Whatzup Outdoors (193)
Written by David Deaton
State Agencies Join in Fishing Program for Foster Families, Youths
ODWC Press Release
Last Saturday, more than 30 children in foster care and their families participated in the first “Fostering Outdoor Oklahoma Families” event. This collaborative partnership between Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS), Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), State Sen. Paul Rosino, Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 123 (OKCFOP), International Association of Firefighters Local 157 (OKCFF) and the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation (OWCF) brought families and children together with first responders and Wildlife Department staff to enjoy an evening of fun, food and fishing.
The participating children in foster care received a new rod-reel-tackle combo purchased by OKCFF, OKCFOP and OWCF to use at the event and take home. The Foundation also gave fishing licenses to foster parents wanting to continue their families’ fishing adventures after the event.
Through the great national pastime of fishing, kids get to build confidence, social and emotional skills, communication and an appreciation for nature while getting them away from technology for a while. Fishing also allows families to build closer relationships by enjoying the activity together. And catching fish is just a lot of fun!
"Watching our kids and families interact with local police, firefighters and ODWC staff while reeling in fish after fish was so heartwarming," said OKDHS Director Justin Brown, who is also the state's Secretary of Human Services and Early Childhood Initiatives. "Events like this demonstrate the positive changes happening within communities across the state thanks to these critical state and local partnerships. We are making joint responses that bring hope to Oklahoma’s children and families."
ODWC Director J.D. Strong said, "One of the highlights of my career was kicking off this new partnership with OKDHS. There's nothing more rewarding in life than sharing the joys of fishing with those who need more joy in their lives. This event was the launch of what we hope to spread statewide — teaching kids in foster care and their families how to reap the many rewards of getting outdoors to fish. We were truly blessed by the end of the evening."
OKCFF President Cameron Weems said, "As firefighters, we see daily the importance of the family situation in childrens' lives. The importance of fostering healthy relationships is vital, now more than ever. We are grateful for the opportunity to join with the OKDHS, ODWC, OWCF, Senator Paul Rosino, and the OKC Police Local 123 to play a part in helping foster parents enrich the bond they are creating with these kids. The smiles all around told us everything we needed to know about the success of the event!"
OKCFOP Vice President Mark Nelson said, "Multiple times a day, Oklahoma City officers respond to situations where children are involved. Far too often, these are less-than-desirable circumstances. When law enforcement is called upon to stand in the gap for these kids, we do so immediately and without fail. As a foster family, my wife and I have learned firsthand of how we can make a difference. The Department of Wildlife and OKDHS giving law enforcement and fire the opportunity to interact with these families in such a positive way was life-changing. We are honored to have had a small part of such a wonderful event. Seeing those children grin from ear to ear automatically made us smile, too."
Rosino (R-Oklahoma City) said, "When I dreamed of this event, I could not have imagined the amazing impact for these children and families or for our first responders. Watching firefighters and police interact with families and giving kids such a positive experience that they will remember forever took my breath away. Every child left with big fishing stories and proud of their accomplishments for the night."
Organizers hope this successful event will kick off a new statewide program offering foster families and the children in their care an activity that’s wholesome, fun, and exciting to share together while growing knowledge and respect for the natural resources around them.
Families interested in learning more about foster care or applying to become a certified foster family in their community may visit okfosters.org to be connected to an area recruiter, or visit okbenefits.org to apply. Follow the prompts on the website to apply or call (800) 376-9729. Interested Oklahomans may also visit www.ourokdhs.org to join the agency's efforts to better serve the community through innovation and collaborative partnerships.
Written by David Deaton
Fishing Report for September 2, 2020
Press Release
Northeast
Birch: August 30. Elevation below normal, water 80 and semi clean. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/BIRC.lakepage.html. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and dam. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Ft. Gibson: August 31. Elevation below normal, water 80 and 1 ft. of visibility. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FGIB.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass fair on flukes and plastics around docks, shallows, and shorelines. Blue catfish slow on live bait and shad around the main lake. Green sunfish good on caddis flies, grass hoppers, hair jigs, and small lures around docks. Report submitted by Ben Haff, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.
Greenleaf: August 30. Elevation above normal, water 79 and murky. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits around points. Bluegill sunfish good on jigs, minnows, and worms around shallows and shorelines. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Kaw: August 31. Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 80 and stained. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/KAWL.lakepage.html. Blue and channel catfish excellent on cut bait, grasshoppers, and shad around flats, river channel, and river mouth. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on crankbaits, jigs, live shad, sassy shad, and topwater lures around main lake and points. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County.
Keystone: August 27. Elevation above normal, water 86. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/KEYS.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass good on plastics and small lures around shorelines. Blue catfish good on cut bait below the dam and around channels. Striped bass fair on flukes and sassy shad below the dam. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois River: August 28. Elevation normal, water 65 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Geological Survey website athttps://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=07198000. Rainbow trout fair on in-line spinnerbait, nymphs, and PowerBait below the dam and Watts area. Fishing is best during periods of low or no flow which is usually early morning or late evening. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County.
Sooner: August 28. Elevation normal, water 80s and murky. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on live shad around the dam and main lake. Saugeye and white bass fair on crankbaits, jigs, and live shad around the main lake and points. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait around the main lake. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Tenkiller: August 30. Elevation above normal, water 85 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/TENK.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around brush structure and standing timber. Crappie fair on jigs and small lures around brush structure. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.
Webbers Falls: August 30. Elevation normal, water 79 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/WFLO2.current.html. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait below the dam. Flathead catfish fair on live bait and snagging below the dam. Paddlefish slow on snagging below the dam. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County
Northwest
Canton: August 29. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/CANT.lakepage.html. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on live shad and slabs around the main lake. Channel and blue catfish good on shad and worms around the main lake. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
Foss: August 31. Elevation 2 ft. below normal with all gates closed, water lower 70s and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FOSS.lakepage.html. Striped bass hybrids good on topwater lures in early mornings and late evenings. Catfish fair on trotlines. Walleye slow. White bass slow. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Southeast
Arbuckle: August 29. Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 80, and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ARBU.lakepage.html. Channel catfish good on dough bait and sponge bait around baited holes. Bass fair on topwater chug baits, shaky head jigs and small square billed crankbaits in shad pattern early and late in the day. Crappie good on ice blue jigs and spoons around brush piles. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around docks. White bass schooling on top from the mountain tops to the dam. Sunfish good on fly-rods. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Broken Bow: August 28. Elevation below normal, water 86 and rising. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/BROK.lakepage.html. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on Alabama rig, crankbaits, and plastic baits around brush structure, points, and standing timber. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: August 28. Elevation normal, water 82 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/EUFA.lakepage.html. Blue and flathead catfish excellent on cut bait, hot dogs, live bait, live shad, shad, and worms below the dam, around dam, main lake, river mouth, and sandbar. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on Alabama rig, buzz baits, grass hoppers, and small lures around coves, riprap, and shorelines. Striped bass slow on topwater lures below the dam, and around the dam and discharge. Report submitted by Cannon Harrison, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: August 28. Elevation below normal, water 86 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/HUGO.lakepage.html. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, punch bait, shad, stinkbait, and sunfish below the dam, and around channels, main lake, river channel, and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam, and around brush structure, channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.
Konawa: August 30. Elevation normal, water 90 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jigs, and plastics around the main lake, points, and river channel. Striped bass hybrids and white bass slow on Alabama rig, crankbaits, and live shad around coves, inlet, and river channel. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, shrimp, and worms around coves, inlet, riprap, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: August 28. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Geological Survey website athttps://waterdata.usgs.gov/ok/nwis/uv?site_no=07339000. Rainbow trout good on caddis flies, PowerBait, and small lures around creek channels and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: August 28. Elevation below normal, water 84. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/MCGE.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass slow on Alabama rig, crankbaits, and plastics around channels, flats, and points. Crappie and white bass fair on minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: August 28. Elevation below normal, water murky. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/PINE.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass slow on buzz baits, crankbaits, and topwater lures around coves and creek channels. Crappie fair on jigs and small lures around brush structure. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver and worms around dam. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: August 28. Elevation normal, water murky. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/KERO2.current.html. Largemouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits, goldfish, grass hoppers, plastic baits, small lures, and topwater lures around brush structure, points, rocks, shorelines, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish excellent on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, goldfish, hot dogs, minnows, shad, shrimp, and sunfish below the dam, and around channels, main lake, river mouth, and tailwater. Bluegill, green, and redear sunfish good on crickets, grubs, jigs, small lures, and worms around coves, docks, sandbar, and shorelines. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: August 29. Elevation below normal, water 85. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/SARD.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on buzz baits, crankbaits, jerk bait, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, points, riprap, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, shad, and sunfish around creek channels, main lake, and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: August 28. Elevation below normal, water 83. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/DENI.lakepage.html. Striped bass good on live shad, slabs, and topwater around flats and main lake. White bass good on plastic baits, slabs, small lures, and topwater lures around flats and main lake. Lake fishing is best early morning and late evenings, lots of smaller striped bass/white bass are surface feeding on small bait. The best locations for surface action is around Washita Point and Platter Flats during early mornings. Larger striped bass are being caught with live shad. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and punch bait around inlet and shallows. Report submitted by Trey Hale, game warden stationed in Marshall County.
Wister: August 28. Elevation above normal, water cloudy. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/WIST.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, channels, coves, points, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, crawfish, cut bait, hot dogs, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms below the dam, around brush structure, channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, small lures, and spinnerbaits below the dam, and around brush structure, channels, points, and standing timber. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Le Flore County.
Southwest
Ft. Cobb: August 30. Elevation below normal, water 90s and cloudy. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FCOB.lakepage.html. Channel catfish slow on cut bait around channels and the main lake. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Written by David Deaton
Fishing Report for August 19, 2020
Northeast
Ft. Gibson: August 17. Elevation normal, water 84. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FGIB.lakepage.html. White bass good on crankbaits, slabs, and spoons around main lake and points. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits and plastics around brush structure, main lake, riprap, and rocks. Report submitted by Ben Haff, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.
Greenleaf: August 16. Elevation normal, water 79 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits around points. Bluegill sunfish fair on worms around shallows and shorelines. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Kaw: August 17. Elevation normal, water stained and in the 80s. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/KAWL.lakepage.html. Blue and channel catfish excellent on cut bait, grasshoppers, live shad, and shad around main lake, river channel, river mouth, and rocks. White bass and striped hybrid bass fair on crankbaits, grubs, jigs, live shad, and sassy shad around main lake, points, and riprap. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, and shad around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County.
Keystone: August 13. Elevation above average, water 87. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/KEYS.lakepage.html. Blue catfish good on cut bait around channels. White bass slow on small lures around the main lake. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: August 14. Elevation normal, water 65 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website athttps://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=07198000. Rainbow trout fair on in-line spinnerbait and PowerBait below the dam and around the Watts area. Fishing is better during periods of low or no flow. This is usually early morning or late evenings. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County.
Oologah: August 17. Elevation normal, water 80 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/OOLO2.current.html. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits and worms around creek channels, standing timber, and weed beds. Crappie fair on minnows around brush structure and main lake. Walleye fair on jerk baits below the dam. Report submitted by J.D. Stauffer, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Sooner: August 16. Elevation normal, water 80’s and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits and topwater lures around brush structure and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on jigs, live shad, and slabs around the dam and main lake. Saugeye, striped bass hybrids, and white bass fair on crankbaits and jigs around points. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Tenkiller: August 16. Elevation rising, water 86 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/TENK.lakepage.html. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on jigs and plastics around brush structure, standing timber, and ledges. White bass good on crankbaits, jigs, and small lures around brush structure and standing timber. Flathead catfish good on chicken liver and stinkbait around channels and points. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.
Webbers Falls: August 16. Elevation normal, water 79 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/WFLO2.current.html. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, shad, and shrimp below the dam. Flathead catfish fair on live bait, shad, and snagging below the dam. Paddlefish slow snagging below the dam. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Northwest
Canton: August 15. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/CANT.lakepage.html. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on shad and slabs around the main lake. Channel and blue catfish good on shad and worms around the main lake. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
Foss: August 17. Elevation 1 3/4 ft. below normal with gates closed, water mid-70s and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FOSS.lakepage.html. White bass surfacing on the north side in evenings. Striped bass hybrids fair on hard baits in deep water. Catfish fair on stinkbait. Crappie slow to fair on live baits. Walleye slow. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Southeast
Arbuckle: August 15. Elevation normal, water 84 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ARBU.lakepage.html. Bass good on buzz baits, crankbaits, and small 6-inch plastic lizards across points at dawn. Crappie fair off docks early morning hours and on 1/16 oz. jigs with milk money grubs around brush piles in the main lake. White bass being caught on long Johns and topwater lures surfacing near the dam. Channel catfish good on baited holes at 14 ft. Sunfish good with a fly-rod and black gnat. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Blue River: August 18. Elevation normal, water 82 and clear. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and punch bait along channels and rocks. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on buzz baits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, creek channels, and rocks. Bluegill, green, and redear sunfish good on crickets, grasshoppers, and worms around brush structure, rocks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, technician at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: August 14. Elevation below average, water 88. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/BROK.lakepage.html. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on Alabama rig, crankbaits, and plastics around brush structure and points. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam and around standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: August 14. Elevation normal, water 81 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/EUFA.lakepage.html. Alligator gar good on live bait and bowfishing below and around the dam. Striped bass good on cut bait, live bait, live shad, shad, and topwater lures below and around the dam. Blue and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, goldfish, and worms below the dam, and around the dam, main lake, and river mouth. Report submitted by Cannon Harrison, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: August 14. Elevation below average, water 86 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/HUGO.lakepage.html.
Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, shad, stinkbait, and sunfish below the dam, and around channels, main lake, river channel, and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam, and around brush structure, channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, and standing timber. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.
Lower Mountain Fork: August 14. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website athttps://waterdata.usgs.gov/ok/nwis/uv?site_no=07339000. Rainbow trout good on PowerBait and tube jigs around creek channels and rocks. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: August 14. Elevation below average, water 84 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/MCGE.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on bill baits, crankbaits, jigs, and plastics around points, rocks, and standing timber. White and spotted bass slow on Alabama rig and topwater lures around coves and main lake. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: August 14. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/PINE.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass good on Alabama rig, crankbaits, jerk bait, plastics, and topwater lures around coves, creek channels, and standing timber. Crappie fair on jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver and hot dogs around spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: August 14. Elevation normal, water murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/KERO2.current.html. Largemouth and spotted bass good on buzz baits, grasshoppers, grubs, minnows, small lures, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around docks, rocks, shallows, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, dough bait, goldfish, hot dogs, minnows, shad, shrimp, and sunfish below the dam, and around channels, creek channels, main lake, river mouth, shorelines, and tailwater. Bluegill sunfish, green sunfish, and redear sunfish good on crickets, jigs, minnows, small lures, and worms around docks, sand bar, shallows, shorelines, and weed beds. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: August 14. Elevation normal, water 87. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/SARD.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on bill baits, buzz baits, jerk bait, jigs, plastics, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, creek channels, points, riprap, rocks, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish slow on cut bait, shad, and sunfish around docks, main lake, and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, creek channels, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: August 14. Elevation normal, water 83. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/DENI.lakepage.html. Lake fishing has been hit or miss from day to day. Early mornings and late evenings have producing the best results. Striped bass good on live shad, sassy shad, slabs, and topwater lures below the dam, and around flats and main lake. During early mornings striped bass and white bass have been surface feeding. Early mornings anglers should start down by Denison dam and move north from there. Look for birds and jumping shad for the best topwater bite. Blue catfish fair on cut bait and shad below the dam and around the main lake. Blue cats have been suspended in 35 ft. of water feeding mostly at night and the cooler parts of the day. Tailwater fishing has been great the past couple weeks, anglers should use live bait for best results. White bass good on sassy shad and topwater lures around flats, main lake, and points. Evenings near Bridgeview have been the best to find surface feeding white bass. Report submitted by Trey Hale, game warden stationed in Marshall County.
Wister: August 14. Elevation below average, water cloudy. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/WIST.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, plastics, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, channels, coves, points, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, crawfish, cut bait, hot dogs, punch bait, shad, sunfish, and worms below the dam, and around brush structure, channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, points, shorelines, standing timber, and cedar brush. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Leflore County.
Southwest
Ellsworth: August 16. Elevation above average, water 90 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website athttps://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?07308990. Crappie slow on minnows around brush structure and docks. Blue and channel catfish slow on cut bait, punch bait, and shad around main lake and points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Ft. Cobb: August 16. Elevation below average, water clear and in the 90s. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FCOB.lakepage.html. Crappie fair on jigs around docks and points. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Waurika: August 18. Elevation normal, water 80s and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/WAUR.lakepage.html. Blue and channel catfish fair on chicken liver and cut bait along creek channels. Crappie slow on minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, and rocks. Report submitted by Matt Farris, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.
Click this link for information about the Family Fishing Clinic August 25th.
Written by David Deaton
Fishing Report for August 12, 2020
Northeast
Birch: August 9. Elevation normal, water 80s and dingy. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/BIRC.lakepage.html. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and channels Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Ft. Gibson: August 10. Elevation above average, water 82 and less than 1 ft. visibility. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FGIB.lakepage.html. White bass good on in-line spinnerbait, sassy shad, spoons and topwater lures around creek channels, points and river channel. Blue catfish slow on shad below the dam. Summer conditions and fluctuating water are creating a challenging environment for success. Eric from Clear Creek reports no luck for catfish on liver while fishing with a slip cork. Better days are expected as falling temperatures are just around the corner. Good luck anglers! Report submitted by Ben Haff, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.
Greenleaf: August 9. Elevation normal, water 78 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits around points and standing timber. Bluegill sunfish fair on tube jigs and worms around shallows and shorelines. Report submitted by Joseph Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Kaw: August 11. Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water 80s and stained. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/KAWL.lakepage.html. Blue, channel and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, goldfish, grasshoppers, hotdogs, live shad, shad, stinkbait, sunfish and worms along channels, flats, main lake, river channel and river mouth. Crappie fair on grubs, hair jigs, jigs, live bait, minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, riprap and standing timber. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, jigs, live shad, spoons and topwater lures in the main lake, around points and riprap. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County.
Keystone: August 6. Elevation above average, water 87. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/KEYS.lakepage.html. White bass slow on small lures around the main lake and points. Blue catfish good on cut bait around channels. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: August 7. Elevation normal, water 65 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=07198000. Rainbow trout fair on in-line spinnerbait, nymphs and PowerBait below the dam and around the Watts area. Fishing is best during periods of no or low flow. Those periods are usually early morning and late evening. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County.
Sooner: August 9. Elevation normal, water 80s and murky. Largemouth bass fair plastics around brush structure and weed beds. Striped hybrid bass fair on crankbaits, jigs and live shad around dam and main lake. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait and live bait around the main lake. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Tenkiller: August 9. Elevation above normal, water 86 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/TENK.lakepage.html. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on jigs, plastic baits and small lures around brush structure and standing timber. White bass fair on crankbaits and small lures along channels and flats. Crappie fair on jigs, plastic baits and small lures around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.
Webbers Falls: August 9. Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/WFLO2.current.html. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait below the dam. Flathead catfish fair on cut bait below the dam. Paddlefish slow snagging below the dam. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Northwest
Canton: August 8. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/CANT.lakepage.html. White bass fair on slabs in the main lake. Channel and blue catfish fair on cut bait and shad in the main lake and river channel. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
Foss: August 10. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal with gates closed, water upper 70s and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FOSS.lakepage.html. Catfish fair to good with trotlines. Striped bass hybrids fair on live bait. Walleye fair on worms. Crappie slow to fair on small jigs. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Southeast
Blue River: August 11. Elevation normal, water 80 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ok/nwis/uv?site_no=07332390. Channel catfish excellent on chicken liver, punch bait and worms around brush structure, channels and rocks. Concentrate on longer, deeper pools for catfish. When the sun is high try finding a shade tree to cast under. People have also been doing well floating a bait under a cork so they don’t get hung up as much on the bottom. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on buzz baits, crankbaits and jerk baits around brush structure, channels, creek channels and rocks. Bass fishing has been better in lower light hours so the morning and evenings. Bass seem to be concentrated closer to the falls where there is some moving water. Just like the catfishing once the sun is up try casting into shady spots. Bluegill, green and redear sunfish good on crickets, grasshoppers, in-line spinnerbaits and worms around brush structure, rocks, shallows and shorelines. The sunfish bite has been pretty good target these fish around the shorelines where there is some slack water. They typically congregate so where you find one there should be more. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, technician at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: August 7. Elevation below average, water 88. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/BROK.lakepage.html. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on Alabama rig, crankbaits and plastics around brush structure and points. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: August 8. Elevation normal, water 81 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/EUFA.lakepage.html.Alligator gar good on shad and bow fishing below the dam, along the dam and shallows. Striped bass excellent on cut bait, jigs, plastic baits, shad and topwater lures below the dam and along the dam. Spotted and largemouth bass good on bill baits, nymphs, small lures and topwater lures around brush structure, shallows, shorelines and weed beds. Report submitted by Cannon Harrison, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: August 7. Elevation below average, water 84 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/HUGO.lakepage.html. Blue, channel and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, punch bait, shad, stinkbait and sunfish below the dam, around channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam and around brush structure, channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel and standing timber. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.
Konawa: August 9. Elevation normal, water 90 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jigs and plastic baits in the main lake, around points and river channel. Striped bass hybrids and white bass slow on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, live shad and spoons in coves, main lake and river channel. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, shrimp and worms in coves, inlet, riprap and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: August 7. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ok/nwis/uv?site_no=07339000. Rainbow trout excellent on caddis flies, PowerBait, tube jigs and worms around creek channels, rocks and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: August 7. Elevation normal, water 85. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/MCGE.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass slow on crankbaits, plastics and topwater lures around coves, flats, points and rocks. White bass slow on topwater lures and look for surfacing schools around coves, main lake and points. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: August 7. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/PINE.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures around coves and channels. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, stinkbait and worms below the dam and around creek channels and river channel. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: August 7. Elevation normal, water murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/KERO2.current.html. Largemouth and spotted bass good on buzz baits, minnows, plastics, small lures and topwater lures around brush structure, docks, rocks, standing timber and weed beds. Blue, channel and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, hotdogs, minnows, shad and sunfish below the dam, around the dam, main lake, river channel, river mouth and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows and small lures below the dam, around coves, standing timber and weed beds. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: August 7. Elevation below normal, water 88. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/SARD.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on buzz baits, crankbaits, jigs, plastic baits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures around brush structure, creek channels, points, rocks, shorelines, standing timber and weed beds. Blue, channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, shad and sunfish along flats, main lake and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, creek channels and standing timber. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: August 7. Elevation normal, water 82. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/DENI.lakepage.html. Blue catfish fair on cut bait and shad in the main lake. Blue cats are being caught on cut shad while drifting. Striped bass fair on Alabama rigs, live shad, slabs and topwater lures along flats, main lake and river channel. Lake fishing has slowed a bit with the hot weather. Striped bass biting on live shad and topwater lures when surface feeding is present. Report submitted by Trey Hale, game warden stationed in Marshall County.
Wister: August 7. Elevation below average, water 85 and cloudy. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/WIST.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, plastics, spinnerbaits and topwater lures around brush structure, channels, points and shorelines. Blue, channel and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, hot dogs, shrimp, stinkbait, sunfish and worms below the dam and around brush structure, channels, main lake, points and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, small lures and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, points, shorelines, standing timber and cedar brush. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Leflore County.
Southwest
Ellsworth: August 9. Elevation above normal, water upper 80s and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?07308990. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, punch bait and shad along creek channels, main lake and points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Ft. Cobb: August 9. Elevation below normal, water murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FCOB.lakepage.html. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around docks and points. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Waurika: August 11. Elevation normal, water 80s and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/WAUR.lakepage.html. Blue and channel catfish fair on chicken liver and cut bait along channel and creek channels. Largemouth bass good on small lures and spinnerbaits along shorelines and standing timber. Report submitted by Matt Farris, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.
Written by David Deaton
Razorbacks Ready For 2020 U.S. Amateur
FAYETTEVILLE – William Buhl, Mason Overstreet, Julian Perico and Segundo Oliva Pinto open play in the first round of 2020 United States Amateur Championship on Monday (August 10). The 120th U.S. Amateur is set for August 10-16 at Bandon (Ore.) Dunes Golf Resort with a field of 264 golfers.
Tee Times on Monday are as follows:
Segundo Oliva Pinto – 9:11 am (CT) / 7:11 am (PT) off hole 1 on Bandon Trails (6,883 yards/Par 71)
Julian Perico – 9:22 am (CT) / 7:22 am (PT) off hole 1 on Bandon Trails
William Buhl – 9:33 am (CT) / 7:33 am (PT) off hole 1 on Bandon Dunes (7,218 yards/Par 72)
Mason Overstreet – 2:52 pm (CT) / 12:52 pm (PT) off hole 1 on Bandon Trails
Tee Times on Tuesday are as follows:
Mason Overstreet – 10:39 am (CT) / 8:39 am (PT) off hole 1 on Bandon Dunes (7,218 yards/Par 72)
Segundo Oliva Pinto – 1:24 pm (CT) / 11:24 am (PT) off hole 1 on Bandon Dunes
Julian Perico – 1:35 pm (CT) / 11:35 am (PT) off hole 1 on Bandon Dunes
William Buhl – 1:46 pm (CT) / 11:46 am (PT) off hole 1 on Bandon Trails (6,883 yards/Par 71)
US Amateur Schedule
Monday, Aug. 10 (18 holes, stroke play)
Tuesday, Aug. 11 (18 holes, stroke play)
NOTE: after 36 holes of stroke play, the top 64 competitors will qualify for match play. If multiple players are tied for 64th after 36h holes, a playoff, if necessary, will be conducted to get the draw to exactly 64 golfers
Wednesday, Aug. 12 (Round of 64, match play)
Thursday, Aug. 13 (Round of 32/Round of 16 matches)
Friday, Aug. 14 (Quarterfinal matches)
Saturday, Aug. 15 (Semifinal matches)
Sunday, Aug. 16 (36-hole championship match)
Razorback Notes
Mason Overstreet played in the 2018 U.S. Amateur. He shot 74-72 during stroke play and tied for 46th to advance to match play. He won his first two matches (Round of 64 and Round of 32) before falling in the Round of 16 in 21 holes.
William Buhl qualified for the 2019 U.S. Amateur after winning the Canadian Amateur Championship. Buhl shot 69-76 last year to tie with 27 others for 62nd. While he made the cut, he lost playoff to determine the final three golfers for match play. He is playing as a representative of Norway – one of three from the country in the field.
Julian Perico is playing his first U.S. Amateur, but the rising junior is a four-time participant at the Latin America Amateur Championship with two top-6 finishes. He is the only native of Peru in the field.
Segundo Oliva Pinto is playing his first U.S. Amateur. Oliva Pinto tied for eighth at this year’s Latin America Amateur Championship. He is one of four natives from Argentina playing in the 2020 U.S. Amateur.
Written by David Deaton
Online License System Is Big Win With Users
OWD Press Release
A status report for the Wildlife Department’s online licensing system contained plenty of good news for customers and for Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commissioners during their regular August meeting this week.
GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com began in January 2019, giving people a convenient “one-stop shop” to interact with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to get hunting and fishing licenses, permits, automatic-renewal choices, merchandise sales, and event registration. The Go Outdoors Oklahoma mobile app allows licenses to be carried on a mobile device while also providing resources including regulations, in-field E-check, Game Warden contacts, and public land maps.
Mike Chrisman, License Supervisor for the Wildlife Department, told Commissioners that year-over-year increases were seen in the number of transactions, number of customer accounts, revenues, and number of items sold. “We are trending upward, which is always positive,” he said.
Importantly, a public survey showed that users were highly satisfied with the service they received from the Go Outdoors Oklahoma call center, rating most survey categories at 90 percent or greater.
The Wildlife Department partners with Brandt Information Services to provide the Go Outdoors Oklahoma online and mobile system.
Also during Wednesday’s meeting, Commissioners approved a resolution honoring Brandon Adams of Prague for completing the “Oklahoma Big Game Archery Grand Slam” in 2018 and for promoting hunting in Oklahoma. Adams harvested a mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear, all with a bow. It is believed that he is the first hunter in Oklahoma to complete such a quest in a single year.
In part, the resolution states that Adams “has proven to be a distinguished ambassador for hunting in Oklahoma and across the nation … and showcased Oklahoma as a diverse big game destination for thousands of hunters across the nation.” Adams is co-owner of My World Outdoors.
To view a recording of the meeting, go to https://youtu.be/nYiNB38nbp8.
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.
The next scheduled Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020.
Written by David Deaton
Fishing Report for August 5, 2020
Northeast
Ft. Gibson: August 2. Elevation above normal, water 82 with 1 ft. visibility. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FGIB.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures around shallows and weed beds. Crappie good on jigs and small lures around docks and standing timber. Blue catfish fair on cut bait, punch bait, shad, and juglines around the main lake. Report submitted by Ben Haff, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.
Greenleaf: August 2. Elevation normal, water 78 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits around points. Bluegill sunfish fair on worms around shallows and shorelines. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Keystone: July 30. Elevation above normal, water 85. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/KEYS.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass fair on small lures around shorelines. Blue catfish good on cut bait below the dam. Crappie slow on minnows around brush structure. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: August 1. Elevation normal, water 65 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website athttps://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=07198000. Rainbow trout fair on in-line spinnerbait, nymphs, and PowerBait below the dam and around the Watts area. Fishing best during low flow or no flow periods. Usually early morning or late evening. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County.
Oologah: August 1. Elevation normal, water 88 and stained. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/OOLO2.current.html. Largemouth bass fair on jigs, plastics, and worms around brush structure and main lake. Blue catfish good on shad, juglines, and trotlines around the main lake and river channel. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows at 14 ft. around brush structure, main lake, and standing timber. Report submitted by J.D. Stauffer, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Sooner: August 2. Elevation above normal, water 80s and murky. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait and live bait around the main lake. Striped hybrid bass and white bass fair on crankbaits and live shad around the dam and main lake. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Tenkiller: August 2. Elevation above normal, water 86 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/TENK.lakepage.html. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass excellent on crankbaits, jigs, and plastic baits around brush structure, points, and standing timber. White bass fair on crankbaits and small lures around channels, flats, and points. Crappie fair on jigs, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.
Webbers Falls: August 2. Elevation normal, water 79 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/WFLO2.current.html. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait below the dam. Walleye and sauger fair on crankbaits and jigs around points and river mouth. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Northwest
Canton: August 2. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/CANT.lakepage.html. White bass and striped hybrid bass good on shad and slabs around the main lake. Channel and blue catfish good on shad and worms around the main lake. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
Foss: August 4. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal with all gates closed, water high 70s and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FOSS.lakepage.html. Crappie fair on live bait around docks. Catfish good on cut bait. Striped bass hybrids good in deep water. Walleye fair to good on worms. Report submitted by Eric Puryear, B & K Bait House.
Southeast
Arbuckle: August 4. Elevation above normal, water 86 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ARBU.lakepage.html. White bass fair on topwater lures and small grubs around dam and late evening. Bass fair early morning on topwater lures and on worms and bass jigs the rest of the day. Crappie good on jigs vertical jigging off brush piles and slow off docks. Channel catfish good on sponge baits and dough baits on baited holes. Bluegill good using fly-rod poppers and black gnat bugs in the shallows. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Broken Bow: July 31. Elevation 4 3/4 ft. below normal, water 88. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/BROK.lakepage.html. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on crankbaits and plastics around brush structure, points and standing timber. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: July 31. Elevation normal, water 85 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/EUFA.lakepage.html. Striped bass excellent on jigs, shad, small lures, and topwater lures below the dam and around creek channels. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on bill baits, buzz baits, and topwater lures around coves main lake, riprap, and standing timber. Flathead catfish fair on goldfish, hotdogs, slabs, and worms around river channel, river mouth, and sandbar. Report submitted by Cannon Harrison, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: July 31. Elevation below normal, water 83 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/HUGO.lakepage.html. Channel and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, shad, stinkbait and sunfish below the dam and around brush structure, channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam, around brush structure, channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, and standing timber. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.
Konawa: August 2. Elevation normal, water 91 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jigs, and plastics around main lake, points, and river channel. Striped hybrid bass and white bass fair on Alabama rig, crankbaits, and live shad around coves, main lake, and river channel. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, shrimp, and worms around inlet, riprap, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: July 31. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ok/nwis/uv?site_no=07339000. Rainbow trout good on caddis flies, crickets, PowerBait, small lures, and tube jigs around channels. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: July 31. Elevation normal, water 85. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/MCGE.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass slow on crankbaits, flukes, and spinnerbaits around channels, points, and rocks. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: July 31. Elevation normal, water murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/PINE.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jerk bait, and spinnerbaits around coves, river channel, and standing timber. Crappie fair on jigs and small lures around brush structure and standing timber. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, hotdogs, and punch bait below the dam and around the main lake. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: July 31. Elevation normal, water murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/KERO2.current.html. Largemouth and spotted bass good on buzz baits, crankbaits, crawfish, minnows, plastics, small lures, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, main lake, shallows, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, goldfish, grubs, hot dogs, live shad, minnows, shad, sunfish, and worms below the dam, around channels, coves, creek channels, main lake, river channel, and shorelines. Crappie good on crickets, goldfish, grubs, jigs, minnows, and small lures below the dam, and around brush structure, coves, creek channels, points, shallows, standing timber, and weed beds. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: August 1. Elevation below normal, water 86. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/SARD.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on buzz baits, crankbaits, jerk bait, jigs, plastics, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, creek channels, points, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, shad, and sunfish around flats, main lake, and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, creek channels, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: July 31. Elevation normal, water 83. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/DENI.lakepage.html. Striped bass good on Alabama rig, live shad, slabs, and topwater lures around flats and main lake. Fishing has been good the past week, striped bass are biting on topwater lures, slabs, live shad, and Alabama Rigs. Blue catfish fair on cut bait and shad around the main lake, river channel, and river mouth. Catfish are being caught on cut bait and whole shad. Crappie fair on jigs, live bait, and minnows around brush structure and docks. Crappie are moving into deeper water holding on brush structure in about 30 ft. of water. Report submitted by Trey Hale, game warden stationed in Marshall County.
Wister: July 31. Elevation below normal, water cloudy and 86 degrees. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/WIST.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, plastics, spinnerbaits and topwater lures around brush structure, channels, coves, points, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, crawfish, grasshoppers, hotdogs, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms below the dam, around channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, small lures, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Leflore County.
Southwest
Ellsworth: August 2. Elevation above normal, water high 80s and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website athttps://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?07308990. Blue and channel catfish fair on punch bait and shad around creek channels, main lake, and points. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Ft. Cobb: August 2. Elevation below normal, water 90s and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FCOB.lakepage.html. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around docks and points. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Waurika: August 4. Elevation normal, water 80s and clearing. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/WAUR.lakepage.html.
Blue and channel catfish fair on chicken liver and punch bait around channels and creek channels. Largemouth bass fair on small lures and spinnerbaits around shorelines and standing timber. Report submitted by Matt Farris, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.
Written by David Deaton
New World Record Paddlefish Hauled From Keystone Lake — Again!
ODWC News Release
A new world-record paddlefish has again been pulled from Keystone Lake near Tulsa, less than a month after the previous world record was snagged in the same lake by a client of the same fishing guide.
Angler Cody James Watters of Ochelata is the newest owner of the rod-and-reel world-record title, after snagging a 151-pound, 14.4-ounce giant Thursday morning. He and his son Stetson, 9, were fishing as clients of guide Jeremiah Mefford of Reel Good Time Guide Service.
Not only did the fish prove to be the new world record for the species, but it also had a very interesting backstory to tell, said Eric Brennan, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Northeast Region Fisheries technician.
Mefford called Fisheries Division staff about 10:20 a.m., saying he believed his client had just broken the current world and state paddlefish record.
Fisheries staff rushed to meet the angler at Keystone Lake. Once there, they began measuring the monster. “It weighed 151.9 pounds, had a total length of 71.5 inches, and eye-to-fork length of 54.75 inches,” Brennan said. (The standard scientific method of measuring a paddlefish’s length is the distance from the eye to the fork of the tail.)
Watters wasted no time sharing his accomplishment on social media.
“I'm excited and blessed to catch a fish this big. Bonus having the son there to witness this day. Thank you ODWC!” Watters wrote.
What’s more, the paddlefish had been caught in the past — as part of a research project. The fish had a band on its jaw. Once the fish was officially weighed, Brennan examined the band and “noticed it wasn’t one of our bands. It had an OSU reward tag in it.”
The band, identified as No. 667, was in poor condition and was collected by ODWC, then the fish was released in good shape.
“We only had the fish out of the water for the shortest time possible, about three minutes total. Other than that, we kept the fish moving in the water. It was a perfect release,” Watters wrote.
Brennan confirmed that upon its release, the fish was followed using Live Scope sonar and it appeared to be healthy and swimming well.
Later, a follow-up call to Oklahoma State University turned up information that the paddlefish was indeed part of research efforts by Craig Paukert, then a graduate student and currently a professor at the University of Missouri. Records indicate the fish was caught and banded in the Salt Creek arm of Keystone Lake on Jan. 4, 1997. When banded, this fish was about 2 years old, weighed 7.7 pounds and was about 2 feet long. So this world-record fish is about 25 years old!
Wildlife Department Paddlefish Coordinator Brandon Brown participated in Paukert’s paddlefish banding efforts in the mid-1990s at Keystone Lake. When Paukert heard the news, he contacted Brown. Paukert told Brown, “It’s possible you may have tagged this fish while working with me way back when!”
The news was exciting to Paukert. “This made my day! So, I guess this means that I caught the world-record paddlefish, but I didn’t realize it until 23 years later!”
On ODWC's Facebook page, Paukert shared some details with Watters. "I was the last person to handle that fish about 14 years before your son was born! This was part of my grad research at OSU. The fish most likely came from a net we set between the Jellystone Launch and the Keystone Marina north of the (State Highway) 51 bridge. ... It was common to set nets across the river channels.
"What made my day is hearing his son was with him today. Great story all the way around in a time when we need great stories. Wish I could have been there so we could have a pic with the last two people to touch that fish — 23 years apart!"
Watters’ paddlefish will become the officially recognized rod-and-reel world record for the species when it is entered in scientific journals by ODWC biologists. This record fish is just the latest in a string of actual or would-be record-setting paddlefish snagged at Keystone this year:
- On June 28, James Lukehart of Edmond snagged a world-record-setting 146.7-pound paddlefish, also while fishing with Mefford.
- On May 23, Mefford himself hauled in a 143-pound paddlefish at Keystone, setting a new state record but missing the then-world record by just a pound.
- On Feb. 14, Justin Hamlin of Kellyville boated a paddlefish that unofficially weighed 157 pounds, but the fish had to be immediately released because it was caught on a "no harvest" day as set in state regulations.
The largest American paddlefish on record, taken by a spearfisherman in Iowa in 1916, reportedly weighed 198 pounds.
The paddlefish is a primitive species, with a fossil record dating to the age of the dinosaurs about 75 million years ago. Resembling a shark, it has smooth skin and a skeleton mostly of cartilage.
A long paddle-like blade, called a rostrum, extends forward from the fish’s head. The rostrum is covered with tens of thousands of sensory receptors that enable the fish to detect weak electrical fields produced by zooplankton, its primary food.
The American paddlefish roams lakes and rivers of the Mississippi and Missouri basins. Paddlefish were once very abundant across their range but have declined in many areas. These fish can live up to 30 years, and they can grow to huge sizes.
Oklahoma’s paddlefish population is seen as among the healthiest in the nation, and the sport of snagging paddlefish draws anglers from many states. The Wildlife Department's paddlefish management program involves an extensive process of netting, weighing, measuring and marking paddlefish with metal bands on the lower jaw. For several months every year, the Department operates a Paddlefish Research Center near Miami, Okla.
Anglers wanting to experience battling these large fish are required to have a state fishing license (unless exempt) and a free paddlefish permit. Regulations for paddlefish snagging can be found here in the Oklahoma Fishing Regulations Guide.
And anyone wanting to arrange a guided paddlefish trip can find a list of state-licensed fishing guides here on the Wildlife Department’s website.
Written by David Deaton
Fishing Report for July 22, 2020
Northeast
Birch: July 19. Elevation normal, water 80’s and stained. Blue catfish fair on cut bait around points. White crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam and around creek channels. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Fort Gibson: July 20. Elevation normal, water 83 with 1’ visibility. White bass good on jigs, sassy shad, slabs, small lures, spoons, and top water around flats, main lake, and points. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastics around brush structure, main lake, points, rocks, and standing timber. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait and live shad around channels, main lake, and river channel. Trolling for white bass is a very consistent way for boaters to catch fish right now. Some anglers are having success catching white bass as they feed on or near the surface during late evening or early morning hours. As we near the end of spawning season, noodling activity is slowing down. Noodlers report that the amount of fish in the holes is fair at best. Report submitted by Ben Haff, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.
Greenleaf: July 19. Elevation normal, water 79 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits around the main lake and points. Blue catfish fair on cut bait around the main lake. Bluegill sunfish good on jigs and worms around docks, shallows, and shorelines. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Kaw: July 21. Elevation above average, water 1’ above, 80’s, and stained. Blue and channel catfish excellent on cut bait, grasshoppers, live bait, live shad, shad, stinkbait, and worms around channels, flats, main lake, and shallows. White bass and striped hybrid bass good on crankbaits, jigs, lipless baits, minnows, sassy shad, spinnerbaits, and top water below the dam, and around main lake, points, riprap, and bridges and submerged islands. White and black crappie good on grubs, jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County.
Keystone: July 17, 2020. Elevation above average, water 85. Blue catfish good on cut bait below the dam. White bass fair on small lures around main lake and points. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois River: July 17. Elevation normal, water 65 and clear. Rainbow trout fair on in-line spinnerbait, nymphs, and powerbait below the dam and around the Watts area. Fishing is fair during periods of low or no flow. Usually early morning or late evening. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah county.
Skiatook: July 19. Elevation normal, water clear and in the 80’s. Striped hybrid bass and white bass fair on cut bait, live shad, and spoons around the main lake and 20-30 ft deep. Black and white crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, creek channels, standing timber, and 10-15ft deep. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Sooner: July 20. Elevation normal, water 80’s and murky. Striped hybrid bass fair on live bait and slabs around dam and main lake. Saugeye fair on crankbaits and jigs around points. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Spavinaw: July 19. Elevation normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, jigs, and plastics around brush structure, docks, and points. Black and white crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, dam, and docks. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and shad around flats and main lake. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Mayes County.
Tenkiller: July 19. Elevation above average, water 84 and clear. Largemouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits, jerk bait, jigs, and plastics around brush structure, channels, standing timber, drop offs, and ledges. Black and white crappie good on jigs and small lures around brush structure. White bass good on crankbaits, lipless baits, small lures, and spinnerbaits around channels, flats, and points. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.
Webbers Falls: July 19. Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass slow on plastics around shallows, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait below the dam and around the main lake. Flathead catfish fair on live shad and snagging below the dam and around the main lake. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Northwest
Canton: July 19. Elevation normal, water clear. Striped hybrid bass and white bass good on shad, slabs, and sunfish around the main lake. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
Elmer: July 20. Elevation below average, water murky and in the upper 80’s. Channel and blue catfish slow on cut bait around channels and points. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Foss: July 20. Elevation 1.25 ft below, gates closed, water mid 70’s and clear. Bass fair to good with spinnerbaits. Striped bass hybrid fair along dam with hard baits. Walleye fair with worms. Crappie slow. Catfish fair to good along North side and into reserve. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Ft. Supply: July 21. Elevation below average, water 80’s and murky. Channel catfish good on dough bait below the dam, and around channels, main lake, and rocks. Report submitted by Jason Badley, game warden stationed in Harper County.
Southeast
Broken Bow: July 17. Elevation below average, water 89. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on plastics around brush structure and points. White crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: July 17. Elevation normal, water 87 and clearing. White bass good on slabs around channels and main lake. Blue and flathead catfish good on cut bait, grubs, shad, and worms around main lake, river channel, and rocks. Black crappie slow on jigs and minnows around coves and docks. Report submitted by Cannon Harrison, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: July 17. Elevation normal, water 80 and murky. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, punch bait, shad, stinkbait, and sunfish below the dam, and around channels, main lake, river channel, and shorelines. Black and white crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam, and around brush structure, channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, and standing timber. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.
Konawa: July 20. Elevation normal, water 90 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastics around main lake, points, river channel, and weed beds. Striped hybrid bass and white bass fair on Alabama rig, crankbaits, and live shad around coves, main lake, and river channel. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, shrimp, and worms around coves, inlet, riprap, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: July 17. Elevation normal, water clear. Rainbow trout good on caddis flies, powerbait, tube jigs, and worms around creek channels, rocks, and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: July 17. Elevation normal, water 85. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on Alabama rig, crankbaits, flukes, and plastics around brush structure, coves, main lake, and points. White and spotted bass fair on Alabama rig, jigs, top water, and look for surfacing schools around coves, dam, flats, and main lake. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: July 17. Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and top water around channels and coves. Black crappie good on jigs and minnows around brushes structure and standing timber. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and hot dogs around river channel and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: July 17. Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth and spotted bass good on buzz baits, minnows, plastics, small lures, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, docks, main lake, shallows, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, goldfish, hot dogs, minnows, and shad below the dam, and around channels, main lake, river mouth, and shorelines. Black and white crappie good on jigs around rocks, shorelines, standing timber, tailwater, and weed beds. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: July 18. Elevation normal, water 84. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on buzz baits, crankbaits, jigs, plastics, spinnerbaits, and top water around brush structure, channels, points, riprap, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, minnows, shad, and sunfish around creek channels, main lake, shallows, and shorelines. White crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, points, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: July 17. Elevation normal, water 84. Striped bass good on Alabama rig, live bait, and top water around flats and main lake. Black crappie slow on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Blue catfish fair on shad around the main lake and river channel. Topwater bite is on !! Anglers should get out early in the morning to find surface feeding striper, as the morning progresses anglers should switch to trolling A rigs after surface feeding fish have went into deeper water. Crappie have been very slow the past week. Catfish are still being caught near cleaning docks on cut bait. Report submitted by Trey Hale, game warden stationed in Marshall County.
Wister: July 17. Elevation below average, water 85 and cloudy. Largemouth and spotted bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, plastics, spinnerbaits, and top water around brushes structure, channels, coves, points, and shorelines. Blue and channel catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, shad, stinkbait, and worms below the dam, and around channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. White and black crappie good on jigs, minnows, small lures, and spinnerbaits around brushes structure, channels, points, shorelines, standing timber, and cedar brush. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Leflore County.
Southwest
Ellsworth: July 20. Elevation below average, water upper 80’s and murky. Channel and blue catfish slow on cut bait around channels and points. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Ft. Cobb: July 20. Elevation below average, water cloudy and upper 80’s. Saugeye slow on jigs around points. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Lawtonka: July 20. Elevation below average, water clear and upper 80’s. Channel and blue catfish slow on cut bait around channels and points. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Waurika: July 21. Elevation normal, water 80’s and clearing. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and spoons around docks, shorelines, and standing timber. Blue and channel catfish good on chicken liver and cut bait around channels, creek channels, and main lake. Report submitted by Matt Farris, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.
Written by David Deaton
Fishing Report for July 15, 2020
Northeast
Birch: July 12. Elevation above normal, water 80s and stained. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/BIRC.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around brush structure and points. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Ft. Gibson: July 13. Elevation above normal, water 84 and less than 1 ft. of clarity. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FGIB.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits and spinnerbaits around docks, main lake and rocks. White bass good on grubs, sassy shad, slabs and spoons in the main lake, around points and river channel. Blue and channel catfish fair on goldfish and live shad along flats and river channel. Report submitted by Ben Haff, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.
Greenleaf: July 12. Elevation normal, water 78 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits along flats and points. Blue catfish good on cut bait and hotdogs in the main lake. Bluegill good on worms along shallows and shorelines. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Kaw: July 13. Elevation 1 ft. above normal and rising, water 80s and muddy. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/KAWL.lakepage.html. Blue, channel and flathead catfish good on crawfish, cut bait, goldfish, grasshoppers, live shad and punch bait, shad, stinkbait, sunfish and worms along channels, flats, river channel, river mouth, rocks and shallows. Striped bass hybrids and white bass slow on crankbaits, hair jigs, lipless baits, live shad, sassy shad, shad and topwater lures below the dam, main lake and points. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County.
Keystone: July 9. Elevation above normal, water 85 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/KEYS.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits along shorelines. Striped bass, striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on small lures in the main lake. Blue catfish slow on cut bait along channels. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: July 11. Elevation normal, water 65 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=07198000. Rainbow trout fair on in-line spinnerbaits, nymphs and PowerBait below the dam and Watts Area. Fishing is best during periods of low or no flow. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County.
Oologah: July 12. Elevation normal, water 83 and stained. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/OOLO2.current.html. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits in the main lake and around points. Blue catfish good on hotdogs and live shad below the dam. Crappie slow at 15 ft. in the main lake and standing timber. Report submitted by J.D. Stauffer, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Sooner: July 13. Elevation normal, water 80s and murky. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits and topwater lures around brush structure and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on cut bait, jigs, live shad and plastic baits in the discharge and main lake. Saugeye fair on jigs and plastic baits in the main lake and around points. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Spavinaw: July 12. Elevation normal, water 70s and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?07191300. Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on crankbaits, jigs and plastic baits in coves and around points. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and shad along flats and shallows. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Mayes County.
Tenkiller: July 12. Elevation above normal, water 84 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/TENK.lakepage.html. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits and tube jigs around brush structure, flats and standing timber. White bass good on crankbaits and small lures along flats and river channel. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.
Webbers Falls: July 12. Elevation normal, water 79 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/WFLO2.current.html. Largemouth bass slow on plastic baits along weed beds. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait and hotdogs below the dam and main lake. Flathead catfish fair on live shad and snagging below the dam. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Northwest
Canton: July 11. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/CANT.lakepage.html. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on slabs and sunfish in the main lake. Channel and blue catfish good on shad and worms in the main lake. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
Foss: July 13. Elevation 1 ft. below normal with gates closed, water 80s and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FOSS.lakepage.html. Striped bass hybrids fair on slabs in deep water. Walleye fair on worms. Catfish fair to good on trotlines around the north side. Crappie slow around marina. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Southeast
Arbuckle: July 11. Elevation normal, water 84 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ARBU.lakepage.html. Fishing has entered summer heat and slowdown. Bass hitting topwater off points at dawn; shaky head worms and Ned rigs seem to be working. White bass being caught on small swim baits are working best where schooling near the dam. Crappie slow on minnow and jigs around docks at dawn and fair at 36 ft. around brush piles and knolls. Channel catfish good on dough bait. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Blue River: July 14. Elevation normal, water 76 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ok/nwis/uv?site_no=07332390. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits, small lures and topwater lures around brush structure, rocks and shorelines. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and punch bait along the river channel. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, technician at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: July 10. Elevation below normal, water 86. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/BROK.lakepage.html. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits and plastic baits around brush structure and points. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: July 10. Elevation normal, water 85 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/EUFA.lakepage.html. Striped bass good on cut bait, live bait, live shad, shad and topwater lures below the dam and along the dam. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam, around docks and shallows. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on bill baits, minnows and small lures in coves, main lake and along shorelines. Report submitted by Cannon Harrison, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: July 10. Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/HUGO.lakepage.html. Blue, channel and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, punch bait, shad, stinkbait and sunfish below the dam, along channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam, around brush structure, channels, main lake, river channel and standing timber. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.
Konawa: July 13. Elevation normal, water 88 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jigs and plastic baits in the main lake, along river channel and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits and live shad in coves, main lake and river channel. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, shrimp and worms in coves, inlet and riprap. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: July 10. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ok/nwis/uv?site_no=07339000. Rainbow trout fair on caddis flies, PowerBait and small lures along creek channels and rocks. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: July 10. Elevation normal, water 83. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/MCGE.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits, flukes, plastic baits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures around brush structure, flats, points and shorelines. Crappie and white bass fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, creek channels and standing timber. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: July 10. Elevation normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/PINE.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures in coves. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around standing timber. Channel catfish good on hotdogs and stinkbait in the river channel and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: July 10. Elevation normal, water murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/KERO2.current.html. Largemouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits, minnows, small lures and topwater lures around brush structure, shallows, shorelines, standing timber and weed beds. Blue and channel catfish good on chicken liver, goldfish, hotdogs, minnows, shad, stinkbait and sunfish below the dam, along channels, main lake, river channel, river mouth and tailwater. Crappie good on goldfish and jigs around brush structure, in coves, shallows and weed beds. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: July 9. Elevation normal, water 82. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/SARD.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on buzz baits, jerk baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures and tube jigs around brush structure, creek channels, points, shorelines, standing timber and weed beds. Blue, channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, live bait, shad and sunfish along creek channels, flats, main lake and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, points, shorelines and standing timber. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: July 10. Elevation normal, water 80. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/DENI.lakepage.html. Lake fishing has been good the past week. Striped bass good on Alabama rigs, live shad and topwater lures along flats, points and shallows. Early mornings have been the best time to catch striper. Surfacing fish have been present near Washita Point. While surface feeding, anglers should use topwater lures to catch striper. Look for birds and fish breaching the surface to get in on the topwater action. Blue catfish fair on cut bait, live bait and punch bait along flats, river channel and river mouth. Anglers wanting to catch blue cats should use fresh whole shad or cut shad. Crappie fair on jigs, minnows and tube jigs around brush structure and docks. Crappie are holding to brush structure in about 20 ft. of water. Report submitted by Trey Hale, game warden stationed in Marshall County.
Wister: July 10. Elevation below normal, water cloudy. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/WIST.lakepage.html. Largemouth and spotted bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures around brush structure, channels, points, shorelines and coves. Blue and channel catfish good on crawfish, cut bait, grasshoppers, hotdogs, shad and stinkbait below the dam, around brush structure, channels, main lake, points and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, small lures and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, points, shorelines, standing timber and cedar brush. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
Southwest
Ellsworth: July 12. Elevation below normal, water murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Geological Survey website at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?07308990. Channel and blue catfish slow on cut bait around brush structure, channels and main lake. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Ft. Cobb: July 12. Elevation below normal, water 80s and cloudy. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FCOB.lakepage.html. Channel catfish slow on cut bait along channels and main lake. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Lawtonka: July 12. Elevation below normal, water clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website at https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/LTKO2.current.html. Channel catfish slow on cut bait around brush structure, channels and main lake. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Comanche County.