Whatzup Outdoors (225)
Written by David Deaton
What’s Different About Fall Boating?
Press Release
Follow these 5 boating safety tips to ensure a great day on the water
SPRINGFIELD, Va., October 6, 2020 – Other than the colors of trees and cooler temperatures, what’s different about boating in the fall? A lot, according to the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, especially when it comes your safety aboard. One big issue is there are fewer boats – often the quickest pathway to a rescue – on the water, so flagging down a good Samaritan just got harder. So what’s your plan to stay safe? Here are five fall boating safety tips.
- Always leave a float plan. It could be as simple as advising a family member or friend where you’re going, what time you expect to return, and picking a time for them to act if you fail to call or text them to advise of your safe return.
- Be certain your VHF is working, and if the antenna is on a folding mount, ensure it is in the upright position before you leave the dock.
- While using a cellphone aboard your boat to summon emergency help has become common, it requires boaters to remember to ensure their phone is fully charged and remains dry. For nonemergency on-water towing and assistance, download the free BoatUS App, which connects you to the closest local TowBoatUS towing captain.
- Ensure you know where your signaling equipment is located such as handheld flares or aerial signals. They should be in good condition and not expired. Boaters often forget to ensure their boat has the required sound-producing device.
- If you’re solo boating in an area with questionable cellphone coverage, consider purchasing or renting Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Emergency Position Indicating Rescue Beacon.
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Written by David Deaton
Fishing Report for September 30, 2020
Fishing Report for September 30, 2020
Northeast
Ft. Gibson: September 28. Elevation normal, water 77 with 1 ft. clarity. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FGIB.lakepage.html. White bass good on crankbaits, sassy shad, spoons, and tube jigs around main lake, points, and shorelines. Largemouth bass good on buzz baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around coves, creek channels, shallows, and weed beds. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, main lake, and standing timber. Report submitted by Ben Haff, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.
Grand: September 25. Elevation normal, water 60s and murky. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/PENS.lakepage.html. Largemouth bass good on buzz baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbait, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, docks, riprap, rocks, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live shad, shrimp, and worms below the dam, around channels, coves, creek channels, docks, main lake, river channel, and river mouth. Catfish are being caught in good number on the main lake, particularly where ledges drop off to 30-40 ft. of water. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, and PowerBait around brush structure and docks. Crappie can be found in and around brush structure on the main lake. White bass are being caught in decent numbers near the Blue Bluff area. Paddlefish are beginning to be caught on the main lake. Largemouth Bass seem to prefer crankbaits. Report submitted by Riley Willman, game warden stationed in Delaware County.
Greenleaf: September 28. Elevation above normal, water 77 and murky. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait around coves and flats. Bluegill sunfish fair on jigs and worms around docks, shallows, and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and spoons around docks. As lake temperature begins to drop, the fishing is beginning to pick up slightly. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Kaw: September 27. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water low 70s 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. White bass and striped hybrid bass good on crankbaits, jigs, live shad, shad, spoons, and topwater lures below the dam, and around the main lake, points, and riprap. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish excellent on cut bait, live bait, live shad, shad, stinkbait, and sunfish below the dam, around river channel, river mouth, and shallows. Crappie good on jigs, live bait, spoons, and tube jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County.
Keystone: September 24. Elevation above normal, water 78. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/KEYS.lakepage.html. Crappie fair on minnows around brush structure. Blue catfish good on cut bait below the dam. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois River: September 25. 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 spinnerbaits, nymphs, and PowerBait below the dam and around the Watts area. Fishing is best during periods of low or no flow; usually early morning or late evening. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County.
Sooner: September 27. Elevation normal, water 70s and murky. Striped hybrid bass and white bass fair on jigs and live shad around discharge. Blue and channel catfish slow on cut bait and stinkbait around the main lake. No floating or wading in the discharge area. All saugeye less than 18 inches must be released immediately. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Tenkiller: September 28. Elevation above normal, water 78 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. Bluegill, green, and redear sunfish good on jigs and worms around brush structure, creek channels, docks, and shorelines. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on crankbaits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie fair on jigs, minnows, and small lures around brush structure, docks, and standing timber. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.
Webbers Falls: September 28. Elevation rising, water 77 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 and hot dogs below the dam, around flats and main lake. Flathead catfish fair on live bait and snagging below the dam. Paddlefish fair snagging below the dam. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Northwest
Canton: September 26. Elevation below 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 hybrid bass 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: September 28. Elevation below normal, water 1 3/4 ft. below. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FOSS.lakepage.html. Walleye fair on worms around the main lake. Striped hybrid bass fair on live bait near the dam. Catfish fair to good on stinkbait. Crappie slow. Drum fair around structure. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Southeast
Arbuckle: September 28. Elevation normal, water 79 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US 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 the main lake. Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on chug bugs and flopper ploppers along the surface early morning and fair on shaky head worms and jigs the rest of the day. Crappie good off docks early morning and slow around lake brush piles. White bass slow up creeks. Sunfish excellent on fly-rods with black gnats. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Blue River: September 29. Elevation normal, water 69 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 good on chicken liver, punch bait, and worms around channels, river channel, and rocks. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on jerk bait, spinnerbait, and topwater lures around channels, rocks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace.
Broken Bow: September 25. Elevation normal, water 80. 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 bill baits, 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: September 25. Elevation normal, water 80 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. Crappie good on jigs and minnows below the dam and around docks. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits, grass hoppers, jigs, and small lures around coves, creek channel, main lake, and shallows. Blue and channel catfish good on crawfish, shad, and worms below the dam, around the dam and river mouth. Report submitted by Cannon Harrison, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: September 25. Elevation above 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/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, and 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: September 28. Elevation normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits, and topwater lures 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: September 25. 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 and PowerBait around spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: September 25. Elevation normal, water 81. 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 coves, creek channels, and standing timber. White and spotted bass fair on sassy shad and topwater lures around coves, dam, main lake, and points. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: September 25. Elevation above normal, water clear. 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 fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around creek channels. Crappie good on minnows around brush structure. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and punch bait below the dam and along creek channels. Larger crappie seem to be biting in the evening hours. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: September 25. 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. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, shad, and stinkbait around channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, and river mouth. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on bill baits, jigs, lipless baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, main lake, riprap, and river channel. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, creek channels, main lake, and river channel. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Texoma: September 25. Elevation below normal, water 78 and clear. 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 sassy shad and shad around the main lake and river channel. Striped bass are biting good in the main lake around the mouth of the rivers using live shad and sassy shad. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Crappie are biting around docks and brush structure using jigs and minnows. Blue catfish slow on cut bait and shad around creek channels, river channel, and river mouth. Catfish are biting on jigs using shad and cut shad for bait, they are also biting in channels and mouth of the rivers. Report submitted by Billy Bob Walker, game warden stationed in Marshall County.
Wister: September 25. 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, 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, goldfish, hot dogs, shad, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms around channels, main lake, and points. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and cedar brush. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
Southwest
Ft Cobb: September 27. Elevation below normal, water 70s and cloudy. For current elevation conditions go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/FCOB.lakepage.html. Saugeye fair on small lures around flats and points. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Written by David Deaton
Southeast Oklahoma Area Lakes Fishing Report
Arbuckle: September 21. Elevation normal, water 80 and clear. For current elevation conditions go to the US 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 lures at the first light of day. Smallmouth bass good on topwater lures early morning. Crappie fair to good off docks in the mornings and good on milk money jigs around brush piles out of the lake. White bass are chasing shad up creeks during the evening hours. Sunfish excellent with fly-rods. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Blue River: September 22. Elevation normal, water clear. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and punch bait around channels, river channel, and rocks. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on crankbaits and spinnerbaits around brush structure, rocks, and shorelines. Bluegill, green, and redear sunfish good on crickets, grasshoppers, and worms around shallows and shorelines. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace.
Broken Bow: September 18. Elevation above normal, water 81. 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 fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and spoons around brush structure and points. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, punch bait, and worms around channels, coves, and river mouth. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: September 18. 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. Striped bass fair on jigs, small lures, and topwater lures below and around the dam. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around coves, docks, main lake, riprap, and standing timber. Report submitted by Cannon Harrison, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: September 18. Elevation above normal, water 81 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 good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, shad, stinkbait, and sunfish below the dam, around channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, and shorelines. Crappie good 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: September 20. Elevation normal, water 81 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jigs, plastics, and topwater lures around main lake, points, river channel, and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on Alabama rig, crankbaits, and live shad around coves, inlet, main lake, and river channel. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, shrimp, and worms around coves, riprap, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: September 18. 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 excellent on PowerBait, tube jigs, and worms around creek channels and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: September 18. Elevation normal, water 82. Largemouth and spotted bass good on Alabama rig, crankbaits, and topwater lures around coves, flats, and points. White and spotted bass fair on topwater lures around the dam and main lake. Crappie fair on minnows around brush structure, channels, and standing timber. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: September 18. Elevation above normal, water clear. 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 fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around coves, creek channels, and points. Crappie good on jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and stinkbait below the dam. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: September 18. 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 fair on buzz baits, crankbaits, minnows, plastic baits, small lures, and topwater lures around brush structure, docks, rocks, sandbar, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, goldfish, grubs, hot dogs, minnows, shad, shrimp, sunfish, and worms below the dam, along channels, main lake, river channel, river mouth, shorelines, and tailwater. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and small lures around coves, points, standing timber, tailwater, and weed beds. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: September 18. Elevation above normal, water 78. 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, lipless baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, points, riprap, rocks, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, live shad, shad, and sunfish around channels, flats, main lake, and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, points, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: September 18. Elevation normal, water 79. For current elevation conditions go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website athttps://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/DENI.lakepage.html. Lake fishing has started picking back up with cooler temps. Striped bass good on live shad and topwater lures around flats, inlet, and shallows. Striper fishing has been good near the islands in 25 ft. of water, anglers should use fresh caught bait for best results. Blue catfish fair on cut bait and shad around the flats and main lake. Blue cats hitting cut bait on ledges. White bass surface feeding in early mornings and late evenings. Report submitted by Trey Hale, game warden stationed in Marshall County.
Wister: September 18. 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, plastics, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, coves, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, crawfish, cut bait, hot dogs, shad, 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 around brush structure, points, shorelines, standing timber, and cedar brush. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Le Flore County.
Written by David Deaton
Eastern to host virtual 5th Annual Mountaineer 5K in November
WILBURTON, Okla. – The 5th Annual Eastern Oklahoma State College Mountaineer 5K will be held virtually this year from Nov. 9 – Nov. 15, 2020. The entry fee will be $30.
“As champions of the Mountaineer community and beyond, we are facing an unprecedented challenge with the global COVID-19 pandemic,” said Teresa Brady, Executive Director of the EOSC Foundation and Alumni Relations. “We are all working to do our part to protect the health and well-being of students, faculty, staff and our running/walking community. We have decided to make this year’s Mountaineer 5K a virtual event.”
Each runner will be asked to complete their run individually between Nov. 9 and Nov. 15. After their run is completed, participants will submit their time, registration form and payment either by mail or online at eosc.edu by Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m.
Runners will receive a t-shirt and a finisher medal. Drive-through packet pickups will be held at all four of the EOSC campus locations. Dates for pick up will be scheduled at a future date.
The Mountaineer 5K is a Choctaw Nation PACE registered event. PACE runners will submit their time, registration form, and location for shirt and finisher medal pick up to:
Choctaw Nation P.A.C.E. Program
One Choctaw Way
Talihina, OK 74571
Or email: hcmize@cnhsa.com
Non-PACE runners will submit their time, registration form, location for shirt and finisher medal pick up, and payment to:
EOSC Alumni Association – Mountaineer 5K
1301 W. Main Street
Wilburton, OK 74578
Checks should be payable to EOSC Foundation or payment by credit card can be made online at eosc.edu.
For more information, contact Teresa Brady at 918-465-1761 or tbrady@eosc.edu.
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.