Phil Lilley

For Immediate Release: April 27, 2007 A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation News Contacts: Michael Bergin or Micah Holmes (405) 521-3856 Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com Crappie moving to shallow waters; fishing excellent from the banks now 2007 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo to include new Outdoor Marketplace Anglers catching tagged paddlefish can find out more on the Web Online Controlled Hunts deadline is May 15 Salt Plains Bird Festival to kick off Friday Outdoor Calendar Fishing Report Crappie moving to shallow waters; fishing excellent from the banks now Anglers are reporting outstanding crappie fishing in shallow waters statewide now as the popular fish move toward the banks of lakes to spawn. "About this time every year, we begin hearing about excellent bank fishing for crappie, said Paul Mauck, southcentral region fisheries supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Water temperatures at lakes across the state are staying in the upper 50s and warmer, and that's what triggers crappie to move to shallow water this time of year." Crappie usually spawn in water only two to three feet deep, making shallows along banks an excellent place for anglers to target the highly sought after fish as well to introduce youngsters to the sport of fishing. "This is the time for bank anglers to reel in a lot of crappie," Mauck said. "Some light tackle and a handful of jigs is all that is needed. A child can pick up on it very quickly and have a great time." According to this week's state fishing report compiled by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, crappie are biting in shallow waters at Canton, Kaw, Kerr and other lakes all over the state. Mauck said anglers should fish around brush and rocky structure in shallow water for their best shot at catching crappie right now. The fact that crappie will bite a variety of bait and are easily accessible from the banks right now is only part of why they are so popular, according to Mauck. "They're excellent to eat, so you can't go wrong with catching a bunch of them this time of year," Mauck said. For a complete list of regulations, anglers should consult to the current "Oklahoma Fishing Guide" or log on to wildlifedepartment.com. Anglers can also subscribe to the Department's weekly news release to stay current on fishing conditions at state lakes as well as other outdoor news at wildlifedepartment.com/wl_news.htm. -30- 2007 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo to include new Outdoor Marketplace Archery, shotgun shooting, kayaking, camping, fishing, mountain biking, hunting dog training and wild game sampling are a few things that many Oklahomans may never get to experience unless they are avid outdoorsmen - that was until three years ago. The first two annual Oklahoma Wildlife Expos, held by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in 2005 and 2006, drew close to 80,000 people to the Lazy E Arena for a weekend of outdoor recreation. Officials with the Wildlife Department say the 2007 Expo, slated for Sept. 28-30, will be the biggest yet. The Wildlife Department is working with a range of organizations, individuals and outdoor-related companies to host the Expo, an event intended to promote and develop appreciation for Oklahoma's wildlife and natural resources. Expo visitors will learn about recreation in the great outdoors and even have a chance to win a variety of free prizes thanks to the Expo's sponsors. New this year, the Expo will feature the Outdoor Marketplace, a large tent where commercial vendors will be selling their hunting and fishing-related merchandise, services and memberships to outdoor organizations. "The Outdoor Marketplace will be good for the Expo and good for the state's outdoor businesses," said Nels Rodefeld, information and education chief for the Department. "Visitors will be able to shop while at the Expo, and businesses will be able to showcase their products and services to thousands of outdoor-minded shoppers." For more information about obtaining a booth in the Outdoor Marketplace or to obtain an application for a booth, contact Rodefeld (405) 521-9723. Log on to wildlifedepartment.com regularly to stay up to date on the upcoming Oklahoma Wildlife Expo. -30- Anglers catching tagged paddlefish can find out more on the Web Oklahoma paddlefish anglers are still reeling in the "spoonbills" in parts of the state, and some are finding that their fish have been previously caught and tagged. The fish were tagged by fisheries biologists with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to learn more about the prehistoric species, and anglers who catch a tagged spoonbill can learn more about their fish by logging on to the Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com. For months, Brent Gordon, fisheries biologist with the Wildlife Department, has been netting, weighing, measuring and marking paddlefish with metal tags on the front of the jaw before releasing them to be caught again by anglers. "Anglers have had a lot of success catching paddlefish this year and are still catching them," Gordon said. "When a tagged fish is caught and the angler participates, everyone benefits. The angler gets to learn a little about their specific fish, the Department gets to collect useful data to help with future management, and the paddlefish are ensured a future in Oklahoma waters." Paddlefish are caught by snagging, and top fishing spots include locations on the Neosho River such as the Riverview City Park in Miami, Conner and Twin Bridges above Grand Lake, the Kaw Lake tailwaters, Ft. Gibson Lake and Oologah Lake. Also, good paddlefishing can be found on Hudson Lake, where over 500 fish have already been marked with Wildlife Department tags to date. The skeleton of a paddlefish is made of cartilage instead of bones, much like a shark's skeleton. The fish regularly weigh over 50 pounds, and anglers say the action is intense and can at times be compared to heart-pounding saltwater fishing. One of Oklahoma's largest fish, paddlefish feed on plankton made of up microscopic plants and animals, just as they did long ago during the Jurassic Period. Data collected through the Wildlife Department's paddlefish tagging program may assist other state wildlife agencies in restoring their paddlefish numbers. Some states have seen dramatic decreases in paddlefish numbers, but studies in Oklahoma indicate an increase in recent years. Paddlefish range throughout the U.S. from Montana to Louisiana. Anglers who catch a tagged paddlefish can find out the length of the fish when it was first caught in a gillnet as well as when and where it was netted by logging on to wildlifedepartment.com/paddlefishtag.htm and entering the tag number. They also can learn more about the paddlefish tagging program. Gordon said it is important for anglers to participate. Paddlefish are unusual and require different management practices than other big fish. It takes a male paddlefish six to eight years to mature, and it takes a female eight to 10 years. In comparison, striped bass, another popular trophy fish in Oklahoma, can reproduce in their third or fourth year. Since the fish take so long to mature, Gordon said as much information as possible needs to be gathered on Oklahoma's populations. "The Jurassic Period is long gone, but we are still catching the paddlefish that swam around then," Gordon said. "Watching our paddlefish numbers and keeping track of the health of the fish we have will help us continue to manage them so people will be catching them a long time from now, too." Recently, the Wildlife Department developed rules to help paddlefish continue to thrive in Oklahoma. The rules reduce the bag and possession limits from three to one paddlefish daily and require the use of barbless hooks. Any fish caught and kept must be immediately tagged with the angler's name, address and fishing license number. Anglers are allowed to catch and release paddlefish until they decide to keep a fish, a practice that was previously prohibited. For more information and regulations for paddlefishing, consult the current "Oklahoma Fishing Guide." -30- Online Controlled Hunts deadline is May 15 The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Controlled Hunts deadline is May 15, and many sportsmen have already submitted their applications. Oklahoma was one of the first states to offer online Controlled Hunts applications in 1999, and 2007 marks the first year that applications are available only online. Last year, nearly 85 percent of those applying for Controlled Hunts used the online application system. Hunters can now submit their applications for the "2007-08 Controlled Hunts" over the Internet by logging on to www.wildlifedepartment.com/controlhunt.htm. After an individual submits an online application, they receive a message immediately confirming that their application was accepted. Administered by the Wildlife Department, the Controlled Hunts Program offers a wide variety of highly desirable hunts through a random drawing. Some hunts are held to provide high-quality hunting experiences on high-profile areas where it is necessary to regulate hunting pressure. Others are held to achieve management goals for certain species, and others are held to provide hunting experiences in areas where access is otherwise limited. All applicants, including lifetime license holders, must pay a $5 application fee to enter the Controlled Hunts drawings. The fee is paid only once per person per year regardless of the number of categories entered. For complete application instructions, including tips on enhancing your chances of being selected, log on to wildlifedepartment.com, and submit an application by the May 15 deadline. -30- Salt Plains Bird Festival to kick off Friday The Salt Plains Bird Festival will be held this weekend, Friday, April 27 through Sunday, April 29 at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Cherokee and will be loaded with family friendly activities. Biologists from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be presenting workshops during the festival. Some of the activities will include bird watching, wildlife photography, plant and waterfowl identification, storm chasing, guided night walks, youth casting contests, and more. "There will be activities for the entire family," said Melynda Hickman, wildlife biologist for the Wildlife Department. "With the events being geared for all ages, there will be plenty to choose from." For more information, call the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge office at (580) 626-4794, or log on to fws.gov/southwest/refuges/saltplains/. -30- OUTDOOR CALENDAR MAY 1: Oklahoma Master Naturalist Spring Basic Workshop. Program will provide a series of in-depth workshops designed to certify participants as qualified naturalist educators. Workshops will take place May 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Oklahoma County Extension Center, 930 N. Portland Ave., in Oklahoma City. There is a charge of $50 per person to help meet costs and expenses, and registration is limited to 25 per session to those ages 18 and older. For more information you can contact Gail Brooks at (405) 348-7610 or gbrooks585@aol.com. Information, including registration, is also available on the web at www.okmasternaturalist.org. 3: Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan to be held at Woods County Fairgrounds Women's Building (43258 Harper Road) Alva. It is one mile south and one mile west of State Hwy 281/64. Meeting begins at 6: 30 p.m. For more information contact Jeri Fleming at (405) 744-9994. 3: Yukon Ducks Unlimited Chapter will be hold its banquet at the Dale Robertson Activity Center (1200 Lakeshore Dr. SE corner of NW 39th and Mustang Road). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Ticket information is available by contacting George Edwards at (405)843-3431. 4: Green Country Quail Forever Habitat Banquet at the Tulsa Expo Center Cafe (21st and Yale Ave) Doors open at 5 p.m. for a barbecue dinner. There will be a live auction and raffles. Great items, wildlife art, merchandise, hunting trips, guns and dogs and related equipment. For information or tickets call (918) 633-9554. 4 & 5: Sixth Annual Smallmouth Rendezvous and Fly Tying Extravaganza in Tahlequah, Okla. at the Tahlequah Community Building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Program includes fly fishing seminars, fly tying demonstrations, and fly fishing instruction. Admission is free to the public. Additional information is available at okieflyfishers.org or by calling Dennis Kidd (918) 914 3928. 4-6: Okeene Rattlesnake Roundup in Downtown Okeene, Okla. The Okeene Rattlesnake roundup is the oldest Rattlesnake hunt in the world! There is entertainment for people of all ages - with snakes and without snakes! The event includes: The Old Smokey Show, The Den of Death (snake pit), carnival rides, a parade, train rides, a dance, caravans, and the Lil' Rattler Poker Run. For more information call (580) 822-3101. 5: Spring Bird Count at Byron Hatchery Watchable Wildlife Area http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/byron.htm, Cherokee, Okla. Count starts at 5:30 a.m. Bring sack lunch. For more information: (405) 424-0099. 5: Oklahoma Waterfowler's Association Rendezvous at Route 66 Park at Lake Overholser (on the corner of NW 23rd and Lake Road). This fun, all-day event will feature an all-you-can-eat lunch, kid's duck/goose calling contest, live auction and duck boat regatta. For more information e-mail dmarkboyd@prodigy.net. 5: National Wild Turkey Federation Greasy Creek Gobblers Oklahoma Hunting Heritage Banquet http://www.oknwtf.org/node/48. Banquet starts at 6 p.m. at the Stilwell High School Cafeteria, Stilwell. For more information contact D.J. Vann at (479) 414-3848. 6: Woodward Archers 3-D target at Woodward Archers Associations' range located west and south of Woodward. The event is held the first Sunday of the month. We have a great range with lots of variables to set up that promise to spark a challenge to all. For more information contact Ed Kinney at (580) 256-3320 or Frank Patterson Jr. at (580) 256-6613. 7: The Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium) located at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City. 8: Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan public meeting to be held at Western Technology Center (1000 NE Hwy 66), Sayre. Meeting begins at 6: 30 p.m. For more information contact Jeri Fleming at (405) 744-9994. FISHING REPORT FOR APRIL 25, 2007 CENTRAL Arcadia: Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Blue catfish being caught on shad. Crappie good. Report submitted by Wade Farrar, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County. Hefner: Water 64 and murky. White bass being caught on jigs in the canal. Channel catfish being caught off the banks on cut bait, stinkbait and punch bait. Walleye being caught on jigs along the shoreline. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County. Overholser: Water 70 and murky. Striped bass hybrids being caught on jigs on windy days. Channel catfish being caught on cut bait, stinkbait along the north end of the dam. Crappie being caught on jigs around the docks. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County. Thunderbird: Elevation 7 ft. below normal and murky. Crappie excellent on minnows and small jigs at 3-5 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County. Wes Watkins: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 58-67 and murky in shallow feeder creeks. The water is clearing in the main body of the lake and back west in the timbered area. Catfish fair to good on shrimp, chicken liver, fresh cut bait, minnows and assorted stinkbait in shallow water of the main lake channel. Crappie fair on jigs on jigs and minnows in timbered areas, structure and brush piles. White bass fair on small crankbaits in coves and timbered area and trolling with shallow diving crankbaits. Largemouth bass good on assorted colored spinnerbaits, brush hogs, lizards, worms and buzzbaits and rattletraps in weed beds and grassy areas and on topwaters in the early morning. Report submitted by M.M. Fowler, St. Gregory's. NORTHEAST Birch: Elevation 1 ft. above normal and muddy. Reservoir release is 98 cubic feet per second. Crappie good around rocky banks. Catfish good below the dam. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County. Carl Blackwell: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 60 and murky to muddy in some areas. Bass fair on spinnerbaits. Crappie starting to pick up on minnows and jigs. Saugeye and striped bass hybrids fair on crankbaits and grubs. Catfish good on cut bait. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County. Chandler: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and murky. Largemouth bass and channel catfish slow. Crappie good on minnows off the dam. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County. Copan: Elevation 2 ft. above normal and muddy. Crappie good and starting to move into shallow waters near rocky banks and brush on chartreuse or black/pink tube jigs. Bank fishing for crappie is currently best on the south end of Washington Cove, east of the boat ramp at Copan Point, the coves and creek around Osage Plains and under Cotton Creek bridge. Catfish fair to good on jug lines in or near the river channel. White bass fair in the same areas as crappie. Report submitted by Marni Loftis, game warden stationed in Washington County. Eucha: Elevation slightly above normal, water 61 and clear. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush and structure at 12-14 ft. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish good on trotlines using night crawlers. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries. Ft. Gibson: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 62 and muddy. Largemouth bass good in flooded grass and around brush. Channel catfish good on worms and crawfish. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. Paddlefish snagging good from Flat Rock Creek to the low water dam. Report submitted Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner County. Grand: Elevation normal, water murky. Channel catfish good on cut shad in about at 10-12 ft. in river channels or shoreline, juglines on cut shad. Crappie fair at 10 ft. around baited areas using jigs and minnows. White bass good in rivers and creek channels using jigs and spinnerbaits. Paddlefish picking up in river channels. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County. Greenleaf: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass good on jigs, worms, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Channel catfish good on cut bait and stinkbait on bottom. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush structure and fishing dock. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. Hudson: Elevation normal. Largemouth bass good on pig and jig combo and crankbaits. White bass good on small jigs and minnows in the upper end of the lake. Channel and blue catfish good on cut shad in the flats and off points. Paddlefish snagging good in the upper end of the lake. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Mayes County. Hulah: Elevation 4 ft. above normal and muddy. Reservoir release is 3,085 cubic feet per second. Crappie good and starting to move into shallow waters near rocky banks and brush on chartreuse or black/pink tube jigs. Bank fishing for crappie is currently best in Skull Creek, Wa-Sha-She Park and in the river near Rocky Ford boat ramp marina. White bass good in the Caney River North of the lake. Catfish fair to good on juglines in or near the river channel. Report submitted by Marni Loftis, game warden stationed in Washington County. Kaw: Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 60. Three tainter gates are open, two sluice gates are open. Water clarity, muddy on the upper end and stained by the dam. Blue and channel good in the main tributaries that feed Kaw in the flooded willows points or bends in the river with worms, stinkbait or fresh cut bait. White bass are being caught in moderate numbers in beaver creek. Crappie good in Beaver Creek. White bass good on the flats at the mouth of Little Beaver or Otter creeks. Fishing below Kaw Dam for crappie has slowed down due to high water but should improve when the flood gates are closed, the back water where there is not any current is the place to catch crappie, and there are good places on both sides of the river that have easy access by foot. White bass fishing has slowed down but is still good, fishing two 1/8 or 3/16 jigs was the best producer over the weekend, sassy shad or tub bodies both worked well, red/white was a popular choice. Paddlefish has picked up with the high water conditions, spawned out females were caught over the weekend, the spawning run is near the end. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County. Keystone: Elevation 4 ft. above normal, water 62 and murky to muddy. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and jig and chunk at 4-8 ft. in the backs of coves. Smallmouth bass fair on jig and chunk and crankbaits at 4-8 ft. in the middle of deep coves. Spotted bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits at 4-8 ft. in main lake pockets. White bass good on minnows, grubs and tube jigs at 3-8 ft. in coves and creek in the upper end of the lake. Striped bass below the dam are fair on sassy shad and bucktails at 3-6 ft. early mornings. Striped bass in the lake are fair on rattletraps and swim baits at 4-8 ft. in the mouth of creek in the upper end of the lake. Channel catfish good on worms and shrimp at 3-6 ft. in shallow coves. Blue catfish good on cut shad and punch bait at 5-10 ft. in the flats up river. Flathead catfish fair on goldfish and large minnows at 6-10 ft. in deep coves. Crappie good on minnows and jig and bobber rigs at 2-8 ft. on sunny gravel banks. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle. Oologah: Elevation 5 1/2 ft. above normal, water in the low 60's. Water muddy on the north end and murky on the south end. Blue catfish good on jugs baited with shad on shallow flats at 10-15 ft. Channel catfish fair on shrimp and doughbaits around flooded willows at 5 ft. Crappie fair around flooded bushes on minnows and jigs at 5 ft. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits around flooded brush. White bass and crappie fair on jigs below the dam. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County. Skiatook: Elevation 7 1/2 ft. below normal, water 62 and murky, but clearing. Striped bass hybrids fair, in creeks and on points, on sassy shad, pearl white and chartreuse colors working well. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs in shallow water. Smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits. Crappie good, on minnows, in creeks, and on structure, at docks and Hwy 20 Bridge. Catfish fair on cut baits and large minnows, in most of the creeks. Report submitted by Greenwood Fishing Center. Sooner: White bass and striped bass hybrids good on cut and live bait deep on the cold water side. Channel and blue catfish good on cut and live bait off the dikes. Fishing off Hwy 15 is slow. Fishing around the dam is good where water is entering the lake from the river. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County. Spavinaw: Elevation slightly below normal, water 63 and clear. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around the dam area. Largemouth bass good on jerk baits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries. Webbers Falls: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits in creek channels and along riprap. Channel and flathead catfish good on cut bait and sunfish on bottom. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush structure and bridges. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. NORTHWEST Canton: Elevation 3 ft. below normal. White bass and striped bass hybrids excellent on jigs, crankbaits and live bait. Walleye good trolling crankbaits near islands and along dam. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs near brush piles. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County. Ft. Supply: Elevation normal and clear. White bass fair on jigs and spoons below the dam. Crappie fair on jigs and spinners below the dam. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County. SOUTHEAST Arbuckle: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 62 and stained. Crappie good at 4-6 ft. in back off coves and creeks. White bass fair in coves at 10-15 ft. on small jigs and rattletraps. Bass good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, lizards and jerk baits. Report submitted by Jack Melton. Arbuckle: Elevation 1 ft. above normal and murky. Largemouth bass good on soft plastics, jerk baits and spinnerbaits. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs. White bass fair on minnows and trolling crankbaits. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, state game warden stationed in Carter County. Blue River: Elevation normal, water 57 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on minnows and flies. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver and stinkbait. Trout fair on rooster tails and power bait. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area. Broken Bow: Largemouth bass good on crankbaits and slow running spinnerbaits in the mouths of creeks at 4-5 ft. and on buzzbaits in the afternoon. Channel catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with sunfish. Crappie good around structure in the upper end of the lake around standing timber on jigs and minnows. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Eufaula: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water clear to the east and murky to the west. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits and jerk baits at 3-8 ft. around rocky areas. White bass good on jigs below the dam when releasing water. Blue catfish fair on fresh shad at 3-10 ft. in the shallow flats. Crappie good on minnows or jigs at 2-6 ft. along the grass line and around brush. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County. Hugo: Elevation normal, water 61 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Crappie fair on live minnows and jigs. Blue catfish fair on cut shad and liver. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County. Konawa: Elevation normal, water 66 and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms at 4-8 ft. in weed beds. Channel catfish good on chicken liver in the discharge canal at 15 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County. Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout fair to good. There have been at least two types of caddis and two types of mayflies hatching. Good flies have been ants, soft hackles, various small dry flies like caddis patterns, Adams and wooly buggers. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop. McGee Creek: Elevation 1 1/3 ft. above normal, water 61 and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on soft plastic lures at 2-6 ft. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs over submerged cedar trees off main creek channels. Channel catfish and flathead catfish fair on live bait on jugs and trotlines. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County. Murray: Bass good. White bass fair on jigs and crankbaits trolling. Catfish slow. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, state game warden stationed in Carter County. Pine Creek: Elevation slightly above normal and clear. Bass excellent on spinnerbaits, plastic worms and salt impregnated soft plastics. Crappie fair on minnows at the old bridge. Catfish fair on rod and reel and trotlines baited with magic bait. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Sardis Lake: Bass excellent on spinnerbaits in grass beds. White bass good up creeks on grubs and sassy shad. Blue catfish and flathead catfish fair on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait. Crappie good on minnows along gravel beds and around bridges. Walleye fair up creeks and around islands on grubs. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County. Texoma: Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water 60 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on jig combinations at 10-20 ft. in creek channels. Striped and white bass fair on live bait and sassy shad at 10-20 ft. at the islands. Channel and blue catfish fair on cut bait and worms at 10-15 ft. in the Washita River. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-10 ft. around brush piles and riprap. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County. Wister: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal and murky. Largemouth bass excellent on plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Catfish channel good on liver and cut baits with jugs and trotlines. Flathead good on live sunfish with trotlines. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County. SOUTHWEST Altus-Lugert: Elevation 12 ft. below normal and rising. White bass and striped bass hybrids good off the main swim beach. Crappie good near the old fish-o-rama. Walleye good but most are not long enough to keep - must be 18 inches. You may want to check for current depth by going to: http://www.swt-usace.army.mil/ALTU.lakepage.html. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain State Park. Foss: Elevation 2 ft. below normal and clear. Walleye good along dam. Striped bass hybrids and crappie good. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House. Ft. Cobb: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal and water murky. Crappie slow around docks. Striped bass hybrids slow to fair off windy points. Saugeye slow drifting or trolling. Catfish fair on cut baits. Report submitted by James Edwards Jr., game warden station in Caddo County. Waurika: Elevation normal, water 60 and murky. White bass and catfish good on live bait like shad and crawfish tails. Crappie slow. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.

Just thinking about some of the conversations on fishing for bass while on beds. Why not form a club. To be a "member" just display a sticker on your boat/truck that shows you support NOT fishing for bass on beds. I could have Jason design something catchy... any ideas? Should be small, simple and cool. I'll have them printed and send them to anyone who wants one. I guess we could do the same for trout, cause there's just as much passion about fishing for spawning trout. We could even design a simple website drawing attention to the negatives to catching females active on beds... actually shame some of the tournament guys into admitting what they are doing goes against the ethics they pretend to uphold (Is that alittle strong??). Gotta get it done quick cause I'm leaving in 3 weeks. I can have someone take over for me mailing them out... just need to get it designed and printed before I'm gone.

It was about 22-23 inches and 5-6 pounds. Very solid, thick fish. Rolan had problems with my camera... the fish was being nice until Rolan wanted to move the boat to get a "better" pic. Then Mr. Brown wanted to go back home and let me know about. Not good. Generation- I'd say very little if any. None this morning so far... good for Terry's fishing!

What did the big browns take?

...but don't you think they are fished for mostly around the spawn? I may be way off on this... I'm willing to concede with more discussion.

6740's are sold- thanks! But just got some 6720's in - $59.96! My favorite spinning reel.

2b- your post is confusing. "this is an issue that needs to be looked at by the MDC not by individuals." So we should talk about it? You draw a comparison to catching bass of beds/killing them to tournaments and elite bass fisherman... I understand you point but I don't think Bill's motivation is coming from keeping bass around for tournament people. As for bass being special, yes people do fish for crappie year round but what percentage? 5? 10? Probably not that many. Walleye- you have a good point there. They are stocked. One can put a price tag on a walleye cause it costs that state, you and I, money to have them in TR. You can make a case of closing the spawning season on walleye- MDC does in spawning creeks on Bull Shoals. "we should not get so emotional and start mud slinging." There's no mud slinging here. And we aren't a lynch mob. Skeeter- that's exactly what I told Bill... who's dock is it and report them!! abk- I use either an 1/8 or 1/4 depending on the wind. 1/8th if it's clam and go heavier if it's windy. Size- I think anything between 3 and 5 inches is fine. I throw to the bank, let it sink to the bottom and crank slowly. Then wait for that incredible 'tap' and set the hook!!

Rolan said he landed 109 trout yesterday afternoon. We caught 30-35 this morning and they said it was slow. It's cooled off as the day goes on. The wind is not too bad. Current is perfect, as far as I'm concerned.

Boated up with Rolan and Ed Duffield this morning to find one unit running, overcast and alittle wind and rain. Roland and Ed were only armed with fly rods but I brought my spin rod too, just in case. Tried micro jigs and scuds with some success but I was itching to throw something with alittle meat on the end of my line so I started throwing a sculpin 3/32nd oz jig and started nailing them on almost every cast. All Rolan would do is chuckle each time I'd set the hook. They were still catching fish too but not at my pace. Rolan -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> & Ed After 3-4 drifts from Andy's house to past the narrows, I decided to go for broke and tied on a white 1/8th oz jig. We moved to the bluff side of the lake and I immediately was rewarded by a quite strike and a heavy pull. It was a big fish and it stayed down--- yes a brown. I told Rolan to get the net. Landed it a few minutes later. I'm NOT smiling cause it was BIT'IN MY FINGER!!!

It's not keeping BASS that bothers most of you, it's keeping bass with eggs- am I right? I talked to Bill- he gets pretty emotional about it and that's Bill. I think he would feel the same even if weren't a guide. I did point out the fact that we catch and keep crappie and white bass with little (but some) regard for spawning females. So why are bass so special I asked. He didn't have a good answer. I'd say to someone who wants to keep bass during a spawn... keep the males and spawned out females. Release the females with eggs and some back in a week and catch and keep her after she's done, if you have to keep bass.

$59 offlake and $79 lakefront plus we have a delux single at my parent's house for $99.

Hey- need to apologize for a slip on this topic. I posted the incorrect dates for the special and someone just caught it. I was trying to give away $19 rooms away thru the summer, which I can't do and stay in business. It was an honest mistake- sorry.

That's a defined line in the sand. Scent is illegal.

Always wondered what that was... what kind of music?

Good luck... his wife won't let him go for a month straight. He barely gets to go for a week straight. Too many honey-dos.

I used to fish with an old guy on BS. We would set the boat in the middle of the channel/cove and drift with the wind and used 1/16th oz jig, I think white or pink, tipped with a minnow hooked through the lips. We catch the fire out of crappie- he'd get the biggest kick out of it. We did the best right in K-Dock cove when the dock was in the cove, not on the main lake. Lots of brush out in the middle, we'd set the lines just above the brush. I don't think we had any trouble with the minnow spinning.

From Babler- they tore the bass up yesterday swimming a grub on flat pea gravel banks in the dam area yesterday. Smallmouth mainly. It's at good as it gets he said.

Talked to Rolan Duffield this am and he and his brother did well yesterday afternoon. Fished from his boat from Andy's down to the narrows using nothing but his "peppy" scud #14 and caught 68 rainbows up to 14 inches. No generation yesterday all day. Peppy is a dubbing he uses- it's basically gray. There's a recipe on it in the recipe section. Lots of rain last night. The lake in front of our place is in good shape but I bet there's some runoff upstream. Depending on how much TR comes up, we may see more generation shortly.

FYI I bought a Panasonic PV-GS320. MiniDV, 3CCD. I went for picture quality instead of HDD or HD. Only $499 so I have some $$$ to spend on accessories. Thanks for the help.

http://www.ozarkflyfishers.org/pages/newsl...4/nl_y07m04.pdf

Man, that's a big, fat fish!!

"If MDC wanted to save a few fish, why not take the next step and impose the Barbless Rule and let the warden carry panty hose to check it out." MDC has taken the position (or at least Mike Kruse did) that barbless does not save fish. It only saves their lips (cosmetic). I don't like the barbless rule simply because if you don't use factory made barbless hooks, you're always in fear of your barb not being bent down far enough and failing the "panty hose test'. Some hooks are harder than others... some continually break when crimping.

Can you say BROWN NOSE JOB... I know you have to "get along" with these guys but gosh! I know Tim can take alittle ribbing- he's a mild mannered guy. Sorry- feeling phisty this evening. We gotta continue our pool marathon series soon, huh Bill. 16-16

I just used the standard grubs... pumpkin seed green and smoke is my favorite colors. 3-4 inch. Is that about what you use? Mann's I think is what I have in my box. Do you ever scent your baits? I heard shakey worm is tearing them up in shallow water in some areas. Lastly, what was the water temp today? You forgot to mention you kicked Becks and Co.'s butts today.

They said fishing was tough. We fished zebras in slow moving water about mid way in the trophy area. 7x tippet. But Vince pulled out a black micro and cleaned house towards the end of the day. Just nothing much to measure. 12 inches was the best. I lost one that would have gone 14 early. Vince passed on some 13's. Had a big 10# striper in the pool below us making havoc- maybe that's why they were biting too well.