Oklahoma Fishing Reports
FROM OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Reports —
Trout stocking suspended at Lower Illinois River
Trout stocking at the Lower Illinois River near Gore has been suspended until water quality improves according to officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The trout fishery is supported by water released from Lake Tenkiller. The majority of that water is released for hydropower generation. However during non-generation hours the only water available to maintain suitable flows, oxygen levels and water temperatures has come from an allocation loaned to ODWC by Sequoyah Fuels Corp. That allocation has run out.
The Lower Illinois River is one of the only two year-round trout fisheries in the state and is managed by the Wildlife Department. While the long, dry summer of 2011 has contributed to poor water quality and insufficient water quantity, the underlying issue is that there is no permanent water allocation in Lake Tenkiller dedicated to the trout fishery. ODWC is pursuing possible solutions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other users of water in Lake Tenkiller. Officials hope that trout stocking can resume once flows are restored and water quality improves.
SOUTHEAST
Arbuckle: September 17. Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 73 in upper arms and 77 in main lake. Bass being caught on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and finesse worm rigs. White bass on grubs and rattletraps off points. Crappie good on blue/pearl jigs at 12-25 ft. Channel catfish being caught on doughbaits in Guy Sandy Creek. Sunfish good in shallows. Report submitted by Jack Melton.
Broken Bow: September 18. Elevation 7-8 ft. below normal, water high 80s to low 90s. Largemouth bass good on motor oil or black large plastic lures Texas or Carolina rigged around points in early morning, late evening and at night. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait early and late. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around structure. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: September 18. Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair along rocks and deeper points. White bass fair on flats early and late. Blue catfish fair on shad drifting the deeper flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-18 ft. in standing timber. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Konawa: September 19. Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures and crankbaits at 5-10 ft. in coves and weed beds early and late. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
McGee Creek: September 18. Elevation 3 2/3 ft. below normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and swim baits at 6-12 ft. and on topwater lures along the shorelines early and late. Crappie fair around cedar brush at 8-16 ft. just off of main creek channels. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Pine Creek: September 18. Elevation normal, water murky. Bass fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastic baits around the back end of creek channels. Crappie good on spoons around structure in deeper water. Catfish fair on trotlines baited with liver near creek channels. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Sardis: September 18. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 78. Largemouth bass good on swim baits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits early and late. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 12-14 ft. Walleye fair trolling. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Wister: September 19. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures early and late. Catfish fair on juglines baited with cut shad and liver and excellent on night crawlers. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
Category: Fishing Reports, Oklahoma Report
