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Lake Fork Fishing Report & Water Level
Lake Fork is at 398.14 ft above mean sea level and 80.1% full as of Oct 20, 2026 (TWDB daily average). That is 4.86 ft below the 403.0 ft conservation pool.
Lake Fork water level today & trend
The lake is 4.9 ft below its conservation pool. Some shallow ramps and coves may be affected; run cautiously in unfamiliar water.
| Level (daily avg.) | 398.14 ft msl (Oct 20, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conservation pool | 403.0 ft msl |
| Percent full | 80.1% (-0.8 pts in 7 days, -11.3 pts in 1 year) |
| Conservation storage | 485,469 of 606,088 acre-feet |
| Current surface area | 23,194 acres |
| Latest USGS gauge reading | 398.14 ft (lake elevation, NGVD29) at Oct 20, 6:30 AM CDT, USGS 08018800. Instantaneous provisional value; datum can differ slightly from TWDB. |
Percent full from 2025-10-20 (91.4%) to 2026-10-20 (80.1%). Range shown 80.1%–92.9%.
Sources: TWDB Water Data for Texas: Lake Fork Reservoir (CSV), USGS. Provisional data, updated daily.
Lake Fork fishing report: recent conditions & what's biting
No recent angler reports yet: submit yours. Reports are reviewed before they're published. We never make up reports.
Seasonal pattern for October (general guide)
Fall transition. Shad migrate into creeks and coves and bass follow them, so moving baits that cover water are often effective. Fall turnover can make fishing inconsistent for a short time on deeper lakes. Schooling fish appear in open water.
This describes typical October patterns on Texas reservoirs. It is not an observed report for Lake Fork. Water temperature, lake level (currently -0.22 ft this week) and weather move fish more than the calendar does.
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Best baits & techniques for Lake Fork bass fishing
General, proven approaches for the species TPWD lists in Lake Fork. These are not lake-specific hot baits.
- Largemouth bass
- Texas-rigged soft plastics (worms, creature baits), jigs, spinnerbaits and bladed jigs, crankbaits (squarebills shallow, deep divers on ledges), lipless crankbaits, and topwaters in low light. Florida-strain trophies are often caught on big worms, jigs and swimbaits.
- White bass
- Small slabs, jigs, inline spinners and small crankbaits. Look for schools chasing shad, and spring spawning runs in the tributaries.
- Crappie
- Live minnows and small jigs around brush piles, standing timber, docks and bridge pilings. Spider-rigging and vertical jigging are common.
- Catfish
- Cut bait and live bait for blue and flathead catfish, prepared/stink baits and worms for channel catfish. Drift-fishing and baited holes are both popular.
- Sunfish (bluegill, redear)
- Crickets, worms and small jigs or spinners near docks, shallow cover and beds in late spring and summer.
Comparing gear? See our baitcasting reel and bass rod spec comparisons.
Fish species in Lake Fork
- Largemouth bass
- White & black crappie
- Channel catfish
- White bass
- Sunfish
| Location | On the Sabine River in Hopkins, Rains and Wood Counties, 5 miles northwest of Quitman |
|---|---|
| Surface area (at full pool) | 27,264 acres |
| Maximum depth | 70 feet |
| Impounded | 1980 |
| Typical fluctuation | Moderate, 2-4 ft. |
| Normal water clarity | Moderately clear |
| Controlling authority | Sabine River Authority of Texas |
Species and lake facts from TPWD: Fishing Lake Fork (retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Bag and size limits can be lake-specific; check the TPWD Outdoor Annual.
Lake Fork boat ramps & public access
Status: check before you go. We don't track ramp closures. Ramps can close for low or high water, construction or flood damage, and the lake is -4.9 ft vs. conservation pool today. Confirm with the operator (Sabine River Authority of Texas).
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.
| Map | Boat ramp / access point & location | Amenities (TPWD) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Rains County Ramp & 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; Ramp is free to the public, operated by Rains County; Marina is privately operated (903) 456-1844 and charges fees for services | restrooms, parking, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| 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; Privately operated (903) 473-8784 | restrooms, cleaning stations, parking, courtesy docks, camping | Check before you go |
| 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; Privately operated (903) 473-0991 | restrooms, cleaning stations, ADA Accessible, parking, courtesy docks, camping | Check before you go |
| 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; Privately operated (903) 473-7224 | restrooms, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| 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; Privately operated (903) 473-3868 | cleaning stations, parking, weigh stations, camping | Check before you go |
| 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; Privately operated (903) 473-5110 | restrooms, cleaning stations, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| B1 | FM 17 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; Operated by Sabine River Authority (903) 878-2262 | parking | Check before you go |
| B2 | Lake Fork Resort Located on FM 17 a half mile south of the intersection with FM 515 Single-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 765-2987 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| B3 | Lake Fork Marina Located on FM 17 a mile south of the intersection with FM 515 Two single-lane concrete ramps; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 765-2764 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| C1 | Tackle Factory Located on FM 17, 3.5 miles south of the intersection with FM 515 Single-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 765-2075 | parking | Check before you go |
| C2 | Lake Fork Lighthouse Located on FM 17, 3 miles south of the intersection with FM 515 Single-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 765-3351 | restrooms, parking, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| C3 | Fisherman's Cove Located on FM 17, 3.5 miles south of the intersection with FM 515 Single-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 765-2943 | restrooms, cleaning stations, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations | Check before you go |
| 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; Privately operated (903) 765-2385 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas | Check before you go |
| C5 | Mustang Resort Located on FM 17, 2.5 miles south of the intersection with FM 515 One-lane and 2-lane concrete ramps; Privately operated (903) 765-2548 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, camping | Check before you go |
| C6 | Martin's Resort Located on FM 17, 3 miles south of the intersection with FM 515 Single-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 765-2688 | parking | Check before you go |
| 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; Privately operated (903) 765-2264 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| E1 | Quail Hollow Located south of Texas 515 on Wood County Road 1987 in Little Caney Creek Two single-lane concrete ramps; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 383-7925 | restrooms, cleaning stations, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas | Check before you go |
| E2 | Hide-Away Harbor Located south of Texas 515 on Wood County Road 1987 in Little Caney Creek Single-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 383-2733 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| E3 | Hurley's New Horizon Located south on Wood County Road 1950 in Little Caney Creek Single-lane concrete ramp; Fee required; Privately operated (903) 383-2877 | parking, courtesy docks | Check before you go |
| E4 | SRA Day Use Area Located on northeast shore, northwest of Texas 154 bridge Fishing pier, no boat ramp; No fee required; Operated by Sabine River Authority (903) 878-2262 | restrooms, ADA Accessible, parking, picnic areas | Check before you go |
| E5 | Highway 515 East Ramp Located on west side of Caney Creek at 515 East bridge Two-lane concrete ramp; No fee required; Operated by Sabine River Authority (903) 878-2262 | parking | Check before you go |
| F1 | Highway 154 Ramp Located at southeast end of Texas 154 bridge on Caney Creek arm of the lake Two-lane concrete ramp; No fee required; Operated by Sabine River Authority (903) 878-2262 | parking | Check before you go |
| 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; Privately operated (903) 878-2500 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, weigh stations, boat gas, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
| 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; Privately operated (903) 878-2529 | restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, weigh stations, picnic areas, camping | Check before you go |
Access list from TPWD: Lake Fork public access facilities (map and locations on TPWD; retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Includes some privately owned facilities that may charge fees.
Texas law requires draining all water from your boat and onboard receptacles when leaving or approaching public fresh water (zebra mussel prevention). Clean, drain and dry.
Local guides & marinas at Lake Fork
Run a guide service, marina or bait shop on Lake Fork? Get listed free.
Lake Fork weather forecast
- Today
76°F, Sunny
Wind E 0 to 5 mph - Tonight
56°F, Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph - Wednesday
78°F, Sunny
Wind 0 mph - Wednesday Night
57°F, Clear
Wind 0 mph - Thursday
79°F, Sunny
Wind 0 mph - Thursday Night
59°F, Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph
National Weather Service point forecast for 32.813, -95.528 (NWS SHV), issued Oct 20, 6:30 AM CDT. Full forecast at weather.gov.
Lake Fork FAQ
What is the water level at Lake Fork today?
On Oct 20, 2026, Lake Fork was at 398.14 ft above mean sea level and 80.1% full, according to the Texas Water Development Board. That is 4.86 ft below the 403.0 ft conservation pool.
What fish are in Lake Fork?
TPWD lists these predominant species for Lake Fork: Largemouth bass, White & black crappie, Channel catfish, White bass, Sunfish.
Who manages Lake Fork?
Sabine River Authority of Texas is the controlling authority, according to TPWD.
Nearby lakes
- Lake Tawakoni · 23 mi · 89.9%
- Lake Bob Sandlin · 36 mi · 87.6%
- Jim Chapman Lake (Cooper Lake) · 36 mi · 65.4%
- Lake Athens · 44 mi · 96.9%
- Lake Palestine · 53 mi · 87.6%
- Cedar Creek Reservoir · 53 mi · 73.0%