Vegetation is such an important component in impoundments. Besides simply providing cover for bass, aquatic vegetation functions as a spawning refuge, creates shelter for forage species and basically gives a production boost to the entire food chain.

GETTING THERE
To access Elk Fork Lake from Interstate 77, take exit 138 at Ripley and head west on U.S. Route 33. Turn onto county Route (CR) 26 and follow this road to the lake. The access ramp to Elk Fork is located about three-quarters of a mile from the dam along CR 26. The lake's access features a concrete ramp with courtesy piers and plenty of parking.

Anglers are reminded that this 278-acre lake is governed by a 10-horsepower motor limit. Boats may have larger motors, but firing them up on the lake is prohibited. Night-fishing continues to be allowed on Elk Fork Lake.

What does the future hold for Elk Fork Lake? Can this small impoundment continue to produce tons of bass as it blossoms into a trophy bass fishery? Biologist Morrison doesn't foresee any immediate threats to the fishery, but he does feel that this lake will experience a small decline in bass density as its population stabilizes. Most small impoundments undergo such a subtle decrease in bass numbers five to 10 years after the lake is impounded.

With a small decline in bass numbers and an aging bass population, look for more lunker bass to turn up in Elk Fork. As long as the forage base continues to support the lake's bass population and the no-harvest regulation protects bass as they age, this lake should keep on producing terrific bass-angling opportunities.

It's tough to determine whether the lake will ever develop into a trophy bass fishery or just continue churning out high catch rates, but either way it appears Elk Fork will continue to offer quality bass fishing to Mountain State anglers for many years to come.