Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

For Immediate Release:

April 17, 2008

A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

News Contacts: Michael Bergin or Micah Holmes (405) 521-3856

Web site: wildlifedepartment.com

Deadline to apply for Wildlife Department Youth Camp extended

Oklahoma’s hunting and fishing license sales impact conservation funding

Consider habitat improvements when rebuilding farm ponds

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

Deadline to apply for Wildlife Department Youth Camp extended

Youth who did not sign up for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s annual Youth Camp by the April 18 deadline can still sign up, as the deadline has been extended through May 1, 2008

The 10th annual Youth Camp is scheduled for June 2-6, 2008. The camp is free, and youth get a chance to learn about careers in wildlife conservation.

Held at OU Biological Station near Lake Texoma, the camp is open to Oklahoma youths ages 14 to 16 and is designed to give an increased awareness of protecting and managing Oklahoma's wildlife resources. Participants will attend courses in rifle and shotgun training, hunting and wildlife identification, wildlife law enforcement, wildlife and fisheries biology and management, self-defense, and ropes and rappelling.

The camp is limited to 35 youth. Applicants should be interested in fish and wildlife management or law enforcement and must submit a 75-word essay explaining why they want to attend the camp, why they believe they should be selected and what they expect to learn while attending. They must also submit a letter of recommendation from a person of their choice other than a family member and a photograph of a recent outdoor-related event or activity.

Applicants must turn 14 prior to June 2, 2008. Obtain applications by logging on to the Wildlife Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com/youthcamp.htm. Simply print off the application, fill it out and mail it in with the essay, letter of recommendation and photograph to: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Law Enforcement Division Youth Camp, P.O. Box 53465 Oklahoma City, OK 73152.

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Oklahoma’s hunting and fishing license sales impact conservation funding

Hunters and anglers are a critical part of the success of conservation, and recently their activity has helped secure an increase in the amount of conservation effort that can be implemented statewide.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced fiscal year 2008 Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs funding. Oklahoma’s share of the funding is at an all time high. The state’s share of the 2008 Wildlife Restoration funds are $6,549,087 while the Sport Fish Restoration funds are $7,502,897. This is a combined increase of $1,451,684 over last year’s funds.

The total pool of available funds is determined by how much is raised from a special federal excise tax that is levied on hunting and fishing equipment and motorboat fuel. The money is distributed to all 50 state fish and wildlife agencies based on a formula that includes land mass of the state and the number of hunting and fishing licenses sold in that state.

“Since the equipment and gas tax is collected nationwide and the land and water area isn’t likely to change, funding for Oklahoma’s wildlife conservation really comes down to the number of hunting and fishing licenses sold,” said John Stafford, federal aid coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “It is very important that hunters and anglers introduce their friends and family to the sport to ensure the future of our outdoor heritage.”

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration funds are used by the Wildlife Department for a wide range of important activities, including the purchase and maintenance of wildlife management areas; construction of fish hatcheries, research laboratories and user facilities; surveying and managing fish and wildlife populations; training volunteer instructors; and educating young hunters and anglers in safe firearms handling, fish and wildlife resources and ethics afield.

The Wildlife Department receives no general state tax revenues and is funded by sportsmen through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses and special federal excise taxes on sporting goods.

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Consider habitat improvements when rebuilding farm ponds

Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation say reports of collapsed or damaged pond dams are on the rise currently after bouts of heavy rains this spring.

Oklahoma anglers know fishing the state’s many farm ponds can be one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy the sport of angling, but many ponds are waiting to be repaired or restored and transformed into a dream fishery.

“We recognize pond fishing as an extremely important part of Oklahoma’s fishing heritage,” said Jeff Boxrucker, Assistant Chief of Fisheries for the Wildlife Department. “When a dam collapses on a nice farm pond fishery, whether a result of heavy rains, poor initial construction or even beaver-inflicted damage, it can be a huge loss for landowners and anglers. But the positive side is that a new door is opened to create an even better fishery than before.”

Boxrucker said owners of damaged ponds who wish to rebuild their fisheries have the opportunity to re-evaluate their angling interests and improve their ponds, in terms of both habitat availability and fish and water management.

“Although the Wildlife Department does not build ponds on private property, we recognize the value of pond fishing in Oklahoma, and we encourage pond owners to realize the potential their ponds have as fisheries and to manage them for angling,” Boxrucker said. “Some landowners have pond beds that have been empty for years, but just a little effort could go a long way in creating some lifelong memories, especially if those landowners have kids or grandkids that might enjoy the sport of fishing if only given the chance to be around the sport.”

According to Boxrucker, landowners who have lost a pond due to a collapsed dam, or those who would like to restore a dry bed that was once a flourishing pond, should consider installing a draw down structure consisting of a pipe extending through the dam with a valve on the downstream side that allows water levels in ponds to be manipulated. Other management techniques and pond improvements to consider while a pond is being reconstructed include sinking brush and other fish attracting structure, planning harvest guidelines to manipulate size structure, constructing docks and deepening pond beds.

“Being able to draw the water levels of your pond down at the turn of a valve can literally save a pond when rains are extremely heavy in an area,” Boxrucker said. “That way your pond is not simply at the mercy of mother nature. Winter drawdown structures are effective means of vegetation control and manipulating predator and prey ratios. If you’ve got a pond that is currently dry or being rebuilt, now is the time to get a few things right that will benefit your pond and the quality of fishing it provides in the long run.”

The Wildlife Department also has a available a 44-page booklet titled Managing Pond Fisheries in Oklahoma that includes full-color photos and covers pond construction, placement of structure, controlling vegetation, proper levels of fish harvest and more. The booklet costs $3 and can be purchased by logging on to wildlifedepartment.com/outstorepubs.htm.

Boxrucker recommends contacting the county Natural Resources Conservation Service for technical assistance for restoring damaged or dry farm ponds.

Ponds that are newly constructed or restored that meet certain criteria may be eligible to receive free fish from the Wildlife Department. Interested anglers must go through an application process, and forms can be found at wildlifedepartment.com/farmpond.htm or by contacting a local game warden. More information is available on page 15 of the “2008 Oklahoma Fishing Guide.”

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

APRIL

20: Woodward Archers 3-D Shoot. Range Directions from 48th St and Oklahoma Ave: go one mile west, turn left off Hwy 15 go south two and one half miles west. For more information contact Ed Kinney at (580) 256-3320 or Frank Patterson, Jr. at (580) 256-6613. Memberships available; shoots are open events. Sign in begins at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 2:30 p.m.

21: Boat Trailer Preparation workshop at the Broken Arrow Bass Pro Shop. This class will meet in the Seminar Room at 7 p.m. and is conducted by our marine manager. This class will inform boaters on proper care for trailers.

22: Master Naturalist Workshop – Oklahoma City. Learn about basic ecology, forest ecosystems of Oklahoma, aquatic and wetland ecosystems and prairie ecosystems. Volunteers completing the training are eligible to participate in a variety of additional trainings, field trips and service projects. For details, go to okmasternaturalist.org and click on “join us” or contact info@okmasternaturalist.org <mailto:info@okmasternaturalist.org> .

22: Basics of Backpacking at the Broken Arrow Bass Pro Shop. This class will be taught by our experienced camping specialist. Learn the basics of backpacking, from short day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips. From choosing your pack to gearing out for safety and comfort, come learn how to make your backpacking trip an enjoyable experience. The class will start at 7 p.m. in the Seminar Room.

23: Earth Fest 2008 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

24: Bluebird Bob Walshaw will present a hands-on seminar on bluebirds and how to deal with house sparrows at 7 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow. This program will be held in the upstairs meeting room, is free and open to the public and door prizes will be awarded.

24: Master Naturalist Workshops – Tulsa. Learn about basic ecology, forest ecosystems of Oklahoma, aquatic and wetland ecosystems and prairie ecosystems. Volunteers completing the training are eligible to participate in a variety of additional trainings, field trips and service projects. For details go to neokmasternaturalist.org and click on “join” or call (918) 342-1569.

25-27: Birding and Heritage Festival at Great Salt Plains. For a schedule of activities, log on to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklah.../festival.html.

26: Spring Wilderness Hike at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The hikes provide visitors with an opportunity to experience a portion of the Charons Garden Wilderness Area under the guidance of an interpreter. Topics for interpretation include basic geology, plants, wildlife and habitat diversity. Guides and interpreters for the hikes are members of the Association of Friends of the Wichitas. The hikes, which include the crossing of the Valley of the Boulders, are rated strenuous for those who do not hike weekly. Participants must wear sturdy, rubber-soled shoes and layer clothing appropriately for anticipated weather. Hikers will want to bring personal drinking water and a high-energy snack. Hikes will last approximately three hours. A $5 reservation fee per participant will be collected at the time of check-in. The bus will depart from headquarters promptly at 10 a.m. Reservations will be retained until 10 minutes prior to departure on each date. Reservations must be made by telephoning the Visitor Center at (580) 429-3222.

26: Celebration of Birds Festival, Cherokee.

26: National Wild Turkey Federation Edmond Gobblers chapter fundraising banquet will be held at the Wellness Center in Edmond from 6-10 p.m. For more information or to reserve your ticket, contact Dennis or Jennie Pratt at (405) 340-5154 or (405) 760-5677.

26: Benefit Tourney for the Oklahoma Baptist Home for Girls located in Madill, Oklahoma. The proceeds for this bass tournament are used to meet the medical and personal needs of girls in Baptist Home for Girls' care. These include braces, medications, medical visits, glasses and other needs that the family may not be able to provide. The tournament will take place at Lake Texoma (Catfish Bay) on Saturday, April 26. The entry fee is $150. Fishermen from all over Northern Texas and Oklahoma attend the bass tournament each year. This tournament combines the things fishermen love the most — food, fishing and fellowship. The Oklahoma Baptist Home for Girls hosts a sign-in meeting and provides a free supper for all the fishermen. The contestants are not only fed, but also treated to a special performance by Speechless, and testimonies from the girls. For more information on registering yourself or a team for the tournament, please visit the entry form link at nokfocas.org or contact David Rush with Northern Oklahoma FOCAS at (580) 762-8949.

FISHING REPORT FOR APRIL 16, 2008

CENTRAL

Arcadia: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. above normal, water 56-59 and muddy. Largemouth bass good on black worms at 3 ft. in the morning around the north ramps and south banks. Channel catfish fair to good on plastic worms at 3-5 ft. in the morning around the south banks and in flooded timber on shad in the morning. All other fishing is fair. Report submitted by Linnie Mason, gate attendant.

NORTHEAST

Bell Cow: Elevation above normal and murky. Largemouth bass slow. Channel catfish fair on cut bait. Crappie slow. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Carl Blackwell: Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 57 and muddy. Catfish fair on cut bait and worms. All other fishing has slowed due to heavy rains and fluctuating water levels. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County.

Copan: Elevation 7 1/2 ft. above normal and murky. Crappie slow on minnow and jigs near submerged structure at 10-15 ft. Blue catfish fair on cut shad. Channel catfish good in flooded areas on worms. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Eucha: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water 54 and muddy. Prior to last week's heavy rains, largemouth had been very active on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Crappie have been slow on jigs and minnows. White bass action reported on upper end of lake. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation 24 ft. above normal, water 58 and murky. White bass good up creek and in streams. Catfish good on worms, minnows and cut bait in running water. Boaters are urged to use caution due to high water levels. Report submitted by Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Grand: Elevation 7 ft. above normal, water 51-58 and muddy. There is full generation, and eight flood gates are open. The water is starting to fall this week. There are just a few ramps usable, and a lot of logs and debris on the lake. Bass are being caught on spinnerbaits and jigs. Crappie slow. Catfish fair in the rivers on shad. Paddlefish are being snagged in Riverview Park, Miami. There are more being caught from the Bee Creek to Twin Bridges. Trolling in boats is the method being used. Report submitted by Littlefield’s Sporting Goods & Greg Lambs Guide Service.

Grand: Elevation dropping, water 56-58 and muddy. Largemouth bass good on purple baits at 5-7 ft. in Honey Creek off points and at 7-10 ft. in Elk River off points. White bass slow. Channel and blue catfish good on worms, shad and blood baits in shallow water along shoreline. Blue and flathead catfish good on juglines and trotlines with goldfish and brooders at 20-40 ft. Crappie fair on minnows and dark-colored jigs at 7-10 ft. Paddlefish slow. Report submitted by Sam Williams, Grand Lake Sports.

Greenleaf: Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits along shoreline and creek channels. Catfish good on stinkbaits and cut baits on bottom. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at fishing dock and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hulah: Elevation 14 ft. above normal and murky. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs near submerged structure at 10-15 ft. Blue catfish good on cut shad. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Kaw: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal and muddy. White bass excellent in the upper portions of Little Beaver using jigs, sassy shads and in-line spinners. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush and rocks lakewide at 4-12 ft. Paddlefish snagging slow below Kaw Dam. Blue and channel catfish fair on juglines using shad and sunfish at 6-25 ft. in the Washunga, Bear, and Pioneer areas. Report submitted by Tracy Daniel, game warden stationed in Kay County.

Oologah: Elevation 11 1/2 ft. above normal, water 50-60 and muddy. Blue and channel catfish fair on juglines baited with shad on flats in upper areas of the lake 10ft. Black bass fair on spinnerbaits and jigs around flooded vegetation. Crappie fair around standing timber on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Skiatook: Elevation 8 ft. above normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits along windy points on the lower half of the lake. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair in open water. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-20 ft. around structure. All other fishing slow. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Sooner: White bass and hybrid striped bass good in discharge channel on ghost minnows. Catfish fair on cut and live bait. Crappie slow. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Spavinaw: Elevation 1 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Webbers Falls: Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water murky. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits in creek channels and riprap. Catfish good on cut baits on bottom. Crappie good on minnows and jigs near bridges and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation normal. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs in upper end of the lake. White bass good on jigs in upper end of lake and river. Striped bass hybrids and channel catfish good on crawdad tails and night crawlers along north shore. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 58-61 and muddy up creeks, stained elsewhere. Crappie on brush piles, some have moved to the shallows. White bass chasing shad in backs of coves. Bass fair on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged worms. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: Elevation normal, water 58 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on minnows and flies. Channel catfish fair on liver and worms. Report submitted by Charles Baker, technician at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: Elevation 22 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass good on worms, plastics and crankbaits. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with sunfish. Crappie being caught around structure. The only open boat ramp is south of Smithville at the narrows. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: Elevation 8 ft. above normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits flipping into flooded timber. White bass good on jigs below the dam. Blue catfish fair on shad in creek openings. Crappie fair on minnows or jigs in flooded timber. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 15 ft. above normal. White bass fair to good in the upper feeder creeks. Crappie fair on minnows. Catfish and crappie good below the dam. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan Counties.

Konawa: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 73 and murky. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits along points and road beds at 8-10 ft. Channel catfish good on shad in the discharge canal at 15 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout slow to fair due to recent rain. Fishing should improve when the spillway gates are closed. Report submitted by Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

McGee Creek: Elevation 6 1/3 ft above normal, 58 degrees and murky. Largemouth bass fair to good on soft plastic lures and crawfish-colored crankbaits at 6-12 ft. along brush. Crappie fair on minnows at 12-18 ft. over cedar brush. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: Elevation normal, water 53 and stained. Largemouth and smallmouth bass excellent on spinnerbaits and jerk baits. White bass fair around Martin's Landing on minnows and jigs and on crankbaits trolling. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait, worms and chicken liver. Crappie good on jigs and minnows shallow. Walleye good on jigs and minnows. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: Elevation extremely high and murky. Bass good at submerged road beds on crankbaits. Crappie fair in flooded timber and great at the spillway on jigs. Catfish being caught on night crawlers around Turkey Creek and in the upper river channel. Anglers should use caution. Lake is elevated at a near record, and many structures could be hidden. Many boat ramps are closed also. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation above normal, water 61and murky. Largemouth bass fair at 2-5 ft. using plastic baits and spinnerbaits fishing the weed, rock and woody shorelines. Crappie good at 1-3 ft. using minnows and jigs fishing the spawning areas around the lake. White bass slow using jigs fishing downstream from Webbers Falls dam. Blue catfish good at 5-15 ft. using fresh cut shad and worms fishing the edge of the current on all the runoff water coming into the lake. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Elevation 5 ft. above normal and muddy. Bass fair on plastics around structure shallow at 2-3 ft. White bass fair in creek channels on plastic bait and yellow and white grubs. Catfish excellent on worms in flooded fields. Crappie fair on minnows around brush piles, tower and bridges. Walleye fair trolling islands. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. above normal, water 60 and rising. Water muddy north and clean south. Striped bass fair on live bait at Platter Flats south. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits at Platter Flats south. Channel and blue catfish fair on live bait and cut bait at north end of lake. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs in Widow Moore Creek. All other fishing slow. Report submitted by Danny Club, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation 27 1/2 ft. above normal and murky. Water is 6 ft. over the spillway. Largemouth bass good on soft plastic baits. Crappie good on minnows and jigs below dam. Channel and blue catfish good on cut shad below the dam. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 3 ft. below normal and rising. Crappie poor. Walleye fair. Striped bass hybrids fair to good. Blue catfish good to very good around the old fish-o-rama. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain State Park.

Ellsworth: Elevation above normal with nine floodgates open. Catfish and walleye good behind the dam. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County

Foss: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and gates closed. Water temp in the 50s and clear. White bass good in the river on jigs. Striped bass hybrids good along dam with live bait. Walleye fair along dam. Catfish fair with dough bait. Crappie fair. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Ft. Cobb: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. above normal, water murky. Catfish slow on cut baits. Striped bass hybrids and white bass slow on sassy shad. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows. Report submitted by James Edwards, Jr., game warden stationed in Caddo County.

Lawtonka: Elevation above normal with two floodgates open. Catfish fair to good at Jackson Creek on cut bait. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Tom Steed: Elevation normal, water murky. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on spinnerbaits off the old highway. Crappie slow on minnows at 12-15 ft. near the dam. Report submitted by Dave Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.

Waurika: Elevation above normal, water 53 and muddy. The water is rising, and the spillway is closed. White bass and hybrid striped bass good on pearl or white-colored jigs around the dam. Blue catfish fair on rod and reel and juglines on cut bait. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.

[Phil Lilley]

Do these OK reports help anyone here on the forum? I'll post them every week if they do.

Ark has the same thing... say question- does anyone want me to post the state reports?

[DavidF.]

I read them here. Thanks for posting them.