Oklahoma boasts a variety of fish-rich rivers that provide excellent fishing opportunities. Flowing waters offer catalytic trophy chances for species less accessible in lakes and reservoirs. From hefty flathead catfish to hard-fighting smallmouth bass, Oklahoma’s rivers reward anglers with fantastic action. Here are five of the best flowing fisheries the Sooner State has to offer.
Why Fish Oklahoma Rivers?
Fishing rivers in Oklahoma has many advantages:
- Moving waters hold more dissolved oxygen, attracting more gamefish.
- Current concentrates baitfish, drawing active predatory fish.
- Rivers contain heavier cover like logs, boulders, and undercut banks.
- Wade fishing allows accessing prime lies difficult to reach from shore.
- Rivers have certain species like flatheads and smallmouths rarely found in lakes.
- Flow regimes and elevation changes create holes and structure.
- Kayak and canoe access opens endless fishing opportunities.
Let’s look closer at five of Oklahoma’s best river fishing destinations.
Lower Mountain Fork River
Hailed as one of Oklahoma’s top trophy trout streams, the Lower Mountain Fork River offers beautiful scenery and exceptional fishing along a 12-mile stretch below Broken Bow Lake. Rainbow and brown trout thrive in the consistent cold waters releasing from the dam. Fly fishing with small nymphs, midges, and streamers allows fooling these clever trout. Spin anglers score drifting nightcrawlers, casting small spinners and spoons. Special regulations require the use of artificial lures or single barbless hooks on natural baits.
Lower Illinois River
Known for its smallmouth bass fishing, the Lower Illinois River downstream of Tenkiller Lake sees high fishing pressure, but rewards anglers willing to walk and wade remote sections. Smallmouths over six pounds are possible on crankbaits, soft plastic grubs and craw imitations fished around rocky banks and ledges. Largemouth bass occupy slack water eddies. Use caution during generation hours which increase flows. The Illinois offers beautiful Ozark scenery near Tahlequah.
Upper Arkansas River
The Arkansas River upstream of Keystone Lake contains amazing catfishing as it winds through the plains near Ponca City. Flathead and blue catfish over 50 pounds make home in the bordering holes and timber-laden inside river bends. Use live shad, sunfish, or cut bait to tempt these giant cats. After sunset is primetime. The Arkansas also holds hard-fighting wipers, white bass, crappie, and walleye adding to its popularity.
Lower Mountain Fork River
Flowing through the Ouachita National Forest, the scenic Lower Mountain Fork River offers exciting fishing opportunities for trout and smallmouth bass. Rainbow trout are stocked by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and grow large preying on sculpin, crawfish, and baitfish. Fly fishing with streamers and nymphs produces nice trout. Spin cast small spoons, spinners, and rapalas for success. Smallmouth bass occupy deeper pools and eddies flipping jigs and tubes along rocky structure.
Blue River
Located in southern Oklahoma near the Texas border, the dam-controlled flows of the Blue River deliver excellent year-round trout fishing minutes from I-35. Easy wading access allows drifting flies, nymphs, streamers, and bait along lush gravel bottom stretches flowing through Lake Texoma. Trout exceeding 20 inches are possible! Various river sections carry special regulations, so consult area signage. The Blue also offers a scenic mountain river feel unique to Oklahoma.
Grab your waders, rig up your baitcasting combo, and hit Oklahoma’s best flowing waters. Just be ready for pulling on hard fighting fish species you won’t find in lakes. The river fishing adventure awaits!
