A new world-record paddlefish
has again been pulled from Keystone Lake near Tulsa, less than a month after
the previous world record was snagged in the same lake by a client of the same
fishing guide.
Angler
Cody James Watters of Ochelata is the newest owner of the rod-and-reel
world-record title, after snagging a 151-pound, 14.4-ounce giant!
Before heading out to the lake this season, make sure to brush up on the latest changes to the fishing regulations for the Oklahoma lakes listed below:
Please welcome our newest fishing guide, Barry Morrow of MRO Crappie Academy, fishing on Lake Eufaula!
Barry fishes for trophy crappie, bass & catfish and offers a Kids Academy Certification Program.
Barry is also a Lindey Tackle Pro Staff member who produces a weekly internet radio fishing report.
Book your next fishing trip with Barry by calling him at 660-723-2667, 918-452-3511, or email him at bmorrow@barrymro.com.
Future Pro Mike Diehl sent this Oklahoma fishing report from Lake Tom Steed:
The fronts, both warm and cold as well as the high winds have made fishing very selective at best.
I did manage to get out on the 28th of April and land one nice bass and a sharp looking 23″ Saugeye.
The water temps are still a bit coll but give it another week of warm weather and look out! bedded bass, hungry Hybrid and saucy Saugeye.
It’s hard to believe the water was this hard just a month and a half ago.
Fishing guide David Clark sends us this report and picture from Sooner Lake:
Here is a picture of a big bass caught recently at Lake Sooner. It weighed 7.8lbs. We caught 2 more that morning, one weighed 5.6lbs and the small one weighed 4.3lbs. In addition, we caught about 40 Hybrids and Stripers with the biggest striper being 10.lbs. It was a GOOD morning!!
Editor’s Note: Thanks for the picture and report David. To say it was a good morning is a bit of an understatement, wouldn’t you say?
Early winter fishing is great right now according to biologists with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, and Oklahomans focused only on current hunting seasons are in danger of missing it.
“Fall and early winter is an absolutely gorgeous time to go fishing,” said Gary Peterson, fisheries biologist for the Wildlife Department. “Once the bass tournaments are over and deer season begins, there are fewer people on the lakes and rivers. It is quieter without boats roaring by, and many fish species are more willing to bite. In northeast Oklahoma , the osprey fly in and go fishing with you, and sometimes eagles try to steal the osprey’s catch.”
Peterson noted that while some fish species prove more elusive in cooler temperatures, others are active and abundant. “Crappie actually are more active as the weather gets colder, and we’ve found some nice blue cats and channel catfish out there,” Peterson said.
Crappie, blue catfish and channel catfish aren’t the only catch awaiting winter anglers. “Right now is prime time for trout,” said James Vincent, senior fisheries biologist with the Department. “For streams and rivers in southern Oklahoma , this is our Monday Night Football game, and we’re getting ready to kick off.”
Vincent points out several advantages to fishing this time of year. “During the summer, trout areas often have diverse usage like swimming and boating, and trout are not as willing to bite,” Vincent said. “However, those other users are gone now. Our cooler weather has brought cooler water, making it ‘go’ time for trout fishing, especially in the Lower Illinois and the Lower Mountain Fork rivers.”
Trout are not the only fish to catch, however. “A few weeks of prime fall fishing for the native smallmouth bass still remain,” Vincent said.
Statistics from 2006 reveal that over 611,000 anglers fished in Oklahoma last year, but the vast majority of those anglers fished in spring and summer. Even though there are great hunting opportunities right now, fisheries biologists hope Oklahomans won’t forget about angling. With such great fishing abundant in the state, and so few anglers taking advantage of it, it may be time to grab a fishing pole and head for water in the coming weeks. “The fish are there,” Peterson said. “They are there, and they are available.”
Story courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
One thing is for sure – Southeast Oklahoma has it going on for natural scenic beauty. On my way to Lake Broken Bow and the Mountain Fork River last week, I stopped by Lake Pine Creek, home of some huge honkin’ bass.
Flying along Hwy 3 in the rolling hills, periodically patches of water and clearings open up for some very scenic views. Just past Lost Rapids Park, this one nearly blew me out of the car.
I had to turn around and get a picture of these stunningly gorgeous Bald Cypress trees changing colors next to the mirror quality water…enjoy!
If you go to Lake Pine Creek, call fishing guide Robert Finical, 580-236-2153 or 580-420-3088 and stay at Pine Creek Retreat, 580-494-RENT or 580-212-5113.
Read what Jen Carroll, WBT Pro, has to say about Lake Pine Creek here.
On my way to Lake Broken Bow and the Mountain Fork River last week, I discovered that nearby (only about 3 miles) is Lake Ozzie Cobb, an Oklahoma Wildlife Department lake.
Considered to be a good bass lake, OZ also has crappie, bluegill and catfish across 116 surface acres and 4 miles of shoreline.
The road coming off the main road appears to have been recently re-graveled, but once you get to the lake, you really need to have a truck to navigate. There is a boat ramp, but otherwise, conditions are primitive.
If you are one of those real troupers – who like to rough it away from everybody – then Lake Ozzie Cobb is your kind of place. While I was there exploring and taking pictures, huge fish were jumping everywhere! If I didn’t have an appointment, I would of stayed and fished.
For more information, go to: Oklahoma Wildlife Department of Conservation
Guide Bryce Archey sends us this report from Lake Broken Bow:
Fishing has been excellent with our spawn beginning with this moon phase. We have been catching between 30 to 50 fish a day and it will continue to be great all April long.
The fish in this photo is a little over four pounds. April trip dates are filling up fast, so call now to book your next Broken Bow fishing adventure.
Editor’s Note: Thanks for the report Archey! I need to load up my gear and head your way!!
Aspiring Pro Mike Diehl sent us his latest report from Lake Tom Steed:
Doug – I just wanted to thank you and
Fishbelly Lures for helping me break my personal best of 6.0lb.
I caught two nice toads today while fishing a Fishbelly Hawg Shad 3.5″ split tail. The smaller bass is 4lb 14oz and my new personal best is the much larger 6lb 8oz. I caught both these bass in less than three feet of water twitching a Fishbelly Hawg shad next to the bank. What a way to start the summer!!!!
Editor’s Note: Congratulations Mike! Glad we could help – Fishbelly lures really do work!!
