ODWC Fishing Report: April 9, 2025

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Weekly Fishing Report

CENTRAL

Arcadia: April 7. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 59°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Channel and flathead catfish slow on cut bait and dough bait around channels, rocks, and shorelines. Crappie slow on jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, and rocks. White bass fair on buzz baits and crankbaits around coves and shorelines. Report submitted by Dalton Buley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Hefner: April 6. Elevation is normal and rising, water temperature 54°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) White bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits around shorelines and weed beds. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around docks, shorelines, and weed beds. Blue and channel catfish good on chicken liver, live shad, punch bait, and worms around channels, docks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Overholser: April 8. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 55°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around dam, docks, and riprap. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on grubs and jigs around shallows and shorelines. Blue and channel catfish good on punch bait, shad, and worms around points and shorelines. Report submitted by Mark Murray, game warden stationed in Canadian County.

Stanley Draper: April 6. Elevation is .5 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 55°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure, docks, and riprap. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait and shad around points and shorelines. White bass good on Alabama rigs, lipless baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, flats, points, and shorelines. Report submitted by Chad Strang, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Thunderbird: April 6. Elevation is normal and rising, water temperature 50°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue catfish fair on shad around shallows. White bass fair on crankbaits and minnows around docks and main lake. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Zach Hanson, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: April 7. Elevation is normal and rising, water temperature 51°F and murky. (USGS Lake Level) Channel catfish fair on punch bait and worms around docks and riprap. White bass slow on crankbaits around points. Report submitted by Michael France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.

NORTHEAST

Bell Cow: April 6. Elevation is 5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 53°F and stained. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure, docks, and shorelines. White bass good on buzz baits, crankbaits, plastic baits, small lures, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, shorelines, and standing timber. Channel catfish fair on sunfish and worms around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Harriet, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Birch: April 6. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 60°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass fair on spinnerbaits around coves. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on crankbaits and grubs around coves and creek channels. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Carl Blackwell: April 8. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and rising, water temperature 60°F and murky. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait, hot dogs and shad around channels and flats. Saugeye good on jigs and small lures around points, riprap, and rocks. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Payne County.

Chandler: April 6. Elevation is 5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 52°F and stained. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around dam and docks. Channel catfish good on sunfish and worms around brush structure, dam, and shorelines. White bass fair on crankbaits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, rocks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Harriet, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Copan: April 3. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 57°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows, PowerBait, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on crawfish, goldfish, hot dogs, live bait, live shad, shad, shrimp, sunfish, and worms around channels, docks, main lake, and shorelines. Report submitted by Lt. Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Eucha: April 4. Elevation is 10 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 58°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) White bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and plastic baits around brush structure and coves. Channel catfish fair on cut bait, stinkbait, and worms around coves and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and shorelines. Report submitted by Riley Willman, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Fort Gibson: April 7. Elevation is 4 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 53°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait and shad below the dam, channels, discharge, inlet, river mouth, shorelines, and tailwater. White bass good on minnows and small lures around dam, discharge, inlet, river mouth, and spillway. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and crappie slow. Report submitted by Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Grand: April 6. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 53°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Paddlefish good around river channel. White bass fair on crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, small lures, and spinnerbaits around channels, flats, points, river channel, river mouth, and spillway. Blue and channel catfish fair on crawfish, live bait, shad, and shrimp around flats, inlet, main lake, and river mouth. Comments: The area has received substantial rain in the last few days. Heavy rains in southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri have caused the lake level to rise and be muddy. Report submitted by J. Adair, game warden stationed in Ottawa County.

Greenleaf: April 8. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 54°F and stained. White bass fair on crankbaits, flukes, and plastic baits around brush structure, docks, and points. Crappie fair on jigs, minnows, and small lures around brush structure and shallows. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, shad, and worms around creek channels, docks, flats, and main lake. Report submitted by Dylan Langford, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: April 6. Elevation is 7.5 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 52°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) White bass good on crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, lipless baits, plastic baits, and spoons around creek channels. Paddlefish good snagging around channels. Blue catfish fair on chicken liver, shad, and shrimp around channels and points. Report submitted by Cody Morris, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Hulah: April 3. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 57°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, goldfish, live bait, live shad, shad, sunfish, and worms around channels, main lake, and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows, PowerBait, and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, and shorelines. White bass fair on hair jigs, in-line spinnerbaits, lipless baits, minnows, and small lures around channels, creek channels, and river channel. Report submitted by Lt. Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Kaw: April 7. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 58°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Crappie good on grubs, jigs, live bait, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, main lake, riprap, rocks, and standing timber. Paddlefish excellent snagging below the dam and river channel. Striped bass hybrids and white bass excellent on crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, jigs, minnows, sassy shad, small lures, and spoons below the dam, creek channels, river channel, and tailwater. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County.

Keystone: April 7. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 56°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue catfish good on goldfish around channels and river channel. White bass good on plastic baits around brush structure. Crappie good on jigs around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Tracer Wagner, game warden stationed in Creek County.

Lower Illinois River: April 4. Elevation is 5 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 52°F and clear.  All fishing is slow due to high discharge of water from the dam, currently releasing 14,000 CFS. Report submitted by Jerry Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County.

Oologah: April 6. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 54°F and murky. White bass slow on crankbaits around channels. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish slow on cut bait, shad, and worms around channels. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows around channels. Report submitted by Dartanion Tilley, game warden stationed in Nowata County.

Skiatook: April 6. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and rising, water temperature 58°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on crankbaits and sassy shad around creek channels and points. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Sooner: April 7. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 54°F and stained. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, punch bait, and sunfish around coves and discharge. White bass fair on plastic baits around rocks. Saugeye fair on crankbaits, jigs, and live shad around points and riprap. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Spavinaw: April 6. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 53°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) White bass slow on jerk baits and jigs around points. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. White bass slow on crankbaits and jigs around creek channels. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Tenkiller: April 6. Elevation is 6 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 55°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits, jigs, and lipless baits around brush structure, channels, creek channels, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, and shad around coves, creek channels, and flats. White bass fair on Alabama rigs, jigs, and small lures around creek channels, river channel, and river mouth. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.

Webbers Falls: April 8. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 54°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait, live shad, shad, and worms below the dam, inlet, river mouth, and shorelines, tailwater. Striped and white bass fair on flukes, jigs, sassy shad, and small lures below the dam, discharge, and river channel. Paddlefish good snagging around creek channels and river channel. Report submitted by Dylan Langford, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: April 8. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 57°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) White bass fair on jigs and lipless baits around river mouth and rocks. Walleye slow on jigs and lipless baits around dam. Report submitted by Jaylen Flynn, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Fort Supply: April 7. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 56°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) White bass and walleye slow on in-line spinnerbaits and tube jigs around discharge, main lake, and rocks. Report submitted by Jason Badley, game warden stationed in Harper County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: April 1. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 54°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on Alabama rig, jigs, lipless baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, flats, and shorelines. Channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, punch bait, and stinkbait around channels, coves, and creek channels. White bass and crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and creek channels. Report submitted by Casey Young, game warden stationed in Murray County.

Blue River: April 8. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 68°F and murky. (USGS Lake Level) Rainbow trout slow on caddis flies, in-line spinnerbaits, nymphs, small lures, and worms around channels, creek channels, and river channel. Smallmouth and spotted bass fair on crankbaits, flukes, minnows, and worms around brush structure, points, riprap, river channel, shallows, and weed beds. Report submitted by Mason Eddings, fisheries technician at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: April 4. Elevation is 5 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 54°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs, bill baits, crankbaits, flukes, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, flats, main lake, points, river mouth, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie fair on grubs, hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, flats, points, shorelines, and standing timber. White bass fair on grubs and in-line spinnerbaits around channels, creek channels, river channel, and river mouth. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: April 4. Elevation is .5 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 60°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, jerk baits, and lipless baits around channels, flats, and rocks. White bass fair on crankbaits, hair jigs, and jigs around creek channels, discharge, and rocks. Crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, docks, and flats. Report submitted by Jake Rowland, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: April 4. Elevation is .5 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 58°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) White bass fair on crankbaits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around main lake, points, and riprap. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, creek channels, and standing timber. Report submitted by Eric Barnes, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Konawa: April 6. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 56°F and clear. White bass good on crankbaits, lipless baits, and plastic baits around main lake, points, river channel, and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and live shad around coves, discharge, inlet, main lake, and river channel. Channel catfish slow on chicken liver, cut bait, and shrimp around coves, discharge, inlet, riprap, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: April 4. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 58°F and clear. Rainbow trout good on jigs, minnows, PowerBait, and small lures around creek channels, dam, and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

McGee Creek: April 4. Elevation is normal and rising, water temperature 64°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass excellent on in-line spinnerbaits, jerk baits, jigs, and plastic baits below the dam, brush structure, creek channels, docks, points, riprap, and standing timber. Crappie good on minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber. Channel and flathead catfish good on cut bait, shad, shrimp, and worms around creek channels, main lake, and rocks. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: April 6. Elevation is 2.5 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 63°F and murky. Smallmouth bass slow on small lures, spinnerbaits, spoons, and topwater lures around brush structure, dam, main lake, shallows, and weed beds. Blue and channel catfish on chicken liver, crawfish, crickets, cut bait, goldfish, grasshoppers, live bait, live shad, shad, shrimp, stinkbait, and worms around brush structure, dam, main lake, and rocks. Report submitted by Royce Gillham, game warden stationed in Love County.

Pine Creek: April 4. Elevation is 3 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 65°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) White bass good on crankbaits, lipless baits, and plastic baits around flats and shallows. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around shallows and shorelines. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver and cut bait around creek channels and shallows. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: April 4. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 61°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, jerk baits, lipless baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, points, riprap, shorelines, and weed beds. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure, channels, creek channels, and inlet. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, and shad around channels, flats, river channel, and river mouth. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: April 4. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 64°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) White bass good on crankbaits, lipless baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, shad, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms around brush structure, channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, points, and standing timber. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: April 6. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 59°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass fair on live shad around channels, main lake, and points. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, live bait, and punch bait around channels, coves, docks, points, and river mouth. Crappie fair on caddis flies, grubs, hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, coves, docks, points, and standing timber. Comments: Fishing this week was good. Striper fishing is pretty good on the west end of the lake around Buncombe Creek area. Live shad have been good. Catfish are good on live shad in river channels and ledges. Crappie are getting better by the day. It shouldn’t be long before they’re in full spawning. Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Marshall County.

Wister: April 4. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 65°F and murky. (USACE Current Lake Level) White bass good on plastic baits and spinnerbaits around brush structure and creek channels. Crappie excellent on jigs and minnows around brush structure and main lake. Blue catfish good on cut bait and shad around main lake. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Latimer County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: April 7. Elevation is 10 ft. below normal and rising, water temperature 53°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Channel catfish slow on jigs and worms around dam. Bluegill sunfish fair on jigs, minnows, and worms around docks. Report submitted by Brandon Lehrman, game warden stationed in Greer County.

Ellsworth: April 6. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 54°F and murky. ( USGS Lake Level) White bass and crappie slow on jigs, minnows, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, creek channels, docks, and rocks. Blue and channel catfish slow on chicken liver, dough bait, and shad around main lake and points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Fort Cobb: April 7. Elevation is 3 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 55°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids fair on jigs around dam. Report submitted by Justin Cornett, game warden stationed in Caddo County.

Lawtonka: April 6. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 55°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) White bass and crappie slow on jigs, minnows, and small lures around brush structure, docks, rocks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Tom Steed: April 8. Elevation is 6 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 55°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids good on shrimp around main lake and points. White bass, crappie, and saugeye good on jigs and minnows around coves, points, and rocks. Blue and channel catfish fair on punch bait, shrimp, and stinkbait around points and rocks. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.

Waurika: April 6. Elevation is 2 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 54°F and murky. Largemouth bass, striped bass hybrids and white bass and crappie fair on crankbaits, jerk baits, minnows, and small lures around docks and rocks. Blue and channel catfish fair on crawfish, cut bait, dough bait, shrimp, and stinkbait around creek channels, docks, main lake, and rocks. Report submitted by Tucker Clem, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.