Oklahoma Lake Report

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Here are the conditions at Oklahoma lakes as reported Wednesday, May 23, by the state Department of Wildlife Conservation and lake rangers. <br/><br/>CENTRAL <br/><br/>Arcadia: Elevation

Wednesday, May 23rd 2007, 4:50 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Here are the conditions at Oklahoma lakes as reported Wednesday, May 23, by the state Department of Wildlife Conservation and lake rangers.

CENTRAL

Arcadia: Elevation above normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastics. Blue catfish fair on cut bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around rocks. Largemouth bass fair on plastics. Report submitted by Wade Farrar, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Hefner: Water 76 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass being caught on plastic worms and spinners along the shoreline. White bass being caught on spinners and jigs along the shoreline. Catfish being caught on cut bait and stinkbait. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Overholser: Elevation above normal, water 76 degrees and murky. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on jigs below the dam. Catfish being caught on worms and cut bait in the lake and below the dam. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs along the shoreline. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Thunderbird: Elevation normal and murky. Crappie has slowed down but still fair on minnows and jigs at 4-7 ft. around structure. Saugeye has picked up to good on jigs, sassy shad and medium-diving crankbaits off points and sandy drop offs. Channel catfish fair to good on stinkbait. Bass slow. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation above normal, water 68 to 75 and murky. Catfish very good on chicken liver, bait shrimp, minnows and worms at 1 to 3 ft. along shoreline of lake. White bass some schooling around the dam area and around the jetty areas, fair while trolling with shallow diving crankbaits. Largemouth bass good on assorted soft plastics, sinkoes, tube jigs and lizards; buzzbait and topwater lures in the early a.m. especially when cloudy, along grassy beds and weedy areas along shoreline in shallower waters. Spinnerbaits of lighter colors are still getting a good response. Report submitted by M.M. Fowler, St. Gregorys.

NORTHEAST

Birch: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal, water 77 degrees and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastics at 8 to 10 ft. Striped bass hybrids being caught off points. Crappie good on minnows at 10 to 12 ft. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Carl Blackwell: Elevation normal, water 47 degrees and murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and plastic baits at 10-12 ft. Striped bass hybrids good trolling with crankbaits and grubs. Catfish fair on cut bait. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County.

Copan: Elevation 4 ft. above normal and muddy. Crappie fair in shallow waters near rocky banks and brush on minnows, chartreuse tube jigs or black/pink tube jigs. Bank fishing for crappie is currently best on the south end of Washington Cove, east of the boat ramp at Copan Point, the coves and creek around Osage Plains, Endicott's Pond, and under Cotton Creek Bridge. Catfish good from the flooded banks around Washington Cove, Osage plains and below the dam on shad and worms. White bass fair in the same areas as crappie. Report submitted by Marni Loftis, Game Warden.

Fort Gibson: Elevation 10 ft. above normal and rising, water 72 degrees and murky. Largemouth bass good on spinner in flooded brush and grass. Channel catfish good to excellent on cut bait, shad, minnows and worms using rod and reel and juglines. Paddlefish good in low water at Choteau Bend and Maize. Hazardous conditions due to debris in the lake. Report submitted Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Grand: Elevation above normal and murky. Channel catfish good on juglines at 10 ft. in all parts of lake using cut or whole shad. Bank fishing for channel catfish good using worms and cut shad. Crappie fair in baited areas around docks using minnows and jigs. White bass fair in Elk River area using spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water murky. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits along creek channels and shorelines. Channel catfish fair to good on cut bait and stinkbait on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs along brush structures and fishing dock. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hulah: Elevation 4 ft. above normal and muddy. Crappie fair in shallow waters near rocky banks and brush on minnows, chartreuse tube jigs or black/pink tube jigs. Bank fishing for crappie is currently best in Wa-Sha-She Park and in the river near Rocky Ford boat ramp marina. White bass are running and fishing is good in the Caney River North of the lake. Catfish good from the flooded banks and below the dam on shad and minnows. Report submitted by Marni Loftis, Game Warden.

Kaw: Elevation 12 ft. above normal, water 76 degrees and turbid. Total release through Kaw Dam is 10,629 cubic feet per second. Fishing has been slow in Kaw Lake due to high water levels, with the exception of the upper Arkansas River and rocky shoreline on the main lake were blue catfish has been good, fishing worms or cut bait using a rod and reel, jug fishing. Kaw Dam: white bass, crappie, blue catfish has been very good, any small jig or spinner worked well for the white bass, and cut bait for the blue catfish. Paddlefishing was slow with very few being caught. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Keystone: Elevation above normal, water 65 to 70 and muddy. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastics and spinnerbaits at 3 to 8 ft. on flooded brush. Smallmouth bass slow on crankbaits at 5 to 10 ft. on deep cove points. Spotted bass fair on spinnerbait at 4 to 8 ft. on main lake bluffs. White bass good on minnows and tube jigs at 2 to 5 ft. below dam. Striped bass fair on sassy shad at 4 to 8 ft. below dam. Channel catfish good on worms at 4 to 8 ft. on flooded grassy coves. Blue catfish good on cut shad at 5 to 10 ft. on river points. Flathead catfish fair on live shad and goldfish at 5 to 10 ft. on deep rocky coves. Crappie fair on minnows and tube jigs at 2 to 10 ft. on rocky coves. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woodys Bait and Tackle.

Oologah: Elevation 10 ft. above normal and falling. Water murky. Water temp in upper 60's to lower 70's. Channel catfish fair on worms and shrimp around flooded willows. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around standing timber and brush piles. Crappie are suspended at 10 to 15 ft due to falling water. White bass fair trolling crankbaits on flats near the main lake. Below the dam white bass and crappie are fair on jigs...Note: Water below the dam is very high and surges up on the banks as high as three feet. Fishermen should take extra caution if fishing below Oologah Dam. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Skiatook: Elevation near normal, water temperature in upper 60's to low 70's and clearing. Striped bass hybrids good in mouths of creeks and on points, on live bait and sassy shad; chartreuse color working well. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and jig and chunk in shallow water, around cover. Smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Crappie fair on minnows, in creeks, and on structure, at docks and Hwy. 20 Bridge. Catfish fair on cut baits and large minnows in the creeks. Report submitted by Greenwood Fishing Center.

Sooner: White bass and striped bass hybrids good on live shad or slabs trolling at 14 ft. Catfish fair on cut and live bait off Hwy. 15. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 8 ft. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Tenkiller: Elevation 2 1/2 ft. above normal, water 70 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass slow with some action on spinnerbaits or crankbaits at 3 to 12 ft. Crappie fair at 25 ft. brush piles fair trolling the main channel mid-lake with deep runners and at night under lights on small minnows. White bass surfacing mornings and evenings and hitting on topwaters or inline spinners. Catfish fair on flip-flops or on minnows in the coves. Report submitted by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits along creek channels. Channel catfish good on cut bait and stinkbait on mudflats and bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs along brush structures and bridge. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation normal. Walleye good drifting night crawlers and trolling crankbaits. Channel catfish good along dam and in upper end of lake on live bait and stink bait. Crappie good in shallows on minnows and jigs. White bass and striped bass hybrids good trolling crankbaits and drifting slabs over submerged islands. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Fort Supply: Elevation above normal, water clear to murky. White bass fair on jigs and spinnerbaits in shallows. Walleye fair on jigs and spinnerbaits below dam. All other fishing is slow. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 74 degrees and very stained. Water has been released. White bass is excellent on jig/curly tails. Crappie good at brush piles. Bass fair on Carolina rigs, crankbaits and topwaters early. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: Elevation above normal, water 70 degrees and muddy. Largemouth bass slow on minnows and flies. Channel catfish slow on liver and worms. Report submitted by Charles Baker, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: Largemouth bass good in the back of coves on soft plastics and in the main lake off windy points on jerk bait. Catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs in standing timber on the upper end of the lake. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: Elevation 4 ft. above normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits flipping into flooded willows. White bass good at 4 to 10 ft. trolling the flats. Catfish good on fresh shad at 4 to 10 ft, on the flats and rocky area. Crappie fair on minnows or jigs at 4 to 10 ft. around brush. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 1 3/4 ft. above normal, water 71 degrees and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Crappie fair on live minnows and light-colored jigs. Blue catfish fair on cut bait and liver. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: Elevation normal water 70 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms at 5 to 8 ft. in weed beds. Channel catfish good on chicken liver in the discharge channel at 15 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: The powerhouse has ceased its near 'round-the-clock discharges. Lately the generation schedule has been showing only a couple of hours in the late afternoon. Fishing has been good in zone 1 with the best flies being various soft hackles (yellow, hares ear, red fox squirrel). Most any small nymph fly, presented properly, should produce some fish. Other good flies have been egg patterns, copper johns, San Juan worms, light cahills and elk hair caddis. Zones 2 and 3 have been fishable, but the reported results have been less than stellar. The poor trout are probably dizzy as a result of the non-stop high water lately. Watch for hatching insects and attempt to match them with your fly, otherwise a minnow imitation should be a good. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

McGee Creek: Elevation 8 2/3 ft. above normal, water 75 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass good on soft plastic lures along rocky shoreline at 10 to 15 ft. Channel catfish and flathead catfish fair on trotlines and juglines baited with live bait. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: Elevation slightly below normal, water 74 degrees and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass excellent on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics and jerk baits. White bass good early and late schooling. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait, worms and cut bait. Crappie slow. Walleye slow with some being caught after dark around the dam. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, state game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: Elevation above normal and murky. Bass good when slow rolling crankbaits along rocky points. Crappie fair on minnows at the spillway. Catfish good on cut shad especially at the spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation above normal, water 78 degrees and murky. Largemouth bass fair at 4 to 8 ft. using plastic baits and crankbaits fishing the rock and weedy shorelines next to deeper channels. Crappie fair at 6 to 8 ft. on minnows fishing the deeper water near the spawning areas. White bass good at 6 to 10 ft. using jigs and shad imitation crankbaits fishing below Webbers Falls dam and downstream around the rip-rapped jetties near the Canadian River. Blue catfish excellent at 5 to 10 ft. using worms, shad and commercially prepared stinkbait fishing the edge of the current from all the fresh water flowing through the river system. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and artificial lures in creek channels. White bass good trolling around islands. Channel catfish good on cut shad on juglines and trotlines. Crappie fair on minnows around bridges and brush piles. Walleye good. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Wister: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal and muddy. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Crappie excellent on minnows and jigs 2 to 6 ft. Channel catfish good on liver and cut baits with jugs and trotline. Flathead excellent on live sunfish with trotline. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal. Lake level still rising. White bass have slowed but are still biting in deeper waters off the main swim beach. Striped bass hybrids have also slowed but are also good in same location. Crappie have slowed near the old fish-o-rama. Boat Ramp status: North Shore boat ramp has lots of water. Main and Hicks Mountain boat ramps are great. Only vehicles with boat trailers may park at Main Boat Ramp. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain State Park.

Ellsworth: Elevation above normal with two flood gates open. Water muddy. Catfish good behind the dam while gates are open on cut bait. Walleye fair at chandler creek on minnows. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Foss: Elevation 3/4 ft. above normal and two gates open. Water 75 degrees and clear. Walleye fair along the front of dam with live bait. Striped bass hybrids fair. White bass and catfish fair. Crappie fair around marina. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Lawtonka: Elevation above normal, all floodgates have been closed as of today. Crappie and walleye fair around the dam on minnows. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Tom Steed: Elevation is normal, water murky. Channel and blue catfish good on cut bait near pumps. Crappie fair on minnows at 6 to 10 ft. along rocks. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.

Waurika: Elevation normal, water 67 degrees and murky. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on jigs and live bait. Channel and blue catfish fair on juglines and punch bait. Crappie slow. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.