Whatzup Outdoors

Whatzup Outdoors (312)

Written by News release

Wild Turkey Management Workshop Aug. 11

Learn what you can do as a landowner, manager or hunter to increase wild turkey on your property.

This free event features topics that cover habitat management relative to Rio Grande wild turkey. Lunch is provided!

When: Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Chester Community Building, 22040 Hwy 281 Chester, OK 73838

Register Today!

Written by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife

SOUTHEAST AREA LAKES REPORT FOR JUNE 21

Arbuckle: June 20. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 80°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on Alabama rigs, bill baits, and plastic baits around main lake and points. Blue and channel catfish fair on punch bait and stinkbait around creek channels and main lake. White bass good on minnows, sassy shad, and tube jigs around main lake. Report submitted by Casey Young, game warden stationed in Murray County.

Blue River: June 19. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on jerk baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, river channel, river mouth, rocks, and shorelines. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, stinkbait, and worms around brush structure, channels, river channel, and rocks. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: June 16. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on bill baits, crankbaits, and plastic baits around brush structure, main lake, and points. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, points, river mouth, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: June 16. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 81°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on crankbaits, flukes, in-line spinnerbaits, jerk baits, jigs, plastic baits, and topwater lures around brush structure, docks, main lake, points, riprap, and rocks. Striped bass, striped bass hybrids, and white bass good on hair jigs, jigs, sassy shad, and shad below the dam, discharge, and tailwater. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, live bait, live shad, shad, and sunfish around channels, river channel, river mouth, and rocks. Report submitted by Jake Rowland, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: June 16. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish excellent on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, punch bait, shad, stinkbait, and sunfish below the dam, brush structure, channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam, brush structure, channels, main lake, river channel, and standing timber. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: June 16. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 82°F and clear. Largemouth bass excellent on crankbaits, jerk baits, jigs, and plastic baits around main lake, points, river channel, and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and live shad around coves, discharge, main lake, and river channel. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, and shrimp around coves, inlet, riprap, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork: June 16. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 64°F and clear. Trout, Rainbow good on PowerBait around creek channels. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

McGee Creek: June 16. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 81°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, and sassy shad around brush structure, main lake, and sandbar. Crappie slow on minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, rocks, and shorelines. Channel and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, dough bait, hot dogs, live bait, shrimp, stinkbait, and worms around dam, main lake, riprap, and rocks. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: June 19. Elevation is 2 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 82°F and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on plastic baits around brush structure, riprap, and rocks. Channel catfish fair on cut bait, shrimp, and stinkbait around flats. Report submitted by Jaylen Flynn, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: June 16. Elevation is 2.5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits around creek channels and points. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver around river channel. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: June 16. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass fair on buzz baits, minnows, plastic baits, and topwater lures around brush structure, coves, docks, points, shallows, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, grubs, minnows, shad, sunfish, and worms below the dam, brush structure, coves, main lake, points, river channel, river mouth, rocks, standing timber, and tailwater. Crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, coves, points, rocks, tailwater, and weed beds. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Texoma: June 18. Elevation is 4.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 84°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass good on live bait, live shad, and topwater lures around channels, flats, main lake, and points. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, dough bait, live shad, and sunfish around channels, coves, docks, main lake, and points. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and nymphs around brush structure, channels, coves, docks, points, and standing timber. Comments: Fishing this week has been good. Striper are biting good on live shad and some top water action. Catfish good on cut bait and dough bait. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: June 16. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 82°F and stained. (USACE Current Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on bill baits and plastic baits around brush structure, channels, and main lake. Blue catfish good on cut bait and hot dogs around main lake. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure, main lake, and river channel. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Le Flore County.

Written by James Lockhart / Cowboy Columnist

The last match

My wife read a flyer on social media one evening a few weeks ago. Cody Ohl and Shad Mayfield were going to match rope for charity at Cody’s house in Hico, Texas. Shad’s friend had some major medical bills, so they decided to have a benefit roping. She said I’d like to see that. The more I thought about it the more I agreed. So, we made arrangements for someone to feed our animals for a couple days. We left a day early, stopping to see our daughter in Dallas and stopping again at NRS later that day. We stayed the night at the cowboy Capitol of the world, Stephenville, Texas. The next morning we drove south to Cody’s place, he calls it the gold buckle arena in Hico.

Shad is less than half Cody’s age. Shad’s the most athletic calf roper I’ve ever seen. He handles his rope really well, he’s ties calves low and tight, but, most importantly in my mind, from the time he ropes one until the time he strings the front leg isn’t very long. Roy Cooper was really good like that, from when he roped them to when he strung the front leg. Shad is reminiscent of Roy when he was in his prime.

I called Sylvester, Shad’s dad about eleven PM the night before the match. He was loading calves in the chute for Shad, they were practicing. Sylvester said it had rained that day and it was muddy, but Shad wanted to rope, so they roped in the mud. Shad said in an interview he was kind of nervous about matching Cody Ohl.

Normally, Shad would be an easy favorite when he matches someone twice his age, but this is Cody Ohl he’s matching. No other roper has a match roping record like Cody Ohl.

I first met Cody Ohl in 1989 at the Barry Burk roping in Ardmore. We were both fifteen years old. I won the breakaway and he won the tie down in the 13-15 age groups that year.

I had a fair amount of success in junior rodeo in Oklahoma and Arkansas growing up. I won or placed at just about every major junior rodeo that I entered. However, that day in 1989 in Ardmore at the Barry Burk roping I knew I was seeing someone special. Cody Ohl was the undisputed champ that day. He was fifteen years old and he roped in the senior tie down and tied the fastest calf of the day, an 8.23. He was fifteen years old and tied a calf in 8.2, in the senior age group division.

A couple of years later I entered Roy Cooper’s junior roping at Childress, Texas. Cody Ohl and Ty Hays match roped on eight calves. The calves were decent sized, the barrier was fairly long. It’s the best match roping I’ve ever seen. Neither one missed a calf, broke a barrier or fumbled a tie. It was close to the last calf. Both went on to win a lot in the PRCA and make the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Cody Ohl has been the fiercest competitor I have ever seen in my life. I’ve rodeoed from coast to coast and border to border and I’ve roped against them all. One year at Guymon he tied a calf in seven that I didn’t think could be kept on its feet, out of all the runs I’ve seen him make that one stands out the most. He had to baby that calf more than anything, it’s hard to slow down that much- and still be seven seconds.

The records he has amassed are numerous. He set the arena record at the national finals that has been equaled twice, but never broken. (Shad equaled it last year) They put up a big plaque of him at San Angelo because of all the match ropings he won. He’s won world championships, NFR average titles, the most NFR go round wins of anyone in history. He’s even placed at the World Series of team roping, which most people don’t even realize. Some of the best rope horses over the last forty years have been ridden by him, Pearl, Luke, Topper just to name a few.

Cody had a major illness that almost killed him. Cody posted videos of him tying a calf from the post a few months after he got out of the hospital. He could barely hobble down the rope. He said the week before the match he’d dropped ten pounds getting ready for it.

The ten head match was held on Sunday afternoon about three PM. It was over a hundred degrees. The calves were walking fresh, having never been roped. Both ropers started off roping conservative, making good solid runs. I think it was the third calf that stopped and Shad’s horse bumped it, causing Shad to miss. After three calves Cody Ohl at 49 years old was leading the match.

Cody kept making good solid runs the next few calves. Shad was playing catch up and going as fast as he could. On the eighth calf Cody reached and roped it. The figure eight action of the loop caused the loop to come off the calf’s head, which resulted in a no time for Cody.

Typical match calf roping anything can happen. I told my son when that loop came off it ain’t over until the fat lady sings. The leader board changed once again, Shad Mayfield was back on top.

Shad finished the match without any major hiccups, he won as he should have. After the match they were interviewed and Shad was humble. He said he appreciated Cody for inviting him and putting on a great benefit to help his friend.

When Cody was interviewed he talked about overcoming the health issues he’d had the last few years and his plans for the future. He said this was his last match roping. He wanted one last big time match against the toughest roper he could find. He tied his last calf in eight seconds and that was how he wanted it to end.

I was there in the beginning of his career. At the Barry Burk roping in Ardmore thirty something years ago. I was there for the end as well.

In my lifetime I’ve met presidents, royalty, and world leaders, but one of the greatest memories I’ll always have was watching Cody Ohl rope.

We all knew what was coming on that last calf against Shad. I’ve seen him do it time and time again. The odds were stacked heavily against him, bad knees, hundred degree weather, riding his daughters breakaway horse, not Pearl, Luke or Topper. Yet once again Cody Ohl delivered on the last calf.

James Lockhart lives near the Kiamichi mountains in southeast Oklahoma. He writes cowboy stories and fools with cows and horses.

Written by News release

Fishing Report: June 7, 2023

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CENTRAL

Arcadia: June 5. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, hot dogs, shad, shrimp, and stinkbait around channels, points, riprap, and rocks. Crappie slow on jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, coves, docks, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dalton Buley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Hefner: June 4. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass, white bass, and green sunfish good on buzz baits around shorelines and weed beds. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait, shad, and worms around docks, main lake, and rocks. Crappie slow on hair jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around dam and main lake. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Overholser: June 5. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 73°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish excellent on punch bait and stinkbait around riprap, shallows, and shorelines. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on crankbaits and jigs around dam, docks, and points. Bluegill sunfish good on crickets and worms around brush structure, shallows, and shorelines. Report submitted by Mark Murray, game warden stationed in Canadian County.

Stanley Draper: June 4. Elevation is 5.5 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around coves, points, and shorelines. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait, shad, and shrimp around riprap. Report submitted by Chad Strang, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Thunderbird: June 4. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish fair on live bait and punch bait below the dam and main lake. Report submitted by Zach Paulk, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: June 5. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 81°F and clear. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits around points and weed beds. White bass slow on plastic baits and sassy shad around main lake. Bluegill and green sunfish fair on jigs and tube jigs around shallows. Report submitted by Mike France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.

NORTHEAST

Bell Cow: June 1. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 73°F and clear. Largemouth bass excellent on buzz baits, plastic baits, small lures, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, riprap, shallows, and weed beds. Channel catfish good on grasshoppers, punch bait, and sunfish around brush structure and shorelines. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around docks. Report submitted by Jacob Harriet, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Carl Blackwell: June 6. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 82°F and murky. Saugeye excellent on crankbaits around main lake. Crappie good on jigs, minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Payne County.

Chandler: June 2. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and clear. Sunfish, Green excellent on small lures around rocks and shallows. Largemouth bass fair on buzz baits, jigs, plastic baits, and topwater lures around rocks and shallows. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, dam, and rocks. Report submitted by Jacob Harriet, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Copan: June 2. Elevation is 4.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 65°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, goldfish, hot dogs, live bait, live shad, shad, and worms around channels, creek channels, riprap, rocks, and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows, PowerBait, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, coves, and shorelines. Largemouth bass fair on Alabama rigs, bill baits, and spinnerbaits around points and standing timber. Report submitted by Lt. Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Eucha: June 4. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on jerk baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, shallows, and weed beds. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait and shad around main lake and river channel. Bluegill, green, and redear sunfish good on crickets and worms around shallows. Comments: Sunfish activity is hanging in there so go catch some bluegill-and take a kid with you! Crickets or worms, a bobber, and a rod-and-reel is all you need. Find them in the shallows in about any cove. Report submitted by Hank Jenks, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Fort Gibson: June 4. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 77°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and worms around coves, docks, points, and riprap. Crappie good on minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, and main lake. Blue and channel catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, live shad, and worms below the dam, coves, points, and shorelines. Comments: Crappie fishing is still good. Find structure in deeper water and the fish are suspended off that. Black bass are still a little tough, but we are seeing more of a consistent summer pattern with buzz baits, Biffle bugs, and crank baits. Rocky points and riprap producing fish. Still seeing solid numbers of buffalo, gar, and carp in the shallows. The bite below the dam is tough due to minimal flows. When water is generating white bass and catfish are hitting well. Noodlers are having some luck. Report submitted by Cody Morris, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Grand: June 4. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on jerk baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around flats, points, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on plastic baits, sassy shad, small lures, spoons, and topwater lures around main lake. Comments: We are slowly falling into a summer pattern with temperatures rising and rain slowing down. Catfish are still fairly active in the main body and are catchable from docks and access points. White bass and hybrids are heating up on windy points (if it’s windy!) and in the main body chasing shad. Turn those graphs on and find them. A 3 lb. hybrid fights like nothing else! Report submitted by Hank Jenks, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: June 2. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and stained. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jerk baits, plastic baits, small lures, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, docks, points, rocks, and shorelines. Blue and channel catfish slow on chicken liver, minnows, shad, and worms around channels, coves, and docks. Crappie fair on in-line spinnerbaits, jigs, minnows, slabs, and small lures around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Dylan Langford, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: June 4. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around brush structure. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait and shad around riprap and river channel. Report submitted by Monte Reid, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Hulah: June 2. Elevation is 7.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 65°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, hot dogs, live bait, live shad, and worms around channels, main lake, river channel, and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows, PowerBait, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, coves, and shorelines. Report submitted by Lt. Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Kaw: June 4. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass good on buzz baits, crankbaits, jerk baits, jigs, lipless baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, points, riprap, and shorelines. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, jigs, live bait, live shad, sassy shad, shad, spoons, and topwater lures around below the dam, main lake, points, riprap, and river channel. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, crawfish, cut bait, goldfish, live bait, live shad, punch bait, sunfish, and worms below the dam, points, riprap, river channel, river mouth, rocks, shallows, and shorelines. Comments: Noodling success is improving by the day. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County.

Keystone: June 2. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 70°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on jigs, lipless baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, riprap, and rocks. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, and live shad around channels, coves, and main lake. Crappie good on minnows and worms around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Bailey Johnson, game warden stationed in Creek County.

Lower Illinois: June 2. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 58°F and clear. Rainbow trout good on caddis flies, in-line spinnerbaits, midges, nymphs, and PowerBait below the dam. Comments: Best times are early morning and late evening below the dam and at the Watts area. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County.

Oologah: June 4. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 79°F and clear. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around main lake and rocks. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on crankbaits and in-line spinnerbaits around channels and main lake. Walleye slow on crankbaits around main lake and shallows. Report submitted by J.D. Stauffer, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Skiatook: June 5. Elevation is 6 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 80°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on cut bait, live shad, and shad around main lake. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, creek channels, and standing timber. Comments: Hybrids and white bass are being caught 30-40 ft. deep. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Sooner: June 4. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and clear. Striped bass hybrids good on crankbaits, jigs, and live shad around discharge and main lake. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jerk baits, plastic baits, and topwater lures around brush structure, rocks, and weed beds. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, stinkbait, and sunfish around discharge and main lake. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Spavinaw: June 5. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, jigs, and plastic baits around coves and points. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and shad around flats and main lake. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Tenkiller: June 3. Elevation is 1.5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 79°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, PowerBait, and shad around channels, shallows, and shorelines. White bass good on crankbaits, small lures, and tube jigs around main lake and river channel. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, points, and rocks. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.

Webbers Falls: June 2. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass good on bill baits, jerk baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, points, and rocks. Striped and white bass fair on crankbaits, flukes, jigs, and small lures around main lake, river channel, and tailwater. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, live bait, shad, and worms below the dam, main lake, river channel, and rocks. Report submitted by Dylan Langford, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: June 4. Elevation is below normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Channel catfish good on crickets and worms around dam and rocks. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Fort Supply: June 5. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 68°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) White bass fair on in-line spinnerbaits and small lures around inlet and main lake. Channel catfish slow on hot dogs, punch bait, and stinkbait around main lake. Report submitted by Jason Badley, game warden stationed in Harper County.

Foss: June 5. Elevation is 4.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Walleye good on worms around dam. Striped bass hybrids good in deep water. Catfish good along north side of the lake. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & Bait House.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: June 5. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, lipless baits, and plastic baits around creek channels, points, and riprap. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait, punch bait, and stinkbait around brush structure, dam, points, and riprap. White bass good on grubs, hair jigs, in-line spinnerbaits, and tube jigs around main lake. Report submitted by Casey Young, game warden stationed in Murray County.

Blue River: June 5. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and murky. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on crankbaits, jerk baits, topwater lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, creek channels, and rocks. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, punch bait, stinkbait, and worms around brush structure, creek channels, river channel, and rocks. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: June 2. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs, bill baits, crankbaits, flukes, plastic baits, and spoons around brush structure, channels, points, river channel, and standing timber. Crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and spoons around brush structure, channels, points, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: June 2. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on crankbaits, jerk baits, jigs, lipless baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, docks, main lake, points, riprap, and weed beds. Striped bass, striped bass hybrids, and white bass good on crankbaits, flukes, hair jigs, jigs, sassy shad, and tube jigs around discharge and tailwater. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, live bait, live shad, and sunfish around channels, river channel, and river mouth. Report submitted by Jake Rowland, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: June 2. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish excellent on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, punch bait, shad, stinkbait, and sunfish below the dam, brush structure, channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows below the dam, brush structure, channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, and standing timber. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: June 4. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and clear. Largemouth bass excellent on crankbaits, jigs, lipless baits, and plastic baits around main lake, points, river mouth, and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and live shad around coves, discharge, main lake, and river mouth. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, and shrimp around coves, inlet, riprap, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork: June 2. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 54°F and clear. Rainbow trout good on PowerBait, tube jigs, and worms below the dam, creek channels, and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

McGee Creek: June 2. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass fair on buzz baits, crankbaits, jerk baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around docks, main lake, points, and shorelines. Crappie slow on minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, main lake, and standing timber. Channel and flathead catfish good on live bait, live shad, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms around flats, main lake, and rocks. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: June 5. Elevation is 2 ft. below normal and rising, water temperature 78°F and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on jigs and plastic baits around brush structure, main lake, points, riprap, and rocks. Channel catfish slow on cut bait, shad, and stinkbait. Report submitted by Jaylen Flynn, game warden stationed in Murray County.

Pine Creek: June 2. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 68°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on Alabama rigs, jerk baits, and plastic baits around points and river channel. Crappie fair on minnows around points and standing timber. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, crawfish, punch bait, and stinkbait below the dam and creek channels. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: June 2. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass good on buzz baits, minnows, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, spoons, and topwater lures around brush structure, channels, coves, points, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, grubs, hot dogs, minnows, shad, shrimp, sunfish, and worms below the dam, channels, main lake, points, river channel, and tailwater. Bluegill, green, and redear sunfish good on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and small lures around brush structure, coves, rocks, and shallows. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: June 2. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, points, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, crawfish, cut bait, shad, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms around below the dam, brush structure, channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: June 4. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 79°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass good on live bait, live shad, sassy shad, and topwater lures around channels, main lake, points, and river channel. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, hot dogs, live shad, punch bait, and stinkbait around channels, creek channels, docks, points, river channel, and river mouth. Crappie fair on caddis flies, grubs, hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and nymphs around brush structure, coves, points, rocks, and standing timber. Comments: Fishing this week has been good. Striper are being caught using live shad. Lots of fish are being caught right now. Catfish are being caught on cut bait and live shad. They are biting near channels and the river mouth. Crappie are biting on jigs and power bait near brush piles in open water. Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: June 2. Elevation is 0.5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and stained. (USACE Current Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, coves, creek channels, main lake, and river channel. Blue catfish good on cut bait and hot dogs around main lake. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure, creek channels, main lake, and river channel. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Le Flore County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: June 4. Elevation is 23 ft. below normal and rising, water temperature 73°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Channel catfish slow on bill baits, jigs, punch bait, and stinkbait around brush structure and main lake. Report submitted by Brandon Lehrman, game warden stationed in Greer County.

Ellsworth: June 2. Elevation is 3.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and murky. ( USGS Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish fair on chicken liver, punch bait, and shad around flats, main lake, and points. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, docks, and rocks. Saugeye good on crankbaits, sassy shad, and small lures around main lake and points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Fort Cobb: June 5. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 73°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Blue catfish fair on chicken liver and cut bait around rocks and shorelines. Report submitted by Justin Cornett, game warden stationed in Caddo County.

Lawtonka: June 2. Elevation is 3 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Saugeye fair on crankbaits, sassy shad, and small lures around main lake and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Tom Steed: June 5. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and rising, water temperature 74°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids, white bass, and saugeye good on crankbaits, minnows, and shrimp around main lake and points. Blue and channel catfish good on stinkbait around rocks and standing timber. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows around brush structure and rocks. Comments: Most hybrid, saugeye, and white bass are being caught by trolling with 5-10 ft. deep crankbaits. Longnose gar are spawning. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.

Waurika: June 2. Elevation is normal and falling, water temperature 72°F and murky. Striped bass hybrids, white bass, and saugeye good on crankbaits, jerk baits, minnows, and small lures around main lake, points, and rocks. Largemouth bass and crappie fair on crankbaits, jigs, minnows, and PowerBait around docks, main lake, points, rocks, and weed beds. Blue and channel catfish fair on punch bait, shad, shrimp, stinkbait, and worms around creek channels, main lake, and rocks. Report submitted by Tucker Clem, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.

Written by News release

Fishing Report May 24, 2023

CENTRAL

Arcadia: May 21. Elevation is 0.5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Crappie good on jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, creek channels, dam, and shorelines. Blue and channel catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, hot dogs, and stinkbait around discharge, points, riprap, and sandbar. Report submitted by Dalton Buley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Hefner: May 21. Elevation is 5 ft. below normal and rising, water temperature 75°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, and walleye good on chicken liver, crawfish, in-line spinnerbaits, and shad around dam, docks, rocks, and shorelines. Blue catfish and crappie slow on jigs, minnows, shad, and tube jigs around dam, docks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Overholser: May 22. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 69°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) White bass good on crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, jigs, and minnows around docks and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around riprap, shallows, and shorelines. Bluegill sunfish good on crickets and worms around brush structure and shallows. Report submitted by Mark Murray, game warden stationed in Canadian County.

Stanley Draper: May 21. Elevation is 5 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 66°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, flukes, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around coves, points, and shallows. White bass fair on plastic baits and small lures around points. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, docks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Chad Strang, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Thunderbird: May 21. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait and punch bait below the dam and main lake. Crappie good on jigs around brush structure and dam. Report submitted by Zach Paulk, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: May 22. Elevation is normal and rising, water temperature 74°F and clear. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around weed beds. White bass fair on crankbaits and sassy shad around main lake. Bluegill and green sunfish good on crickets and worms around shallows and shorelines. Report submitted by Mike France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.

NORTHEAST

Bell Cow: May 22. Elevation is 5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and stained. Largemouth bass good on buzz baits, crankbaits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, riprap, and shallows. Channel catfish good on sunfish and worms around brush structure, docks, shallows, and shorelines. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Harriet, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Birch: May 19. Elevation is 1 ft. below normal and rising, water temperature 75°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait around points. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Carl Blackwell: May 22. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 73°F and murky. Crappie excellent on jigs, minnows, and spoons around brush structure, docks, riprap, and shorelines. Saugeye good on crankbaits and jigs around main lake, riprap, and rocks. Striped bass hybrids excellent on live bait around main lake. Report submitted by Josey Branch, game warden stationed in Payne County.

Chandler: May 22. Elevation is 3 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 71°F and stained. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits around brush structure, dam, and rocks. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around dam and docks. Channel catfish fair on sunfish and worms around brush structure, dam, and shorelines. Report submitted by Jacob Harriet, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Copan: May 19. Elevation is 4.5 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 60°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, live bait, live shad, shad, sunfish, and worms around channels, riprap, shallows, and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, shorelines, and standing timber. Green and redear sunfish good on worms around shorelines. Report submitted by Lt. Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Eucha: May 22. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on Alabama rigs, jerk baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, points, and shorelines. Bluegill, green, and redear sunfish excellent on crickets and worms around shallows. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure. Comments: The sunfish bite is on at Eucha! If you’ve never tried it, TRY IT! Better yet, take a kid fishing. In many places statewide bluegill and other sunfish are spawning and it is one of the greatest times of the year to take a new fisherman. Buy some crickets and a bobber and find shallow areas in the back of coves. It is an absolute hoot! Report submitted by Hank Jenks, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Fort Gibson: May 21. Elevation is 2.5 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jerk baits, jigs, lipless baits, and spinnerbaits around coves, points, and shorelines. Crappie fair on minnows and tube jigs below the dam, brush structure, and docks. Blue and channel catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, shad, and worms below the dam, coves, points, and rocks. Comments: The catfish bite is heating up. It seems the catfish are moving into shallow water with many decent-sized blues and channels being caught mainly on worms and shad. The black bass bite is still a little tough with fish being caught on moving baits like chatter baits and finesse baits like jigs, lizards, and Senko’s. White bass, striped bass hybrids, and stripers are being caught below the dam. Flukes, inline spinners, and hair jigs doing well for these fish. Crappie seems to be in post-spawn behavior. Report submitted by Cody Morris, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Grand: May 22. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 73°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, jerk baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, docks, riprap, and standing timber. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows, and plastic baits around brush structure. White bass good on jigs, plastic baits, small lures, and tube jigs around points and river channel. Comments: All fishing seemed slow this week as we transition out of early spring into a more settled, warmer weather pattern. Report submitted by Jenks, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: May 22. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jerk baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and worms around brush structure, docks, main lake, shallows, and shorelines. Blue and channel catfish fair on chicken liver, shad, and worms around coves, points, and shallows. Crappie slow on jigs, minnows, slabs, and small lures around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Dylan Langford, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: May 22. Elevation is .5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure and coves. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Blue catfish good on cut bait and shad around river channel. Report submitted by Monte Reid, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Hulah: May 19. Elevation is 5 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 60°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) White bass slow on hair jigs, in-line spinnerbaits, lipless baits, and minnows around channels and river channel. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows, PowerBait, and tube jigs around brush structure, creek channels, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, goldfish, hot dogs, live bait, live shad, shad, sunfish, and worms around channels, main lake, river channel, and shorelines. Report submitted by Lt. Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Kaw: May 21. Elevation is 1 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish excellent on crawfish, cut bait, goldfish, live bait, live shad, minnows, shad, sunfish, and worms below the dam, flats, river channel, river mouth, rocks, shallows, and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, live bait, minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, riprap, rocks, shallows, and tailwater. Paddlefish good snagging below the dam. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County.

Keystone: May 21. Elevation is 4 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 55°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait and live shad around river channel and river mouth. Largemouth bass fair on jerk baits, jigs, lipless baits, and plastic baits around rocks. Crappie fair on live bait and minnows around docks. Report submitted by Bailey Johnson, game warden stationed in Creek County.

Lower Illinois: May 19. Elevation is 10 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 56°F and clear. Rainbow trout fair on caddis flies, in-line spinnerbaits, midges, nymphs, PowerBait, and worms below the dam. Comments: Water in being released around the clock currently at about 2800 cfs. Trout are fair in locations you find that are out of the main current. Look for eddies behind points or logs. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County.

Oologah: May 21. Elevation is .5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 73°F and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits and topwater lures around brush structure and coves. Blue and flathead catfish fair on shad around riprap, rocks, and shallows. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around rocks and shorelines. Report submitted by J.D. Stauffer, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Skiatook: May 21. Elevation is 5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on live shad and shad around main lake. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around coves and shorelines. Comments: Hybrids and white bass are being caught in 20-30 ft. of water. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Sooner: May 21. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 71°F and stained. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, jerk baits, plastic baits, and topwater lures around brush structure, rocks, and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids fair on crankbaits, jigs, and live shad around discharge. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, stinkbait, and worms around discharge and flats. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Spavinaw: May 21. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 68°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jigs, and plastic baits around coves, main lake, and points. Channel catfish fair on cut bait, shad, and shrimp around flats and main lake. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure, docks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Tenkiller: May 21. Elevation is 1.5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 73°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on crankbaits, jerk baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, points, and shallows. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, and shad around channels and main lake. Crappie good on minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, and shallows. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.

Webbers Falls: May 22. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and flathead catfish good on cut bait, live bait, live shad, shad, and worms below the dam, coves, shallows, and tailwater. Striped and white bass fair on flukes, jigs, lipless baits, sassy shad, and small lures below the dam, river channel, and tailwater. Largemouth bass fair on flukes, jerk baits, lipless baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around coves, creek channels, points, and shorelines. Report submitted by Dylan Langford, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: May 21. Elevation is below normal and stable, water temperature 71°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids, white bass, and channel catfish good on jigs and worms around dam and rocks. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Fort Supply: May 22. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 51°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) White bass fair on crankbaits and in-line spinnerbaits around main lake. Walleye slow on minnows below the dam, rocks. Report submitted by Jason Badley, game warden stationed in Harper County.

Foss: May 22. Elevation is 5.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 68°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Walleye fair on worms. Striped bass hybrids good in deep water. Catfish good. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: May 23. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around main lake, points, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on live shad, punch bait, and shad around channels, points, and rocks. Crappie fair on minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, creek channels, and main lake. Report submitted by Casey Young, game warden stationed in Murray County.

Blue River: May 22. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and clear. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on crankbaits, jerk baits, plastic baits, topwater lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, creek channels, river channel, rocks, shorelines, and weed beds. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, punch bait, stinkbait, and worms around creek channels, river channel, and rocks. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: May 21. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs, buzz baits, crankbaits, flukes, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, points, river channel, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, points, river channel, river mouth, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: May 19. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids, and white bass good on crankbaits, flukes, hair jigs, jigs, live bait, and live shad below the dam and discharge. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, live shad, and shad around channels, river channel, and river mouth. Crappie good on crankbaits, hair jigs, minnows, small lures, and spoons around brush structure, docks, and rocks. Report submitted by Jake Rowland, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: May 19. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 73°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish excellent on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, punch bait, shad, stinkbait, and sunfish below the dam, brush structure, creek channels, main lake, river channel, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs and minnows below the dam, brush structure, channels, creek channels, river channel, and standing timber. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: May 21. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and clear. Largemouth bass excellent on crankbaits and plastic baits around points and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on Alabama rigs and crankbaits around coves, discharge, main lake, and river channel. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and cut bait around inlet, riprap, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork: May 19. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 55°F and clear. Rainbow trout good on caddis flies, nymphs, PowerBait, and tube jigs around channels and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

McGee Creek: May 19. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 70°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass excellent on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, jerk baits, and topwater lures around brush structure, main lake, rocks, shallows, and standing timber. Channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, live bait, shrimp, stinkbait, and worms around flats, main lake, riprap, and rocks. Crappie slow on jigs, minnows, and small lures around brush structure, main lake, points, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: May 23. Elevation is 3 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on jigs and plastic baits around flats, points, riprap, and rocks. Channel catfish slow on cut bait and shad around flats and main lake. Report submitted by Jaylen Flynn, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: May 19. Elevation is 5 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 69°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on crankbaits and plastic baits around channels, points, and shallows. Crappie good on jigs around brush structure. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, punch bait around creek channels. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: May 19. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 68°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass good on minnows, plastic baits, small lures, and topwater lures around brush structure, channels, coves, points, rocks, shorelines, tailwater, and weed beds. Crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows below the dam, brush structure, coves, main lake, points, tailwater, and weed beds. Bluegill, green, and redear sunfish good on hair jigs, jigs, and worms around brush structure, coves, rocks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: May 19. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, points, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on crawfish, cut bait, shad, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms below the dam, channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, small lures, and tube jigs below the dam, brush structure, channels, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: May 20. Elevation is 2 ft. below normal and falling, water temperature 74°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass good on live shad, sassy shad, shad, and topwater lures around channels, creek channels, main lake, and points. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live shad, punch bait, and stinkbait around channels, coves, docks, points, and river channel. Crappie fair on caddis flies, hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and nymphs around brush structure, coves, docks, points, and standing timber. Comments: Fishing this week has been good. Striper are feeding very well on live shad. Lots of fish being caught right now. Catfish are being caught on live shad and cut bait. Crappie are being caught on minnows and jigs near brush piles and docks. Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: May 19. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USACE Current Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, live bait, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, creek channels, and shallows. Blue catfish good on cut bait, hot dogs, and live bait below the dam, channels, coves, and points. Crappie good on hair jigs, in-line spinnerbaits, jigs, and minnows below the dam, brush structure, creek channels, and standing timber. Report submitted by Zach Hanson, game warden stationed in Latimer County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: May 22. Elevation is 24 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Channel catfish and walleye slow on bill baits and crankbaits. Report submitted by Brandon Lehrman, game warden stationed in Greer County.

Ellsworth: May 21. Elevation is 3.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and murky. ( USGS Lake Level) Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure, docks, and rocks. Channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, punch bait, and shad around flats, main lake, and points. Saugeye good on crankbaits and small lures around main lake and points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Fort Cobb: May 22. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 67°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids fair on flukes and jigs around dam and points. Report submitted by Justin Cornett, game warden stationed in Caddo County.

Lawtonka: May 21. Elevation is 3 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure, docks, and rocks. White bass fair on in-line spinnerbaits and minnows, small lures around points and rocks. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Tom Steed: May 22. Elevation is 6 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids, white bass, and saugeye good on crankbaits, jigs, and minnows around main lake and points. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait and stinkbait around flats, rocks, and shallows. Crappie on jigs and minnows around brush structure and rocks. Comments: Most saugeye, white bass and hybrids are being caught while trolling. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.

Written by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife

SOUTHEAST AREA LAKES FISHING REPORT FOR MAY 17TH

Arbuckle: May 15. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 73°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around brush structure, creek channels, points, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, shad, and stinkbait around channels, flats, and points. Crappie slow on minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, coves, and creek channels. Report submitted by Casey Young, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Blue River: May 15. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on jerk baits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, river channel, rocks, and weed beds. Channel catfish good on cut bait, punch bait, stinkbait, and worms around brush structure, channels, and rocks. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, biologist at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: May 12. Elevation is 3 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 69°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, creek channels, flats, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, creek channels, points, and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: May 12. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, jerk baits, lipless baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, channels, docks, points, riprap, and weed beds. Striped bass, striped bass hybrids, and white bass good on flukes, hair jigs, live bait, and live shad below the dam and discharge. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, hot dogs, live bait, and live shad around channels, river channel, and river mouth. Report submitted by Jake Rowland, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: May 12. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish excellent on chicken liver, cut bait, live bait, punch bait, shad, stinkbait, and sunfish below the dam, brush structure, creek channels, main lake, river channel, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs and minnows below the dam, brush structure, main lake, river channel, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: May 14. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 71°F and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, lipless baits, and plastic baits around main lake, points, river channel, and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and spoons around coves, discharge, and main lake. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and cut bait around inlet, riprap, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork: May 12. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 52°F and clear. Rainbow trout fair on caddis flies and PowerBait below the dam, creek channels, and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

McGee Creek: May 12. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 64°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass excellent on buzz baits, crankbaits, flukes, in-line spinnerbaits, jerk baits, plastic baits, sassy shad, and topwater lures around brush structure, points, shallows, and standing timber. Channel and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, live bait, live shad, shrimp, and stinkbait around dam, main lake, river channel, and rocks. Crappie slow on jigs, minnows, and small lures around brush structure, docks, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: May 15. Elevation is 3 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 68°F and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on bill baits, crankbaits, jigs, lipless baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, main lake, points, rocks, and weed beds. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows around brush structure and main lake. Report submitted by Jaylen Flynn, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: May 12. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 68°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass slow on plastic baits around points. Crappie fair on jigs around brush structure and creek channels. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver around creek channels. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: May 12. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 65°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass good on buzz baits, minnows, plastic baits, small lures, spoons, and topwater lures around brush structure, channels, coves, points, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, crawfish, hot dogs, minnows, shad, sunfish, and worms below the dam, discharge, main lake, river channel, river mouth, and tailwater. Crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and small lures below the dam, brush structure, coves, rocks, and weed beds. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: May 12. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 69°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, channels, points, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, shad, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms around brush structure, channels, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: May 14. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass good on live shad and shad around channels, coves, main lake, and points. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on live shad, PowerBait, punch bait, and stinkbait around channels, coves, docks, and points. Crappie fair on grubs, hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, coves, docks, rocks, and standing timber. Comments: Fishing this week has been good. Striper are biting very good on live shad. Lots of fish around the Roosevelt Bridge and around islands. Catfish good on live shad on ledges and channels. Crappie are biting on minnows and jigs near brush piles. Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: May 12. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 74°F and stained. (USACE Current Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on bill baits and plastic baits around brush structure and creek channels. Blue catfish fair on cut bait and hot dogs around main lake. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure, main lake, and river channel. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Le Flore County.

Written by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife

SOUTHEAST AREA LAKES FISHING REPORT FOR APRIL 26

Arbuckle: April 25. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal, water temperature 65°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on plastic baits around creek channels, shallows, and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, small lures, and tube jigs around flats, shallows, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish slow on cut bait and shad around creek channels and shallows. Report submitted by Casey Young, game warden stationed in Murray County.

Blue River: April 25. Elevation is normal, water temperature 67°F and clear. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on grubs, jerk baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and tube jigs around creek channels, river channel, rocks, shallows, and weed beds. Channel catfish good on dough bait, stinkbait, and worms around river channel and rocks. Bluegill, green, and redear sunfish good on in-line spinnerbaits and worms around rocks, shallows, shorelines, and weed beds. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: April 21. Elevation is 3 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 68°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on buzz baits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, creek channels, riprap, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, points, riprap, shallows, and shorelines. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: April 21. Elevation is normal, water temperature 62°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on crankbaits, jerk baits, jigs, lipless baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, riprap, rocks, and shallows. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, live bait, live shad, and shad below the dam, channels, river channel, and river mouth. Crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and small lures around brush structure, creek channels, rocks, and shallows. Report submitted by Jake Rowland, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: April 21. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal, water temperature 69°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, punch bait, shad, stinkbait, and sunfish below the dam, channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs and minnows below the dam, brush structure, channels, river channel, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber. White bass fair on jigs, minnows, and small lures below the dam, creek channels, and river channel. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: April 22. Elevation is normal, water temperature 60°F and clear. Largemouth bass good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and plastic baits around main lake, points, river channel, and weed beds.Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on Alabama rigs and crankbaits around discharge and river channel. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver and cut bait around coves, inlet, riprap, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork: April 21. Elevation is normal, water temperature 53°F and clear. Rainbow trout good on caddis flies, plastic baits, PowerBait, and worms around creek channels and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

McGee Creek: April 21. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal, water temperature 67°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass excellent on buzz baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, sassy shad, and topwater lures around brush structure, main lake, rocks, shallows, and weed beds. Crappie fair on minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, points, rocks, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: April 25. Elevation is 2 ft. below normal, water temperature 63°F and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass slow on Alabama rigs, in-line spinnerbaits, jigs, and lipless baits around brush structure, main lake, points, riprap, and rocks. White bass slow on crankbaits, jigs, and lipless baits around creek channels and main lake. Report submitted by Jaylen Flynn, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: April 21. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 65°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits around creek channels and points. Crappie excellent on plastic baits, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure and shallows. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver around channels and main lake. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: April 21. Elevation is normal, water temperature 59°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) White bass and crappie good on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows below the dam, brush structure, creek channels, points, rocks, tailwater, and weed beds. Largemouth and spotted bass good on minnows, plastic baits, small lures, spinnerbaits, and spoons around brush structure, coves, docks, points, rocks, shorelines, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, grass hoppers, grubs, hot dogs, minnows, shad, sunfish, and worms below the dam, creek channels, main lake, river channel, river mouth, and tailwater. Report submitted by Logan Shimp, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: April 21. Elevation is normal, water temperature 65°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, points, and shorelines. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, shad, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms below the dam, brush structure, channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs, minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, points, and shorelines. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: April 21. Elevation is normal, water temperature 64°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass good on live shad around channels, main lake, and points. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, and live shad around channels, coves, docks, and points. Crappie fair on grubs, jigs, and live shad around brush structure, coves, docks, and standing timber. Comments: Fishing this week has been good. Striper have been good this week on the north part of the lake. Catfish are biting live shad really well near ledges and channels. Crappie are biting on jigs and minnows near brush piles Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: April 21. Elevation is normal, water temperature 72°F and stained. (USACE Current Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on bill baits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, and creek channels. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and shallows. Catfish, Blue good on cut bait and hot dogs around main lake and river channel. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Le Flore County.

Written by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife

Research Teams Trap Over 40 Turkeys in March

WILD TURKEY POPULATION DYNAMICS AND BROOD SURVIVAL PROJECT REPORT FOR MARCH 2023

Provided by Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Oklahoma State University

Wild turkey genetics, nesting success, and brood survival are among the focus areas in a planned 4.5-year study launched at the beginning of 2022 by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, other state and federal entities, and private landowners working together to address wild turkey population dynamics. Following is a summary of recent study activities.

Southwestern Population Study Area: The research team captured and deployed transmitters on 23 hens during March. All 30 transmitters for the southwestern area were deployed, with eight in eastern Harmon County, 14 in western Harmon County, and eight in eastern Greer County. All birds were captured using walk-in traps after attempts to use drop nets failed. Researchers are preparing to deploy 50 game cameras in April to estimate predator densities in the southwest.

Southeastern Population Study Area: The research team captured 21 hens and five gobblers during March. Twenty of the hens were fitted with transmitters, while one hen was unable to be tagged due to a pre-existing injury. One mortality was recorded in the southeast during March, with the tentative cause of death recorded as capture myopathy. At least nine hens tagged in 2022 are still alive and transmitting. An aerial search is planned to locate four transmitters deployed in 2022 that have not been located from the ground. Game cameras are being prepared for deployment in April to estimate predator densities.

Genetics Study: Researchers ordered supplies for processing the anticipated tissue samples from the 2023 spring turkey hunting season. DNA extraction will begin when samples are received after the season closes May 16. Researchers contacted biologists in northwestern New Mexico to gather some samples from Merriam’s and Merriam’s/Rio Grande hybrid populations. These samples will provide a basis to compare any potential Merriam’s DNA found in Oklahoma.

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