primrose, water hyacinth, alligatorweed and pennywort.

Flooded timber is found throughout Lake Fork and provides excellent fish habitat. Although access through the reservoir is provided by numerous buoyed boat lanes, submerged timber represents a substantial hazard, so care should be exercised while boating in all areas. Areas containing hydrilla, boat houses and docks, and lake points have historically provided some of the best fishing for largemouth bass. Fish will also congregate around bridge pilings and artificial brush piles.

Largemouth bass is the most popular sportfish in this reservoir. A combination of restrictive harvest regulations, stocking of Florida strain largemouth, and abundant habitat has contributed to Lake Fork’s development as one of the country’s premier trophy bass lakes. More than 65% of the Texas Top 50 largest bass (including the current state record) and more than half of those entered in the Toyota ShareLunker Program, were caught from Lake Fork. Crappie fishing is generally good, especially in standing timber and under the lake’s numerous bridges. Channel catfish provide an excellent sport fishery, which has increased in popularity and notoriety in recent years. White bass have been slowly increasing in abundance and provide an additional sportfish species in the reservoir. Yellow bass or “barfish” are often caught during the winter months, often associated with largemouth bass. These fish tend to be relatively small but they are great table fare and they are as tasty as crappie. Sunfish, primarily bluegill, offer additional opportunities for anglers during spring and summer.

Largemouth bass anglers are most successful on this reservoir during the spring, fall, and winter months. Spinnerbaits, plastic worms and lizards, jigs and lipless crankbaits are all popular lures during peak fishing in the spring (mid-February to April) when fishing is concentrated along the shoreline for spawning fish. Nightime fishing during the hot summer months can be very productive and a good way to beat the Texas heat. At this time, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwaters are often used. During late summer and early fall, when fish are schooling, crankbaits and topwater lures can be very effective. In winter jigging spoons, jigs and crankbaits are most productive.

Crappie anglers concentrate their efforts in deep water near the dam during the winter months. In late spring and early fall, most anglers fish for crappie under the bridges (Highway 154, Highway 515, CR 2946 and CR 514). Live minnows and crappie jigs are among the most popular baits used.

The catfish population is dominated by channel catfish, but also includes flathead and a few large blue cats. Stinkbait and cutbait work well for channel cats, while live bait is preferred for flatheads. Anglers occasionally catch large blue catfish. Sunfish such as bluegill and redear can be caught in early summer, in shallow water, using crickets, earthworms and small spinners. During the remainder of the year they can be caught using the same baits around piers, boathouses and submerged humps.

White bass can grow exceptionally large in Lake Fork due to abundant prey species. Jigging spoons and live baitfish work well for yellow and white bass. When white bass are schooling, topwater baits and small crankbaits can be especially effective.

Largemouth bass and crappie at Lake Fork are subject to special regulations:

  • Largemouth bass are subject to a 16- to 24-inch slot limit. Bass 16 inches and shorter and 24 inches and longer can be harvested with a daily bag limit of 5 fish, of which only 1 fish can be 24 inches or greater.
  • During the months of December, January and February, there is no minimum length limit on crappie. Daily bag is 25 in any combination of black and white crappie, and all crappie caught must be retained (culling is not permitted.). In other months, crappie are subject to a 10-inch minimum length limit and a daily bag of 25.

The Sabine River Authority (903) 878-2262 operates four public boat ramps and a free day use area. There are also numerous privately-owned access and accommodation facilities in the immediate vicinity of the lake. Accommodations range from motels and cabins to RV sites and tent camping. Individual facilities include services such as bait and tackle shops, convenience stores, fishing piers, gas pumps, and restaurants. For more details, choose a point on the map or a name in the chart below.

Public Ramps & Marinas

A1: Rains County Ramp and Rainswood Marina

  • Ramp and adjacent marina are located on the north end of the FM 2946 bridge on the Lake Fork Creek arm of the lake
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Open all year
  • Ramp is free to the public, operated by Rains County
  • Marina is privately operated (903) 473-2494 and charges fees for services

A2: Lake Fork Ranch

  • Located on Rains County Road 3330 north of Highway 515 in the northwest section of the lake
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 473-8784

A3: Rolling Fork

  • Located on Rains County Road 3330 north of Highway 515 in the northwest section of the lake
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 473-0991

A4: Axton’s Bass City

  • Located on the south end of the FM 2946 bridge on the Lake Fork Creek arm
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 473-7224

A5: Val’s Landing

  • Located at the south end of the FM 2946 bridge on the Lake Fork Creek arm
  • Two-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 473-3868

A6: Lake View Lodge

  • Located at the south end of the FM 2946 bridge on the Lake Fork Creek arm
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 473-5110

B1: FM 17 Public Ramp

  • Located at the west end of the FM 515 bridge on FM 17 on the Lake Fork creek arm
  • Two-lane concrete ramp
  • No fee required
  • Open all year
  • Operated by Sabine River Authority (903) 878-2262

B2: Lake Fork Resort

  • Located on FM 17 a half mile south of the intersection with FM 515
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 765-2987

B3: Lake Fork Marina

  • Located on FM 17 a mile south of the intersection with FM 515
  • Two single-lane concrete ramps
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 765-2764

C1: Tackle Factory

  • Located on FM 17, 3.5 miles south of the intersection with FM 515
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 765-2075

C2: Lake Fork Lighthouse

  • Located on FM 17, 3 miles south of the intersection with FM 515
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 765-3351

C3: Fisherman’s Cove

  • Located on FM 17, 3.5 miles south of the intersection with FM 515
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 765-2943

C4: Pope’s Landing

  • Located on FM 17, 2.5 miles south of the intersection with FM 515
  • Two 2-lane concrete ramps
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 765-2385

C5: Mustang Resort

  • Located on FM 17, 2.5 miles south of the intersection with FM 515
  • One-lane and 2-lane concrete ramps
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 765-2548

C6: Martin’s Fishing Resort

  • Located on FM 17, 3 miles south of the intersection with FM 515
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 765-2688

D1: Chaney Point RV Park

  • Located on Wood County Road 1590 north off FM 182 at the south end of the lake
  • Two single-lane concrete ramps
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 765-2264

E1: Quail Hollow

  • Located south of Texas 515 on Wood County Road 1987 in Little Caney Creek
  • Two single-lane concrete ramps
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 383-7925

32: Hide-Away Harbor

  • Located south of Texas 515 on Wood County Road 1987 in Little Caney Creek
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 383-2733

E3: Hurley’s New Horizon

  • Located south on Wood County Road 1950 in Little Caney Creek
  • Single-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 383-2877

E4: SRA Day Use Area

  • Located on northeast shore, northwest of Texas 154 bridge
  • Fishing pier, no boat ramp
  • No fee required
  • Open all year
  • Operated by Sabine River Authority (903) 878-2262

E5: Highway 515 East Ramp

  • Located on west side of Caney Creek at 515 East bridge
  • Two-lane concrete ramp
  • No fee required
  • Open all year
  • Operated by Sabine River Authority (903) 878-2262

F1: Highway 154 Public Ramp

  • Located at southeast end of Texas 154 bridge on Caney Creek arm of the lake
  • Two-lane concrete ramp
  • No fee required
  • Open all year
  • Operated by Sabine River Authority (903) 878-2262

F2: Minnow Bucket Marina

  • Located at southeast end of Texas Highway 154 bridge on Caney Creek arm of the lake.
  • Two-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 878-2500

F3: Oak Ridge Marina

  • Located at southeast end of Texas Highway 154 bridge on Caney Creek arm of the lake
  • Two-lane concrete ramp
  • Fee required
  • Open all year
  • Privately operated (903) 878-2529