Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

For Immediate Release

June 22, 2006

A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

News Contacts: Micah Holmes or Kristen Gillman (405) 521-3856

Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com

Mark your calendars - 2006 Wildlife Expo to be held Aug. 25-27

"Operation Game Thief" offers cash rewards for anonymous tips

One Million Educators Gone WILD!

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

Mark your calendars - 2006 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo to be held Aug. 25-27

Kick off the autumn outdoor season with rewarding new experiences. Attend the 2006 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo, Aug. 25-27 at the Lazy E Arena between Guthrie and Oklahoma City.

The free Wildlife Expo, which drew more than 45,000 people from around the state last year, will offer hands-on learning opportunities at nearly 200 booths and activities. The Expo is designed as an entertaining and educational event for both avid outdoor enthusiasts and those new to hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. Every visitor will be sure to find something that interests them, from shotgun shooting, to mountain bike riding, to dog training, to wild game cooking and eating.

The Wildlife Expo will take place on the expansive grounds of the Lazy E Arena. Expo hours will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is partnering with a wide range of other state agencies, private individuals and outdoor-related companies to host this huge event. The Expo is designed to promote and perpetuate the appreciation of Oklahoma's wildlife and natural resources and provide hands-on learning opportunities for all types of outdoor enthusiasts.

According to survey results, more than two-thirds of children and youth visiting the inaugural Expo experienced a new activity during their visit. Most said they were likely, or very likely, to try the activity again in the next year. More than 80 percent of Expo participants were satisfied or very satisfied with the Expo and said they were likely or very likely to attend the 2006 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo - so come early.

For more information regarding activities available at the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

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"Operation Game Thief" offers cash rewards for anonymous tips

There's an occasional bad apple in every bunch, even among Oklahomans who use fish and wildlife. Thanks to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's "Operation Game Thief" program, hunters and anglers have a method to report those who may not respect our natural resources and the laws that protect them.

"Operation Game Thief," which is supported by private donations, allows a citizen the opportunity to anonymously report wildlife violations and receive cash rewards for arrests that lead to convictions.

"The program is a great way to help protect our state's wildlife and fisheries resources for future generations," said Jim Edwards, assistant chief of law enforcement for the Wildlife Department.

Anyone with information regarding a violation of fish and wildlife laws is encouraged to call the Wildlife Department's Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-522-8039 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Callers may remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.

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One Million Educators Gone WILD!

Wildlife agencies across the nation are celebrating the fact that one million educators have gone WILD. State wildlife agencies, including the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, serve as the primary sponsors of Project WILD, a conservation education program established in 1983. The agencies have achieved this remarkable milestone by training one million educators throughout the United States.

In Oklahoma, more than 20,000 educators have been trained in Project WILD. The Project WILD curriculum guides are distributed at six-hour workshops that give state K-12 educators training and materials to assist them teach students about wildlife and the environment.

"Project WILD essentially teaches educators the most effective ways to teach kids about wildlife conservation," said Lisa Anderson, Project WILD coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The exciting, award-winning curriculum helps teachers and youth leaders teach a wide range of subjects such as math, science, social studies, language arts and expressive arts while teaching about the importance of our environment at the same time.

"The Project WILD curriculum really has something to offer to everyone, from high school biology teachers to elementary art teachers to 4-H and Scout leaders," said Anderson.

Oklahoma Project WILD conducts workshops statewide for educators or anyone who is interested in teaching kids about wildlife. At the workshop, participants receive two activity guides consisting of over 170 hands-on activities. Guides are only available by attending a workshop where participants actually do activities and learn more about Oklahoma's wildlife.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education recognizes Project WILD workshops for professional development credit. Educators can learn more about Project WILD and view a list of upcoming workshops by logging onto the Department's official Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com and clicking on the link for education programs. For more information contact Lisa Anderson at (405) 990-1292 or by e-mail at okprojectwild@fullnet.net. Anderson can also provide educators with details on the Wildlife Department's new Archery on the Schools Program (AIS). AIS provide schools with the training and equipment to teach students Olympic style archery.

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

JUNE

30: Shoreline Seining at Crow's Secret Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird State Park, Norman. The program starts at 1 p.m. Join naturalist at the Handicap Trail for a wet program where we see what can be found in the lake. Wear clothes and shoes to get into the lake with. For more information contact the Nature Center at (405) 321-4633.

30: Plaster Casts at Crow's Secret Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird State Park, Norman. The program starts at 3 p.m. The nature center is the place to make some plaster casts from rubber molds of animal tracks. There is a 50 cent charge for each cast made. For more information contact the Nature Center at (405) 321-4633.

30: Skull ID at Crow's Secret Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird State Park, Norman. The program starts at 4 p.m. Bring skulls you have found to learn how to identify them. For more information contact the Nature Center at (405) 321-4633.

JULY

7: Illinois River Cleanup. The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission will host a river cleanup. For more information or to register please contact Meredith at (918) 456-3251.

8: Bi-Monthly Fly tying Workshop at the Broken Arrow Bass Pro Shops. Bass Pro Shops Fly Fishing Department will hold a one hour fly tying session twice a month. Starting time 10:00 a.m. Format: Question, answer and demonstration.

8: 7th Annual Okie Noodling Tournament Bob's Pig Shop, 829 N. Ash, Pauls Valley, OK. Noodlers will fish statewide 24 hours prior to the final weigh-in at Bob's Pig Shop in Pauls Valley 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tournament festivities will kick off at 5:00 p.m. with the final tournament weigh-in at 7:30 p.m. Events for spectators include a live Noodling demonstration in an on-site bass tank. Also planned are children's "catfish-eating" contests, family entertainment and much more. The competition will be followed by a street dance with live music by Oklahoma's own, Travis Linville & the Burtschi Brothers. Tournament entry forms with rules and regulations are available on-line at www.paulsvalley.com /noodling.

10: Aquatic Education Clinic: Metro Tech, OKC Parks and Rec. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Bob Martin at (405) 755-4014.

11: Aquatic Education Clinic: ODWC Family Clinic, Casting Pond at ODWC, Jenks. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling ODWC- Jenks at (918) 299-2334.

12: The Basics of Competitive Bass Fishing at the Broken Arrow Bass Pro Shops. Redhead Pro Staffer Chris Torkleson will be teaching a hot subject during a hot time of year! This School will be comprised of three individual classes. Each one will be held in the Seminar Room on the upper level. The classes will start at 6 p.m. and run until 9 p.m.

FISHING REPORT FOR JUNE 21, 2006

CENTRAL

Arcadia: Elevation normal, water 82 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms and spinnerbaits from 5-10 ft. near submerged trees in the mornings. White bass fair on spinners from 5-10 ft. early just off the north rocks. Channel catfish fair on redfish spoons and worms early near NE banks and brush piles just off the bottom. Crappie fair to good on small lures from 10 ft. just off the rocks early in the morning north and south. Report submitted by Linnie Mason, gate attendant.

Draper: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth fair on topwaters and tandem spinners in coves early mornings. Channel catfish fair on stinkbaits. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Overholser: Elevation below normal. Catfish fair to slow on worms and cut bait around rocks. Crappie fair on jigs. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma and Canadian counties.

Thunderbird: Elevation 5 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on buzz baits and topwaters in cover early mornings near structure. White bass good on medium divers, spoons and in-line spinners (look for surface activity early and late) off the points. Catfish fair on punch baits and stinkbaits from 5-8 ft. Saugeye fair to good on green jigs or sassy shad and medium divers in 4-8 ft. of water off windy points early or late. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 3 ft. below normal and water 85. Channel catfish excellent on stinkbaits, cut shad and spinnerbaits at 6-10 ft. Bass good on plastic worms and crankbaits at 5-12 ft. White bass good on crankbaits off points. Crappie slow on minnows at 14-18 ft. Report submitted by Ronnie Arganbright, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 77-84 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on assorted dark-colored soft plastics around grassy beds in deep water early and late. Channel catfish good at 4-5 ft. on cut shad, dead minnows, shrimp, chicken liver and worms. White bass fair while trolling the main part of the lake. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs from 10 ft. Report submitted M. M. Fowler at St. Gregory.

NORTHEAST

Bell Cow: Elevation 2 ft. below normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. White bass good in the evenings on minnows and jigs near the dam. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs. Catfish fair on dough bait, stinkbait and live bait. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Birch: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and murky. Channel catfish fair on shad along rocky shorelines. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Carl Blackwell: Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits and crankbaits. Striped bass hybrids fair trolling with crankbaits. Channel catfish excellent on punch bait and cut bait around rock structure. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-15 ft. Saugeye fair trolling with crankbaits. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County.

Carl Blackwell: Largemouth bass good around cover in mornings and evenings with spinners, plastic worms, and rooster tails. Crappie being caught on jigs, minnows, and road runners (green and white with some red doing well). Striped bass hybrids very active at 20-26 ft. on minnows, shad imitations and trolling. Channel catfish are being caught off the bottom, especially in evenings with minnows, stinkbait, and chicken liver. Saugeye good trolling on crawler rigs, some are being caught off the bank with minnows and other crappie jigs. Report submitted by Tyler Gann, Lake Ranger.

Chandler: Elevation 2 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on spinnerbaits late. Channel catfish fair to good on live bait in the evenings. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Eucha: Elevation 7 ft. below normal, water 78 and murky. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush and structure at 10-12 ft. Largemouth good on plastic baits off rocky points at 14-16 ft. Bluegill good on crickets and worms around grass beds. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 83 and clear. Largemouth bass good on spinners and rouges in flooded grass and timber. White bass good on rattletraps, spinners and spoons off points and rocky areas. Channel catfish good on cut bait and shad in mud floats and rocky areas. Reported submitted Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Muskogee and Wagoner Counties.

Greenleaf: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits along the shoreline and around brush structure. Catfish good on worms, liver and cut bait on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around fishing dock and around the shoreline. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: Elevation normal. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits and plastic baits. White bass fair to good trolling with small lures. Channel catfish good on liver and cut bait. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Kaw: Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water stained. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits in Bear Creek. Catfish fair on trotlines and juglines baited with shad and live sunfish. Blue catfish fair from the tail waters on cut shad. White bass fair trolling crankbaits in main lake and fair from tail waters early and late on white grubs and spoons. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.

Oologah: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal, water in the 70's and muddy on the north end and clear on the south end. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush piles at 15-18 ft. Channel catfish good along rocky banks on worms and dough baits at 4-8 ft. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Skiatook: Elevation 5 1/2 ft. below normal, water 78 degrees and still murky at upper end. Striped bass hybrids fair on points and mouths of creeks on shad, very large minnows and pearl white sassy shad. Smallmouth and largemouth bass fair at 10 -20 ft. on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and in deeper water around structures, with plastics. Crappie fair on small and medium minnows at 10-25 ft. around brush piles and other structure, and on points. Flathead catfish fair to good on trotlines with sunfish, blood baits, and very large minnows. Report submitted by Greenwood Fishing Center.

Sooner: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 78 and clear. Striped bass and striped bass hybrids good

on live shad on mid-lake humps at 27-38 ft. Report submitted by Paul Tennies, Pete's Place.

Sooner: Elevation normal and clear. Striped bass hybrids and stripers good in main lake on live shad and slabs from 15-20 ft. Largemouth fair on Carolina rigs in weed beds from 10-20 ft. Catfish fair on cut bait and stink baits around rocks. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.

Spavinaw: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around dam area. Largemouth fair on spinnerbaits. Bluegill good on crickets and worms. Catfish fair using cut shad. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Tenkiller: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass fair in shallow weeds on buzzbaits or spinnerbaits. Crappie fair in docks on minnows or jigs at 12-15 ft. Catfish good on flip flops or juglines on cut baits and fair drifting cut baits at 10-20 ft. on the flats. Sunfish good around docks on worms at 10-15 ft. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: Elevation normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinner baits and crank baits along the rip rap. Catfish fair stink bait, liver and shad on bottom up to 3 ft. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush structure at 8-12 ft. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation normal. Channel catfish good along dam on live bait and stinkbait. Walleye fair drifting night crawlers sand bass and hybrids good trolling crankbaits. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Ft. Supply: Elevation normal and clear. Channel catfish good on stink bait from 3 ft. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County.

Great Salt Plains: Channel catfish good on trotlines around the island on shrimp and shad and by drifting with shrimp. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation normal. Water 76 and clear. Largemouth bass fair spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Crappie excellent on minnows and jigs around 8-12 ft. Catfish good on cut and live shad at 20 ft. White bass fair while trolling. Report submitted by Roy Roundtree, game warden stationed in Murray County.

Blue River: Elevation normal, water 82 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on minnows and flies. Channel catfish fair to good on worms and stinkbait. Report submitted by Charles Baker, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: Elevation normal, water 84 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater baits off rocky points early mornings and good on plastic worms in the main river channel evenings. Crappie fair on minnows from the north end of the lake in coves and around standing timber close to Sand Springs Bend up stream to Panther Creek. Catfish being caught on trotlines and juglines baited with sunfish or cut bait in creek channels. No reports of white bass but keep an eye out for them schooling on top. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: Elevation 2.5 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits at 4-10 ft. near the points. White bass good trolling crankbaits from 4-10 ft. off points. Blue catfish fair on shad over the flats on juglines from 10-20 ft. Crappie fair on jigs at 10-20 ft. around bridges. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastic lures. Crappie fair on live minnows. Channel catfish fair on cut bait. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: Elevation normal, water 90 and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms from weed beds from 5-8 ft. Channel catfish good on cut shad from near the dam and south coves at 10-12 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

McGee Creek: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic lures and spinnerbaits at 2-6 ft. early and late. Channel Catfish fair to good on live bait along rocky shorelines and rip rap. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: Spillway creek was great this past weekend. List of productive flies: ants, grasshoppers, elk hair caddis, soft hackle hares ear, midges, stimulators, wooley buggers, sparkle leach, and many others. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

Murray: Water 79 and clear. Largemouth bass, spotted bass and smallmouth bass good on crankbaits, soft plastics. White bass good on topwater baits early. Channel catfish good on stinkbait and worms. Crappie fair on minnows from 10-15 ft. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: Elevation above normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on red shad colored plastic worms from 8-12 ft. around rocky points. Crappie good on minnows in 4-12 ft. Catfish fair on stinkbaits on rod and reel. Sunfish good on red worms throughout the lake. Report Submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 82 and clear. Largemouth bass fair from 6-8 ft. on plastic baits and crankbaits along rocky areas and rip rap. Crappie fair on minnows from 12 ft. fishing the bends in the old creek channels. White bass good using shad imitation crank baits from 8 ft. in the Applegate cove and Short mountain areas. Catfish good from 3-6 ft. using live bait from the rocky areas of the lake. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Elevation normal and slightly murky. White bass good trolling around the islands. Blue catfish and channel catfish good on cut and live shad. Walleye good trolling around the islands. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 80 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on plastic baits at 5-15 ft. around structure and rip rap. Striped bass and white bass fair to good at 15-25 ft. on live shad and sassy shad from Alberta Creek to Soldier Creek. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on cut shad and live sunfish at 10-20 ft. in Platter Flats. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. around structure and deep brush piles. Sunfish good on worms at 5-10 ft. around fishing docks and structures. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation normal, water 85 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on chartreuse spinnerbaits off the points from 4-8 ft. Blue and channel catfish good on cut shad off the rip rap. Flathead catfish good on trotlines baited with live sunfish from 8-10 ft. Report submitted by D.G. Belcher, game warden stationed in Latimer and LeFlore counties.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 13.3 ft. below normal. Lake level is dropping very slowly. North shore boat ramp is high and dry. Water murky. Crappie have been biting on minnows. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair. Catfish fair on shad. Walleye fair. Report compiled by Quartz Mountain Grocery.

Ellsworth: Elevation 12 ft. below normal and murky. Catfish fair to good on cut bait off rocky points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Foss: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 76 and clear. Striped bass hybrids good on live bait. White bass surfacing in the evenings. Catfish good. Walleye and saugeye fair. Best fishing times are early morning and late even. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Ft. Cobb: Elevation normal, water murky. Striped bass hybrids fair on crawfish. Catfish fair on cut baits. Report submitted by Gary Roller, game warden station in Caddo County.

Waurika: Elevation below normal, water 80 and murky. White bass and striped bass hybrids good drifting with shad and minnows, jigging with white jigs or slabs and trolling. Catfish good on juglines and trotlines baited with shad and minnows and on rod and reel with shad and punch bait. Crappie slow. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.

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