In 1998 Texas had just recovered from the drought and headed straight into another. While the frustrated anglers blamed the virus for their poor results after a day of fishing, there were also a couple of other factors at play. The reputation of Lake Fork went from being a widely respected bass fishery to repeatedly disappointed anglers declaring the lake to be ruined. This caused frustration, resentment, and an overall change in public opinion. In the years following the outbreak, anglers struggled to catch the numbers and size of fish they had come to expect from the lake. Recovering the largemouth bass population back to what it was seemed unlikely and many anglers said it would never come back. Thousands of floating dead bass and poor fishing the year following the outbreak left anglers stunned. The bass population was damaged and reports shared pictures of the shorelines covered in dead bass which left an impression on anglers. In 1999 Lake Fork suffered a big outbreak of LMBV causing a die-off of its coveted bass only a year after the same thing happen in Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Largemouth Bass Virus Outbreak in Lake Fork The lake’s reputation was excellent until the Largemouth Bass Virus killed off thousands of fish in 1999. Lake Fork has produced the current state record and over 65% of the 50 biggest largemouth bass caught in Texas. The combination of great habitat, dense populations of baitfish, and clean water with low fluctuations creates the perfect environment for bass to get huge. The water in the lake is fairly clear and the abundance of vegetation also holds tons of food resources. Lake fork has a variety of different forms of cover ranging from docks to submerged timber which is ideal for largemouth bass. Located an hour and a half east of Dallas on the Sabine River, anglers from the large metropolitan area are a big part of the lake's economy which is centered around fishing. The Bassmasters Elite series frequently holds tournaments on Lake Fork and huge largemouth bass always show up at the weigh ins. Lake Fork has been a prominent bass fishing lake for both recreational and professional anglers for decades.
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