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Reserve the date for the Lake Fork Classic!

The Fishing Tournment will be held form 6:00 am - 3:00 pm with the weigh-in from 3:00-3:30 pm.

It's not all about fishing, however.  There will be a raffle and auctions at 4:30 pm and a classic cookout at 6:00 pm

$4,000 in GUARANTEED CASH PRIZES for top 3 biggest fish.

For further information and registration, visits www.lakeforkclassic.com.

The tournament is a fundraiser for Camp John Marc's Special Camps for Special Kids. . . children with chronic illnesses and major physical disabilities.  This tournament provides support for high-quality, year-round camping experiences at the facility in Bosque County, Texas.

12th Annnual Charity Big Bass Tournament
Benefitting Camp John Marc
on Saturday, April 27, 2013
at Axton's Bass City,
2959 FM 2946 Emory, TX 75440
21-215-9200
LakeForkClassic@gmail.com

Gary Sims lands ShareLunker #538

This just in from the Wood County Industrial Commission. . .

Wood County Industrial Commission announced today that the 250th prized catch of a trophy bass was caught on Lake Fork Wednesday by Gary Sims of Gunter, Texas. 

Sims caught a ShareLunker #538 (pure Florida bass) with a weight of 15.01 pounds, length of 25 ¼ “ and a 22” girth in 30 feet of water at Lake Fork in Wood County, during the Moon phase N-1.

Mr. Sims said, “I was using a ProAngler Tackle 8 foot Rod on a 10# test line with a 1/8 ounce Crappie Rocket jig that was black and chartreuse. It was 12/12/12 and right about noon. 

The stars or something were lined up just about right for me as I quickly realized I might have a Sharelunker.”  Sims said that he immediately took the fish to Oak Ridge Marina’s holding tank for special care until Texas Parks and Wildlife officials were notified. 

The trophy fish was moved to Athens late Wednesday afternoon and will eventually be released back to Lake Fork.

Texas Parks and Wildlife officials report the catch is a “repeat”, meaning she has been caught before as ShareLunker #518, brought in on March 13, 2011 by Ed Carter of Broken Bow, OK. 

The bass weighed 14.25# at that time, 25” in length and a 22” girth.   The Florida/northern cross Bass was released back to Lake Fork on April 5, 2011. 

Texas reservoirs that have produced double-digit numbers of ShareLunker entries include Wood County’s Lake Fork with 250; Alan Henry, 25; Sam Rayburn, 23; Falcon, 19; Conroe, 16; Choke Canyon, 13; and Amistad, 12.

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens, Texas is headquarters for the Toyota ShareLunker Program, which encourages anglers who have caught 13-pound-plus largemouth bass to lend or donate the fish to TPWD for spawning purposes. 

The TFFC combines visitation and outdoor education with a production fish hatchery. Its mission is to provide an educational, entertaining visitor experience that promotes freshwater sport fishing and the enhancement, conservation and stewardship of aquatic resources in Texas.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling the ShareLunker hotline at (903) 681-0550 or paging (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers when available, is posted on http://www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram. The Toyota Sharelunker program was established in 1986 to promote catch-and-release of large fish and to selectively breed trophy largemouth bass.

The first fish entered into the program was also a new state record in November of that year, a 17.67-pounder caught from Lake Fork. For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass, a list of official Toyota ShareLunker weigh and holding stations, see www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker.

The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available. 

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.

John Morris, Lake Fork Fishing Guide,
Winnsboro Online Guide Fishing Report blogger

Weekly Tournaments

Working Man’s Tournaments
Minnow Bucket Marina's
More Information:
(903) 878-2500
MinnowOne@aol.com

Seasonal Tournaments

Lake Fork Team Trail  
Visit website for 2012 schedule
www.LakeForkTeamTrail.com

Media Bass Team Tournament 
Visit website for 2012 schedule
www.mediabass.com

Texas Trails Bassmasters of Lake Fork
Visit website for 2012 Schedule
www.texastrailsbassmasters.com

J C Outdoors Bass Trails
Host several tournaments on Lake Fork
www.jcoutdoors.com

The 2 of Us Couples Tournament
OPEN TOURNAMENT
Click Here for website

Annual Tournament
"Mad Dog" Memorial
Bass Team Tournament on Lake Fork
www.MadDogMoore.com

Media Bass Team Tournament 
Visit website for 2012 schedule
www.mediabass.com

Fishers of Men Bass Fishing Tournament
Several Tournaments on Lake Fork
For more information visit website:
www.fomntt.com

January

Bud Light Tournament Trail
Pop's Landing
Sunday, January 15, 2012
www.budlighttrail.com

February

Fishers of Men Bass Fishing Tournament
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012
154 Public Ramp
www.fomntt.com

Bud Light Tournament Trail
Pop's Landing
Sunday, February 12, 2012
www.budlighttrail.com

JC Outdoors
Minnow Bucket Marina
Sunday, February 12, 2012
www.jcoutdoors.com

Media Bass Team Tournament
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Minnow Bucket
http://www.mediabass.com

March

Bud Light Tournament Trail
Pop's Landing
Sunday, March 11, 2012
www.budlighttrail.com

JC Outdoors
Minnow Bucket Marina
Sunday, March 11, 2012
www.jcoutdoors.com

Media Bass Team Tournament 
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Minnow Bucket
www.mediabass.com

Fishers of Men Bass Fishing Tournament
Saturday, March 24, 2012
154 Public Ramp
www.fomntt.com

April

DODGE RAM MEGA BASS TOURNAMENT
Sunday, April 1st, 2012  
Even Bigger and Better than last year! Guaranteed hourly paybacks, More Bonus $$ every hour, and a Skeeter Boat in addition to a RAM Truck for the overall winner!
Lake Fork Marina
www.basschamps.com

Skeeter Bass Champs Tournament
Sarurday, April 14, 2012
North Region Teams
$20,000 Guaranteed for 1st place at every event regardless of entries.
Lake Fork Marina
www.basschamps.com

Bud Light Tournament Trail
Pop's Landing
Sunday, April 15, 2012
www.budlighttrail.com

Media Bass Team Tournament 
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Minnow Bucket
www.mediabass.com

Irving Bass Club
Saturday-Sunday, April 21-22, 2012
Lake Fork Marina
www.irvingbassclub.org

11th Annual Lake Fork Classic
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Benefit event that provides
support to Camp John Marc
for chronically ill and
disabled children.
www.lakeforkclassic.com

Fishers of Men Bass Fishing Tournament
Saturday, April 28, 2012
154 Public Ramp
www.fomntt.com

JC Outdoors
Minnow Bucket Marina
Saturday, April 28, 2012
www.jcoutdoors.com

May

Bud Light Tournament Trail
Pop's Landing
Sunday, May 6, 2012
www.budlighttrail.com

Media Bass Team Tournament 
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Minnow Bucket
www.mediabass.com

Bass on the Fly
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Lake Fork Marina
www.bassonthefly.org

The Seventh Annual Legend of Lake Fork
Open Bass Tournament
Saturday-Sunday, May 18, 19, 20, 2012
Register early for chance at drawings & prizes www.LegendOfLakeFork.com
888-657-5051 or 903-383-7748
teamlegend@LegendMarine.com or fishnews@LakeFork.net

Steve’s Custom Props Open
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Lake Fork Marina
903-765-9000

Fishers of Men Bass Fishing Tournament
May 26, 2012
154 Public Ramp
www.fomntt.com

June

Skeeter Owner's Tournament
Saturday-Sunday, June 9-10, 2012
Lake Fork Marina
www.skeeterboats.com

Media Bass Team Tournament 
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Minnow Bucket
www.mediabass.com

Fishers of Men Bass Fishing Tournament
Saturday, June 16, 2012
154 Public Ramp
www.fomntt.com

C.A.S.T. Tournament
Sunday, June 17, 2012
www.fishcast.com

Bassin for Babies
Bass Tournament Lake Fork
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Oak Ridge Marina
Bassin for Babies, a team format tournament where the proceeds go to the March of Dimes Foundation
www.bassinforbabies.com

JC Outdoors
Minnow Bucket Marina
Saturday, June 30, 2012
www.jcoutdoors.com

July

Media Bass Team Tournament 
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Minnow Bucket
www.mediabass.com

JC Outdoors
Minnow Bucket Marina
Saturday, July 21, 2012
www.jcoutdoors.com

September

Annual McDonald's Big Bass Splash
Friday- Sunday, September 21, 22, 23
Tournament Headquarters Lake Fork Marina
www.SealyOutdoors.com

October

BERKLEY BIG BASS
7th Annual Big Bass Tournament
Lake Fork
Friday-Sunday, October 20th-21st, 2012
Win 2 Skeeter Boats
ENTRY FEE: $120 One day/ $170 Both days
REGISTRATION: Lake Fork Marina
Friday, Oct. 19th From 2 to 7 PM
Saturday, Oct. 20th from 5 to 7 AM
Sunday, Oct. 21st from 5 to 7 AM
www.basschamps.com

Irving Bass Club
Lake Fork Open
Saturday-Sunday, October 20-21, 2012
Lake Fork Marina
www.irvingbassclub.org

December

Xtreme Crappie Team Tournament
Monday, December 17, 2012
Scenic 515 Cabins
903-383-7885

Our friends Ken and Dana Donahue over at Lake Fork Marina are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their business. Their sprawling property is a magnet for fishermen and women with the motel and lodge, RV park, camping area, well-stocked store and restaurant.

They are rolling back pricing on rooms to 1985 levels for the entire month of November, 2010. Yep, you read that correctly. Rooms at only $45 per night.

PLUS, you can shop for fishing tackle, apparel and gifts - 25% off.

If ever there was a great excuse to visit, this 25th anniversary price roll-back and special sale is it!

Lake Fork Marina
275 County Road 1558
Alba, TX  75410
903-765-2764
www.lakeforkmarina.com

Photo courtesy Lake Fork Marina

Bob Williams at the Lake Fork Area Chamber of Commerce just sent me the scoop on one of the most interesting and loooong bass tournaments you're likely to see on the schedule at any lake.

If you love bass fishing, you're going to like this one. I'm not even going to try to explain this 7-month marathon tournament, but give you the info exactly as I received it. You need to register NOW so you're ready to go Oct. 1.

Lake Fork Area Chamber of Commerce launches the Third Annual Lake Fork Bounty Bonanza, a new type of fishing tournament.

The Lake Fork Bounty Bonanza will begin October 1, 2010 and continue through April 30, 2011.

The tournament entry fee is $25 and is open to all fishing enthusiasts who enter and will pay out as follows:

Group One Prize List

Fish must be caught between October 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011.

1. Largemouth Bass exceeding the weight of the 50th largest in Texas - $10,000

Berkley will add a $250 tackle package.

2. Largemouth Bass exceeding the weight of the 10th largest in Texas - $25,000

Berkley will add a $500 tackle package.

3. Largemouth Bass exceeding the weight of the Texas State Record - $50,000

Berkley will add a $1000 tackle package.

4. Largemouth Bass exceeding the World Record - $100,000 Berkley will add a $2000 tackle package.

Group Two Prize List

Fish must be caught between October 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011.

1. For the 1st Largemouth Bass weighing 9.99 pounds, KMOO will award $999.99.

2. For the heaviest Largemouth Bass, over the slot, weighed each month, Chamber Member Sponsors will award a $300 cash prize.

3. For each Largemouth Bass 13 pounds or greater, Lake Fork Marina will award a $500 tackle package.

Angler of the Year

The Angler who weighs the heaviest Largemouth Bass during the program, will win an embroidered jacket and an additional prize package.

For complete details and rules of the Lake Fork Bounty Bonanza, please visit our website at www.lakeforkbountybonanza.com.

Hi - Just want to add an event to the Lake Fork schedule for September-October.

The Lake Fork Outdoor Expo Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. The tournament will start at first light. The first flight will be 6:30 am, ending at 2 pm for first flight weigh in.

This is actually part of a 3-day event with all kinds of family-oriented activities, including a golf tournament. Check it out through the link for the Lake Fork Outdoor Expo below.

Here's the fall schedule for Lake Fork as it stands right now:

Lake Fork Outdoor Expo 9/11 Lake Fork Outdoor Expo
McDonalds 9/17 - 9/19    Lake Fork Marina
Berkley 10/23 - 10/24    Lake Fork Marina

Our good friends over at Lake Fork send us the schedule for the bass tournaments starting in May.

Follow the tournament links for contest information. Follow the Lake Fork Marina and Minnow Bucket links for marina and accommodations.

Legend 5/14 - 5/16    Lake Fork Marina - $237,000 in prizes!
Skeeter 6/3 - 6/6    Lake Fork Marina
Lake Fork Sportsman's Association Catfish Tournament 7/24 - 7/25   Minnow Bucket
McDonalds 9/17 - 9/19    Lake Fork Marina
Berkley 10/23 - 10/24    Lake Fork Marina

And hey, fishing fans.  Come on up to Winnsboro and eat at one of our award-winning restaurants.  We've got your BBQ, American, Italian, and Mexican, plus live music most weekends.

Fishing widows welcome to come shop at five antique stores, specialty shops, or bring your girlfriends for a spa afternoon.

The new city-wide web site is live. If you’re visiting the site in early August, 2009, you’re among the first to see the result.

A site of this scope is fairly uncommon for a town the size of Winnsboro.

However, this area is a weekend getaway haven for fisherpersons, music lovers, artists, and over-stressed city folk who need some fresh air and a little time to unkink their brains.

What you see on the site today is only the beginning. We will be adding businesses and attractions as we move forward to make it even more interesting.

Plus, we’ll be reporting on events on the blog. My name is Anita Williams and I'm the editor of the site.

However, you will also see posts from local guest bloggers to give you the inside scoop on the area, events, culture and lifestyle of Winnsboro.

If you’re a visitor or someone scouting for a place to retire, we make it easy to keep up with music concerts and other events.

When I was a weekend resident myself, we routinely learned about fun events about a week too late.

If you sign up for your complimentary Guest Pass, that won’t ever be a problem for you. You'll get the information you need in time to make plans.

Better yet, you’ll receive special offers from local businesses to make each visit a little more fun and more economical.

It’s just our way of letting you know the welcome mat is always out for you.

So take a quick spin around the site. Sign up for your Guest Pass. Come on out and put your feet up. We’ll be waiting for you.