Oklahoma pro wins FLW tournament on Beaver Lake
Oklahoma angler Jason Christie won his second FLW tournament last weekend.
Jason Christie of Park Hill brought a 20-pound, 4-ounce stringer to the scales Saturday – the third-largest stringer ever weighed in during FLW competition at Beaver Lake.
Christie didn’t duplicate that effort Sunday, but he didn’t need to. After the final fish was weighed, Christie’s five-bass limit worth 14 pounds, 1 ounce gave him a total four-day weight of 61 pounds, 8 ounces as well as the championship trophy and $126,500 at the Walmart FLW Tour at Beaver Lake presented by Kellogg’s.
“I’ve got a little groove going right now,” said Christie, who earned his second career victory in FLW Tour competition. “If you had asked me after practice if I was going to do any good in this event, I would have said ‘no way.’ It always seems like you win tournaments when you least expect it, and I really did not expect this one.”
Christie’s four-day total of 61 pounds, 8 ounces was the heaviest weight to ever win an event in FLW competition at Beaver Lake.
“My key bait this week was a Yum Yumbrella Flash Mob Jr.,” he said. “It’s a special rig. It’s more compact and has willow leaf blades on it. And, it’s tough. I used one rig and it lasted all three days. I never broke a wire or anything – it’s really the best one on the market.
“When I get in the groove, I just seem to make good decisions. Today (Sunday), I really struggled. I was expecting to catch them real well, and I didn’t. I found a stretch that I hadn’t fished all week, and something just told me to pull up there. When I did, I started catching them.”
Broken Bow Lunker
Greg Blaylock of Norman with a 10.4-pound largemouth bass from Broken Bow Lake
The Central Oklahoma Bassmasters held a tournament on Broken Bow Lake last weekend where Greg Blaylock of Norman caught two 10-pounders on back to back days.
Blaylock caught a 10.4-pounder on Saturday and another 10-pounder on Sunday.
The lake was 7 feet high and dropping last weekend and lots of good fish were caught in the tournament, club member Richard Schwalbach reported in an e-mail.
Blaylock’s lunker on Saturday anchored his six-fish, 24-pound stringer that day. He won the tournament.
Weekly Fishing Report
Spring fishing has been excellent on the Lower Mountain Fork River in McCurtain County.
Here is this week’s fishing report as compiled by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation:
CENTRAL
Arcadia: April 7. Elevation normal. White bass fair to good on spoons into the wind. Catfish fair to good on dough bait around points into the wind and at night along flats and shoals. Crappie fair to good on minnows at various depths. Report by Chance Whiteley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Hefner: April 9. Elevation below normal, water 52-56 and murky. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits and jigs at 4-10 ft. along rocky banks. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on lipless crankbaits at 4-8 ft. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and liver at 10-20 ft. along the dam. Blue catfish good on cut bait and liver at 10-20 ft. along the dam. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-18 ft. along the dam. Walleye good on jerk baits and lipless baits at 2-6 ft. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.
Overholser: April 8. Elevation below normal, water murky. Catfish fair on stinkbait off the fishing dock. Striped bass hybrids fair on shrimp and chicken liver along the south side of the lake. Report submitted by David Rempe, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Thunderbird: April 7. Elevation 6 1/3 ft. below normal, water murky. Crappie fair on minnows and small jigs at 5-8 ft. around structure. Bass fair on tandem spinnerbaits around structure. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait at 8-10 ft. around drop-offs. Report by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.
NORTHEAST
Bell Cow: April 7. Elevation below normal, water 58 and muddy. Bass good on crankbaits and plastic baits. Crappie good on minnows at the fishing dock at night. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.
Birch: April 9. Elevation 8 ft. below normal, water upper 50s and clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits along shorelines. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5-10 ft. Report submitted by David Clay, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Chandler: April 7. Elevation below normal, water 58 and muddy. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs along the dam. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.
Ft. Gibson: April 7. Elevation 6 ft. above normal, water 51 and murky. Catfish excellent on night crawlers and whole shad on bottom along mouths of creeks and the main river. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 1 ft. along the bank at dark. White bass good on white grubs, rattletraps and white/silver jigs all along the river; Chouteau Bend is the place to be in the next few weeks. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits at 5-15 ft. Report submitted by Rick Stafford of Wagoner.
Grand: April 7. Elevation normal, water 56. Largemouth bass good on rogues and Alabama rigs in pre-spawn patterns off main lake points. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. Catfish excellent on fresh cut bait on shallow flats. White bass good on small crankbaits and jigs up rivers and creeks. Paddlefish excellent from Ogeechee Flats to Miami Park. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Delaware County.
Kaw: April 9. Elevation 1 ft. above normal. White bass good along the Arkansas River. Channel and blue catfish good on juglines and rod-and-reel with cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 15-20 ft. in the main lake. Paddlefish slow below the dam. Report submitted by Emily Long, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.
Keystone: April 9. Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 49. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits. White bass fair on spinnerbaits and jigs. Catfish good on cut bait. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: April 8. Elevation normal, water 46 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on minnows at 2 ft. in creek channel coves. White bass fair on jigs and spinnerbaits 2 ft. all along the river. Striped bass slow on shad at 3 ft. in the mouth of the river. Channel catfish excellent on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie slow on jigs and spinnerbaits 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: April 7. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water lower 50s and clear. Crappie fair at 10 ft. around brush piles. Blue catfish fair on worms and shad at 10-15 ft. on flats. White bass fair on jigs in the river above the lake. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Skiatook: April 9. Elevation 13 ft. below normal, water clear. All fishing fair. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-20 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Sooner: April 8. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on slabs and live shad at the north end near the dam. Catfish fair on cut bait and live bait in the discharge. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs off Hwy 15 and 177. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Tenkiller: April 8. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. above normal, water 54-57 and clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair to good on shallow spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft plastic baits from mid-lake to the upper end. Crappie fair on small jigs around docks in mid-lake and good on minnows and jigs in the upper end in mornings. White bass good trolling from mid-lake to the upper end. Report submitted by Monte Brooks of Cookson.
NORTHWEST
Ft. Supply: April 7. Elevation slightly below normal. Channel catfish good on stinkbait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs along shorelines. Walleye fair to good trolling sandbars. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Woodward County.
SOUTHEAST
Arbuckle: April 7. Elevation 6 1/2 ft. below normal, water 59-61. Fishing has improved on all species. Crappie being caught around docks early and late and on minnows and jigs midway back in coves. White bass good on rattletraps and wiggle-tailed grub jigs in the shallows up creeks chasing shad. Bass being caught on crankbaits, jerk baits and spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Broken Bow: April 7. Water mid 50s and clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits and flukes in shallower water around structure. Crappie good on minnows and jigs in shallows along structure, banks and points. Walleye good on crawdad colored crankbaits and grubs at 8-10 ft. in the upper end of the lake, around islands and rocky structure. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: April 7. Elevation normal, water 59 and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits and spinnerbaits flipping the brush and around rocky areas. White bass good on small jigs and spinnerbaits in feeder creeks when water is running from rain. Blue catfish good on shad along shallow flats and rocky areas. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 1-8 ft. along the north and south ends and at 1-3 ft. along the banks in the spawning areas. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Konawa: April 8. Elevation normal, water 64 and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms and spinnerbaits at 4-8 ft. along the cattails. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on shad and minnows at 15 ft. in the discharge canal. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: April 7. Fishing has been great. In addition to midges and blue-winged olive mayflies, March Browns and tan caddis flies are beginning to take trout throughout the river. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Lower Mountain Fork: April 9. Stocked 1,577 lbs., approximately 1,855 rainbow trout on April 4. Stocked an additional 2,300 10-11 inch rainbow trout. Report submitted by April Drake, southeast region fisheries secretary.
McGee Creek: April 7. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 56 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic baits at 5-15 ft. Crappie fair on minnows at 10-18 ft. over cedar brush in creek channels. Channel catfish fair to good on liver and stinkbait in the upper creek channels where fresh water is coming in. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Murray: April 8. Elevation 7 ft. below normal, water 53. The marina boat ramp is the only open ramp. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on soft plastic baits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits shallow around rocky structure. White bass fair to good on minnows and jigs trolling the northeast end near Martin’s Landing. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 3-4 ft. around structure, brush and rocks. Walleye fair on minnows and jigs along the dam just before dark. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.
Pine Creek: April 7. Elevation above normal, water 52 and clear. Bass fair on soft plastic baits. Crappie good on minnows near the banks. Bass good on soft plastic baits. Catfish fair on trotlines baited with cut shad. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: April 9. Bass fair on crankbaits and stick baits off points, along creek channels and in coves up river. White and spotted bass excellent up the Canadian River; look for concentrations of gulls. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 2-4 ft. up Big San Bois Creek and in strip pits; look for improvement with warmer days. Channel and blue catfish excellent on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait at 12-20 ft. close to creek and river channels. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: April 6. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. above normal and rising, water 59. Largemouth bass fair at 2-4 ft. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: April 7. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 52 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on plastic combination baits and spinnerbaits at 10-15 ft. in creeks. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, slabs and sassy shad at 10-30 ft. from Washita Point to the islands. 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 to good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. in upper creeks. Sunfish fair to good on worms and small tube jigs at 5-10 ft. around riprap. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: April 7. Elevation 12 ft. above normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Crappie fair on minnows and white grubs at 10-12 ft. around brushy cover. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait and dead minnows at 10-15 ft. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
SOUTHWEST
Altus-Lugert: April 6. Elevation 26 3/4 ft. below normal and slowly rising. Overall fishing is fair. Catfish and walleye being caught near the dam. Crappie being caught. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain Nature Park.
Ellsworth: April 7. Elevation 12 ft. below normal, water murky. Blue catfish fair on cut bait off rocky points. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around boathouses at Ralph’s Resort. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Lawtonka: April 7. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water clear. Crappie fair on jigs. Catfish fair on cut bait at the dam. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Tom Steed: April 9. Elevation 9 ft. below normal, water 53 and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs near the dam. Catfish fair on cut shad near islands. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.
Waurika: April 8. Elevation 11 3/4 ft. below normal, water murky. Striped bass hybrids fair on jigs, cut shad and silver spoons along the dam. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around submerged timber. Blue and channel catfish good on shad, crawfish and punch bait at 4-10 ft. near submerged timber. Walleye slow to fair on silver spoons along the dam. Report submitted by Ted Hasty, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.
Friday deadline to apply for Wildlife Youth Camp
Teenagers who attend the Wildlife Youth Camp get to participate in a range of outdoor activities.
Friday is the application deadline for teenagers hoping to attend the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s annual Wildlife Youth Camp, scheduled July 7-13 at the Oklahoma University Biological Station at Lake Texoma.
According to Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties and coordinator for the camp, the camp is geared toward youth interested in the outdoors and careers in wildlife management.
“We want every youth in Oklahoma interested in hunting, fishing or a career with the ODWC to apply to this year’s camp,” Harvey said. “It will be a fun-filled week of fishing; boating; learning about wildlife conservation, management and enhancement; shooting; swimming; and meeting kids from all over the state.”
The free camp increases awareness of conserving and managing Oklahoma’s wildlife resources through courses on wildlife-related career opportunities, rifle and shotgun training, archery, wildlife identification, wildlife law enforcement, fishing, fisheries management, ropes, swimming and hunting.
o attend youth camp, applicants must be Oklahoma residents and must turn age 14 prior to July 7, 2013, and be no older than 16.
To attend, prospective campers must fill out an application form and write a 75-word essay describing why they want to attend the camp, why they should be selected and what they expect to learn.
Additionally, they must provide a letter of recommendation by someone other than a family member and a photograph from a recent outdoor-related event or activity. Application forms are available online at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/education/youthcamp.htm.
The page also includes additional information about the camp and photographs from previous years. The camp will be open to a maximum of 35 youth, and applications will be accepted through Friday (April 12)
Oklahoma Fishing Report
Here is this week’s fishing report as compiled by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
CENTRAL
Arcadia: March 31. Elevation normal. Channel catfish fair to good on punch bait, stinkbait and chicken liver around points and shelves. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at various depths. Report by Chance Whiteley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Arcadia: April 1. Elevation normal, water 46-48 and murky. Largemouth bass fair. Blue catfish fair to good on shad at 6-10 ft. in the evenings. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 7-10 ft. early and late. Report submitted by Sheila Hutton, gate attendant.
Hefner: April 1. Elevation below normal and dropping, water 48-52 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on stick baits and jigs at 4-10 ft. along rocky shorelines. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on grubs and sassy shad at 4-8 ft. along the dam. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and punch bait at 15 ft. along the dam. Blue catfish good on cut bait and punch bait at 15 ft. along the dam. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-20 ft. along the dam. Walleye good on stick baits at 2-6 ft. along the dam in low light conditions. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Overholser: April 1. Elevation below normal. Catfish fair on stinkbait off the fishing dock. Striped bass hybrids fair on shrimp and chicken liver along the south side of the lake. Report submitted by David Rempe, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Thunderbird: March 31. Elevation 7 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Crappie fair on minnows and small jigs at 8-10 ft. around structure. Bass fair on tandem spinnerbaits around structure. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait at 8-10 ft. around drop-offs. Report by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.
NORTHEAST
Bell Cow: March 31. Elevation below normal, water 51 and muddy. Bass good on crankbaits and jigs. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.
Birch: April 2. Elevation 8 ft. below normal, water low 50s and murky. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 6-12 ft. around structure. Report submitted by David Clay, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Copan: April 2. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-8 ft. around Copan Point. White bass being caught on jigs. Catfish good on sunfish with rod-and-reel. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Ft. Gibson: April 1. Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 50 and stained. Catfish good on juglines baited with whole shad and drifting. White bass fair to good on white grubs and swim baits on bottom with slow retrieves in all creeks and the main river around Chouteau Bend Park. Crappie good on chartreuse and black tube jigs and minnows in the dead falls along the bank all around the lake. Report submitted by Rick Stafford of Wagoner.
Greenleaf: April 2. Bass good on hard jerk baits in the shallows and on chatter baits and lipless crankbaits if the water gets murky. Report submitted by Mike Hicks with Mike’s Outdoors.
Hudson: April 1. Elevation normal. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, jigs and plastic baits. White bass fair to good in the upper end, at mouths of creeks and below Pensacola Dam. Paddlefish fair to good in the upper end. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Rogers and Mayes counties.
Hulah: April 2. Elevation normal, water clearing. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-8 ft. in Skull Creek. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.
Kaw: April 2. Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 53 and clear. White bass good along the Arkansas River. Channel and blue catfish good on juglines and rod-and-reel with cut bait. Crappie good on jigs and minnows at 15-20 ft. in the main lake. Paddlefish slow below the dam. Report submitted by Emily Long, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.
Keystone: April 4. Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water 48. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. White bass fair on spinnerbaits and jigs. Catfish good on cut bait. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: April 1. Elevation normal, water 46 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on minnows at 2 ft. at Gore Landing. White bass fair 2 ft. at Gore Landing. Striped bass slow on shad at the mouth of the river. Channel catfish excellent on cut bait on bottom. 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: March 31. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water lower 50s and clear. Crappie fair at 10 ft. around brush piles. Blue catfish fair on worms and shad at 10-15 ft. on flats. White bass fair on jigs in the river above the lake. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Skiatook: April 2. Elevation 13 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on rooster tails and spinnerbaits along shorelines in back coves. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-20 ft. around structures. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Sooner: April 2. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on slabs and live shad. Striped bass good on stump jumpers in the discharge. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush piles. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Tenkiller: April 1. Elevation 1 1/3 ft. above normal, water 53 mid-lake and 56 in the upper end. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair mid-lake and good on spinnerbaits and soft plastic baits in the upper end in shallow cover. Crappie slow on small jigs and minnows in the upper end. White bass fair trolling from mid-lake to the upper end. Report submitted by Monte Brooks of Cookson.
Webbers Falls: April 2. Bass fair to good on plastic baits and pitching baits up creeks and holding on lay downs and stumps. White bass fair to good on the river and in creeks; they are preparing for the spawn. Report submitted by Mike Hicks with Mike’s Outdoors.
NORTHWEST
Canton: March 31. Elevation 14 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear. All boat ramps are closed. Walleye fair on jigs and crankbaits along the dam after sundown. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed Blaine County.
Ft. Supply: April 1. Elevation 1 ft. below normal. Crappie fair on white jigs all over the lake. Walleye fair along the dam. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Woodward County.
SOUTHEAST
Arbuckle: March 31. Elevation 6 1/3 ft. below normal, water 58-60 and clear. Fish are tough to find while moving from deep to shallow. Most fish can be found in both shallow and down to 25 ft. Crappie slow around docks; they were up one day in shallows – on the move. White bass are also on the move; use of electronics can aid the locating of fish. Bass fishing is tough also but some nice ones being caught on crankbaits, jerk baits, jigs and Alabama rigs. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Blue River: April 2. Elevation slightly above normal, water 58 and murky. Trout fair on garlic Power Bait, small in-line spinnerbaits and jigs. Fly fishing fair on woolly buggers, midges, emergers and caddis flies around falls and riffles. Smallmouth and spotted bass good on soft plastics around structure in deeper pools. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait. The final rainbow trout stocking occurred on March 18. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: March 31. Water mid 50s and clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits and flukes in shallower water around structure. Crappie good on minnows and jigs in shallows along structure, banks and points. Walleye good on crawdad colored crankbaits and grubs at 8-10 ft. in the upper end of the lake, around islands and rocky structure. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: March 31. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 56 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on jerk baits and crankbaits along rocky areas. White bass good on jigs below the dam when running water. Blue catfish fair on shad along shallow flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 4-8 ft. around docks and slow to fair at 1-3 ft. at the very south end and very north end of the lake along the banks. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: March 31. Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 52. Largemouth bass and crappie fair on minnows along the river channels and drop-offs. White bass fair trolling crankbaits in the upper river channel. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.
Konawa: April 2. Elevation normal, water 62 and clear. Largemouth bass excellent on plastic worms 4-8 ft. along the cattails and points. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on shad and jigs at 15 ft. in the discharge canal. Channel catfish fair on cut shad at 15 ft. in discharge canal. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: March 31. Fishing has been great. In addition to midges and blue-winged olive mayflies, March Browns and tan caddis flies are beginning to take trout throughout the river. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: March 31. Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water 52 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic baits at 15-25 ft. Crappie fair on minnows at 12-28 ft. over cedar brush in creek channels. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Murray: April 1. Elevation 7 ft. below normal, water 53. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on soft plastic baits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits shallow around rocky structure. White bass fair to good on minnows and jigs trolling the northeast end near Martin’s Landing. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 3-4 ft. around structure, brush and rocks. Walleye fair on minnows and jigs along the dam just before dark. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.
Pine Creek: March 31. Elevation below normal, water 47 and clear. Bass fair on soft plastic baits. Crappie good on minnows at the back of creek channels. Catfish fair on trotlines baited with cut shad. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: April 2. Bass fair on crankbaits and stick baits off points, along creek channels and in coves up river. White and spotted bass excellent up the Canadian River; look for concentrations of gulls. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 2-4 ft. up Big San Bois Creek and in strip pits; look for improvement with warmer days. Channel and blue catfish excellent on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait at 12-20 ft. close to creek and river channels. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: March 29. Elevation normal, water 59. Largemouth bass good on jerk baits, shallow running crankbaits, Slug-Go lures, spinnerbaits and plastic worms at 4-6 ft. White bass fair on jigs. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait and dead minnows. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 4-6 ft. Walleye fair to good trolling at 8-12 ft. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: March 31. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 52 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on plastic worms and spinnerbaits at 10-15 ft. in creeks. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, slabs and sassy shad at 10-30 ft. from Alberta Creek to the islands. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, worms and stinkbait at 10-20 ft. from the Washita River to Platter Flats. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. around underwater brush. Sunfish fair on worms and small tube jigs and worms at 5-10 ft. around fishing docks. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: March 31. Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Crappie fair on minnows and white grubs at 10-12 ft. around brushy cover. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait and dead minnows at 10-15 ft. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
SOUTHWEST
Altus-Lugert: March 31. Elevation 26 3/4 ft. below normal and steady. Overall fishing is improving. Catfish and walleye being caught near the dam. Crappie being caught. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain Nature Park.
Ellsworth: March 31. Elevation 12 ft. below normal, water murky. Blue catfish fair on cut bait off rocky points. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around boathouses at Ralph’s Resort. Saugeye fair to good on spinnerbaits off the rocks by the dam. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Foss: April 2. Elevation 12 ft. below normal with gates closed, water lower 50s and clear. Striped bass hybrids good on slab in the channel by the dam. Walleye fair on live bait in deeper water near the ramp and marina. Catfish slow on live bait on the north side. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Ft. Cobb: April 3. Elevation 6 1/2 ft. below normal, water 54 and murky. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 6-8 ft. Largemouth bass good on soft plastic baits and crankbaits at 3-6 ft. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait. Report submitted by Tyler Howser, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Lawtonka: March 31. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water clear. Crappie fair on jigs. Catfish fair on cut bait at the dam. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Tom Steed: March 25. Elevation 9 ft. below normal, water 49 and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around deep structure. White bass fair on minnows on bottom off points. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.
Waurika: April 1. Elevation 11 3/4 ft. below normal, water murky. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs. Blue and channel catfish good on shad, punch bait and crawfish at 6-20 ft. A lot of blue catfish were caught last weekend by hybrid fishermen using plastic flukes/jigs. Report submitted by Ted Hasty, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.
Outdoors Chat with Ed Godfrey
Prairie chicken surveys to begin
News release from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation:
State wildlife officials will begin a survey of prairie chickens in the coming weeks.
In the coming weeks, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will begin multiple surveys for lesser prairie chickens in an effort to gather more accurate population data.
Wildlife Department biologists and Oklahoma City Zoo personnel will conduct listening surveys from county roads in Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, and Harper counties.
Biologists will listen for the bird’s distinctive call at preset listening locations along the roadway.
Also starting soon and continuing until May, Wildlife Department contractors will use helicopters for aerial surveys throughout the lesser prairie chicken range to locate additional groups of birds as they gather on breeding grounds.
The aerial survey will complement the “listening” survey by identifying birds that can’t be seen or heard from the roadways.
This is the second year that these range-wide aerial surveys will be conducted in Oklahoma and across the lesser prairie chicken’s range.
“The surveyors will be flying a grid pattern across the counties, but they will use common sense when flying near homes or livestock. I know whenever you have a low-flying helicopter around cattle, people will be concerned.
If cattle are seen, the protocol is to go up or around,” said Doug Schoeling, upland game biologist for the Wildlife Department.
The lesser prairie chicken is a unique upland bird that has experienced sharp population declines.
“The more birds that are located on these surveys, the more we can understand population status, which could help prevent the listing of the lesser prairie chicken on the endangered species list,” Schoeling said.
For more information about the lesser prairie chicken and the conservation work being done to support it, log on to www.wildlifedepartment.com
Paddlefishing will be hitting its peak soon
Mustang High School soccer coach Jared Homer and his father, Brad, caught this 62-pound spoonbill on the Grand River.
Mustang High School soccer coach Jared Homer snagged a 62-pound spoonbill while fishing with his father, Brad Homer, on the Grand River in northeastern Oklahoma on spring break.
Oklahoma’s marlin, the paddlefish, will soon be shooting up the tributaries in the Grand River system to spawn, creating a frenzy of fishing.
Anglers use surf rods and barbless treble hooks to snag the prehistoric looking fish, also called spoonbills. Anglers will line up elbow to elbow on the banks of the Neosho River in Miami’s Riverview Park when the paddlefish begin their spawning runs, which are triggered by spring rains and rising water temperatures.
Before the run, the spoonbills will congregate on the upper end of Grand Lake and anglers will typically catch them by trolling. Grand Lake, Lake Hudson and Fort Gibson are all part of the Grand River system that produces some of the best paddlefishing in the world.
Anglers typically snag paddlefish weighing 30 to 70 pounds but the state record is 125 pounds.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation offers a paddlefish cleaning station at Twin Bridges State Park on Grand Lake.
State wildlife officials will clean an angler’s paddlefish and package the meat for free in exchange for the eggs, which they use to make caviar and sell to a wholesaler.
The money earned is used for paddlefish management and research.
Anglers are allowed to keep one paddlefish per day. They can catch and release all day, but must stop snagging once they keep a fish. Mondays and Fridays are catch and release days only.
Suggested tackle for snagging paddlefish include:
- 10 to 12 foot heavy action rod
- Large capacity reel
- 50 pound test line
- 10/0 to 12/0 treble hook
- 5 oz. to 1 lb. of weight, depending on if you are trolling or bank fishing.
Weekly Fishing Report
Here is this week’s fishing report as compiled by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
CENTRAL
Arcadia: March 24. Elevation normal. Channel catfish slow to fair various baits. Crappie slow on jigs off docks. Report by Chance Whiteley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Arcadia: March 26. Elevation normal, water 46 and murky. All fishing fair. Report submitted by Sheila Hutton, gate attendant.
Hefner: March 25. Elevation below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits. White bass and crappie slow on chartreuse and red jigs at 20 ft. around the dam. Channel catfish slow on shad. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Overholser: March 25. Elevation below normal, water murky. Striped bass hybrids fair on chicken liver and night crawlers. Crappie slow to fair on jigs off the fishing dock on warm days. Catfish fair on stinkbait off the fishing dock. Report submitted by David Rempe, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Thunderbird: March 24. Elevation 7 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Crappie fair on minnows and small jigs at 8-10 ft. around structure. Bass fair on spinnerbaits around structure. Report by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.
NORTHEAST
Bell Cow: March 26. Elevation below normal, water 49 and muddy. Bass good on crankbaits at 6-10 ft. Crappie good on minnows. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.
Birch: March 26. Elevation 8 ft. below normal, water upper 40s to low 50s and clear. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around structure. Report submitted by David Clay, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Chandler: March 26. Elevation below normal, water 50 and muddy. Bass fair on crankbaits and jigs. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.
Ft. Gibson: March 25. Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 51 and clear. White bass are staging for their spawning run in the Chouteau Bend area of the main river. Paddlefish slow in the Chouteau Bend area of the main river. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Catfish good on juglines baited with cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. Report submitted by Rick Stafford of Wagoner.
Grand: February 24. Elevation normal, water 50. Largemouth bass good on swim baits and jerk baits at 15-25 ft. off main lake points. Crappie good on minnows and green jigs at 10-15 ft. around structure at night. Paddlefish excellent from Grey’s Ranch up river to Miami Park. Catfish excellent drifting or on juglines baited with cut shad at 20-30 ft. White bass fair on small crankbaits and jigs up creeks and streams. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Delaware County.
Hudson: March 25. Elevation normal. Largemouth bass very good on crankbaits, jigs, swim minnow type baits and plastic baits. White bass fair to good on small lures and jigs in the upper end near Pensacola Dam and mouths of creeks leading into the lake. Paddlefish fair, the run has not started yet. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Rogers and Mayes counties.
Kaw: March 24. Elevation normal, water 45. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 10-12 ft. around Sarge Creek. Largemouth and spotted bass good on the south end of the lake. Report submitted by Emily Long, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.
Lower Illinois: March 25. Elevation normal, water 46 and clear. Largemouth bass good on minnows at 2 ft. in coves and weed beds. White bass slow on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-3 ft. at the mouth of the river. Striped bass slow on shad at 1-4 ft. at the mouth of the river. Channel catfish good on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie slow on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-3 ft. at the mouth of the deep branch. 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: March 24. Elevation 2 3/4 ft. below normal, water upper 40s to lower 50s and clear. Crappie fair at 10-15 ft. around brush piles. Blue catfish fair on worms and shad at 10-15 ft. on flats. White bass fair on jigs in the river above the lake. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Sooner: March 26. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on slabs and live shad in the lake and fair on topwater lures, sassy shad and ghost minnows in the discharge. Catfish fair on cut bait and live bait around points and channels. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Tenkiller: March 25. Elevation slightly above normal, water 50 and stained. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on most types of shallow lures in shallow cover. White bass fair trolling deep running lures from mid lake to the upper end. Report submitted by Monte Brooks of Cookson.
NORTHWEST
Canton: March 24. Elevation 14 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear. Walleye slow on jigs and crankbaits along the dam after sundown. Channel catfish good on shad in the river channel near Canadian Campground. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed Blaine County.
Ft. Supply: March 25. Elevation 1 ft. below normal. Crappie fair jigging at the intake and riprap at the dam. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Woodward County.
SOUTHEAST
Arbuckle: March 23. Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 58. Fish are still on the move from deep water to shallow water. Crappie slow around docks and fair on swim jigs at 10-12 ft. White bass are scattered and best up the creek in the shallows under the gulls and terns. Bass slow on crankbaits and jerk baits and fair on jigs and Alabama rigs. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Blue River: March 25. Elevation normal, water 50 and clear. Trout good on orange, rainbow and pink Power Bait around current in larger pools. Fly fishing good on midges, woolly buggers, caddis flies and emergers below the falls and around riffles. Smallmouth and spotted bass fair on small crankbaits and soft plastic baits around structure in large pools. Channel catfish good on stinkbait and chicken liver in larger pools around current and brush. Approximately 2,000 rainbow trout stocked on March 18. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: March 25. Elevation near normal, water low 30s. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on plastic baits, jerk baits and jigs. Crappie good on minnows and jigs in deeper water around structure. Walleye good on jigs and rogues in the upper end of the lake and mouths of creeks. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: March 24. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on jerk baits and crankbaits along rocky areas. White bass fair on jigs below the dam when running water. Blue catfish good on shad along flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 8-10 ft. below docks and along riprap areas. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: March 24. Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 52. Largemouth bass and crappie fair on minnows along the river channels and drop-offs. White bass fair trolling crankbaits in the upper river channel. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.
Konawa: March 25. Elevation normal, water 52 and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms and crankbaits at 5-10 ft. along the cattails and points. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on shad and jigs at 15 ft. in the discharge canal. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mountain Fork: March 24. Fishing has been great. In addition to midges and blue-winged olive mayflies, March Browns and tan caddis flies are beginning to take trout throughout the river. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: March 24. Elevation 5 2/3 ft. below normal, water 50 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic bait at 15-25 ft. Crappie fair on minnows at 12-28 ft. over cedar brush in creek channels. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: March 24. Elevation below normal, water 47 and clear. Bass fair on soft plastic baits. Crappie good on minnows at the back of creek channels. Catfish fair on trotlines baited with cut shad. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: March 26. Bass fair on crankbaits and stick baits off points, along creek channels and in coves up river. White and spotted bass excellent up the Canadian River; look for concentrations of gulls. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 2-4 ft. up Big San Bois Creek and in strip pits; look for improvement with warmer days. Channel and blue catfish excellent on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait at 12-20 ft. close to creek and river channels. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis Lake: March 22. Elevation normal, water 59. Largemouth bass good on jerk baits, shallow running crankbaits, Slug-Go lures, spinnerbaits and plastic worms at 4-6 ft. White bass fair on jigs. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait and dead minnows. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 4-6 ft. Walleye fair to good trolling at 8-12 ft. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: March 24. Elevation 3 1/4 ft. below normal, water 52 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on plastic worms, spinnerbaits and large crankbaits at 10-15 ft. in creeks. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, slabs and sassy shad at 10-30 ft. from Alberta Creek to Caney Creek. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait, cut bait and stinkbait at 10-20 ft. from the Washita River to Platter Flats. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-20 ft. around underwater brush. Sunfish fair on worms and small tube jigs at 5-10 ft. around fishing docks. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: March 24. Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Crappie fair on minnows and white grubs at 10-12 ft. around brushy cover. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait and dead minnows at 10-15 ft. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
SOUTHWEST
Altus-Lugert: March 24. Elevation 26 3/4 ft. below normal and steady. Overall fishing is slowly improving. Walleye and catfish slow near the dam. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain Nature Park.
Ellsworth: March 24. Elevation 12 ft. below normal, water murky. Blue catfish fair on cut bait off rocky points. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around boathouses at Ralph’s Resort. Saugeye fair to good on spinnerbaits off the rocks by the dam. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Foss: March 25. Elevation 12 ft. below normal with gates closed, water low 50s and clear. Striped bass hybrids good on slabs in deep water. Walleye good on live bait. Crappie slow on live bait. Catfish good on live bait. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Ft. Cobb: March 26. Elevation 7 ft. below normal, water 53 and murky. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 6-8 ft. Channel and blue catfish good on cut shad around windy points. Report submitted by Tyler Howser, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Lawtonka: March 24. Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water clear. Crappie fair on jigs. Catfish fair on cut bait at the dam. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Tom Steed: March 25. Elevation 9 ft. below normal, water 48 and murky. Crappie slow on minnows at 15 ft. near the dam and brush piles. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.
Waurika: March 25. Elevation 11 ft. below normal, water murky. Striped bass hybrids excellent on plastic white flukes at 3-4 ft. along the dam. Channel and blue catfish good on cut shad and punch bait. Report submitted by Ted Hasty, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.
Oklahoma legislators ponder hunting, fishing bills
It would be legal for Oklahoma noodlers to catch and keep channel catfish (above) and blue catfish in addition to flatheads under a bill pending in the Oklahoma Legislature.
Here is a glance at the wildlife-related bills that have been introduced this legislative session and are still active.
Senate Bill 16: Would make it where holders of lifetime hunting licenses in Oklahoma would not have to buy a bear hunting license.
Senate Bill 216: Would require hunting guides to possess a hunting guide license from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, which would establish requirements for the license. The bill establishes a license fee of $100 for residents and $300 for non-residents.
Senate Bill 324: Would make it legal to noodle for blue catfish and channel catfish. Currently, only flathead catfish in Oklahoma are legal to catch and keep by hand-fishing.
Senate Bill 780: Would increase the minimum amount a person could be fined for improperly disposing of wildlife from $100 to $500.
Senate Bill 819: Would allow disabled persons to use laser sights for hunting.
Senate Bill 875: Would add elk to the list of wildlife nuisance species for which the Wildlife Department could issue depredation tags to control.
Senate Bill 919: Would allow aerial hunting of depredating wildlife with a permit from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
House Bill 1010: Would allow bowfishing, gigging and spear-gunning on the Upper Illinois River.
House Bill 1244: Would create a one-day non-resident fishing license and a nuisance wildlife control license.
House Bill 1595: Would increase from six months to one year the amount of time that people must live in Oklahoma before being able to buy a lifetime hunting and fishing license from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
House Bill 1596: Tightens residency requirements for persons wishing to buy lifetime hunting and fishing licenses in Oklahoma, including preventing use of an Oklahoma driver’s license as sole proof of residency.
House Bill 1920: Would allow feral hogs and other depredating animals to be shot from a helicopter.
House Bill 1928: Would modify apprentice designated hunting licenses to allow anyone younger than 30 to hunt with an apprentice license while supervised by another licensed hunter. The current law allows anyone ages 8 to 30 to get an apprentice license.
