Lake Fork low water flyover

The Simms Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork will fish like a completely different playing field. The lake is 5 1/2 feet lower than normal. Here is Bird Island, located in the east arm.

The island is normally covered in water up to the area in green.

The lake was lowered last fall for maintenance to the dam.

Nearly 6 feet down, the lake appears much lower. Here is the exposed riprap along the state Route 154 bridge.

Another view of Bird Island, including the birds.

The standing timber in this entire photo are normally under water. In fact, the locals call this high spot, with growing vegetation, Bell Island, as a reference point. The temporary island is at the mouth of Bell Creek.

The view back from the island into Bell Creek. Again, all of the timber would be inundated.

Another view of what would normally be covered timber. Navigation in these areas is hazardous.

The view from Glade Creek, one of the most popular fishing areas on the lake.

On many east Texas lakes, this view of standing timber would appear normal. Here, it’s not. With 5 1/2 more feet of water, all of these trees would be underwater.

View of a known and popular spawning area in Glade Creek. The largemouth were forced to reposition and spawn elsewhere this spring.

A pocket in the back of Searcy Creek is normally a popular spot for obvious reasons. The good news is the terrestrial vegetation will be flooded, providing ideal nursery habitat for bass.

What you are seeing is an above-water view of a popular spawning and final staging area.

Another popular spawning area in the back of Searcy Creek.

View from the back of Searcy Creek to the lake. You can see my camera boat in the middle of the channel. We had to idle all the way back due to the low water.