It's Not Too Late to Give Oklahoma Winter Trout Fishing a Try

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Oklahoma Sportfishing: A Complete Sportsman's Guide

It’s Not Too Late to Give Oklahoma Winter Trout Fishing a Try

USSFN: 2/21/04 - Got a touch of cabin fever? Eager to feel a tug on the end of your line?

It may be a tad early for the annual spring frenzy of crappie, largemouth bass and sand bass fishing, but the timing is perfect for a trip to one of Oklahoma’s six wintertime trout areas managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

“If you have never given winter trout fishing a try, then you’re really missing out,” said Barry Bolton, assistant chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Department. “It is a great way to get outdoors with your friends and family during the winter months.”

Stretching from the panhandle to southeast Oklahoma, these fisheries provide trout fishing in areas where warm water temperatures are not suitable for trout during the summer. They are stocked regularly with catchable size rainbow trout and are very popular with anglers both young and old, according to Bolton.

Before going, check the “2004 Oklahoma Fishing Guide” for complete regulations, as well as maps and additional information for each area. In addition to a fishing license, all trout anglers must also purchase a $10 trout license. A youth (under 17) trout license is also available for $5.

Oklahoma’s seasonal trout fishing areas:

Lake Carl Etling - Located within Black Mesa State Park in Cimarron County, Etling totals 159 surface acres with very good shoreline access. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - April 30. To get there, take US-325 28 miles west of Boise City. Boat ramps are on the south and east sides of the lake. Primitive and developed camping facilities are available at the park.

Quartz Mountain - The trout water is in the North Fork of the Red River directly below the dam at Lake Altus-Lugert. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - March 15. To get there from Altus, take OK-44A north about 18 miles. Lodging and camping facilities are available at Quartz Mountain State Park.

Blue River - The Blue River flows through the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area near Tishomingo. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - March 31. To get there from Tishomingo, go four miles east on OK-78 and then six miles north. Bank access and wade fishing is available throughout the area. Primitive camping is allowed at the Blue River campground.

Robbers Cave - Located in Robbers Cave State Park, the Robbers Cave trout fishery is in the Fourche Maline River directly below Lake Carlton Dam to the south boundary of the park. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - March 15. To get there from Wilburton, go five miles north on OK-2. Bank access and wade fishing is available anywhere within state park boundaries. Camping facilities and cabins are available at the park.

Lake Watonga - This 55-acre lake lies within Roman Nose State Park. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - March 31. To get there from Watonga, go seven miles north on OK-8A. Bank access and a boat ramp are on the west side of the lake. Camping and lodging are available at the park.

Lake Pawhuska - This 96-acre lake is about three miles south of Pawhuska. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - March 31. During the trout season, the City of Pawhuska waives the City fishing fee. To get there from Pawhuska, go three miles south on OK-60, and then go 1.75 miles east on the county road. The lake has a boat ramp, fishing dock and restrooms. Primitive camping is available at the lake.

In addition to these areas, the Department also manages year-round trout fisheries at the lower Illinois and lower Mountain Fork rivers. The Department stocks both of these areas with brown and rainbow trout.

Source: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation