Dont be afraid to experiment with different colors and depth ranges throughout the day. Now that he's caught Oklahoma's state-record largemouth bass, Dale Miller is ready to go back and learn how to fish with the rig he used to catch the 14-pound, 13.7-ounce A 25-inch largemouth is a giant in the Northeast by any measure, and to have two come out of the same pond in back-to-back years puts that body of water on our best-bass-lakes list immediately. After reading this article you will know where the best bass fishing in Oklahoma takes place and how to catch more bass at these locations. Its an unusual lake for Oklahoma because its a rocky lake fed by small streams and its relatively clear. A Moore angler has set the new largemouth bass record for Lake Eufaula. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. The lake has two cement boat ramps and is managed by the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA). For example, you can start by Texas rigging the Senko, but if youre not getting consistent bites then try wacky rigging it. Finding the creek channels and main lake points will be key to finding fish most of the year. William Wright caught and released an 11.9-pound largemouth bass Oct. 2 in the Porum Landing area of Lake Eufaula. Walls turned Miller on to his own modified version of the Manns Original Alabama Rig. Probably not, said Gene Gilliland, fisheries biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Allen Gifford of Davis missed the state record by three ounces just two years ago with his 14 pound, 8 ounce fish from Arbuckle. Located in southwest Oklahoma, just north of Lawton, Lake Lawtonka offers anglers in this part of the state some of the best bass fishing in the Sooner State. Its just that our growing season isnt long enough for those fish to reach the full genetic potential.. Theres camping, hiking, swimming, scuba diving, boating and watersports all available at the lake, which makes it a prime destination for people during the summer months, when many visitors are looking to stay cool. Fish are cold-blooded, so their metabolisms work faster in warmer conditions and they grow more rapidly. Available in 180- and 200-grain sizes. 0:43 Oklahoma's state record largemouth bass is 14 pounds, 11 ounces. Some of the best fishing takes place in the creeks and rivers that flow into the lake. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. There are two divisions of state record fish. Thats something that no one has ever really figured out, he said. There were 445 samples of wichita bass collected from 1906-1928 in the West Cache Creek in Oklahoma. I dont see us jumping by pounds.. During the winter, Oklahoma bass fishing is at its least pressured state. I wasnt set up for all that, so he loaned me his, Miller said. What makes this lake so unique is that swimming is not permitted in the lake and gas powered motors are not allowed on the lake, only electric motors. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. ODWC says Bowling released the fish after it was weighed. Catching the state record largemouth bass in Oklahoma is a big deal and catching a fish this large is a big deal, said Barry Bolton, chief of fisheries for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The following are several that barely missed my top 5 list but are more than worth checking out, especially if youre nearby. The fish should be measured over the side from tip of nose to tip of tail (tail lobes pressed together) giving length of fish in inches. Females then deposit 2,000 to 7,000 eggs per pound of body weight in the nest. 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Fish are cold-blooded, so their metabolisms work faster in warmer conditions and they grow more rapidly. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. But who knows? Rank: Angler: Weight in Pounds: Weight in Ounces: Date Caught: Location: PhenoType: Photo Link: 1: Dale Miller: 14: 13.7: 3/13/2013: Cedar Lake: N/A: See Photo: 2 . A highly predatory fish that will strike an assortment of artificial lures as well as natural bait. Once you have that down, the lake is small enough that you can get from one end to the other fairly quickly to find likely spots where bass are biting. Benny Williams had the state record bass for nearly a year at 14 pounds, 12.3 ounces out of the same lake this time last year. Where will the next state record be caught? His 17.06 pound Legacy Class bass is the pending new lake record for lake O.H. Grand Lake O' the Cherokees - Oklahoma; Piney Run Reservoir - Maryland; Red (Upper Red) Lake - Minnesota; Lake Huron - Michigan; He adds willowleaf spinners to the rig, one at the midpoint of each of the four outer arms and a fifth, smaller one, at the end of the center arm, which he cuts down to just a couple of inches long. Oh my god. BROKEN BOW, Okla. An Oklahoma man is now in the record books after catching the 13th biggest largemouth bass on record in Broken Bow Lake! Oklahomas new state record largemouth bass comes from a little lake that produced two records in a year, off a modified lure that is difficult to replicate and to an angler who wasn't really sure what he was doing. The big largemouth bass will rank as the second largest bass ever caught in the state of Oklahoma, barely missing the state-record mark by less than an ounce. Accredited steel measuring tapes MUST be used to measure the fish. George Perry broke the record for the largest bass ever caught back on June 2nd, 1932. Rank: Angler: Weight in Pounds: Weight in Ounces: Date Caught: Location: PhenoType: Photo Link: 1: Dale Miller: 14: 13.7: 3/13/2013: Cedar Lake: N/A: See Photo: 2 . This fish weighed in at 14 pounds, 12.3 ounces an. Lots of good pictures and funny video with this one. Oklahomas state record largemouth bass is 14 pounds, 11 ounces. The months of December, January and February are some of the toughest months to catch bass, but if you do manage to get one to bite, its quite often a good one. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Kayak fishing is popular on Spavinaw because of its size and fewer boats on the water. (Except for unrestricted division). There are two fishing docks accessible from the campground but if you want a chance at one of the monster bass you likely will need to bring a small boat or kayak. For comparison, the world record is a tie at 22 pounds, 4 ounces. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Some Oklahoma lakes have size limits on bass to protect them from overharvesting. Found throughout the state in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. body {top:0 !important;} Minimum weight to be considered is listed for each species: Sunfish, Rockbass 1 lbs. Theres a new top bass in Oklahoma, and it came from a 78-acre lake in LeFlore County on March 23, 2012. Congratulations, Brodey and thank you for your support of the future of Texas fisheries!". If all the right components come together, you could get a freak of nature that is considerably bigger than everybody else. Cedar Lake has produced several double-digit fish in the last five years.. Theres plenty of things to do at Lake Hudson, including camping, swimming, boating and water sports, as well as fishing. .goog-te-banner-frame {display:none !important;} [protected-iframe id=294aca4d4df86fe7b927523875560cc4-29519643-98557584 info=https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D591410121229611%26id%3D100010818848395&width=500 width=500 height=721 frameborder=0 style=border: none; overflow: hidden; scrolling=no] Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Camping, hiking and fishing are the primary activities available at the lake. I doubt thosestates consistently produce trophy bass. Texas is third with 18.18 pounds, Mississippi at 18.15 pounds and Florida at 17.27 pounds. In the above video, NWTF's Jason Burckhalter talks about the group's accomplishments and future plans with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Because the bass are feeding so aggressively, if the bite slows down a subtle change of color or lure can quickly re-ignite the feeding frenzy. Girth: 21 27/32 inches. Its not uncommon to see a bass boat with no gas motor but three trolling motors cruising across the lake. A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. 14 oz. So instead we are getting right to the five best Oklahoma lakes for the biggest bass, and then well also uncover a good bunch more that are worth your attention if you like to catch bass. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish's John Taranto. The Department reserves the right to collect fish scale, tissue or spine samples to check fish identification and to refuse any questionable fish affidavit submitted. Most are southern states where it is warmer and the growing season is longer. A fisheries technician kept the fish there overnight in a treated 200-gallon tank. Lakes in the southeast region of the state tend to warm up earlier and cool off later in the year than in other regions, which affords these fish a longer growing season. We probably have the habitat and forage base, Gilliland said. This fish measured 26 inches in length and 22 3/8 inches in girth.Williams' fish breaks a state record held since 1999 when William Cross caught a 14-11.52 bass from Broken Bow Lake. In the 70s, state wildlife officials put Florida bass in many Oklahoma lakes, but only a handful have consistently produced trophy fish. Sunfish, Longear 1/2 lbs. March 7 - Red River Fly Fishers monthly meeting and fly tying session, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Rec Hall of Eisenhower State Park. It is a small and heavily pressured lake, which makes the fishing tough, but the ODWC stocks it regularly with largemouth and bluegill. The state record smallmouth bass was taken from Lake Lawtonka.. This fish measured 26 inches in length and 22 3/8 inches in girth. Since water clarity can affect the color of a fish , color is not a reliable way to tell the basses apart. Another state-record bass has been caught. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. #goog-gt-tt {display:none !important;} Largemouth Bass Records. What is the ceiling in Oklahoma for trophy bass? Georgia has the world record, the famous 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth caught in 1932 that was tied last year by an angler in Japan. The Pumpback offers anglers the opportunity to catch both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Fry swim in schools until reaching a length of approximately one inch. Cedar Lake is a small 86-acre lake surrounded by hardwood and pine trees located in the Ouachita National Forest in southeast Oklahoma. The water is clearer than many of the states lakes, with varying depths and underwater structure so the fish have plenty of options available to them. We congratulate him on his great catch.. The lake is easily visible from the gates of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge where campgrounds are also available. Give a Gift We share four tree planting tips from a restoration project at the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge. Not only does it produce big fish, it produces lots of big fish. Eric Lundgren of Ruger, which now owns Marlin, highlights the features of both rifles with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. For a complete list of record fish and the procedures for certifying a state record, consult the current Oklahoma Fishing Guide or log on towildlifedepartment.com. Click here to view the Top 20 list before Bowlings fish was added. The U.S. State : Weight: Length: Location: Angler: Date: Alabama: 16 lbs 8 oz : Mountain View Lake : Thomas Burgin: 11/3/1987: Arizona: 16 lbs 7.68 oz: 28" . Williams caught the bass at 11 a.m. on a oz. The beautiful largemouth . What's the next best thing to a world record largemouth, smallmouth or spot? Black bass is a general term referring to largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass and their hybrids. Food Sources: Crustaceans, insects, crayfish, frogs, and fish. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. "This is a great time of year to be out on the water. Browning's Rafę Nielsen shares details on the new X-Bolt Pro LR McMillan hunting rifle with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. The 360 Buckhammer cartridge is designed for lever-action rifles and will be available in two Remington Core-Lokt loads. While fish are caught all around the lake, there are locations where you are more likely to catch bass than others. Located in southeast Oklahoma, Broken Bow Lake is a prime fishing location for many species including largemouth and smallmouth bass. While it can still get hot, September marks the beginning of fall fishing in Oklahoma. "They grow pretty fast down in that part of the state," Gilliland said. They are all accessible to the public, so anyone who follows the suggestions in this article has a shot at catching a giant Oklahoma bass from one of these lakes. Bass will be looking to spawn, so shallow sandy or pea gravel flats will be the most likely place to find them. We checked his scales against mine after we released her and his were correct. Most anglers are hunting or taking care of family matters off of the water. Georgia has the world record, the famous 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth caught in 1932 that was tied last year by an angler in Japan. Fifteen states can beat it. The states biggest smallmouth weighed 8-3 and was taken in 2006. The weather and water clarity will determine the colors you should be throwing but dont forget the water is cold so the fish will be moving slower and so should your lure. The lake is just under 2,400 acres in size, so it's not a large lake by Oklahoma standards, but it offers plenty of fishing opportunities. The following locations come from personal experience and researching the lakes that consistently produce the most and largest bass in Oklahoma. His fish was from the Florida strain of largemouth bass, which state wildlife officials began stocking in Oklahoma lakes in 1972. The campground offers primitive and electric camping with RV sites available. Corps of Engineers manages three campgrounds, swim beach, fishing docks and boat ramps. Feb 23, 2023. Fish MUST be caught on rod and line and MUST be hooked and played by only one person. Length: 27 3/32 inches. Where we typically see really big fish are places we have stocked Florida bass on a regular basis and we have lots of food and lots of forage, and for the most part its been in the southeast part of the state, Gilliland said. Furthermore, October and November are prime hunting season in Oklahoma, and fewer people are usually on the lakes fishing. How about a state record! The Rod and Line Record Fish Division is for fish caught on rod and line and must be hooked and played by only one person and the fish must weigh more than the current record. Stacker compiled a list of record fish caught in Oklahoma using data from Land Big Fish. Near State Record Largemouth Bass Caught in Oklahoma, Pro Anglers Increasing #AnglersforAutism Awareness, Clachko Hired to Head Up MLF Sponsorship and Media Sales, Lawyer Wins 2019 FLW Tour on Grand Lake in Tie Break, Huge Catfish Caught from Popular Bass Fishing Lake, Angler Lands 37 Pounds on Day 2 of Costa FLW Series on Chickamauga, Terminator Shuddering Bait Giveaway Winners. During the months of March, April and May, the bass spawn reaches its peak. The best time to catch a monster bass will be in the spring, but the lake is accessible year round. Largemouth Bass - Weight: 14 lbs 12.3 oz - Length: 26 . The state record spotted bass weighed 8-2 and was caught in 1958, making it one of the oldest black bass records in the nation. There are private boat docks all around the lake and a few that are available to the public for a small fee. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Its best to find the type of structure the fish are preferring that day. Gilliland said Oklahoma lakes that typically produce trophy bass are the lakes where Florida bass have been stocked on a regular basis. Just south of the Grand Lake Dam, its no surprise Hudson offers anglers the opportunity to catch a load of quality bass. .goog-te-menu-value:hover {text-decoration:none !important;} (Except for unrestricted division, which recognizes fish species taken by legal means other than rod and reel such as bow and arrow, gig, spear, trotline, jugline, limbline, etc. Oklahoma Angler Lands World Record Paddlefish Two Oklahoma Smallmouth Lake Records Broken Angler Lands Enormous Crappie in Oklahoma Oklahoma Angler Lands Pair of Whopper Crappie George Washington Catches Huge Catfish in Oklahoma The point is, if you are looking to catch some massive freshwater fish, Oklahoma is certainly an excellent destination. For a complete list of record fish and the procedures for certifying a state record, consult the current "Oklahoma Fishing Guide" or log on to wildlifedepartment.com. com. There are fishing docks open to the public but the best opportunities come by boat in the coves and creeks that feed into the lake. The lake also has quality largemouth and also made our roundup of best crappie fishing lakes in Oklahoma. Texas has seen a peak in big bass. 12.3 oz. About the fifth or sixth cast I felt something and set the hook and, boy! #google_translate_element2 {display:none!important;} The NWTF is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. When, and if, the Oklahoma state largemouth bass record is broken again, Gilliland doesnt think it will be shattered. Bass will begin to move back shallow during this time of year as the water temperatures begin to decline. Arbuckle is the hottest lake at present, producing numerous double-digit bass the past three years. Three witnesses, one of which must be an employee of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, must witness the weighing and measuring of the fish and sign the affidavit. Could an Oklahoma lake produce a 17, 18 or even 20 pound largemouth bass. Benny Williams had the state record bass for nearly a year at 14 pounds, 12.3 ounces out of the same lake this time last year. The last two state record largemouth bass as well as several from the states Top 20 Largemouth Bass List have been caught in the southern and southeast regions of the state. Boating and skiing are common summer activities on the lake, but dont forget about the black bass fishing. For information, visit www.rrff.org. Last Bass tourney on Nov. 11 When Vonnie pulled it aboard, they were beside themselves. The smallmouth also grow to incredible sizes as well, so if smallmouth fishing is more your style then dont pass up Broken Bow Lake for these hard-fighting, aggressive bass. Because they help control smaller sunfish populations, the "overharvest" of bass (removing too many), especially on small lakes and ponds, should be avoided. Courtesy. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. .goog-te-banner-frame {display:none !important;} To see a complete list of state largemouth bass records, click onhttp://assets.espn.go.com/winnercomm/outdoors/bassmaster/pdf/bb_state_Large_20100107.pdf. But also true is the fact that Florida bass commonly experience winterkill, especially in ponds across northern Oklahoma but also statewide during hard cold snaps. The Texas state record is now 18 years old and not close to being broken. http://assets.espn.go.com/winnercomm/outdoors/bassmaster/pdf/bb_state_Large_20100107.pdf, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The opportunity to catch multiple Oklahoma lunkers with the winning stringers typically over 15 pounds for a single day is why its common for professional bass fishing circuits to regularly make a stop at an Oklahoma lake. Brodey Davis of Tuttle, Oklahoma boated an absolutely giant largemouth bass while fishing Texas's O.H. Ken Vitale with Buck Knives chats with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller about two new hunting knives for 2023the purpose-built Alpha and PakLite series. Measure the girth of the fish in inches around its widest point. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. At SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Tenkiller Ferry Lake located near Tahlequah is a clear blue lake thats rare for Oklahoma. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. It is true that most recent state record bass from southern states, including Oklahoma, have been the Florida-strain or a cross between a Florida and northern-strain bass. "Cedar Lake has produced several double-digit fish in the last five years. Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. The state's biggest smallmouth weighed 8-3 and was taken in 2006. Strike King jig. A clear photograph showing a close-up side view of the fish MUST accompany the completed fish affidavit form. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Known to local anglers as The Pumpback, Chimney Rock Lake is one of northeast Oklahomas hidden fishing gems. According to Ryswyk, the bass caught by Wasser and the state record largemouth caught March 23 are just two examples of why now is a great time to be fishing in Oklahoma. The affidavit must be submitted within 30 days of the date the fish is caught. The bass have probably moved offshore into deeper and cooler water, and overall they are less aggressive than they were during the spring. Cedar Lake has had two state record largemouth bass come from its waters, with each of them weighing over 14 pounds. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. --> .goog-te-menu-value:hover {text-decoration:none !important;} Visiting during non-summer months is best for fishing, or waking up early and beating the crowd to the water is another option. Using a boat is going to give you the best chance at catching multiple bass while youre at the lake. Listing all the bass fishing lakes in Oklahoma would require writing an article no one would want to read. The three species are similar, but can be easily identified. There are two campgrounds, both with bathrooms and showers on site. And then somebody has got to catch it. Experiment with how you rig the lures for the best results. The fishing is excellent at Lake Eucha, with Florida-strain largemouth bass being stocked since 2016. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conversation (ODWC) says Bowlings catch is the 13th biggest largemouth bass on record. The National Parks Service manages the campgrounds, boat ramps, fishing docks, and swimming area at Arbuckle. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. His lunker weighed 14 pounds, 12.3 ounces and struck a Stike King jig on Cedar Lake. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. I think we might beat it by a matter of ounces, he said. Fall is an excellent time to go fishing, with less competition at a time when the bass are becoming more aggressive again to store enough calories to make it through the winter. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. BROKEN BOW, Okla. - An Oklahoma man is now in the record books after catching the 13th biggest largemouth bass on record in Broken Bow Lake! An Oklahoma state record largemouth bass was caught Friday, March 23, at Cedar Lake in southeast Oklahoma. Roughly 14,000 acres in size, in southeastern Oklahoma, Sardis Lake holds some of the largest bass in the state. For 41 years, Oklahomas state record largemouth bass was 11 pounds, 15 ounces until it was broken in 1983 at Lake Lawtonka by a 27-year-old dairy farmer from Elgin named James E. Porter, who landed a 12 pound, 1 ounce largemouth. /*-->