Trout Fishing Tips

The Winter Trout Fishing Season will open on November 1st in Oklahoma! This means that you'll be able to fish for rainbow trout in the following areas:

• Lake Pawhuska - This 96-acre lake is about three miles west of Pawhuska. Trout season runs Nov. 1-March 31. During that time, the City of Pawhuska waives the City fishing fee.Quartz Mountain - The designated trout area directly below the dam at Lake Altus-Lugert. Trout season runs Nov. 1-March 15.

• Lake Watonga - This 55-acre lake lies within Roman Nose State Park. Trout season runs Nov. 1-March 31.

• Lake Carl Etling - This 159 acre lake is located within Black Mesa State Park in Cimarron County. Trout season runs Nov. 1-April 30.

• Blue River - The Blue River trout area is located within the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area near Tishomingo. Trout season runs Nov. 1-March 31. Bank access and wade fishing is available throughout the area.
  

• Robbers Cave - Located in Robbers Cave State Park, the Robbers Cave trout fishery is located directly below Carlton Lake Dam to the southboundary of the park. Trout season runs Nov. 1-March 15. Bank access and wade fishing is available anywhere within the state park boundaries.

In addition to these areas, you can also catch trout year-round at the lower Mountain Fork River and the lower Illinois River.

For more information about trout fishing in Oklahoma, click here.

Labels: Oklahoma Trout Fishing, Trout Fishing in Oklahoma

In March 2007, Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commissioners changed some fishing regulations. You'll want to be aware of these before you go trout fishing in Oklahoma. Below is a quick summary of new regulations.

Lower Illinois River (public fishing area) only allows fishing with artificial flies and lures and requires the use of barbless hooks. However, anglers using hooks size 3/0 or larger may use barbed hooks and natural baits (these anglers are mostly fishing for striped bass).

You're also only allowed to keep one rainbow trout a day and it must be at least 20 inches in length. These new rules apply to the half-mile stretch from the USGS steam gauge station downstream to the gravel pit county road.

Another change affects the Lower Mountain Fork River trout stream. Again, the restriction for artificial flies, lures, and barbless hooks was approved for the Evening Hole/Lost Creek areas. You're only allowed to keep one rainbow trout a day and it must be at least 20 inches.

The previous restriction on that portion of stream from Rough Branch Creek downstream to the reregulation dam were eliminated.

Landrum Wilderness Areas downstream approximately a half-mile was established and will be effective Nov.1-Feb. 29 annually. Artificial flies and lures, barbless hooks-only will be permitted in this area during this period. From March 1 through the end of trout season, this rule will not be effect and the statewide trout limit will apply.

Changing to other fishing regulations took effect as well. So if you also like to fish for black bass or walleye, be sure to check the new rules and regs before you go fishing.

Labels: Oklahoma Trout Fishing, Trout Fishing in Oklahoma