Fishing In Oklahoma

Guide to fishing in the Sooner State

Major Lakes & Species
Lake Sizes & Locations
Oklahoma Fish Species & State Records

Oklahoma is a paradise for anglers, offering a wide variety of fishing opportunities across its warm water fisheries, cold water fisheries, ponds, lakes, and rivers. The state's diverse ecosystems provide habitats for an impressive array of fish species, making it a dream destination for fishing enthusiasts. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, plus the species found in each lake.

In Oklahoma's warm water fisheries, anglers can target popular species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, catfish, and various sunfish species. Lakes like Lake Texoma, Lake Eufaula, and Grand Lake O' the Cherokees are known for their thriving warm water fish populations. These lakes provide excellent opportunities to catch trophy-sized bass, enjoy a day of crappie fishing, or land a giant catfish. Whether you prefer casting from the shoreline, exploring coves in a boat, or trying your luck at night fishing, warm water fisheries in Oklahoma have something to offer every angler.

Oklahoma's cold water fisheries, on the other hand, are ideal for trout fishing. Lakes such as Lake Watonga and Lake Pawhuska are stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout, providing a thrilling experience for fly fishing enthusiasts and those seeking a change of pace. These fisheries typically require special regulations, such as seasonal fishing closures or catch-and-release policies, to maintain the health and sustainability of the trout populations. Anglers can enjoy the serene beauty of Oklahoma's cold water fisheries while casting for these elusive and prized game fish.

Aside from lakes, Oklahoma's numerous ponds offer a more intimate fishing experience. Many private and public ponds throughout the state are stocked with various species, including bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie. These smaller bodies of water can be perfect for family outings, solo fishing excursions, or honing your fishing skills. Pond fishing provides a peaceful setting and a higher chance of catching fish, making it an accessible option for anglers of all ages and abilities.

Oklahoma's rivers are yet another fishing haven, providing opportunities to catch a variety of species while immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the state. Rivers like the Illinois River, the Lower Mountain Fork River, and the Blue River are renowned for their trout fishing. Additionally, many rivers are home to smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and catfish, offering thrilling angling experiences in scenic surroundings. River fishing in Oklahoma allows anglers to test their skills in different water conditions, from shallow, fast-moving stretches to deeper pools and eddies.

Whether you prefer the vastness of lakes, the tranquility of ponds, the excitement of river fishing, or the challenge of targeting specific species, Oklahoma's fishing options are bound to satisfy your angling desires. The state's diverse fisheries cater to anglers of all preferences and skill levels, ensuring that there is always an opportunity to make unforgettable fishing memories. So grab your fishing gear, explore the waters of Oklahoma, and get ready to reel in some remarkable catches.

The state of Oklahoma is primarily a warm-water fishing state. You can fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye and saugeye, stripers, crappie, catfish and more. And select the type of waters you enjoy including lakes, ponds, streams and rivers. Many of the lakes offer fishing boats for rent.

Species: The state of Oklahoma offers a wide variety of fishing choices. Here, you can fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish, white bass, stripers, alligator gar, chain pickerel, longnose gar, northern pike, paddlefish, sauger and saugeye in local lakes, rivers, ponds and/or streams.

Major Oklahoma Lakes & Species

Lake & Fish Chart

This chart shows the major angling destinations, cross referencing these waters with the major species to be found in each of the lakes or impoundments.

For a detailed list of primary fish species in OK, plus state fish records, see the list below.

Fishing lake sizes and locations in the state.

Arcadia Lake is a 1,820-acre lake in the central part of the state, on the eastern outskirts of Edmond.

Broken Bow Lake is a 14,000-acre lake in the southeast corner of the state, 8 miles north Broken Bow.

Canton Lake is an 8,000-acre lake in the northwest part of the state, at Longdale.

Fort Cobb Reservoir is an 4,000-acre in the southwest part of central Oklahoma, at Fort Cobb.

Fort Gibson Lake is a 20,000-acre lake in the east central part of the state, at Wagoner.

Foss Lake is an 8,800-acre reservoir in the mid-western part of OK, 5 miles east of Hammon.

Grand Lake of the Cherokees, is a 46,000-acre lake in the northeast corner of OK, at Grove.

Hugo Lake is a 13,000-acre lake in the southeast part of the state, at Hugo.

Hulah Lake is an 3,500-acre lake in the northeast corner of the state, 20 miles northwest of Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Kaw Lake is a 17,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Kaw City.

Keystone Lake is a 24,000-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Cleveland.

Lake Altus-Lugert is a 6,600-acre reservoir in the southwest corner of the state, at Granite.

Lake Carl Blackwell is a 3,400-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, 5 miles west of Stillwater,OK.

Lake Ellsworth is a 5,600-acre reservoir in the southwest corner of Oklahoma, 10 miles north of Lawton.

Lake Eucha is a 2,800-acre lake in the northeast corner of the state, 12 miles west of Sycamore.

Lake Eufaula is a 100,000-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Eufaula.

Lake Hefner is a 2,500-acre reservoir in central OK, on the northwest outskirts of Oklahoma City.

Lake Hudson, aka Markham Ferry Reservoir, is a 12,000-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, at Salina.

Lake Konawa is a 1,350-acre lake in the central part of the state, at the town of Konawa.

Lake Lawtonka is a 2,300-acre lake in southwest OK, 10 miles northwest of Lawton.

Lake Murray is a 6,400-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, at Ardmore.

Lake of the Arbuckles is a 2,350-acre reservoir in south-central OK, at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.

Lake Overholser is a 1,500-acre lake in the central part of the state, on the western outskirts of Oklahoma City.

Lake Stanley Draper is a 2,450-acre reservoir in central OK, 10 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.

Lake Tenkiller is a 13,000-acre lake in the east-central part of OK, at Paradise Hill.

Lake Texoma is a 93,000-acre lake on the southern border of the state, at Kingston.

Lake Thunderbird is a 5,300-acre reservoir in central Oklahoma, 5 miles east of Norman.

Lake Wister is a 7,300-acre lake in southeast OK, at Wister.

McGee Creek Reservoir is a 3,350-acre reservoir in southeast Oklahoma, 10 miles east of Atoka.

Oologah Lake is a 29,000-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, at Oologah.

Pine Creek Lake is a 3,750-acre lake in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, at Ringold.

Robert S Kerr Reservoir is a 44,000-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Sallisaw.

Sardis Lake is a 14,000-acre lake in the southeast part of the state, at Clayton.

Skiatook Lake is a 10,500-acre lake in the north-central part of the state, at Skiatook.

Sooner Lake is a 5,000-acre reservoir in north-central Oklahoma, 10 miles north of Morrison.

Tom Steed Lake is an 6,400-acre lake in the southwest corner of OK, 5 miles south of Roosevelt.

Waurika Lake is a 10,000-acre lake in the south-central part of the state, at Waurika.

Webbers Falls Lake is a 11,500-acre lake in east-central Oklahoma, at Webber Falls.

Many of these lakes have marinas offering a wide variety of supplies, services and boat rentals.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Fishing Boats

Oklahoma Fishing Guides
You can find a listing of OK fishing guides here. If you are a fishing guide in Oklahoma or know of a good resource, please send us information for consideration.

There is a section dedicated to activities for kids in OK.

State of OK Fishing Information

For regulations and other fishing information related to OK, visit the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website. Click here to apply for an Oklahoma fishing license.