Outdoors

Fishing Report for August 8, 2018

Published

8 years ago

August 13, 2018

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Courtesy of Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC)

Central

Draper: August 3. Elevation above normal, water 88 and stained. White bass fair on crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits and jigs along inlet. Largemouth bass fair on bill baits, buzz baits, plastic baits and spinnerbaits around points, shallows, shorelines and standing timber. Blue and channel catfish fair on punch bait and stinkbait around docks, points and riprap. Report submitted by Chad Strang, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Hefner: August 6. Elevation normal, water 82-85 and clear. Channel catfish fair on cut bait at 20-30 ft. off the dam. Largemouth bass slow on spinnerbaits and soft plastic baits along shorelines. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs off the docks and dam. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on lipless baits, sassy shad and grubs off points early and late. Report submitted by Lucky Lure Tackle.

Thunderbird: August 3. Elevation below normal, water 89 and stained. Largemouth bass fair on bill baits, buzz baits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures around points, shallows, shorelines and standing timber. White bass and saugeye slow on bill baits, crankbaits and plastic baits around points. Channel and blue catfish slow on chicken liver, shad and stinkbait along the dam, points and riprap. Report submitted by Chad Strang, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Northeast

Copan: August 6. Elevation normal, water clearing. Channel, blue and flathead catfish good on shad, sunfish and worms along riprap, river channel and shorelines. White bass fair on grubs and in-line spinnerbaits around points. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Ft. Gibson: August 7. Elevation below normal, water 86 and clear. White bass fair trolling crankbaits, rooster tails and in-line spinnerbaits along flats and main lake. Blue, channel and flathead catfish fair on live shad and minnows drifting flats, main lake and river channel. Crappie fair on minnows, jigs and tube jigs around brush structure, docks and riprap. Report submitted by Rick Stafford, Wagoner.

Greenleaf: August 3. Elevation normal, water 88 and clear. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, jerk baits and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, in coves and shorelines. Crappie fair on minnows, grubs, hair jigs, jigs and tube jigs at 12-15 ft. around brush structure, creek channels and standing timber. Blue, channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait and shad along channels, in coves, flats and main lake. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hulah: August 6. Elevation normal, water clearing. White bass fair on in-line spinnerbaits and swimbaits around points. Channel, blue and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, shad, sunfish and worms along riprap and shorelines. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Keystone: August 2. Elevation above normal, water 88. Blue catfish fair on cut bait below the dam and along channels. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County.

Lower Illinois: August 3. Elevation normal, water 60 and murky. Trout good on nymphs, PowerBait and worms below the dam, along channels, rocks and below riffles at the head of deeper holes. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County.

Skiatook: August 4. Elevation below normal, water 80s and clear. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on live shad at 10-20 ft. in the main lake and around points. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Tenkiller: August 3. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear to murky. The lake is down, be careful for exposed and shallow flats that are not marked. Good luck and get it in before school starts. Fish are seeking deeper shaded waters and cover. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on crankbaits suspended at 15-30 ft. in the main lake. Largemouth bass are suspended and harder to get to and catch with only 8+ pounds winning the last local jackpot tournament. Flathead, channel and blue catfish fair on trotlines and juglines baited with goldfish, live bait and sunfish. White bass fair on crankbaits in the main lake. Surfacing white bass can still provide quick action for the boater who keeps his eyes open and covers some acreage. Report submitted by Brady May, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.

Webbers Falls: August 3. Elevation normal, water 88 and murky. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, jerk baits, plastic baits and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels, in coves, creek channels, shallows, shorelines and standing timber. Crappie fair on grubs, hair jigs, jigs, minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, standing timber and on bottom under bridges. Blue, channel and flathead catfish fair drifting shad and cut bait on bottom along channels, creek channels, flats and shallows. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Northwest

Ft. Supply: August 6. Elevation normal, water clear. Channel catfish fair on cut bait, punch bait and stinkbait along the dam, main lake and riprap. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Woodward County.

Foss: August 6. Elevation 3/4 ft. below normal, water high 70s. Striped bass hybrids good on live bait in deep water. Catfish good on juglines baited with cut shad. White bass and walleye fair. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Southeast

Arbuckle: August 4. Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 81-83. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures early morning and on crankbaits and soft plastic baits. Smallmouth bass good on topwater lures early morning, on spinnerbaits in the wind and on soft plastic baits. Crappie slow on yellow/white slabs slayer baits at 18 ft. off docks and out on the lake. White bass good on grubs up creeks and on roadrunners along flats. Channel catfish good on punch bait, dead minnows and stinkbait. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: August 6. Elevation normal, water 84 and clear. Largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures around brush structure, rocks and sandbars; bass topwater action is best at dawn and dusk. Channel catfish excellent on chicken liver, punch bait, stinkbait and worms around brush structure and deeper pools on the edge of currents. Bluegill, green and redear sunfish good on in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits and small lures along sandbar and shallows. Approximately 2,000 channel catfish were stocked on July 31. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: August 3. Elevation below normal, water 88. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs and plastic baits around brush structure, creek channels, points and standing timber. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: August 2. Elevation normal, water murky but slowly clearing. Blue catfish excellent on cut bait, live bait, live shad, shad and worms below the dam, along the dam and river mouth. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around bridges. Largemouth and spotted bass good on grasshoppers, small lures and spinnerbaits in coves, main lake and weed beds. Report submitted by Cannon Harrison, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: August 3. Elevation below normal, water 87 and murky. Blue, channel and flathead catfish slow on cut bait, dough bait, live bait and shad below the dam, along channels, main lake and river channel. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs below the dam, around brush structure, main lake and river channel. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: August 2. Elevation normal, water 96 and clear. Largemouth bass good on buzz baits, crankbaits, jigs, plastic baits and topwater lures in the main lake, around points, river channel and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits and live shad in coves, main lake and river channel. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait and stinkbait in coves, along creek channels, inlet and riprap. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork: August 3. Elevation normal, water clear. Trout fair on caddis flies, PowerBait and small lures along creek channels and rocks. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

McGee Creek: August 4. Elevation normal, water 86. Crappie, white bass and spotted bass good on minnows around brush structure, river channel and standing timber. Channel and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, goldfish and sunfish along creek channels and river channel. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Pine Creek: August 3. Elevation below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures along shallows. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush structure. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and punch bait in the main lake. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: August 3. Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on flukes, lipless baits, plastic baits and spinnerbaits in coves and creek channels. Blue, channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, live bait, live shad, stinkbait and sunfish along flats, main lake, river channel and river mouth. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: August 2. Elevation below normal, water 90. Largemouth and spotted bass fair on buzz baits, crankbaits, hair jigs, jerk baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures and tube jigs around brush structure, channels, creek channels, points, rocks, shorelines, standing timber and weed beds. Blue, channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, shad and sunfish along flats, main lake and shorelines. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows and tube jigs around brush structure, creek channels and standing timber. Report submitted by Dane Polk, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: August 6. Elevation below normal, water 88 and clear. Striped bass good on live shad and topwater lures along discharge, main lake and points. Crappie fair on hair jigs and tube jigs around brush structure and docks. Blue catfish good on cut bait and live shad below the dam, along channels and main lake. Report submitted by Trey Hale, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: August 3. Elevation normal, water cloudy. Largemouth bass fair on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, plastic baits and spinnerbaits around brush structure, channels and points. Blue catfish fair on chicken liver, cut bait, shad and stinkbait along channels and main lake. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush structure, channels and standing timber. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

Southwest

Ft. Cobb: August 6. Elevation below normal, water 84 and clear. Channel and blue catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait around brush structure and main lake. Report submitted by Brayden Hicks, game warden stationed in Caddo County.

Tom Steed: August 6. Elevation normal, water 82. Striped bass hybrids, white bass and saugeye fair trolling crankbaits in the main lake and around points. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.

Waurika: August 5. Elevation dropping, water 87. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, stinkbait and worms in the main lake, around points and shorelines. Report submitted by Chris Stover, game warden stationed in Stephens County.

Outdoors

The Garden Guy: Mexican Flame Vine, A Must-Have Plant for Beauty and Pollinators

Published

1 week ago

October 28, 2026

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By Norman Winter | Horticulturist, Author, Speaker

If you’ve read this column the past few years, you know I put great importance on choosing plants for pollinators around the farm or ranch, home or office. When those plants pack untold beauty, even better. This column aims to put one plant on your must-have list for 2027: the Mexican flame vine.

Names like Mexican Flame and Orange Glow tell you right away that this flower is bold and riveting in color. Add a vine that draws hummingbirds and butterflies and blazes fiery orange, and you have an award-winning plant.

To be honest, I think everyone should grow it for its botanical name alone, Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides. Imagine the look on your neighbors’ faces when they ask, “What’s that gorgeous vine you are growing?” and you tell them.

The Mexican flame vine is a woody tropical vine. Most references say it is cold-hardy in zones 9 and higher, but I have seen many return just fine in zone 8. It is worth every penny even as an annual. As the name suggests, the vine is native to Mexico, and it isn’t picky about soil. I’ve grown it in acid soil fit for azaleas and in soils more reminiscent of the desert. It belongs to the aster, or daisy, family, and you’ll quickly notice the resemblance.

I realize we are at the beginning of fall, but if you start sourcing now or talking to your favorite garden center, you’ll be ready for spring. When you get yours, dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and plant at the same depth it was growing in the container. Set the vine next to a structure for support, like a trellis, arbor or pergola. You may have the perfect fence post that could use a Mexican flame vine.

It is a compact vine that reaches only about 10 feet tall, and it tolerates drought once established. You’ll need to do a little training to get it climbing. You’ll also like that pests rarely bother it.

The vine reblooms reliably, and if you need to cut it back a little, it will quickly send out new growth and another round of blooms. That blazing orange screams to be planted with complementary blue flowers. My first choice would be blue salvias like Unplugged So Blue or Rockin’ Playin’ the Blues. If you’re bold and want a native, consider the late-summer-blooming hardy ageratum, known botanically as Conoclinium coelestinum.

Once yours is growing, you’ll notice all sorts of butterflies feasting on the rich nectar. Red admirals, fritillaries, monarchs and yellow sulphurs of all sorts will visit regularly.

Vines give the landscape a vertical dimension, much like hanging a mirror or picture on a wall indoors. The Mexican flame vine will be one of the most dazzling additions to your garden. Start sourcing yours now so you’re ready for spring.

Follow me on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy for more photos and garden inspiration.

Outdoors

Don’t Give Up on the Pond Yet

Published

3 weeks ago

October 16, 2026

bowienews

By Savannah Magoteaux

Right now, our ponds are looking a little tired.

Water levels may be down after weeks of heat and limited rain. Vegetation can be thick around the edges, the water may be warm and murky, and the bass that seemed willing to bite in spring can feel impossible to find.

But don’t give up on the pond just yet.

Late summer can be a hard time for fish. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen than cool water, and oxygen levels matter even more in ponds with heavy plant or algae growth. In Oklahoma, oxygen depletion is one of the leading causes of pond fish kills.

Those conditions also change where fish spend their time. During the hottest part of the day, bass may slow down and move to more comfortable spots, including deeper water, shade, aquatic vegetation or structure. That makes early morning and evening good times to fish during the last hot weeks of summer.

Pay attention to cover, too. Submerged vegetation, brush, logs and other structure give bluegill and other small fish places to find food and protection, and bass are often nearby. Oklahoma State University Extension notes that some aquatic vegetation benefits a fishing pond, with about 20 percent plant coverage considered ideal.

Then September begins to bring a change.

Cooler nights gradually lower water temperatures, and fish that have been sluggish through the hottest part of summer often become more active. Bass start feeding more aggressively as conditions improve, and baitfish movement can make shallow areas productive again.

That doesn’t mean every cool morning will fill a stringer. Farm ponds are small ecosystems, and each one responds differently depending on depth, water clarity, vegetation, fish populations and rainfall.

Watch the pond itself during this transition. Fall can bring pond turnover, when the layers of water that formed during warm weather mix. If the deeper water holds little oxygen, that mixing can temporarily lower oxygen throughout the pond. Fish gulping at the surface, especially early in the morning, can signal an oxygen problem.

For most anglers, though, September has less to do with worrying over every change in the water and more to do with recognizing that the pond is entering a new season.

Fish earlier and later in the day while temperatures stay high. Work around vegetation and structure. As cooler weather settles in, try shallower water again and watch for signs of baitfish.

That farm pond that seemed nearly lifeless on an August afternoon may have plenty going on beneath the surface. Sometimes all it takes is a cooler morning, a little patience and one more cast.

Outdoors

What Happens to Wildlife in a Drought

Published

4 weeks ago

October 8, 2026

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By OKFR Staff

Drought is easy to see in a pasture. Grass turns brown, ponds shrink, creeks stop running and crops struggle. It’s harder to see what those same conditions are doing to wildlife.

For deer, turkey, quail and countless smaller species, drought changes much more than how much water is available. It changes where food grows, how much cover the land offers and, in some cases, how successfully animals reproduce.

White-tailed deer are a good example. Deer can go surprisingly long stretches without drinking from a pond or creek if they have succulent plants that supply moisture. During drought, those plants become scarcer and lower in quality. Deer may start eating plants they would normally pass over, and dry years can affect body condition and antler growth. Research in Oklahoma has also shown that fawn production tends to rise and fall with rainfall, so prolonged drought matters when you look at the health of a deer herd over time.

Turkeys face many of the same challenges. Adult birds can get much of the moisture they need from fruits and succulent plants, but drought cuts into those foods. It also affects insects, which young poults depend on. Good brood habitat includes broadleaf plants and plenty of insects, and when dry weather reduces both, young birds have less to eat at a critical stage of life.

Quail may surprise people. Northern bobwhites don’t necessarily need to visit standing water every day. They can get moisture from green vegetation, insects, fruit and even dew. Drought still makes their lives harder by reducing those foods and changing the plant structure they depend on for nesting, feeding and escape cover.

That is why putting out more water isn’t always the whole answer. Oklahoma State University research found that supplemental water can concentrate quail around water sources but hasn’t been shown to increase quail numbers, even in drought years. The bigger issue is habitat. Wildlife need food, cover and space along with access to moisture.

For landowners, some of the best drought help may already be growing on the property.

Avoiding overgrazing leaves more grass and broadleaf plants for wildlife. Leaving brushy areas, native vegetation and field edges undisturbed can provide valuable cover when the surrounding landscape is dry and sparse. Trees and shrubs along creeks and drainages give animals shade, cover and travel corridors.

Water sources still matter, particularly where drought has dried up ponds and streams. If wildlife can reach livestock tanks, ponds or other artificial water sources, make sure animals can get in and out safely. Steep-sided tanks can trap birds and small mammals, so add escape ramps or other exits.

Landowners may also be tempted to start supplemental feeding right away. Feeders and food plots can attract wildlife, but they don’t replace healthy habitat. Food plots may struggle in the same drought that is hurting native vegetation, and concentrating animals around feeders can raise other concerns, including disease transmission and heavy pressure on nearby plants.

Drought also changes wildlife behavior. As resources run short, animals may travel farther or gather around the few places left with food, water and cover. That can make wildlife look more abundant in some spots even while the overall population is under stress.

The effects don’t always end with the first good rain, either. Vegetation takes time to recover, ponds may need repeated rains to refill, and a hard spring or summer’s reproductive losses can’t be reversed overnight.

Oklahoma wildlife are used to changing weather. Dry years are part of the landscape, just like wet years, and most native species have ways of adapting. The longer and more severe a drought becomes, though, the harder those adaptations have to work.

If you want to help wildlife through a dry spell, focus less on replacing everything nature isn’t providing and more on protecting what remains. Conserving cover, avoiding unnecessary disturbance, managing grazing carefully and keeping water sources safe can give wildlife a better chance until the rain returns.