But if fishing suits your fancy, this a great month to head to your favorite crappie hole to sack up a mess of some of the tastiest fillets God ever made. Alive! Allowed methods: up to three rods and reels per person with no more than three hooks per line (treble hooks are considered one hook). "The place sure draws a crowd when the crappie are biting," mused Mixer. At Oklahoma's best crappie lake, the fish are moving to the shallows There is 1 lighted fishing pier. Slightly windy. 00:00 00:00. And, boy, do they taste good! It was built in 1947 to expand the water supply for the city of Oklahoma City. Lake Hefner is known for its fishing opportunities, but it can be expensive to book a fishing guide and take advantage of their services. This can be a very profitable way to spend a nice May night. More:'Still a thrill': Meet the Oklahoma angler who has caught 200 double-digit bass in the state. He prefers to use feathers instead of plastic tails. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Even with the low water levels the lake is still open for a number of things including, fishing, ATV'S or dirt bikes, R.C. It also serves as a major recreational destination, as it is surrounded by 9.5 miles of bicycle trails. #4.25.5. It's true: We live in a time of economic uncertainty. The best fishing depth ranges between 12 and 30 feet. of Engineers as a water supply lake can be reached by taking I-35 north from Oklahoma City and exiting east at either the 15th Street exit or the Edmond Road exit. Elevation is 6 ft. below normal (stable), water temperature 63F and murky. County northwest of Oklahoma City. Register and I will offer you a free Crappie.com decal (plus a lot less ads too). ]]>*/ His encyclopedic knowledge of fly tying has led to start blog on fishing. They also provide tips on where to find the best trolling spots in a particular area. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Reece catches some of his largest crappie in the south end of the lake near Crowder. Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. Caught 5 perch before this guy on artificial lures. he was fun to catch. just wasn't prepared for a walleye haha! If you were lucky enough to find and catch spawning crappie this spring, you more than likely experienced some considerable fishing. The last on our list of lakes -- and one well worth the drive -- lies right on the southern border of Oklahoma and boasts a king-sized complement of crappie. Oklahomas state botanist will visit Arbuckle Springs WMA throughout the 2023 growing season to document the areas plant diversity. Turkey hunting begins, the morel mushrooms are popping up from the ground, and the fishare biting. A canal at the southwest corner connects it to Lake Overholser. Contribute to conservation by sharing sighting details of fish, wildlife, and plants. Lake Hefner Fishing Guides | Lake Hefner Fishing Guide - Express Fishings But when it rolled on its side, I was amazed to learn that it wasn't a keeper-sized bass, but a slab white crappie. Three Hot Oklahoma Crappie Holes - Game & Fish Although the fishing can be good all day, the best fishing times are generally the first few hours of daylight and the last hours before dark. For more information please contact Oklahoma City Lakes at (405) 755-4014. #google_translate_element2 {display:none!important;} When fishing, its important to have the right outfit to avoid getting too hot or cold, and to stay comfortable while youre out on the water. Lake employee Leon Mixer says he has witnessed some good stringers of crappie caught at the indoor fishing dock located beside the 15th Street boat ramp. White crappie. Lake Hefner (Google Map)is located between NW Grand Blvd and Hefner Road, and Hefner Parkway (S.H. The lake limit is 37 crappie daily. 7 oz. Young went fishing along Hefners rocky shoreline with the intention of catching walleye on the artificial lures and started ripping the catfish that were nesting in the rocks. The Magnolia State is its own crappie planet!" Top here is Grenada Lake, a shallow, 36,000-acre Corps of Engineers impoundment 82 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee on I-55. According to city officials, all anglers can fish in Lake Hefner, Lake Overholser, Lake Stanley Draper, "Close to Home" fishing waters and elsewhere without having to buy a city fishing permit or state fishing license on those days. The lake is known as a great wintertime crappie lake, and Kuklinski says the crappie fishing there is good year 'round. The store has a caf, sells minnows and crappie jigs, and is often the place local fishing guides meet their customers. Largemouth Bass with a Power Worm. It also has lots of shoreline with the kind of habitat crappie prefer. His long rod enables him to make a long cast, which allows him to keep his jigs in areas where crappie like to spawn. I have always enjoyed success fishing the riprap near the 15th Street boat ramp, and regularly take slabs there during April and May. 1 oz. This 1,820-acre lake built by the U.S. Army Corps. Some fishing guides specialize in one type of fishing, while others offer a variety of different services such as fly-fishing, night fishing, and trolling. He has a particular tactic he favors for taking the lake's crappie: slip-corking. Later, when you savor some of the golden-brown filets, you'll be glad you did! Choosing to fish almost exclusively from the bank, he's able to enjoy taking a limit of crappie on almost every outing. Right now, they ought to be starting. Website: Lake Hefner. Minnows. Longnose Gar with a Berkley Flicker Shad Pro Series Crankbait, 24 lb. Hembree said when she represents the Lake Eufaula Association at anoutdoors show, crappie fishing is always a topic of discussion among the showgoers. Young has caught 137 pounds of channel cats, blues and flatheads during the last three weekends on crankbaits. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Comments: Walleye slow on jigs, cran baits, and gay blades off the dam. Jones rates the lake as a solid fishery that continues to impress him. Favorite Bass: All three. Use heavier equipment and lures that can handle colder water, such as largemouth bass jigs and crankbaits. These trips can be expensive, but they offer a unique experience that you wont find at most other locations. This is one of the iconic lakes in crappie fishing. Stump fields, vegetation big ol' cypress trees, lily pads and big crappie make this a must see destination for crappie fishing in Tennessee. White Crappie Distinct vertical bands of blue/gray spots 5-6 bony spines in dorsal fin State record: 4 lbs., 15 oz. They pick all the big fish out.". Store owner Dale Motleysaid Thursday that business had really picked up in the last few days as the crappie are getting ready to spawn. Here's What You Need to Know, Exotic Fishing Paradise Awaits in South Florida, Euro Nymphing 101: Trout Tactics from Across the Pond, 7 Things to Ponder Before Buying a Fishing Kayak, Tackle Test 2022: Top Bass Rods & Reels Reviewed, Awesome Start to Minnesota Turkey Hunting, Bass Crash Course: How to Properly Tune a Baitcasting Rig, Winchester Big Bore: Backcountry Bear Protection. There are many different types of fish in the lake, and the guides can help you find the right one for your skill level. "The fishing docks are good, but actually there is some great crappie fishing on the open water.". Beaver Creek Reservoir is a 104-acre water supply reservoir that was built in 1964 for the Town of Crozet. 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