It was impounded by the Lake Fork Dam in 1980, and reached its normal pool surface elevation of 403.0 feet (122.8 m) above mean sea level[1] in 1985.

The dam and reservoir with a maximum capacity of 675,819 acre-feet (833,610,000 m3) are owned and operated by the Sabine River Authority, a state agency.

Lake Fork Reservoir offers excellent fish habitat with 80% standing timber left intact, and hydrilla, milfoil, and duckweed being the predominant vegetation.

The predominant food source for the larger fish is shad, minnows, and crawfish.

To preserve the great Lake Fork Reservoir bass fisheries, the Texas Parks and Wildlife implemented a protected slot limit of no bass between 16 and 24 inches (410 and 610 mm) will be kept, and will be returned into the waters of Lake Fork immediately.