Anglers Assist TPWD stocking of Florida Strain Fingerlings




For years and years TPWD has been stocking Lake Fork with Florida strain fingerlings. But never venturing beyond the boat ramps where they dump them because they felt that putting them into boats to take to the back of creeks to many would die before they got in the water.

Yesterday with organization mainly by the Lake Fork Sportsman's Assoc putting together a plan and then providing the volunteers to spread them thru out the lake in the back of creeks. Members in boats mostly from the Lake Fork Anglers,
a couple of guides, and some individuals. The live release boat (LRB) with a crew of 4 took over 150,000 fry to disperse into Birch Creek (you'll have to ask them where).
And 10-20 individuals with coolers took many more to distribute.

First all of the buckets, live wells and LRB tanks were filled with lake water to at least 6 inches. Then the baby bass were bagged much like you do with shiners for crappie using lake water, with oxygen being added to each bag so that they could do at least an hour before being released. The bass were free swimming in the 300 gallon tanks on the LRB and lifted out with special nets that were previously placed in the bottom of the tanks for that reason.

Despite the fact that it was blowing very hard and the lake had 4' rollers about the time the boats left everyone was able to disperse their passengers into the back of many creeks.

The fisheries folks said there were 276,000 altogether. And that in about 6-7 years when they start doing the DNA studies on those Share A Lunkers's they will know if it worked by their DNA.

We hope in the future that the scientists will again make use of the volunteers in future stockings.




Tell us what you think!

Best Western - Emory TX Lake Fork

Lake Fork Email Updates


 

Visit our Lake Fork Sponsors!

Lake Fork on Social Media

 
       

Lake Fork Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

 

Lake Fork Weather Forecast

Wednesday

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 80

Wednesday Night

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Lo: 66

Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 81

Thursday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 71

Friday

Rain Showers

Hi: 76

Friday Night

Breezy

Lo: 69

Saturday

Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 83

Saturday Night

Chance Thunderstorms

Lo: 70


Lake Fork Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 4/24: 403.28 (+0.28)



Lake Fork

Fishing Report from TPWD (Apr. 17)

GOOD. Water Stained; 60 degrees; 0.20 feet above pool. Fork has been good with fish in just about every stage of the spawn. Lots of fish are shallow in 1-4 feet with Texas rigs, yum dingers, chatterbaits, flukes, and swim jigs. Offshore bass are good on humps and points in 5-7 feet of water with Carolina rigs with light weights, mid-running crankbaits, and shaky heads. Report by Marc Mitchell, Lake Fork Guide Service. Changing weather means changing bite. First phase bass spawners are now in a post spawn pattern and aggressive. Frog pattern topwaters are excellent in the grass and brush. Casting into the pockets and letting the frog sit for a few seconds is a good idea. Crappies are shallow, small fish patterns like wooly buggers are a good bet. Bream are beginning to make themselves known in the shallows, wooly buggers and small poppers should bring a strike. Report by Guide Alex Guthrie, Fly Fish Fork Guide Service. Crappie are great with some pre-spawn fish, some fish actively spawning and some post spawn. Fish can be found in a few feet of water to 30 feet of water. All crappie on Lake Fork do not go shallow to spawn and we catch fish in 18-20 feet that are spawning on timber. You can also find some fish on brush, lay downs, bridges and docks. It is a very versatile time to catch crappie with multiple patterns. Minnows will work great right now but any crappie baits will catch fish. Try small hand tied jigs and soft plastics. Catfishing is excellent right now on Lake Fork around timber in 12-20 feet. Still seeing loads of fish around roosting trees. Lots of birds in the shallow areas close to the bank in the early mornings chasing shad spawns. The catfish are also up there feeding on shad as well. Use any prepared catfish baits or cut shad on baited holes in the timber. Use a cork with anything a catfish will bite up shallow. Minnows and cut shad will work great on this shallow fish. Report by Jacky Wiggins, Jacky Wiggins Guide Service.

More Fishing Reports