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Weekly Fishing Report

CENTRAL
Arcadia: August 26. Elevation below normal. Catfish slow on punch bait and chicken liver along windy banks with rocks. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 8-12 ft. in the evenings. Report submitted by Chance Whiteley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Hefner: August 28. Elevation below normal and dropping, water 86-89 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on soft plastics and crankbaits at 5-15 ft. around deeper areas of the dam. Smallmouth bass slow on jigs at 5-15 ft. around deeper areas of the dam. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on lipless baits and grubs at 3-10 ft. around windy points. Channel catfish slow on cut bait and dough bait at 12-20 ft. around deeper areas of the dam. Blue catfish slow on cut bait at 20 ft. around deeper areas of the dam. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs at 20 ft. around deeper areas of the dam. Walleye slow on lipless baits and grubs at 3-10 ft. around windy points. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.
Overholser: August 27. Elevation below normal, water murky. Catfish fair on worms and minnows along the south end of the lake early and late evening. Striped bass hybrids slow on shad, minnows and worms. Report submitted by David Rempe, game warden in Oklahoma and Canadian counties.
Wes Watkins: August 27. Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 93 and clear. White bass good surfacing in the mornings. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around deep structure in late evenings. Report submitted by Mike France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.
NORTHEAST
Birch: August 26. Elevation below normal, water upper 80s and clear. Largemouth bass fair on topwater lures early and late. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-15 ft. Report submitted by David Clay, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Eucha: August 28. Elevation 9 1/2 ft. below normal level, water 80 and dingy. Bluegill good on crickets and worms around weed beds. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-14 ft. around brush and structure. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Ft. Gibson: August 25. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 83 and clear. Boaters pay close attention to underwater obstructions due to low water conditions. White bass good on white spinnerbaits and crankbaits along windy points around the golf course. Largemouth bass good on dark green and brown crawfish with football head Jigs. Catfish good on juglines and rod and reel baited with whole shad while drifting the flats around Long Bay. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. around the docks. Report submitted by Rick Stafford in Wagoner.
Grand: August 26. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 88. Bass excellent on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. White bass good trolling. Catfish good on juglines or drifting fresh cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. below brush covered docks. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Delaware County.
Hudson: August 27. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 80s. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits and spinnerbaits around points and structure. Crappie fair to good on small jigs and minnows 13-17 ft. around brush pile areas. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Rogers and Mayes counties.
Keystone: August 28. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 82. Crappie good on minnows at 15 ft. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits at 5-15 ft. Catfish good on cut bait at 15-20 ft. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: August 27. Elevation normal, water 51 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures all along the river. White bass fair on spinnerbaits and jigs at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Striped bass good on live trout and shad at 1-3 ft. at the mouth of the river and deep branches. Channel catfish excellent on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie fair on spinnerbaits and jigs at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Trout excellent fly fishing the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom from the dam to Gore Landing. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.
Oologah: August 26. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water upper 80s and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. around brush or standing timber. Blue catfish fair drifting shad at 20-25 ft. along the river channel. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Sooner: August 28. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on slabs and live shad. Catfish fair on cut bait and live bait around points. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Spavinaw: August 28. Elevation slightly below normal, water 78 and dingy. Bluegill good on crickets and worms. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around boat docks. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Tenkiller: August 27. Elevation 7 ft. below normal, water mid-80s and clear. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastics along the bluffs and some action on topwater. White bass fair on spinnerbaits, spoons or jigs off windy points early and late. Sunfish good on nightcrawlers in or near docks. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.
NORTHWEST
Canton: August 25. Elevation 8 ft. below normal. Channel catfish good on stinkbait along the dam. White bass and striped bass hybrids good drifting shad and slabs. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
Ft. Supply: August 27. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water murky. Catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait on juglines and fishing along the bank. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Woodward County.
SOUTHEAST
Arbuckle: August 25. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 83 in the main lake and 89 in the upper creek arms. Bass being caught on Chug Bugs at first light and on crankbaits, creature baits and flukes during rest of day; some schooling near the dam late evening. Crappie slow off docks and fair on chartreuse jigs at 25 ft. around brush piles. White bass hitting C.C. spoons near channel bends and drop-offs. Channel catfish good on shrimp and dough baits up Guy Sandy Creek. Sunfish good on fly rod. Report submitted by Jack Melton
Broken Bow: August 26. Elevation below normal, water clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair to good on soft plastic in deeper water around rocky points and structure early and late. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with sunfish. Crappie good on soft plastic grubs and minnows at 15-20 ft. around structure, points and mouths of creeks. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: August 26. Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits and crankbaits around deep points and deeper rocky areas. White bass good on topwater lures and slab spoons along flats early and late. Blue catfish fair on fresh shad drifting and bank fishing along shallow flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around standing timber, riprap and bridge piers. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: August 26. Elevation 5 1/2 ft. below normal, water 88. Crappie fair on minnows along river channels. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.
Konawa: August 25. Elevation normal, water 81 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures and plastic worms at 5-8 ft. along weed beds. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on slabs and jigs at 15-20 ft. along creek channels. Channel catfish fair on shad at 5-10 ft. in the south cove and around points. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: August 26. Zone I: Grasshoppers and midges doing well throughout the park. Zone II: Good with nymphs and wooly buggers in the early morning. Report submitted by Jesse King, owner Three Rivers Fly Shop.
McGee Creek: August 26. Elevation 2 1/3 ft. below normal, water 85 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on Carolina-rigged soft plastic baits and chatter baits at 8-20 ft. and fair on shad colored topwater lures in schooling bass in open water early and late. Crappie good on minnows 18-20 ft. over cedar brush piles in creek channels. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Murray: August 27. Water 84 and clear. All fishing is improving. Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on topwater lures along weed beds early and late. White bass and smallmouth bass being caught on topwater lures when schooling. Channel catfish good on stinkbait, worms and chicken liver. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.
Pine Creek: August 26. Elevation below normal, water clear. Bass fair on deep diving crankbaits near points. Crappie excellent on jigs around structures. Catfish fair to good on juglines baited with chicken liver or cut shad. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: August 28. Largemouth and spotted bass good on spinnerbaits, swim baits and crankbaits at 2-10 ft. around banks and grass beds early mornings. White bass and striped bass good on minnows and shad crankbaits up river in deeper holes and around rock ledges. Channel and blue catfish excellent on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait at 12-20 ft. close to creek and river channels. Flathead catfish good on live bait 9-14 ft. in the lake and up the Canadian River. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Texoma: August 26. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 84 degrees and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on surface lures, deep diving crankbaits, and plastic combination baits at 5-20 ft. on the drop-offs and points. Striped and white bass good on surface lures, live bait and sassy shad at 5-30 ft. from Platter Flats to Caney Creek. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, worms and stinkbait at 10-20 ft. from the Washita River to Alberta Creek. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. in the upper creeks and the fish attractors with brush. Sunfish fair to good on shrimp, worms, and small tube jigs at 5-10 ft. around riprap and the fishing docks. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: August 26. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits. Crappie slow on white tail grubs 25-30 ft. Catfish fair on juglines baited with cut bait and liver. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
SOUTHWEST
Waurika: August 26. Elevation 8 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky to muddy. Channel and blue catfish slow to fair on cut shad, stinkbait, shrimp, liver and grasshoppers along windy shorelines and points at night. Report submitted by Vince Mesis, game warden stationed in Cotton County.

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Edmond’s Elk Hunter

 

Brandon Bates of Edmond is host of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s “Team Elk” television series on the Outdoor Channel.
Read this story I wrote in The Oklahoman about Bates’ dream job http://newsok.com/edmond-elk-hunters-tv-show-named-fan-favorite-on-outdoor-channel/article/3648468
He also is the in arena announcer for the PBR. Read about that job at http://newsok.com/pbr-edmonds-brandon-bates-has-been-pbrs-arena-voice-for-a-decade/article/3648322
 Bates hunts elk or accompanies other elk hunters in several states each fall while producing the television show that was voted as the Fan Favorite Best New Series on the Outdoor Channel.
“Elk still represent the best opportunity for an average hunter to get out, all on his own or with an affordable outfitter, and experience a classic Western big-game hunt,” Bates said. “But elk are also the toughest animal for a newcomer to hunt successfully. Elk hunting humbles lots of folks who, like me, had become pretty good at taking whitetails and had assumed that body of work would carry over.”
Often, it doesn’t.
Bates discusses three tips learned during his first few years as an elk hunter:
Expectations—“It took me 3-4 years to understand that you don’t just pick up a bow and go out to the mountains and take a big bull. That’s not how it works. When I was strictly a whitetail hunter, I scoffed at the guys who claimed they hunted because they liked to be outside and see the flowers and hear the birds. Man, I hunted because I liked to kill deer. But hunting elk made me appreciate what those guys were talking about. It really is about the place, the elements, your ability to adapt and the overall experience. The happiest elk hunters I know are the ones who approach their sport simply as a campout or hike with an elk tag. They just enjoy it for what it is. There’s no great expectation of a kill, and if it happens, it’s considered a bonus.”
Elements—“All whitetail hunters know that elk hunting will demand better physical conditioning. More mobility in altitude and steep terrain. Better preparedness for harsh and changing weather. They understand that elk hunters literally live on what they can carry on their backs. But I think a lot of newbies are completely surprised and unprepared for the wind. In most whitetail country, winds are usually fairly directional. You just adjust and keep hunting. But in elk country, the wind swirls. It’s in your face, then at your back, then in your face again, all day long. It’s hard to cope with, and it really throws off hunters who aren’t used to it.”
Patience—“Going from whitetail hunting to elk hunting is like going from pond fishing to lake fishing. Your world suddenly gets a lot bigger and it’s much less forgiving. You go from hunting an animal that patterns within a square mile or so, to an animal that could be anywhere on the landscape at any given time. Finding elk, especially a particular bull, is really an incredible proposition. You have to take it day by day. Learn what you can about the country and how elk use it, and then use that knowledge to your advantage tomorrow. You’ll develop more patience than you ever thought possible.”

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Oklahoma Fishing Report

 

Here is this week’s fishing report as compiled by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

CENTRAL

Arcadia: August 19. Elevation below normal. Catfish good to excellent on CJ’s punch bait and liver along flats and transitional areas. Flathead catfish slow to fair. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 8-12 ft. Report submitted by Chance Whiteley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Hefner: August 21. Elevation below normal and dropping, water 87-90 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and jigs at 5-15 ft. around deeper areas of the dam. Smallmouth bass slow on jigs at 5-15 ft. around deeper areas of the dam. White bass fair on gay blades and sassy shad at 3-10 ft. along windy shorelines. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and dough bait at 12-20 ft. around deeper areas of the dam. Blue catfish fair on cut bait at 20 ft. around deeper areas of the dam. Flathead catfish fair on minnows and sunfish at 8-20 ft. around deeper areas of the dam. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs at 20 ft. around deeper areas of the dam. Walleye slow on gay blades, sassy shad and grubs at 3-10 ft. along windy points and the dam. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.

Overholser: August 19. Elevation below normal. Catfish fair on minnows along the south side of lake. Report submitted by David Rempe, game warden in Oklahoma and Canadian counties.

Thunderbird: August 19. Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water clear. Crappie fair on jigs at 6-8 ft. around the dam and structure. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: August 20. Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 93 and clear. Crappie fair around deep structure early and late. Report submitted by Mike France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.

NORTHEAST

Birch: August 21. Elevation below normal, water upper 80s and clear. Largemouth bass fair on topwater lures early and late. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and worms. Report submitted by David Clay, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Eucha: August 21. Elevation 8 3/4 ft. below normal, water 81 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-14 ft. around brush and structure. Bluegill good on crickets and worms around grass beds. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms at night. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.

Grand: August 19. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 88. Bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits at 5-10 ft. around points. White bass fair trolling crankbaits. Catfish good on fresh cut bait drifting or on juglines above Sailboat Bridge. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. below docks with brush. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: August 21. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits in fluorescent green with silver spoons, crankbaits and bill baits. Catfish fair on fresh cut bait, stinkbait and liver on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs in green, red and yellow around fishing docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: August 21. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water upper 80s and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish fair to good on juglines baited with live shad and cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-18 ft. around docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Rogers and Mayes counties.

Kaw: August 21. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 85 and clear. Drawing down lake levels for millet planting. When gates are open during the week the fishing is good. White bass good on crankbaits and small jigs along windy beaches and the Sarge Creek Bridge at night. Striped bass hybrids good below the dam when running water. Blue catfish slow in the upper Arkansas River and good north of Washunga Bay Bridge. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around deep standing timber. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Keystone: August 21. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 87. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. White bass good trolling points and windy shorelines. Catfish good on juglines baited with cut bait at 15-20 ft. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.

Lower Illinois: August 20. Water 54 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on topwater lures along the surface all along the river. White bass fair on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Striped bass good on live shad and trout along the deep branch. Channel catfish excellent on cut bait bottom all along the river. Crappie fair on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-2 ft. all along the river. Trout excellent fly fishing the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom from the dam to Gore Landing. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.

Oologah: August 19. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water upper 80s and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. around brush or standing timber. Blue catfish fair drifting shad at 20-25 ft. along the river channel. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Skiatook: August 20. Elevation 7 1/2 ft. below normal, water upper 80s and clear. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Sooner: August 21. Access to the east and west side is restricted due to construction. Boat ramps are open. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on live shad and slabs on the cold water side of the lake. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Spavinaw: August 21. Elevation slightly below normal, water 78 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around boat docks. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits at night. Bluegill fair on crickets and worms around shaded rocky shoreline. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.

Tenkiller: August 20. Elevation 7 ft. below normal, water mid-80s and clear. Largemouth bass slow on soft plastics in deep water. White bass fair from mid-lake to the dam early and late. Sunfish good on worms in or near docks. Report submitted by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: August 21. Elevation 1 1/2 – 2 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits around brush structure, creek channels, riprap and shorelines. Catfish good on fresh cut bait and liver on bottom drifting and along the mudflats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs in black and purple around brush structure and bridges. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: August 19. Elevation 8 ft. below normal, water clear. White bass and striped bass hybrids good drifting shad and slabs near drop-offs. Channel catfish good drifting shad from Sandy Cove to Longdale campground. Walleye fair drifting slabs and night crawlers near drop-offs. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Ft. Supply: August 20. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water murky. Channel catfish fair on juglines baited with cut bait off the dam. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Woodward County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: August 18. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 83 in main lake, 87 in back of creeks and coves and clear. Bass being caught on topwater chugger baits early morning and on fair crankbaits and 8-inch worms chasing shad near islands in evening hours. Crappie slow at 25 ft. off dock brush piles. White bass slow on C. C. spoon near drop-offs and channel bends. Channel catfish fair to good on dough baits. Sunfish good on fly rod poppers. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: August 21. Elevation normal, water 78 and clear. Smallmouth and spotted bass good on topwater lures early and late and good on small spinnerbaits around structure. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, stinkbait and minnows in larger pools around current. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: August 19. Elevation below normal. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on soft plastics in deep water around structure and rocky points early, late and at night. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait and gizzard shad. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 15-20 ft. around structure in the upper end and around Holly Creek. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: August 19. Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits and Carolina rigs around deep points and deep rocky areas. White bass good on topwater lures and slab spoons along flats early and late. Blue catfish fair on fresh shad drifting the deeper flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs under bridges, around standing timber and riprap areas. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: August 19. Elevation 5 ft. below, water 88. Boats should use extreme caution. Crappie fair on minnows around standing timber adjacent to the river channel. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.

Konawa: August 20. Elevation normal, water 87 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures at 4-6 ft. along weed beds early and late. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountian Fork: August 19. Zone 1: grasshoppers and midges doing well throughout the park. Zone 2: good with nymphs and wooly buggers in the early morning. Report submitted by Jesse King, Three Rivers Fly Shop.

McGee Creek: August 19. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 87 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on Carolina-rigged soft plastic baits and Chatter Baits at 8-20 ft. and fair on shad colored topwater lures for schooling bass in open water early and late. Crappie good on minnows at 18-20 ft. over cedar brush piles at creek channels. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: August 20. Water 83 and stained. Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on various baits early and late. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait, chicken liver and worms. Crappie fair at 15-20 ft. around brush. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: August 19. Elevation extremely below normal, water clear. Bass fair on crankbaits and various soft plastics in the deepest water anglers can find. Crappie fair on minnows. Catfish fair to good on cut shad or liver at 8 ft. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: August 20. Largemouth and spotted bass good on spinnerbaits, swim baits and crankbaits at 2-10 ft. around banks and grass beds early mornings. White bass and striped bass good on minnows and shad crankbaits up river in deeper holes and around rock ledges. Channel and blue catfish excellent on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait at 12-20 ft. close to creek and river channels. Flathead catfish good on live bait at 9-14 ft. in the lake and up the Canadian River. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: August 19. Elevation normal, water 88. Elevation 3/4 ft. below normal, water 89. Largemouth bass fair on topwater lures, plastic worms and crankbaits early and late. White bass fair trolling jigs. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait and dead minnows. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 16-18 ft. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: August 19. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 84 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on surface lures, crankbaits and plastic worms at 5-15 ft. in the creek channels. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, surface lures and sassy shad at 5-30 ft. from Burns Run to Catfish Bay. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on worms, live bait and stinkbait at 10-15 ft. from the Washita River to Platter Flats. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. in underwater brush and around the fish attractors. Sunfish fair to good on worms, shrimp and small tube jigs at 5-10 ft. at the fishing docks and around riprap. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: August 19. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits. Crappie slow on white tail grubs at 25-30 ft. Catfish fair on juglines baited with cut bait and liver. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Foss: August 21. Elevation 9 ft. below normal with gates closed, water 80s and clear. Striped bass hybrids slow on live bait. Catfish slow with stinkbait or dough bait. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Waurika: August 20. Elevation 9 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky to muddy. Channel and blue catfish slow to fair on cut shad, grasshoppers, stinkbait, liver and shrimp along old river channels, windy shorelines and windy points early morning, late evening and at night. Report submitted by Vince Mesis, game warden stationed in Cotton County.

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Duck blind drawing dates for Overholser, Draper lakes

 

Drawings for the duck blinds this waterfowl season at Lake Overholser and Lake Draper will be Sept. 12 and 15.
The drawing for spots at Lake Overholser begins at 8 p.m. on Sept. 12 at the Lake Overholser pavilion, 1200 East Overholser Drive.
The Lake Draper drawing will be held at 10 a.m. on Sept. 15 at the lake marina, located east of SE 104 and West Draper Drive.
Participants must be age 18 or older and possess a current Oklahoma City hunting permit and an Oklahoma state-hunting license to qualify for the drawing.
Permits will be available for purchase prior to the drawings. City permits cost $3 per day or $12.50 annually. The purchase of a hunting permit is unconditional and no refunds can be made.
A copy of the blind site locations and hunting regulations will be posted at the drawing site. All hunting must be from designated blinds. There will be no bank hunting or hunting from watercraft allowed.
All watercraft used to transport hunters to and from the blind locations must have a current city boating permit which can be obtained at the drawing site. All federal and state laws regarding the hunting of migratory waterfowl as well as local city ordinances will be enforced.
For more information, contact the Oklahoma City Police Department’s Lake Overholser patrol station at 789-3746 or the Lake Draper patrol station at 794-5010.

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Weekly fishing report

Here is this week’s fishing report compiled by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

CENTRAL
Arcadia: August 5. Elevation below normal. Catfish slow to fair on chicken liver, punch bait and live bait after dark. Crappie slow on jigs at 8-12 ft. Report submitted by Chance Whiteley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Hefner: August 6. Elevation below normal, water 88-92 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on jigs and topwater lures at 5-20 ft. along rocky shorelines early. Smallmouth bass slow on jigs at 8-20 ft. along rocky shorelines. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on jigs and sassy shad at 5-15 ft. on the west side of the lake. Channel catfish fair on punch bait and shad at 12-20 ft. along the dam. Blue catfish fair on cut shad at 20 ft. along the dam. Crappie slow on jigs and roadrunners at 20 ft. along the dam. Walleye slow trolling crankbaits at 8-14 ft. and drifting night crawlers at 12-20 ft. around long points and the dam. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.

Overholser: August 6. Elevation below normal, water murky. Striped bass hybrids fair on worms after dark. Reported by David Rempe, game warden stationed in Oklahoma and Canadian counties.

Thunderbird: August 5. Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear: Crappie fair on jigs at 6-8 ft. around the dam. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait. White bass fair on jigs, sassy shad and medium-diving crankbaits on humps and drop-offs. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: July 5. Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 95 and clear. The northwest boat ramp is closed due to water level. White bass good trolling main part of lake in mornings. Channel catfish good on worms near shore after sunset. Crappie fair on minnows near standing timber early and late. Report submitted by Mike France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.

NORTHEAST

Copan: August 8. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water upper 80s and clearing. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs at 3-6 ft. from boats around the lake as well as from the new fishing dock at Copan Point. Catfish slow on cut shad, sunfish and worms below the dam. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Ft. Gibson:  August 4. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 89 and clear. Please be extra cautious of underwater obstructions due to low water conditions. White bass good on white spinnerbaits and small crankbaits while wading. Catfish good on Carolina rigs and whole shad at 10-15 ft. drift the flats. Largemouth bass fair on big finesse worms and Biffle Bugs with a trailer. Crappie fair at 15 ft. around docks and structure. Report submitted by Rick Stafford in Wagoner.

Greenleaf: August 6. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and buzz baits along creek channels and brush structure. Catfish good on fresh cut bait and liver on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around fishing docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County

Hulah: August 8. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water clearing. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs at 6-8 ft. Catfish fair below the dam on cut shad and worms. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Kaw: August 6. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 85 and clear. Drawing down lake levels for millet planting. When gates are open during the week the fishing is good. White bass good on crankbaits and small jigs along windy beaches and the Sarge Creek Bridge at night. Striped bass hybrids good below the dam when running water. Blue catfish fair below the dam when running water. Gar good bow fishing. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Keystone: August 7. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 91. Largemouth bass fair. White bass fair trolling points. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.

Lower Illinois: August 3. Elevation normal, water 55 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on topwater lures all along the river. White bass fair on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-2 ft. all along the river. Striped bass good on live trout and shad at 2-3 ft. along deep branch and the mouth of the river. Blue catfish excellent on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie fair on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Trout excellent on topwater lures on the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom from the dam to Gore Landing. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.

Oologah: August 5. Elevation 1 1/4 ft. below normal, water upper 80s and murky. Blue catfish fair on juglines baited with shad at 15-30 ft. White bass fair trolling shad colored crankbaits on flats at 10-15 ft. early in the morning and late in the evening. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs 10-15 ft. around standing timber. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Tenkiller: August 6. Elevation 6 ft. below normal and falling, water high 80s and clear. Largemouth bass fair on topwater lures shallow and on soft plastics at 15-20 ft. Catfish fair on flip-flops or drifting cut bait. White bass fair on jigs, spinnerbaits and spoons around shallow points surfacing early and late. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: August 6. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits, buzz baits and crankbaits along riprap, brush structure and creek channels. Catfish good on fresh cut bait and stinkbait along mudflats and on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around bridges and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: August 5. Elevation 8 ft. below normal, water clear. White bass and striped bass hybrids good drifting shad and slabs near drop-offs. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait along dam. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Ft. Supply: August 6. Elevation 1 1/2 – 2 ft. below normal. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait and cut bait in shallow water along banks. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Woodward County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: August 4. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water 88-90. Green algae is present in lake as determined by officials. Thermocline is at 21 ft. Bass slow on topwater early morning and fair on crankbaits and Texas-rigged worms the rest of day. Crappie slow off docks early and slow around brush piles. White bass are slow using CC spoons off creek bends and drop-offs in Guy Sandy Creek. Channel catfish being caught on dough baits early morning. Sunfish very good on fly rods. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: August 6. Elevation normal, water 87 and clear. Smallmouth and spotted bass fair on topwater lures early and late and on small spinnerbaits around structure in larger pools. Channel catfish good on stinkbait, chicken liver and minnows around current in large pools. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: August 5. Elevation below normal. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on soft plastics in deep water around structure and rocky points early, late and at night. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait and gizzard shad. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 15-20 ft. around structure in the upper end and around Holly Creek. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: August 5. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits around deep points and deeper rocky areas. White bass good on topwater lures and slab spoons along flats early and late. Blue catfish fair on shad drifting the deep flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs under bridges, around standing timber and riprap. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Konawa: August 7. Elevation normal, water 96 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures at 5-10 ft. along weed beds and coves early and late. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on jigs and shad at 5-10 ft. in the south cove early and late. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: August 5. Zone 1 fair to good inside the park on an assortment of midges, small light cahills and egg patterns. Zone 2 nice fish this week on stimulators and hoppers. The best fishing has been early and late in the day. Report submitted by Jesse King, Three Rivers Fly Shop.

McGee Creek: August 5. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water 91 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on Carolina-rigged soft plastic baits and Chatter Baits at 8-20 ft. and fair on shad colored topwater lures in open water schooling bass early and late. Crappie fair on minnows 12-25 ft. over cedar brush piles. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: August 7. Elevation 3-4 ft. below normal, water 87 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair around rocky points early and late. White bass slow to fair on topwater lures when schooling early and late. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: August 5. Elevation below normal, water clear. Bass fair on Baby Brush Hogs and spinnerbaits near standing snags in deep water. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: August 6. Largemouth and spotted bass good on spinnerbaits, swim baits and crankbaits at 2-10 ft. around banks and grass beds early mornings. White bass fair on minnows under bridges. Channel and blue catfish excellent on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait at 12-20 ft. close to creek and river channels. Flathead catfish good on live bait 9-14 ft. in the lake and up the Canadian River. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: August 2. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 88. Largemouth bass fair on topwater lures, plastic worms and crankbaits early and late. White bass fair trolling jigs. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait and dead minnows. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 16-18 ft. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: August 5. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 85 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on surface lures, plastic worms and crankbaits at 5-20 ft. on the points and around riprap. Striped and white bass good on live bait, surface lures and slabs at 5-30 ft. in the river channels. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, worms and stinkbait at 10-20 ft. from the Washita River to Catfish Bay. Crappie fair on live bait and jigs at 5-15 ft. around underwater brush and fish attractors. Sunfish fair to good on worms, shrimp, small lures and tube jigs at 5-10 ft. around the fishing docks and riprap. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: August 5. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits. Crappie slow on white tail grubs at 25-30 ft. Catfish fair on juglines baited with cut bait and liver. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Foss: August 7. Elevation 8 3/4 ft. below normal, water high 80s and clear. Striped bass hybrids slow while surfacing in late evenings and on live bait in deep water. Walleye slow on live bait. Catfish fair on juglines baited with stinkbait. Crappie slow around structure. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

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Edmond man’s northern pike

Here is one for the bragging board from Bob Ray of Edmond.
“Ed, it’s rare that I catch something worth bragging about but I did this time. I just returned from a fishing trip to Saskatchewan Canada with a group that Don Wallace put together. There were 17 of us on this trip and we fished for four days.
“We caught several northern pike over 40 inches, lake trout, and more walleye than we could count. The daytime high temperature was less than 70 degrees and it got down to 55 at night. The cool weather combined with the shore lunches that our guides cooked for us each day and the great fishing made for a very enjoyable trip. This northern measured 42.5 inches, one of three that I caught that measured over 36 inches. I just had to gloat a little.”
For those who don’t know, Don Wallace had an outdoors television show in Oklahoma City that aired for 40 years counting the reruns.
Now 82-years-old, Don still escorts a group of anglers each summer to Sportsman’s Lodge in LaRonge, Saskatchewan.

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Oklahoma’s best deer hunting counties

 

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has finally totaled the numbers from last year’s deer hunting seasons.
The grand harvest total was 112,863. For the fifth straight year, Osage County was the county in Oklahoma where the most deer are killed.
Osage’s total of 5,118 deer easily outdistanced second place Pittsburg County’s total of 3,765.
Pittsburg County has been second or third in the deer harvest totals for the past four years.
The rest of the top 10 counties in 2011-12 were Atoka (3,380), Pushmataha (3,309), Cherokee (3,293), Creek (2,934), Sequoyah (2,848), Le Flore (2,722), Craig (2,709), and McCurtain (2,363).
The top public hunting area was the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area with a total of 513. Five years ago more than 1,200 deer were taken off Three Rivers in southeastern Oklahoma.
But the public hunting area has significantly diminished in recent years due to the timber groups that own the land leasing more of it for private hunting.
The same is true at nearby Honobia Creek, where 174 deer were harvested last season. Five years ago that number was almost three times higher at 516.
Out west, hunters on the Black Kettle WMA killed 441 deer last season, the second highest total for public land in the state.
To view a complete listing for all counties from last season and deer harvest results from previous years go to http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/deerharvesttotals.htm

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Waterfowl season dates set

 

The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission on Monday approved the 2012-13 waterfowl hunting dates.

DUCKS, MERGANSERS AND COOTS

SEASON DATES:

Panhandle Counties (High Plains Mallard Management Unit)
October 13, 2012 – January 9, 2013

*Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: October 6-7, 2012

Zone 1
October 27 – November 25, 2012
December 8, 2012 – January 20, 2013
*Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: October 20 – 21, 2012

Zone 2
November 3 – November 25, 2012
December 8, 2012 – January 27, 2013
*Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: October 27 – 28, 2012

BAG LIMITS:

Duck Limits – The daily bag limit for ducks is six. The daily bag limit may include no more than: Five mallards (only two may be hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two pintail, and one canvasback.
Merganser Limits – The daily bag limit for mergansers is five. The daily bag
limit may include no more than two hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits – The daily bag limit for coots is fifteen.

POSSESSION LIMITS:

The possession limit after the first day of hunting is two times the daily bag limit
for ducks, mergansers and coots.

SHOOTING HOURS:

One-half hour before official sunrise to official sunset.

* YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNTING DAYS

The U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service is allowing two days outside of the regular waterfowl season to provide a special hunting opportunity to encourage youth participation in the sport of waterfowling. Youth hunters must be 15 years of age or younger. An adult, at least 18 years of age, must accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult cannot hunt waterfowl, but may participate in other open seasons. The daily bag limit may include ducks, mergansers, coots and geese. Bag limits will be the same as allowed during the regular season. All species and sex specific duck bag limit restrictions remain in effect.

GEESE AND SANDHILL CRANE

SEASON DATES:

Canada Geese
October 27 – November 25, 2012
December 8 – February 10, 2013

White-fronted Geese
October 27 – November 25, 2012
December 8, 2012 – February 3, 2013

Light Geese (Snow, Blue & Ross’)
October 27 – November 25, 2012
December 8, 2012 – February 10, 2013
**Conservation Order Light Goose Season (COLGS)

February 11 – March 30, 2013
Sandhill Crane
October 20, 2012 – January 20, 2013; west of I-35 only

BAG LIMITS:

Canada Geese – The daily bag limit is three.
White-fronted Geese – The daily bag limit is one.
** Light Geese – The daily bag limit is twenty.
Sandhill Crane – The daily bag limit is three.

POSSESSION LIMITS:

The possession limit for Canada and white-fronted geese and sandhill crane is two times the daily bag limit. There is no possession limit for light geese (snow, blue & Ross’).

SHOOTING HOURS:

*One-half hour before official sunrise to official sunset.

** CONSERVATION ORDER LIGHT GOOSE SEASON (COLGS)
During the COLGS, special means of take will be allowed, including: electronic calls, unplugged shotguns, one-half hour after sunset shooting hours and no daily bag or possession limits. The Conservation Order and special means of take provisions are designed to increase harvest and allow hunters to help reduce the population of mid-continent light geese (snow, blue & Ross’). All other waterfowl regulations will apply; including use of federally approved nontoxic shot. All participants will be required to have in their possession while hunting, all necessary licenses, waterfowl stamps and a Harvest Information Program permit (HIP). The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is required by federal regulation to estimate the harvest of light geese during the COLGS. Therefore, to participate in the COLGS hunters should provide the ODWC with their name, full mailing address and telephone number so that they may be contacted after the season with a harvest survey.

HUNTERS CAN REGISTER FOR THE COLGS BY PROVIDING
THEIR NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER TO:

On the Internet at: www.wildlifedepartment.com and clicking on the Conservation Order Light Goose link.

Or by sending a postcard or letter to:

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Attn: COLGS
PO Box 53465
Oklahoma City, OK 73152

YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNTING DAYS

SEASON DATES AND AREAS:

Panhandle – October 6 – 7, 2012
Zone 1 – October 13 – 14, 2012
Zone 2 – October 27 – 28, 2012

BAG LIMITS:

Duck Limits: The daily bag limit for ducks is six. The daily bag limit may include no more than: Five mallards (only two may be hens), three wood ducks, two scaup, two redheads, two pintails, and one canvasback.
Goose Limits: The daily bag limit is three Canada geese, one white-fronted goose and twenty snow geese.
Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit for mergansers is five. The daily bag limit may include no more than two hooded mergansers.
Coot Limits: The daily bag limit for coots is fifteen.
Possession Limit: Same as regular duck season.

SHOOTING HOURS:

One-half hour before official sunrise to official sunset.

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Watch brown bears hunt salmon

Check out salmon cam, live video of brown bears on the hunt for salmon in Alaska.
It’s from Alaska’s Brooks River in Katmai National Park.
Every year more than 100 brown bears descend on a mile long stretch of Brooks River to feast on the largest sockeye salmon run in the world. http://explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls

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H&H Shooting Sports Complex Outdoors Chat with Ed Godfrey

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