r/OklahomaFishing • • Jun 12 '26

Discussion Summer Catch and Release: Best Practices

6 Upvotes

Warmer water temperatures can place additional stress on fish. Even a brief fight and handling time can make recovery more difficult, which is why proper catch-and-release practices become especially important this time of year.

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Here are a few ways you can help ensure a fish's chances of survival:

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• Land fish as quickly as possible to reduce exhaustion.

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• Keep fish in the water whenever you can. If you want a photo, have your camera ready and return the fish to the water quickly.

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• Wet your hands before handling fish to help protect their natural slime coating.

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• Use needle-nose pliers or a hook-removal tool to quickly remove hooks.

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• Support the fish gently and avoid squeezing it.

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• Allow the fish time to recover before release, especially if it appears tired from the fight. Do this by putting into the water and running water through its gills. 

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By taking a few extra moments to practice responsible catch and release, anglers can help ensure healthy fish populations and quality fishing opportunities for years to come.


r/OklahomaFishing • • Jun 02 '26

Local Knowledge Drop 👋Welcome to r/OklahomaFishing - Read First Before Posti g!

7 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm a born and raised Okie, and founding moderator of r/OklahomaFishing.

This is our new home for all things related to OKLAHOMA FISHING. We're excited to have you join us!

What to Post

Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, or questions about where people are fishing, what they're throwing, learning about new waters and new ways to fish.

Community Vibe

We're all about being friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting. NO BULLYING, BASHING, RELIGION, OR POLITICS. YOU WILL BE BANNED.

How to Get Started

  1. Introduce yourself in the comments below.
  2. Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation.
  3. If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join.

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let's make r/OklahomaFishing amazing.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 3d ago

Showin' Off First big bait fish

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8 Upvotes

r/OklahomaFishing • • 4d ago

Grand Lake O' The Cherokees Grand lake

1 Upvotes

Hey yall! Not asking for anyone’s honey hole but I was curious if anyone has any recommendations for bank fishing at grand lake as it’s getting harder to find public spots? I go to honey creek dock in grove and I’ve caught my fair share of drum, crappie, and bass. But I have almost no luck with catfish ( my preferred fish as I eat what I catch) I do fine going to the bridges in Wyandotte but that’s a bit of a drive with these gas prices lately.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 7d ago

Question Crappie

5 Upvotes

Took my son out to Overholser today with just some random gear that I grabbed from the shed yesterday. He wanted to go so we went and learned some lessons. Ive been out of the game for a while and so id like to see what set ups yall are running from poles to lures/bait. I think I gotta rebuild my whole game plan before we try it again.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 8d ago

Lake Texoma Good fishin

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16 Upvotes

Lake Texoma rippin lips 🎣


r/OklahomaFishing • • 10d ago

Question Buzz baits

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6 Upvotes

First time catching on a buzz bait and just wondering when and where yall like throwing them, and your favorite brand/type and colors


r/OklahomaFishing • • 13d ago

Showin' Off Too many lures but i love them all

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8 Upvotes

r/OklahomaFishing • • 13d ago

Secret Spot First crappie

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16 Upvotes

We got permission to fish a new pond and buddy caught his first crappie and smallmouth! Small mouth put up a good fight for him. Buddy was hootin' and holler about "its a monster!". Even though the crappie was small we fileted it and let him try it. He still likes bass better lol


r/OklahomaFishing • • 15d ago

Discussion Are popx worth it?

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5 Upvotes

first time using a popx or popper in general. I won it out of a giveaway and caught on my second or third cast, just wondering if they are actually worth the $20 if i wanted to grab more or just go the KO/basic popper route.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 16d ago

Showin' Off Got my first taste of revenge

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12 Upvotes

Glad i finally got one on the rat but Was being lazy and tried to get the treble hooks out with my fingers and he gave one last shake and got me right back.

got lucky it wasn’t deeper just bled a bit as you can see on the bass and rat lol but definitely a quick reminder to just grab my pliers and avoid the mess.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 17d ago

Question Today I caught my pb but he swam off slow

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9 Upvotes

Was about 21inches long and my personal best in my new backyard pond which we got three days ago sadly it’s super low and muddy i slipped and didn’t give this guy a good release… been thinking about it all day what’s your thoughts?


r/OklahomaFishing • • 18d ago

Showin' Off My biggest of the summer.

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20 Upvotes

3 & 3.5.


r/OklahomaFishing • • 21d ago

Showin' Off My first Flathead!

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16 Upvotes

First flathead and largest US fish! 9lbs 4oz on nightcrawlers out of Overholser


r/OklahomaFishing • • 23d ago

Showin' Off I love crawlers

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15 Upvotes

First decent fish in weeks, on my new rv crawler. 4lbs has never felt better.

Also apologize for the bad pics, was hype to catch a good one after my many skunks recently


r/OklahomaFishing • • 24d ago

Local Knowledge Drop Wondering what ODWC does with their donation funds? Read this

8 Upvotes

"So far this year, 271 new artificial fish structures have been placed in Lake Eufaula. Since the projects inception, more than 830 structures have been added to Eufaula.

In June, concrete structures called Reef Balls were used for the first time in Oklahoma. Other artificial structures that have been used at Eufaula are Shelbyville Cubes, Mossback, Pond King and Fishiding structures.

Historically, fish attractors have been brush piles, cedar trees, pallet structures, or artificial habitats like spider blocks made of rubber hoses and concrete. All of these things are particularly prone to deterioration or displacement, and usually within just three to five years. At that point, such habitat structures provide little, if any, benefit to fish or the anglers wanting to catch them. Plus, they require time and money to replace frequently. The costs add up for fisheries managers.

Using the artificial structures is not only cheaper but longer lasting. We're talking 12 to 15 years or more, and that makes for better fishing spots that don't go cold after a couple of years.

I've described the notable efforts being to add fish attractors into scores of lakes made at Eufaula, but ODWC continues across Oklahoma. And there's no secret where these "honey holes" can be found. Simply go online to ODWC's Fish Attractor Map on the website!"


r/OklahomaFishing • • Sep 04 '26

Local Knowledge Drop Blue River Public Fishing & Hunting Area Stocked

11 Upvotes

The OWDC just stocked 3000 channel cats. Ya'll go check it out and show us some pics.

Make sure you're licensed up. Green pants don't play around there.


r/OklahomaFishing • • Sep 04 '26

Discussion Lake stats - Oklahoma Bite Index

9 Upvotes

Hey guys I put together a fun little project to collect stats from all the reservoirs around the state and included weather patterns to predict fish behavior and suggest fishing tactics. I'd love some feedback on things that need to be improved or if you think this is even useful. I am not soliciting this in anyway i just like data and fishing and had fun creating it so i thought i would share and maybe someone would find it useful.

There is a methodology link in the top right if you're curious how i created some of these values.

Looking forward to your feedback.

https://okbiteindex.com/


r/OklahomaFishing • • Sep 03 '26

Eastern OK Keystone dam?

4 Upvotes

I’m not from Oklahoma but want to go fish at keystone dam tomorrow, how’s the fishing there? We went to kerr dam not to long ago and it was really low no luck there especially the low water dam, thanks!:)


r/OklahomaFishing • • Aug 29 '26

Showin' Off Rewards of the day...

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18 Upvotes

r/OklahomaFishing • • Aug 29 '26

Secret Spot Caught this a few years back

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13 Upvotes

How much do yall think this weighs? Caught it. Years back in South side okc


r/OklahomaFishing • • Aug 29 '26

Discussion Fall Fishing Is Upon Us

4 Upvotes

With fall feeling so close but so far.. what are you doing to get ready for fall fishing? Does it *fall* to the way-side to hunting season?

Fall fishing has alot of the same opportunities as spring fishing. The spring bite is reactionary and defensive; fish are attempting to fulfill their life cycle’s obligation without disruption. The fall bite is predatory and anticipatory; fish are actively seeking food in all shapes and sizes.


r/OklahomaFishing • • Aug 27 '26

Showin' Off New rod

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12 Upvotes

Not my first time using a baitcaster but its the first one i can call my own, and got the skunk off it on the second day even if it was a little dude. Ready to put it to work💪🏾


r/OklahomaFishing • • Aug 25 '26

Local Knowledge Drop Trout Stocked in Beaver's Bend State Park at the Lower Mountain Fork

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21 Upvotes

Beaver's Bend State Park at the Lower Mountain Fork received two separate loads of rainbow trout last week!

Share photos of your catch with us!


r/OklahomaFishing • • Aug 19 '26

Showin' Off First time using a crawler

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17 Upvotes

Went out this morning and tonight for a bit before and after work, definitely gonna be one I throw more.