Hunting regulation on white deer repealed
Dana Hellbusch of Edmond took this white buck during the 2009 deer season in Logan County. Lawmakers have repealed the hunting regulation which required hunters to first obtain permission from the state wildlife director before killing a white or piebald deer.
Oklahoma deer hunters no longer need permission from the state wildlife director before killing a white or piebald deer during the deer hunting seasons.
Oklahoma lawmakers have repealed the prohibition against killing such deer without prior approval from the state wildlife director.
House Bill 1314 was signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin last week and is effective immediately.
In 2010, former legislator Terry Harrison of McAlester received a $296 fine from a game warden for killing a white deer during the deer gun season. He was unaware of the regulation that required permission from the state wildlife director.
Since 1998, Oklahoma hunters had been required to get permission from the state wildlife director before harvesting a white or piebald deer. Piebald deer are deer with large white patches.
When a Guthrie hunter took a white buck in Logan County in 1997, it led to a legislative attempt to protect the animals.
There are a pocket of white deer around the state, including in Logan County. White deer are the same as other white-tailed deer except for the color, which is caused by a genetic mutation. White and piebald deer are rare and because of their color, they are more susceptible to predators.
A bill was introduced to make it illegal for hunters to kill white deer in 1998, but what was passed was the regulation which has now been repealed.
It’s been a needless hoop for hunters to jump through because no Oklahoma hunter had ever been denied permission by a state wildlife director to harvest a white deer.
A handful of white deer are taken by hunters each year in Oklahoma.
Turkey season set to open in southeast Oklahoma
Kevin Bennett and his son, Zach, of Yukon took these Rio Grande toms while hunting in Major County west of Fairview on a family farm..
Turkey hunters in eight southeastern Oklahoma counties will finally get their chance in the woods Monday when spring turkey season opens in Atoka, Coal, Pittsburg, Latimer, Le Flore, McCurtain, Pushmataha and Choctaw counties.
Spring turkey season – which opened April 6 in the rest of the state – was delayed until April 23 this year in southeastern Oklahoma in an attempt to rebuild the dwindling turkey populations there.
State wildlife officials say the population of the Eastern sub-species of turkeys, which inhabit the forests of southeastern Oklahoma, has almost been cut in half in the last seven years.
The decline is primarily due to inclement weather at the worst time of the year: drought and flooding during spring nesting seasons.
The hope is that closing the first half of turkey season in southeastern Oklahoma will keep nesting undisturbed and help rebuild the population.
Spring turkey season ends statewide on May 6. The spring youth turkey season is Saturday and Sunday in those eight southeastern Oklahoma counties.
Weekly Fishing Report
Stephanie Sertic of Denison,Texas landed this blue catfish on the Red River while fishing with guide Norman O'Neal. The blue cat weighed more than 60 pounds.
Here is this week’s fishing report compiled by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation:
CENTRAL
Arcadia: April 15. White bass good on spoons around points. Channel catfish good on chicken liver around points and shorelines. Crappie good. Report submitted by Chance Whiteley, game warden stationed Oklahoma County.
Arcadia: April 13. Elevation normal, water 72 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on minnows at 5-10 ft. along north banks and near the dam in the mornings. Channel catfish good on cut bait just off bottom along northeast banks in the evenings. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 6 ft. south of the dam and south side docks in the mornings. All other fishing fair. Report submitted by Linnie Mason, gate attendant.
Hefner: April 16. Elevation normal and rising, water 69-73 and muddy. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and flukes at 2-5 ft. along submerged weeds. Smallmouth bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits at 4-8 ft. along weeds and rocky shorelines. White bass good on sassy shad and grubs at 2-8 ft. along shallow shorelines and the input area. Striped bass hybrids good on sassy shad and crankbaits at 2-8 ft. around windy points and the intake area. Channel catfish good on punchbait, cut bait and worms at 6-10 ft. around the dam and the intake area. Blue catfish good on punchbait, cut bait and worms at 6-15 ft. around the dam and the intake area. Crappie good on jigs and small grubs at 2-10 ft. around docks and the dam. Walleye good on crankbaits and drifting night crawlers at 2-8 ft. around shallow points and the dam. Sunfish and bluegill good on worms. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.
Thunderbird: April 15. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water muddy. Crappie fair on small minnows and small jigs at 3 -5 ft. around structure and off fishing docks. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.
Wes Watkins: April 16. Elevation 4 ft. below normal and rising, water 69 and muddy. All boat ramps are open. Largemouth bass fair along shorelines. Channel catfish good on liver. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-7 ft. Report submitted by Mike France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.
NORTHEAST
Bell Cow: April 15. Elevation above normal, water 66 and muddy. Bass good on plastic lizards and worms. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.
Birch: April 16. Elevation normal, water 70 and murky. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around structure. Report submitted by David Clay, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Chandler: April 15. Elevation above normal, water 67 and muddy. Bass good on plastic baits. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.
Copan: April 15. Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water clearing. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 3-6 ft. from boats around the lake as well as fishing with jigs from the new fishing dock at Copan Point. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.
Eucha: April 17. Elevation slightly above normal, water 64 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 14-16 ft. around brush and structure. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits. Bluegill fair on crickets. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Ft. Gibson: April 13. Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 64 and stained. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits at 2-10 ft. along gravel beds and rocky out cropping. Crappie good on small jigs, minnows and corks at 1-5 ft. early and late. Catfish excellent on shad, cut bait and nightcrawlers in the main lake and below the dam. White bass good on white Bobby Garland jigs and tube jigs in the creeks. Report submitted by Rick Stafford in Wagoner.
Grand: April 17. Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water 66. Largemouth bass good on jig-and-pig and crankbaits in the shallows. White bass fair up creeks. Catfish good on fresh cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-10 ft. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Delaware County.
Greenleaf: April 17. Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits, bill baits, crankbaits, plastic worms and jigs along creek channels, brush structure, rocky points and shorelines. Catfish good on fresh cut bait on bottom. Crappie good on minnows and jigs in yellow, red and green around fishing docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Hudson: April 18. Elevation 1 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits and spinnerbaits. White bass good in the upper end of creeks, at the mouths of creeks that feed into the main river and below the dam. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on cut bait. Crappie good on small lures and minnows in the upper end of creeks. Paddlefish good in the upper end of the lake. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Rogers and Mayes counties.
Hulah: April 15. Elevation is 5.5 ft. above normal, water clearing. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 4-8 ft. Catfish fair on cut shad and worms below the dam. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.
Kaw: April 16. Elevation rising. Fishing subject to change with rising water levels. White bass good below the dam. Blue catfish good below the dam. Crappie good on minnows at 4-10 ft. Paddlefish fair below the dam. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Keystone: April 15. Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water 65. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-10 ft. Catfish fair on shad and cut bait at 10 ft. Report submitted Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: April 16. Elevation normal, water 42 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits at 1-2 ft. all along the river. White bass fair on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-2 ft. all along the river. Channel catfish excellent on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie fair on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-2 ft. all along the river. Trout being caught fly-fishing the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom at the dam, Marval’s and Watts. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.
Oologah: April 15. Elevation 5 1/2 ft. above normal and dropping, water lower 60s and muddy on the north end and murky on the south end. Blue and channel catfish fair on shad at 10 ft. in the upper end of the lake near the mouth of the river. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 3-5 ft. around flooded willows. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits at 3-5 ft. around flooded trees and brush. White bass fair on jigs below the dam. Blue catfish fair on shad below the dam. Report submitted Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Skiatook: April 17. Elevation 7 1/2 ft. below normal, water upper 50s to lower 60s and murky. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on topwater lures along the riprap at the dam. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Sooner: April 16. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on live shad and slabs. Catfish good on cut bait and live bait around the dam as they pump water. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Spavinaw: April 17. Elevation slightly above normal, water 65 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Tenkiller: April 16. Elevation 2 ft. above normal and dropping, water 68 and stained. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on soft plastics in brush. Catfish fair on flip-flops with cut shad at 30-40 ft. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around docks and brush. Sunfish good on worm-tipped jigs in docks. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.
Webbers Falls: April 17. Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water murky. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, buzz baits and spinnerbaits along creek channels, riprap and brush structure. Catfish good on fresh cut bait on bottom drifting and on the mudflats. Crappie good on minnows and jigs in black and purple around brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
NORTHWEST
Canton: April 14. Elevation 8 ft. below normal, water clear. Crappie good on minnows and jigs along the dam. Largemouth bass good on soft plastics along the dam. White bass good on jigs and crankbaits along the dam. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
Ft. Supply: April 16. Elevation normal, water murky. White bass fair on jigs and spinnerbaits all over the lake. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs along shorelines near jetties and the dam. Walleye good trolling the shallows along the sandbars. Report submitted Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Woodward County.
SOUTHEAST
Arbuckle: April 14. Elevation 1 1/3 ft. above normal, water 71 and stained in the creeks and 69 and mostly clear in the lake. Lots of floating algae on surface, especially on the calm days. Crappie on chartreuse jigs at 10-15 ft. along banks; they have not spawned. Bass being caught on flukes, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and shaky head worms in the shallows. White bass being caught trolling medium-diving crankbaits all over the lake and near the dam. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Blue River: April 17. Elevation normal, water slightly stained. Channel catfish have recently been stocked and good on worms and prepared baits. Bass improving. Trout fair. Report submitted by Matt Mauck, fisheries supervisor for the south central region.
Broken Bow: April 15. Elevation slightly above normal and dropping. Bass good on pink flukes around structure and shallows. White bass excellent on white and yellow rooster tails and on yellow and white smoke grubs with 1/4-ounce lead heads; they are running in the upper end of the lake, in Panther Creek and up streams. Channel catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait and sunfish. Crappie fair to good on pumpkin seed and chartreuse tail grubs at 5-8 ft. in shallows. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: April 15. Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water clear in the east and murky in the west. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits around rocky areas and on plastic baits in flooded timber. White bass good on jigs below the dam. Blue catfish good on shad in shallow rocky areas and around shallow points. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 4-10 ft. in main feeder creeks. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: April 15. Elevation normal. Crappie and bass good along the button brush, along the river channel and off main points. Crappie being caught on minnows and green and black jigs at 4-6 ft. Bass good on spinnerbaits and jigs in and around the brush. Catfish being caught on trotlines baited with sunfish and goldfish in the main lake. Blue catfish good below the dam on cut bait and shad. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.
Konawa: April 15. Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water 69 and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms at 3-5 ft. in the cattails. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on shad and jigs at 15 ft. in the discharge canal. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait at 5-10 ft. around points. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mt. Fork: April 15. Water lower 60s. Rainbows being caught on March browns in the red zone. Big rainbows being caught on rooster tails and spoons near the power house. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: April 15. Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 65 and clear. Largemouth bass good on soft plastic lures and spinnerbaits at 1-6 ft. Crappie fair at 8-20 ft. around cedar brush just off of main creek channels. Channel and flathead catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with live bait. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Murray: April 16. Elevation below normal and rising, water 68 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass very good on various baits. White bass good on minnows and jigs. Catfish good on stinkbait and worms. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5-10 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.
Pine Creek: April 15. Elevation normal, water clear. Bass good on Zara Spook’s in shallow water around secondary points. Crappie excellent on grubs in shallow water. Catfish good on juglines baited with cut shad. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: April 18. Elevation normal. Bass fair to good on crankbaits and spinnerbaits at 2-5 ft. Blue catfish excellent on juglines and trotlines baited with cut shad. Flathead catfish fair on trotlines baited with live bait. Crappie good to excellent on minnows and chartreuse/black or pink/black jigs at 2-4 ft. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: April 15. Elevation normal, water 73. Largemouth bass good on swim baits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and worms at 2-10 ft. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 6-8 ft. Walleye fair trolling at 12-14 ft. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: April 15. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. above normal, water 62 and murky north and clear south. Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastic combination baits at 5-15 ft. around the fish attractors and riprap and in the clear creek channel. Striped and white bass good on live bait, sassy shad and slabs at 10-20 ft. from Alberta Creek to the south and west. Channel and blue catfish good on live bait, worms and stink baits at 10-20 ft. from Platter Flats to the north. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. around the fish attractors, boat docks and upper creeks that are clear. Paddlefish fair below the dam while generating. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: April 15. Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish good on juglines baited with cut shad, liver and nightcrawlers. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
SOUTHWEST
Altus-Lugert: April 15. Elevation 24 1/3 ft. below normal and rising slowly. Crappie good on minnows and jigs all over the lake. White bass and walleye being caught on minnows around Hicks Mountain and Horsehead. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson.
Ellsworth: April 16. Elevation 11 ft. below normal, water murky. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs in 4-6 ft. at Ralphs Resort and Fisherman’s Cove, catfish good on cut bait off rocky points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Foss: April 16. Elevation 6 1/2 ft. below normal, water 60s and clear. Inflow of water has increased with our recent rains. Striped bass hybrids fair while drifting with live bait in front of dam. Walleye fair with live bait or light-colored lures. Crappie fair around structures with jigs or worms. Catfish good on juglines with cut bait. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Ft. Cobb: April 16. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 68 and murky. Striped bass hybrids good on cut bait, rattletraps, crankbaits and swim baits at 4-5 ft. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 4-8 ft. Largemouth bass good on soft plastics, swim baits and topwater plugs at 3-6 ft. early and late. Report submitted by Tyler Howser, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Ft. Cobb: April 15. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 74 and clear. All boat ramps are open. Crappie good on minnows around the marina and boat slips in late evening and early mornings. Catfish being caught on juglines baited with cut shad around rocks by the dam mainly at night. Saugeye being caught on slabs in late evening. Report submitted by Sgt. Kevin Bean, park ranger at Ft. Cobb State Park.
Tom Steed: April 17. Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water 58 and murky in the lake and muddy in the creeks. Crappie fair on white and chartreuse jigs at 4-8 ft. near rocks. Saugeye good on minnows and jigs along rocky points. Channel catfish fair on cut baits and live baits at 6-15 ft. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.
Waurika: April 15. Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water muddy. Blue catfish slow to fair on cut shad, worms and punchbait around windy points and shorelines and on juglines in the main part of the lake. Report submitted by Vince Mesis, game warden stationed in Cotton County.
Apply now for Forestry and Wildlife camp
Beaver's Bend State Park in McCurtain County is the site of the Forestry and Wildlife Camp this summer.
Students can now sign up for the 56th Annual Oklahoma Youth Forestry & Wildlife Camp.
On-line applications for campers ages 13 to 15 are eligible. Students will learning about forestry, wildlife and natural resources in the week-long camp June 4-9 in Beavers Bend State Park near Broken Bow.
The camp is open to boys and girls from across the state.
“Only 50 spots are available, so we urge interested campers to sign up now,” said Camp Director Caleb Fields. “While learning about forestry and wildlife, campers will enjoy fly fishing, archery, skeet shooting and fun field trips.”
The camp is coordinated by Oklahoma Forestry Services, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.
A camper fee of $175 covers all costs including lodging, meals, transportation at camp, field trips, and workshops.
Partial scholarships are available on a limited basis.
Applications will be accepted until May 18 and are available at www.forestry.ok.gov or by calling (405) 522-6158.
The website also has additional camp information. Leaders and camp counselors, ages 18-22, also can apply.
Camp counselors will receive a stipend of $200 for the week.
Volunteer adult leaders are also eligible to bring one camper for no charge.
Birding tours on Hackberry
Hackberry Flat near Frederick in southwest Oklahoma is a popular site for bird watching as more than 190 bird species have been seen. The most popular times for birding on Hackberry is March through May.
Birding tours are being offered Saturday at Hackberry Flat near Frederick in southwest Oklahoma.
A morning birding tour for intermediate and advanced birdwatchers begins at 8:30 a.m.
Birding tours for beginners and families are offered four times on Saturday: 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m.
To make reservations for a bird tour, send an e-mail to mhickman@zoo.odwc.state.ok.us to specifiy which of the four time slots are preferred as well as the number of people in the group.
Visitors may also sign up for a tour upon arrival Saturday at the Hackberry Flat Visitor’s Center, but each tour group is limited to 20 people.
In addition to the birding tours, visitors to Hackberry Flat on Saturday may also try archery and shotgun shooting for both skilled and beginning shooters, crayfish hunting, and close-up observation of the sport fish of Oklahoma in the Wildlife Department’s large aquarium.
A wetland classroom will be presented by Quartz Mountain Nature Park and the OK Wildlife and Prairie Heritage Alliance.
An interactive exhibit about bats in Oklahoma will be presented by Alabaster Caverns State Park.
Participants in the Hackberry Flat Day activities are exempt from possessing a hunting or fishing license or conservation passport normally required when entering most wildlife management areas.
All activities will begin at the Hackberry Flat Center, a facility that provides wetland classroom experiences for school groups, programs on wildlife and wildlife-related activities as well as meeting facilities for resource-oriented programs, workshops and meetings.
For more information about the Hackberry Flat Center, call Melynda Hickman, Wildlife Diversity biologist for the Wildlife Department, at (405) 990-4977.
Help clean up Overholser and Stinchcomb
Two people enjoy a canoe trip and bird watching in the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge in northwest Oklahoma City. On Saturday, volunteers will be cleaning up the refuge and Lake Overholser as part of Earth Day.
On Saturday, volunteers will be cleaning up Lake Overholser and the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge. About 200 people are expected to show for the event in celebration of Earth Day, said Karen Miles, clean-up coordinator.
Volunteers are meeting at 8:30 a.m. at the Overholser Pavilion near NW 14 and East Overholser Drive in Oklahoma City. They will then be divided into teams and assigned to 10 different areas including a team who will be picking up trash on the water via kayaks.
Water is provided as well as lunch at 12:30 p.m. back at the Overholser Pavilion courtesy of Earl’s Rib Palace, Jersey Mike’s and Cimarron Steak House.
And if you need more incentive than that to help, during lunch there will be a raffle for numerous prizes: A birdhouse from the Audubon Society, free tickets to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, certificates for free oil changes (Hibdon Tires Plus/John’s Goodyear Auto Service Center in Bethany/Rockwell Lube & Auto Repair);
A gift card from Schlegel Bicycles, two tickets to the Lyric Theatre’s production of “Call Me Madam” at the Civic Center, coffee klatch from Java Dave’s on 9th street (coffee and free pastry for the bearer and eight friends), gift card from Buy-4-Less;
A gift card for a complimentary small chocolate fondue for two at the Melting Pot, a pair of tickets to the Jewel Box Theatre’s production of “Around the World in Eighty Days”, pair of tickets to B&B Windsor 10 Theatre, a free one-hour massage in your home by Kat;
Two Amphibian/Reptile books and a Landscaping for Wildlife book from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, a pedicure, gift certificate for four to attend any Barons home game, an electric tool and knife sharpener from Westlake Ace Hardware in Bethany, bags of coffee from Starbucks, and a certificate for a group of four to participate in Oklahoma City Riversport’s Adventure Saturday (includes kayak, bike, stand-up paddle boat, rowing).
There are also food gift cards or certificates from Taco Cabana, Rib Crib (on Meridian and in Yukon), Panera Bread, Focus FCU (for Braum’s), Kamp’s 1910 Café, Western Sizzlin/Mackie’s Steakhouse, Kaiser’s American Bistro, Bad Brad’s, Red Cup, Ludivine, Paseo Grill, the Beatnix Café, the Wedge Pizzeria, Chilis, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Gopuram, Hensley’s Top shelf Grill, Interurban, Johnny Carino’s Italian, Logan’s Roadhouse (free appetizer), and $3 off coupons from Louie’s Grill & Bar in Yukon.
This clean-up is part of Keep Oklahoma Beautiful’s (KOB) Great American Clean-Up, OKC Beautiful’s Litter Blitz, OK Dept. of Transportation’s Trash-Off, and American Rivers’ National River Clean-Up.
It has been made possible with financial support from Chesapeake Energy, KOB/OG&E Growth Grant, Oklahoma Clean Lakes & Watersheds Association (OCLWA), and the DEQ Green Team.
The clean-up also receives in-kind donations from OKC Kayaks who will once again be donating use of their kayaks for the flotilla to clean the waterways in Overholser & Stinchcomb, the City of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, and Pepsi Bottling Group.
Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes, hat, sturdy gloves, insect repellant, and sunscreen. The clean-up will be held whether rain or shine.
For more information, call Miles at 702-8192 or email her at Karen.miles@deq.ok.gov.
karen.miles@deq.ok.gov.
Weekly Fishing Report
Oklahoma City firefighter Justin Howard caught this big largemouth bass off a spawning bed in an Oklahoma County golf course pond
Here is this week’s fishing report as compiled by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
CENTRAL
Arcadia: April 8. Elevation normal. Bass good on topwater lures in early morning. Catfish fair to good on stinkbait and chicken liver along the flats and points. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Chance Whiteley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Hefner: April 9. Elevation normal, water 70-73 and murky. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and plastic worms at 2-5 ft. in the shallows and weeds. Smallmouth bass good on crankbaits at 4-8 ft. along the rocks. White bass good on grubs and Gay Blades at 2-8 ft. along shallow shorelines and around the input area. Striped bass good on grubs and Gay Blades at 2-8 ft. around windy points. Channel catfish good on punchbait, cut bait and worms at 6-10 ft. Blue catfish fair on punchbait, cut bait and worms at 6-15 ft. Crappie good on jigs at 2-10 ft. around docks and the dam. Walleye fair on grubs and crankbaits at 2-8 ft. along rocky shoreline areas. Sunfish and bluegill good on worms. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.
Overholser: April 9. Elevation near normal, water murky. Catfish slow on stinkbait and fresh shad all over lake. Striped bass hybrids fair on worms on the west side. Crappie slow at the fishing dock and along riprap. Report submitted David Rempe, game warden in Oklahoma and Canadian counties.
Thunderbird: April 8. Elevation 2 1/3 ft. below normal, water murky. Crappie fair on small minnows and small jigs at 3-6 ft. on structure and off fishing docks. Bass fair on spinnerbaits at 3-6 ft. in coves around structure. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.
Wes Watkins: April 9. Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 72 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits at 3-4 ft. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5 ft. Report submitted by Mike France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.
NORTHEAST
Birch: April 8. Elevation below normal, water 62 and stained. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and worms. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 3-5 ft. Report submitted by David Clay, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Carl Blackwell: April 8. Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 70 and murky. Crappie good at 6-8 ft. Saugeye good around rock structure and points. Striped bass hybrids good trolling crankbaits. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County.
Copan: April 10. Elevation normal, water clearing. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 3-6 ft. from boats around the lake and on jigs from the new fishing dock at Copan Point. Channel catfish good near and around Copan Point loop and on the rocks around Washington Cove. Blue catfish fair near and around Copan Point loop and on the rocks around Washington Cove. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.
Eucha: April 10. Elevation slightly above normal, water 67 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush and structure. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits. White bass fair trolling. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Ft. Gibson: April 7. Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water 64 and clear. White bass excellent on white grubs and rooster tails below the low water dam and they are in the creeks and above Chouteau Bend in the river. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and plastic worms at 2-5 ft. along the rocky shoreline. Catfish excellent on cut baits and shad below the dam and in the main lake. Crappie starting to spawn and working the banks on black and chartreuse minnows and jigs at 1-3 ft. Report submitted by Rick Stafford in Wagoner .
Grand: April 10.Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 64 and murky. White bass fair on jigs and spoons. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with fresh cut bait above Sailboat Bridge. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around docks and shorelines. Paddlefish good. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Delaware County.
Greenleaf: April 9. Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jig-and-worm along creek channels, rocky points, brush structure and shorelines. Catfish good on fresh cut bait at the spillway and creek channels in the upper end. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around fishing docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Hulah: April 10. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. above normal, water clearing. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 4-6 ft. Catfish fair on cut shad and worms below the dam. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.
Kaw: April 9. Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 62 and stained. Blue catfish good on fresh cut bait in the upper end in the Arkansas River arm. Crappie good on minnows at 5 ft. in all creek channels in the upper end; Beaver Creek is the best. Paddlefish good below Kaw Dam. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Keystone: April 8. Elevation normal, water 62. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5-10 ft. Catfish excellent on shad and cut bait at 10 ft. White bass fair at 15 ft. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.
Lower Illinois: April 9. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits at 1-2 ft. all along the river. White bass fair on jigs and spinnerbaits at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Striped bass fair on jigs at 1-4 ft. at the mouth of the river. Channel catfish excellent on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie fair on 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 at the dam, Watts, Marval and Gore Landing. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.
Oologah: April 8. Elevation 7 ft. above normal and falling, water lower 60s and muddy on the north end and murky on the south end. Blue and channel catfish fair on shad at 10 ft. in the upper end of the lake near the mouth of the river. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 3-5 ft. around flooded willows. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits at 3-5 ft. around flooded trees and brush. White bass fair on jigs below the dam. Blue catfish fair on shad below the dam. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Skiatook: April 10. Elevation 9 1/2 ft. below normal. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on topwater lures along the riprap at the dam. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-20 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Sooner: April 9. White bass fair on live shad and slabs on the cold water side of the lake and good trolling the warm water side of the lake. Catfish good on cut bait and live bait on the north side of the dam. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Spavinaw: April 10. Elevation slightly above normal, water 66 and clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits. Bluegill fair on crickets. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa.
Tenkiller: April 9. Elevation 7 ft. above normal and falling, water 68 and stained. Largemouth and spotted bass slow on soft plastic worms in brush. Catfish fair on flip-flops with cut shad at 30-40 ft. Sunfish good on worm-tipped jigs in or near docks. Crappie slow on minnows or soft plastic jigs in docks. Report submitted by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.
Webbers Falls: April 9. Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits, chatter baits and crankbaits along riprap, creek channels and brush structure. Catfish good drifting on bottom at the mudflats and creeks where water is coming in. Crappie good on minnows and jigs in purple and black. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
NORTHWEST
Canton: April 7. Elevation 8 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs near brush along dam. White bass good on jigs and crankbaits along dam. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
Ft. Supply: April 9. Elevation normal. White bass fair on minnows and jigs in the upper end. Crappie fair jigging the shallows around the jetties. Walleye fair on minnows and white grubs along shorelines and below the dam. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Woodward County.
SOUTHEAST
Blue River: April 9. Elevation normal, water 64 and murky. Smallmouth and spotted bass fair on soft plastics and small crankbaits worked around structure. Channel catfish excellent on minnows, stinkbait and chicken liver around current in deeper pools. Flathead catfish fair on live sunfish in larger pools at night. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: April 8. Elevation slightly above normal and dropping. Bass good on pink flukes around structure and shallows. White bass excellent on white and yellow rooster tails and on yellow and white smoke grubs with 1/4-ounce lead heads; they are running in the upper end of the lake, in Panther Creek and up streams. Channel catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait and sunfish. Crappie fair to good on pumpkin seed and chartreuse tail grubs at 5-8 ft. in shallows. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: April 9. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. above normal, water clear in the east and muddy in the west. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits flipping the brush and on crankbaits in rocky areas. White bass good in feeder creeks and below the dam. Blue catfish good on fresh shad and worms in shallow flats or deep rocky areas. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 2-6 ft. around rocky areas, brush areas and riprap. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: April 8. Elevation normal, water 57. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush and along the creek channels. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and soft plastics around the flooded brush. Catfish and crappie fair to good below the dam. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.
Konawa: April 9. Elevation normal, water 72 and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms at 4-8 ft. in weed beds. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on jigs and shad at 15 ft. in the discharge canal. Channel catfish good on cut shad and stinkbait at 15 ft. in the discharge canal. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
Lower Mt. Fork: April 8. Water flow 100 c.f.s. above the powerhouse, water 58 and visibility 3 ft. Call 866-494-1993 for hydroelectric release schedule. Big rainbows and browns have been caught this week on March Brown Dry flies on smooth water; high stick presentation with nymphs in fast water. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
McGee Creek: April 8. Elevation 1 1/4 ft. above normal, water 63 and clear. Largemouth bass good on soft plastic lures and spinnerbaits at 1-6 ft. Crappie fair at 8-20 ft. around cedar brush just off of main creek channels. Channel and flathead catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with live bait. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Murray: April 9. Elevation below normal and rising, water 68 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass very good on various baits. White bass good on minnows and jigs. Catfish good on stinkbait and worms. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5-10 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.
Pine Creek: April 8. Elevation above normal, water clear. Bass fair on crankbaits at 15 ft. Crappie excellent on minnows near brush and timber and on chartreuse and orange rooster tails in the shallows. Catfish great on liver and cut shad near creek channels and flooded timber. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Roberts S. Kerr: April 10. Elevation normal, water murky. Bass good on soft plastic baits along grass beds and riprap. Catfish fair on shad and cut bait in creek channels. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-7 ft. Report submitted by Leland Sockey, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis: April 9. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, swim baits and spinnerbaits at 3-8 ft. White bass fair on minnows and jigs at the mouth of creeks. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait and dead minnows. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 2-8 ft. Walleye fair trolling crankbaits at 12-14 ft. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: April 8. Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water 60 and murky to the north and clear to the south. Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastic worms at 10-15 ft. in the creek channels and near fish attractors. Striped and white bass good on live bait, sassy shad and slabs at 15-20 ft. from Alberta Creek to Caney Creek. Channel and blue catfish good on worms, stinkbait, and live bait at 10-15 ft. from Platter Flats to Catfish Bay. Crappie good on minnows, various jigs and small spinnerbaits at 5-15 ft. around the fishing docks and fish attractors and in the upper creek channels. Paddlefish fair while generating below the dam. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: April 8. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal, water murky. Crappie good on minnows and jigs below the dam. Largemouth bass good on black 6-inch plastic worms, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish good on juglines baited with cut shad and liver. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
SOUTHWEST
Altus-Lugert: April 8. Elevation 25 below normal and rising slowly. Walleye and white bass being caught on minnows and jigs at the main swim beach and little Hicks. Crappie, white bass and walleye being caught from the rocks around Horsehead. Reports of large crappie being caught over the weekend. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson.
Ellsworth: April 8. Elevation 11 ft. below normal, water murky. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 4-6 ft. Catfish good on cut bait off rocky points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.
Foss: April 9. Elevation 6 1/2 ft. below normal with gates closed, water mid 60s and clear. Striped bass hybrids and walleye fair to good on live bait near the dam. Crappie fair around marina area. Catfish fair on cut bait. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Ft. Cobb: April 10. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 67. Striped bass hybrids good on crankbaits, rattletraps and live bait at 4-5 ft. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5-8 ft. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and good on topwater baits late in evening. Report turned in by Tyler Howser, game warden stationed in Caddo County.
Tom Steed: April 8. Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water 56 and murky. Crappie slow on minnows at 5-10 ft. at Glen Creek and near the dam. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on minnows on bottom off windy points. Catfish good on cut baits all over the lake. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.
Waurika: April 8. Elevation below normal, water murky to muddy. White bass are not running in Beaver Creek. Striped bass hybrids slow on jigs, cut shad and crawdad tails at the dam in the mornings. Blue catfish slow on cut shad, worms and stinkbait along windy shorelines and points and slow on juglines in the channels. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs at the rocks at Corum Bridge and at the fishing dock at Wichita Ridge. Report submitted by Vince Mesis, game warden stationed in Cotton County.
H&H Power Lunch Chat with Ed Godfrey and marksmen Chris Andersen & Jesse Tischauser
Spring trout fishing excellent on the Lower Mountain Fork
The spring hatch of bugs on the Lower Mountain Fork River has produced some excellent trout fishing
Spring trout fishing on the Lower Mountain Fork River in McCurtain County has been fantastic, reports Donny Carter of Stratford, an avid fly fisherman who makes frequent trips to Oklahoma’s best year-round trout stream.
Carter sent me an email about his latest trip to the river and called the experience “dry fly fishing at its finest. Hatches like you wouldn’t believe. It’s close your mouth fishing unless you want to be eating the same thing the trout are having.”
Carter said the browns were boiling the surface for the caddis and small mayflies one day last week. He fished with a dry fly all day long to catch rainbows and browns.
“I used the Adams exclusively but in various sizes depending on the size mayfly that was hatching,” Carter said. “Late that evening, that’s when it was unreal. Large March Browns (a mayfly, caddis and smaller midges were just everywhere. It was a blizzard hatch.
“I couldn’t hardly release a fish without a bug flying in my eyes, nose, down my shirt and so on. Trout were boiling on the surface everywhere. As soon as my No. 12 Adams hit the surface, a trout would attack it. I fished ‘til dark, but it wasn’t because the trout were not still feeding. I was just ready to call it quits and make the long drive home. It was one to write down in the books as a very rewarding day.”
And if you are looking for a nice cabin to stay on a trip to the Lower Mountain Fork River, check out http://www.foxruncabins.com. Right now they are even running some April discounts.
Practice safety when turkey hunting
Dawson Salle, 8, of Guthrie harvested his first turkey during the youth season last weekend.
Oklahoma’s spring turkey season opens Friday at the National Wild Turkey Federation advises hunters to heed the following safety tips:
- Leave the area if you suspect there’s another hunter already working the same bird.
- Resist the urge to stalk turkey sounds. It is nearly impossible to sneak up on a turkey. They see and hear the slightest movements. Stalking is one of the most common causes of accidents.
- Pick your spot in open timber rather than thick brush. Eliminating movement and excess noise is more critical to success than hiding in heavy cover. Camouflage clothing also helps.
- When calling turkeys, place your back against a large stump, tree trunk, rock, etc., that is wider than your shoulders and higher than your head to avoid potential confusion from other hunters.
- Never wear red, white, blue or black – those are colors of a wild turkey gobbler’s head and body – even on socks or buttons.
- Do not wear any bright colors. Wear dark undershirts and socks and pants long enough to tuck into boots.
- Remain still and speak in a loud, clear voice to announce yourself to other hunters if necessary.
- Never move, wave or make turkey sounds to alert another hunter of your presence.
- Keep your hands and head camouflaged when calling.
- Maintain a clear field of view when using a camouflage blind or netting. Set a perimeter of no more than 40 yards.
- Make sure your decoy is not visible when you are transporting it. Stash the decoy in your vest and check that the head is not sticking out.
- If you harvest a wild turkey during your hunting trip, you should cover the bird’s head and body when carrying it to your vehicle.
- Put your gun safety on and approach the downed bird with your firearm pointed in a safe direction after firing.
- Never run with a firearm.
