Oklahoma offers outstanding freshwater fishing with lakes, reservoirs, and rivers hosting numerous gamefish species. From giant catfish to hard-fighting bass, the Sooner State’s diverse fisheries provide awesome action. This guide explores five of the best fishing spots in Oklahoma to help you find prime fishing destinations.
Why Fish in Oklahoma?
While underrated as a fishing destination, Oklahoma delivers amazing angling options:
- Huge reservoirs like Lake Texoma, Lake Eufaula, and Grand Lake offer BIG bass and striped bass fishing.
- Remote rivers contain trophy-sized channel and blue catfish just waiting to be tackled.
- Community fishing lakes and ponds are full of hungry sunfish, crappie, and stocked trout.
- Abundant public access makes getting on the water easy and affordable.
- Central U.S. location provides convenient access for Midwest and Southern anglers.
- Four distinct seasons mean great fishing spring through fall.
Don’t overlook Oklahoma for your next outstanding fishing adventure. Now let’s look at the top spots.
Lake Texoma
Straddling the Oklahoma-Texas border, Lake Texoma is famous for its huge striped bass population. Stocked with millions of stripers since the 1960s, this massive 89,000-acre impoundment of the Red River also produces outstanding largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass plus monster channel catfish exceeding 20 pounds. Vertical jigging spoons like Slab Spoons near old river channels attracts hungry stripers. Anchor just off major points and fish live shad below floats for incredible striped bass action.
Lake Eufaula
Home to the Oklahoma state record blue catfish of 109 pounds, Lake Eufaula contains the top big cat fishery in the state. These monster blues lurk deep off long points and creek channels waiting to inhale fresh cut shad, live sunfish, or prepared catfish baits. Use heavy spinning rods spooled with 30lb braided line and strong circle hooks to battle huge flatheads and channel cats too. For bass, flip jigs around standing timber and slowly work Carolina rigs over shell beds. A great multi-species destination.
Lower Mountain Fork River
Winding through the beautiful Ouachita National Forest of southeast Oklahoma, the Lower Mountain Fork River offers exciting fishing for big trout and smallmouth bass. Sections are designated catch and release for rainbows stocked by the state to grow massive in size. Cast small silver spoons, in-line spinners and drifting nightcrawlers tempt hungry ‘bows. Sculpin imitation streamers fished on fly rods also produce. Smallmouth bass reach trophy proportions on crawfish patterns and tube jigs fished near current breaks and boulders. Special regulation areas require barbless hooks and lures. Wade the cool mountain river for amazing summer fly fishing.
Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees
Impounding the Grand River near Miami, Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees sprawls across 46,500 acres of picturesque northeast Oklahoma. Renowned as one of the top U.S. bass lakes, Grand holds tons of chunky largemouth plus big smallmouth that love deep diving crankbaits and jigs worked near creek channels. Hybrid and striped bass blitz schools of shad and can be caught trolling umbrella rigs. Grand also shines for huge flathead catfish prowling flats in the main body of the lake. Anchor at creek bends at night and deploy live sunfish for thrilling flathead battles approaching 50 pounds.
Foss Reservoir
In western Oklahoma 20 miles east of Clinton, Foss Reservoir is a hot spot for massive walleye and crappie plus channel cats. Trolling deep diving plugs over humps and flats nets slab walleyes exceeding 10 pounds with spring and fall best. Jigging spoons and minnow rigs around dam faces and creek arms also connects with walleyes. Under the lights at marinas and bridges, Foss gives up plenty of crappie on minnows and small jigs. Channel cats hit prepared baits below bobbers or on bottom rigs. Easy to access off I-40.
Oklahoma overflows with amazing fishing opportunities. From small creeks and community lakes to massive reservoirs, the state offers outstanding action the entire family can enjoy. Review local regulations and grab your tackle box to check out Oklahoma’s top-notch fisheries for yourself. Just be ready for the Sooner State to hook you with fantastic fishing possibilities.
