Oklahoma Fishing Guides

Lower Illinois River Trout Stockings Resume

Trout stockings that had been temporarily suspended in the Lower Illinois River due to warm water temperatures will resume November 19th.

According to Jim Burroughs, east central region fisheries supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, it was heavy spring rains and a period of extreme heating that combined to create the unusually warm water in Lake Tenkiller. Wildlife Department officials had hoped to resume stockings by the end of October, but water temperatures remained at critical levels for trout, temporarily preventing further stocking at that time.

“This has been a very unusual year,” Burroughs said. “Temperatures needed to be 65 degrees or lower in the tailrace during power generation before regular stockings could resume. Temperatures have now reached this threshold level.”

Anglers won’t miss out on any of the fish that did not get stocked during the suspension, however, as officials with the Department say the same number of fish will eventually be stocked through additional or larger stockings.

The Lower Illinois River is one of the only two year-round trout fisheries in the state and is managed by the Wildlife Department. The other is the Lower Mountain Fork River below Lake Broken Bow in Beaver’s Bend State Park.

Blue River Trout Derby, Nov. 15 & 16

You are cordially invited to participate in the 2008 Veteran’s Day Blue River Trout Derby in Tishomingo on Saturday and Sunday, November 15th & 16th.

$1000 in tagged trout ($100, $50 and $20 tags) will be stocked along with several trout in the 3-6 pound range. Over $1000 in trophies and door prizes will be given away. Each participant will receive a Blue River Derby Cap.

Additional Prizes include:
* Male Heavy Stringer 2-day total wins $100
* Female Heavy Stringer 2-day total wins $100
* Fly Fishing Heavy Stringer 2-day total wins $100
* Youth 15 and under Heavy Stringer 2-day total wins $100
* Heaviest Trout Caught wins $100
* Early Bird Drawing: Pre-Enter by Nov. 8, 2008 to be Eligible for Prize Worth $100.00

Entry Fees = Adult $25.00, Youth 15 & Under $20.00. Printable Entry Form.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: (580) 371-9288 – (580) 371-2175

Note: Due to rising cost of quality trout for the derby as well as the Blue River Association’s donations to save the aquifer, we would welcome any donations to defray these costs. If you would like to make a donation, please include with your registration and you will be listed as a Derby Sponsor on the Sponsorship Board.

Rules:
*Must Be Present to Win Any of the Prizes During the Drawing (Except the Pre-Entry Prize)

*Contest Open To All Ages- Fee Good For Both Days
*Tickets Must Be Purchased Before You Start Fishing

Sponsored by the Johnston County Chamber of Commerce, City of Tishomingo, Oklahoma & the Blue River Association. State Fishing Laws Apply.

Editor’s Note: I’m definitely in! See you there!! If you need a place to stay, check out Alberta Creek Resort & Marina, south of the Blue River on Lake Texoma.

Oklahoma Trout Stocking Update

Extreme spring and summer weather conditions have prompted the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to postpone regular trout stockings until water quality conditions improve. The area affected is the Lower Illinois River trout fishery located below Lake Tenkiller near Gore.

“Heavy spring rains and a period of extreme heating have combined to create unusually warm water in Tenkiller Reservoir,” said Jim Burroughs, east central region fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife Department. These waters are released through turbines used for hydropower generation and flow directly in to the Lower Illinois River trout stream.

“Water temperatures are approaching potentially lethal limits for trout. Regular stockings, as well as those temporarily postponed will begin as soon as conditions improve that will allow survival of the stocked trout,” Burroughs said.

According to biologists with the Wildlife Department, trout that were in the water before temperatures warmed to near lethal limits have a better chance of adapting to the temperatures and may find springs and other refuges where colder temperatures may exist.

Anglers are still having good success catching largemouth bass on topwater lures, and striped bass fishing is currently excellent on shad all along the river. Anglers are also catching channel catfish, walleye and saugeye.

The Lower Illinois River is one of the only two year-round trout fisheries in the state and is managed by the Wildlife Department. The other is the Lower Mountain Fork River in Beaver’s Bend State Park, below the Lake Broken Bow dam.

Pawhuska Trout Derby

Oklahoma trout fishingMark your calendar for February 16th and attend the 10th Annual Trout Derby at Lake Pawhuska off Hwy 60.

There will be cash prizes for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th heaviest fish AND the heaviest stringer. There’s even a tagged fish worth $10,000 dollars!!

Fishing starts at 8am and ends at 4pm. Pre-register for $25, else it’s $35 the day of the derby.

For more information, rules and entry form, visit the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce. (Note: You will need a trout stamp in addition to your regular fishing license.)