Oklahoma Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Oklahoma.
Lake Eufaula
Fort Gibson Lake
Grand Lake o' the Cherokees
Kaw Lake
Oologah Lake
Lake Texoma
More Oklahoma lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Fort Gibson LakeWagoner, Cherokee & Mayes Counties · 19,900 acres
Fort Gibson Lake
The last lake in the Grand River chain, about 7 miles east of Wagoner in northeast Oklahoma. It is known for crappie, white bass, and largemouth bass, along with big catfish and spring paddlefish.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Crappie
Black and white crappie on brush piles, docks, and timber. Minnows and jigs; shallow in spring, deeper in summer and winter.
White Bass
Spring runs up the Grand River and creeks; schools chase shad on the main lake in summer and fall.
Largemouth Bass
Rocky bluffs and points on the east side, shallow flats and cover on the west side.
Blue Catfish
Blue, channel, and flathead catfish lakewide. Cut shad on channel edges and below the dam.
Hybrid Striped Bass
Mixed in with white bass schools. Watch for surface feeding on shad.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Rocky PointFeeUSACE park and campground. Boat ramp day-use pass required unless campingDirections ↗
- Blue Bill PointFeeUSACE park and campground with boat ramp. Day-use ramp passDirections ↗
- Taylor FerryPublicUSACE campground near Wagoner with ramp; short ramp at low water, not for deep-draft boatsDirections ↗
- Taylor Ferry NorthPublicUSACE ramp suggested for larger boats when water is lowDirections ↗
- Wahoo BayPublicUSACE campground and rampDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the USACE Fort Gibson Lake office (918-682-4314) for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie All crappie species combined | 10 in | 15 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Mater's Bait & TackleNearbyOkayDirections ↗
- Bait MastersNearbyWagonerDirections ↗
- Pokey's Trading PostNearbyLocust GroveDirections ↗
Local tips
- Water levels swing a lot on this lake; check the level before you go, since some ramps get short when it drops.
- The east side has rocky bluffs and deeper water, while the west side is shallower with gradual slopes.
- Crappie here have a 10-inch minimum and 15-fish limit, different from the statewide rule.
Grand Lake o' the CherokeesDelaware, Ottawa, Mayes & Craig Counties · 41,749 acres
Grand Lake o' the Cherokees
Grand Lake o' the Cherokees is a large hydropower lake in northeast Oklahoma near Grove. It is a top bass and crappie lake and also holds big catfish and paddlefish.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Florida largemouth have been stocked since 2020.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Blue Catfish
Cut bait near docks and the dam area works for blues.
White Bass
Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.
Wiper
Hybrid striped bass are stocked regularly.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Honey Creek Area RampPublicGrand Lake State Park area west of Hwy 59 in GroveDirections ↗
- Disney Area RampPublicGrand Lake State Park area in Disney near Pensacola DamDirections ↗
- Bernice Area RampPublicGrand Lake State Park area on the east side of the Hwy 85A bridge over Horse CreekDirections ↗
- Cherokee Area RampPublicPublic ramp just below Pensacola DamDirections ↗
- Twin Bridges State ParkPublicState park ramp at the Neosho and Spring rivers on Hwy 60 near WyandotteDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie Includes tributaries to state line and below Pensacola Dam to SH 82; other species not confirmed to differ from statewide | 10 in | 15 / day combined |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Blue Moon Bait & TackleNearby448820 E Highway 85, Ketchum, OK(918) 782-4009Directions ↗
- Grand Lake Sports CenterNearby301 S Main St, Grove, OK(918) 786-2300Directions ↗
- Littlefield's Sporting GoodsNearby55901 E Highway 85A, Afton, OK(918) 257-4027Directions ↗
Local tips
- Crank around docks and rock structure for largemouth.
- Crappie have their own daily limit and a 10 inch minimum here, so check the lake rules.
- Snagging is not allowed below the turbine outlets.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
Kaw LakeKay & Osage Counties · 17,000 acres
Kaw Lake
An Arkansas River reservoir about 8 miles east of Ponca City in north central Oklahoma. It is known for big catfish, white bass and crappie, with stocked walleye and striped bass in the mix.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Blue Catfish
Kaw holds some of Oklahoma's biggest catfish. Drift or anchor with cut shad on river channel edges and flats.
White Bass
Run up the Arkansas River arm in spring, then school on main-lake points and flats in summer. Watch for surface feeding.
Crappie
Fish minnows and jigs over ODWC brush piles and around standing timber in the creek arms.
Walleye
ODWC stocks walleye. Troll crankbaits or drag jigs along rocky points and the dam riprap.
Striped Bass
Stripers and hybrids roam open water chasing shad. Look for birds and surfacing bait.
Boat launches
8 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- McFadden CoveMarinaUSACE area with ramp and full-service marinaDirections ↗
- Pioneer ParkMarinaUSACE area with ramp and full-service marinaDirections ↗
- Sandy ParkPublicUSACE rampDirections ↗
- Washuhga BayPublicUSACE park with ramp and campingDirections ↗
- Osage CovePublicUSACE park with ramp and campingDirections ↗
- Coon CreekPublicUSACE rampDirections ↗
- Sarge CreekPublicUSACE rampDirections ↗
- Burbank LandingPublicUSACE rampDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Kaw Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Lakeview Campground, Boat Storage, Bait Shop & StoreNearby8865 Lake Rd, Ponca City(580) 765-2219Directions ↗
- Walmart Supercenter ↗Nearby1101 E Prospect Ave, Ponca City(580) 762-0395Directions ↗
- Grit & Grace OutdoorsNearby712 E 7th St, Newkirk(580) 362-1016Directions ↗
Local tips
- Kaw is big, open water that gets rough fast in Oklahoma wind. Check the forecast and pick a ramp on the protected side.
- ODWC places brush piles for crappie; check their fishing maps for locations.
- Nonresidents must check in and out at certain public hunting and fishing areas around the lake.
Oologah LakeRogers & Nowata Counties · 29,460 acres
Oologah Lake
A large Verdigris River reservoir northeast of Tulsa, near the town of Oologah. It is known for abundant white bass and blue catfish, plus crappie on brush piles.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
White Bass
Abundant and in good shape per ODWC surveys. Chase surface schools in summer and fish creek arms during the spring run.
Blue Catfish
The most abundant fish in ODWC netting, mostly smaller fish. Cut shad drifted over flats and channel edges.
Crappie
Fish the cedar brush piles placed by ODWC and the Corps. Minnows and jigs.
Hybrid Striped Bass
Stocked every other year. Often mixed with white bass; slabs and swimbaits.
Walleye
Stocked. Points and flats in spring and fall.
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Hawthorn BluffPublicUSACE park near Oologah. Boat ramp, campground, gate shack (918) 443-2319Directions ↗
- Redbud BayMarinaBoat ramp and Red Bud Bay Marina with ADA fishing dockDirections ↗
- Blue CreekPublicUSACE park with boat ramp and campgroundDirections ↗
- Spencer CreekPublicUSACE park with boat ramp and campgroundDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Oologah Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- The Tackle BoxNearbyOologahDirections ↗
- Lazy J's TackleNearbyClaremoreDirections ↗
- JD Tackle BoxNearbyClaremoreDirections ↗
Local tips
- Largemouth bass are scarce here because of limited habitat; target white bass and catfish instead.
- Brush piles placed each year by ODWC and the Corps hold crappie; ODWC posts a lake map.
- The lake is wide open to the wind, so plan around strong south winds.