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.
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.
More Oklahoma lakes
Grand Lake o' the Cherokees Oologah Lake Keystone Lake Fort Gibson Lake Sardis Lake Broken Bow Lake Lake Tenkiller Hugo Lake All Oklahoma lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.