Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

For Immediate Release

August 10, 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

Wildlife Commission sets waterfowl dates, honors conservation supporters

Heat, drought combine to cause fish kill at Great Salt Plains Lake

September 1 deadline for bonus youth deer hunts

Generous seasons await waterfowl hunters

Vehicle auction scheduled for Aug. 17

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

Wildlife Commission sets waterfowl dates, honors conservation supporters

The Wildlife Conservation Commission has set the dates and bag limits for Oklahoma's upcoming waterfowl season and waterfowl hunters across the state can look forward to another productive year.

Duck season dates and daily limits will be similar to last year, with most of the state enjoying a six-bird daily limit and 74-day season with a 12-day mid-season closure.

"Biologists are reporting excellent duck reproduction in Canada, however, in Oklahoma our waterfowl season is always dependent on the weather and right now we really need to see some good, timely rains across the state," Mike O'Meilia , migratory game bird biologist said. "Right now there are good stands of wetland plants around the lakes and in the marshes, but what we really need is steady rains to flood these food sources for the ducks in October and early November."

To see the complete season dates and bag limits log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

Also at the August meeting, the Wildlife Conservation Commission honored Robert L. Hutchins for his lifetime of achievement in wildlife conservation. The 86-year old Hutchins has worked tirelessly in his support of a wide variety of organizations and agencies working to improve habitat and increase youth hunting opportunities in Oklahoma and across the nation.

Hutchins, often known as "Mr. Duck," provided leadership and served the state's sportsmen and women when he was appointed to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission in 1993.

He played an integral role on the Ducks Unlimited's Marsh Committee which supported work on wetlands across southwest Oklahoma including Hackberry Flat, Waurika, and Mt. Park wildlife management areas. He was instrumental in proposing and implementing a Wetland Development Area at Lake Ellsworth. He was also honored by the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation as the 1986 "Conservationist of the Year."

In other business, the Commission accepted a $6,000 donation from the National Rifle Association (NRA) Foundation. The funds will go towards a pair of important Wildlife Department outreach efforts, the Wildlife Expo ($5,000) and the Wildlife Youth Camp ($1,000).

"The NRA Foundation has a long history of supporting youth shooting sports in Oklahoma and we are proud to partner with the Wildlife Department once again on these two worthy efforts," said Darrin Delong, NRA field representative.

Through banquets and other fund-raising events the NRA Foundation has raised $1.2 million for shooting sports programs in Oklahoma since 1995, including the Wildlife Department's Shotgun Training Education Program (STEP) which introduces thousands of Oklahoma youth and adults to shotgun shooting each year.

In other business, the Commission recognized four citizens for their enthusiastic and dedicated support of a federal program called State Wildlife Grants. Hal McKnight, owner of Wheeler Dealer Bicycles in Oklahoma City; Blake Hollingsworth, an Ardmore banker; and Andy McDaniels and Rick Matheny, both with the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation, traveled to Washington, D.C. last March to speak with Oklahoma's elected officials about conservation work in Oklahoma. Specifically, the group voiced their support of Oklahoma's Wildlife Action Plan and the State Wildlife Grants program, which is designed to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered by conserving rare and declining wildlife species.

"Many of our elected officials share our passion for Oklahoma's land, water and wildlife and it's important that we as individuals express how important this program is to the people of Oklahoma and to our wildlife," McKnight told the Commission.

State Wildlife Grants use federal dollars on early, preventive wildlife conservation efforts at the state level. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation receives Oklahoma's portion of the funding, which is matched by state and partner dollars. For more information about the State Wildlife Grants program, visit www.teaming.com.

In other business, the Commission recognized Sam Barrick for his support of the Wildlife Department's law enforcement efforts. He, along with several others from Carter and Love counties, made a donation to the Wildlife Department which was used to purchase a variety of law enforcement equipment.

The Commission also recognized two Department employees for their outstanding service to the sportsmen of the state. Employees recognized were:

Richard Hoar, senior wildlife biologist in northeast Oklahoma, for 30 years of service;

Keith Thomas, fisheries technician at the Oklahoma Fisheries Research Laboratory in Norman, for 20 years of service.

The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

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Heat, drought combine to cause fish kill at Great Salt Plains Lake

High temperatures and prolonged drought led to a major fish kill at Great Salt Plains Lake in northcentral Oklahoma this week. Biologists with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation estimate 10,000 fish have died due to low dissolved oxygen levels in the lake.

"This is a major fish kill and it reflects how this abnormal weather not only affects farmers and ranchers, but it also affects our lakes and our fisheries resources," said Barry Bolton, assistant chief of fisheries for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "We are monitoring the situation closely. Unfortunately, there is simply not anything we can do to remedy high heat and lack of rain."

According to Bolton, Great Salt Plains is a relatively shallow reservoir making it particularly susceptible to warm water temperatures.

"What we really need is some rain, cooler temperatures or strong winds - unfortunately none of these conditions are in the short-term forecast and there is a real concern that this situation could get worse before it gets better," Bolton said. "However, nature is very resilient and long term outlook remains positive. We will continue to monitor the situation and we will adjust our management efforts, such as stocking, in the future if that is appropriate."

There have been no other fish kills reported in other state reservoirs.

For more information about fishing in Oklahoma log on to wildlifedepartment.com

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September 1 deadline for bonus youth deer hunts

Beginning deer hunters have a unique opportunity to participate in four youth controlled antlerless deer hunts that will take place on private lands in several Oklahoma counties. Applications must be received at the Wildlife Department no later than 4 p.m., Friday, September 1.

The hunts are scheduled for either October or January. This year 58 bonus antlerless deer gun licenses will be drawn for youth 12 to 16 years of age who have completed their hunter education requirements.

"These hunts are on private property and should provide young hunters a great opportunity to see some deer as well as a chance to harvest a doe," said Bill Dinkines, assistant chief of wildlife for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission has endorsed the youth hunt program and we are thankful for the landowners' willingness to allow these kids the opportunity to hunt on their property."

To apply for a hunt, applicants must send the Department a 4" by 6" index card in an envelope titled "Private Lands Youth Deer Hunts." The card should provide the hunter's name, date of birth, mailing address, telephone number, hunter education certification number, social security or driver's license number, their order of hunt preferences (may list all 4 hunts) and lifetime license number if applicable. A non-hunting adult who is at least 21 years old must accompany the youth, and must also be listed on the index card. The index card should be labeled "Private Lands Youth Deer Hunt" and should be mailed to: Department of Wildlife, Attn: Wildlife Division-Youth Deer Hunts, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.

Hunts will be offered in:

Craig County (Oct. 8)

Ellis County (Oct. 6-7)

Osage County (Oct. 20-22)

Alfalfa County (Jan. 13-14)

The drawing will be held Sept. 7 and successful applicants will receive a notification letter in the mail about their hunt the following week. The letter will inform them of their selection and provide details about the hunt and license requirements. Selected resident youth will need to purchase a $10 Resident Youth Deer Gun License unless they possess an Oklahoma Resident Lifetime Hunting or Resident Lifetime Combination License. Selected nonresidents will need to purchase a $201.00 Nonresident Deer Gun License. The youth's non-hunting adult does not need a license. Any antlerless deer harvested during the controlled hunt will be considered a bonus deer and will not count against the youths' combined season limit.

For additional information concerning the hunts, contact the Department at (405) 521-2739.

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Generous seasons await waterfowl hunters

Waterfowl hunters can now mark their calendars with all the important duck, goose and crane hunting season dates.

Duck season dates and daily limits will be similar to last year, with most of the state enjoying a six-bird daily limit and 74-day season with a 12-day mid-season closure. The regulations were set by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission at their August meeting.

"Biologists are reporting excellent duck reproduction in Canada, however, in Oklahoma our waterfowl season is always dependent on the weather and right now we really need to see some good, timely rains across the state," Mike O'Meilia, migratory game bird biologist for the Wildlife Department said. "Right now there are good stands of wetland plants around the lakes and in the marshes, but what we really need is steady rains to flood these food sources for the ducks in October and early November."

O'Meilia noted that Oklahoma, as a member of the Central Flyway, will be participating in the Hunter's Choice trial over the next three years. Oklahoma is participating only as a control state, meaning Oklahoma hunters will not use the Hunter's Choice bag limit. The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a new bag limit system designed to maintain maximum duck hunting opportunity.

Hunter's Choice sets up a separate category of ducks (pintails, canvasbacks and hen mallards). Hunters may take only one of the species that is listed in this aggregate, or combined category in the daily bag limit.

Liberal season lengths, 74 days in the Central Flyway since 1997, combined with a long-term decline in pintails and scaup and a small continental population of canvasbacks have led flyway biologists to believe these species may need additional protection. For the past several hunting seasons, 39-day seasons within a season, have been used to limit the harvest of pintails and canvasbacks.

"The Hunter's Choice has the potential to have the same effect as seasons within seasons," O'Meilia said, "and Hunter's Choice may be more acceptable to hunters."

Over the next three years, half of the 10 states in the Central Flyway, including Oklahoma, will maintain similar seasons as previous years, while the other five states will use the Hunter's Choice bag limit. At the end of the trial, biologists will evaluate the effectiveness of the two bag limits and ask hunters which they prefer.

For more information about Hunter's Choice, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

In zone 1 (most of northwest Oklahoma), the first half of the duck season will open Oct. 28 and run through Dec. 3, with the second half beginning Dec. 16 and running through Jan. 21, 2007. Pintail and canvasback season will open Oct. 28 and run through Dec. 3, and then re-open on Dec. 16 and run through Dec. 17. Youth waterfowl hunting days in zone 1 will be Oct. 21 and 22.

In zone 2, the duck season will run from Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Jan. 28, 2007. Pintail and canvasback season will open Dec. 21 and run through Jan. 28. Youth waterfowl hunting days in zone 2 will be Oct. 28 and 29.

Panhandle counties will offer the longest duck season. Opening Oct. 7 and running continuously through Jan. 4, 2007. Pintail and canvasback season will open Oct. 7 and run through Nov. 14. Youth waterfowl dates for the panhandle will be Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Hunters will be allowed a daily limit of six ducks combined, no more than five of which can be mallards. Of those, only two mallards may be hens. Only two scaup, two wood ducks, two redheads may be included in the daily limit. There is a shortened season on pintails and canvasbacks with a daily limit of one pintail and one canvasback during the specified time period in each of the established duck seasons.

The statewide Canada goose season will run from Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Feb. 18, 2007. The daily limit will be three birds. The season for white-fronted geese will run Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Feb. 9, 2007. The daily bag limit is one. The regular season for light geese (snows, blues and Ross') will run Nov. 4 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 16 through Feb. 18. The daily bag limit is 20.

Sandhill crane season will be from Oct. 28 - Jan. 28, west of I-35 only. The daily limit will be three birds.

Hunters can log on to wildlifedepartment.com to check out the latest wetland status reports. Once the season begins, periodic

Hunters who wish to participate in the waterfowl season must have a resident or non-resident hunting license, a 2006 Federal Duck Stamp, and unless exempt, a 2006 Oklahoma Waterfowl License, a Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit and a Harvest Information Program Permit. The federal duck stamp costs $15 and is available at U.S. Post Offices. Hunters pursuing sandhill cranes must also purchase a separate sandhill crane hunting permit.

Hunters should consult the "2006-07 Waterfowl Hunting Guide" for complete hunting regulations and license requirements. Waterfowl Guides will be available by Oct. 1 at hunting and fishing license dealers statewide or hunters can obtain complete regulation information from the Wildlife Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

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Vehicle auction scheduled for Aug. 17

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will sell 26 vehicles at a live auction Thursday, Aug 17, at 6 p.m. at the Department's headquarters located at 1801 N. Lincoln in Oklahoma City.

"The vehicles, mostly all 4X4 Ford and Chevrolet trucks, are vehicles that are being replaced in the agencies fleet," said Johnny Hill, property manager for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "We're going to sell everything as is to the highest bidder."

A total of 26 vehicles will be available at the event, including several ¾ ton Chevrolet trucks, a 2002 Chevrolet one-ton dually truck, two 1999 Chevrolet Tahoes and a 1996 Dodge Caravan.

For more information about the auction call (405) 521-4600 or for a complete list of auction vehicles, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. The sale will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. and items may be inspected from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. the day of the sale.

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STATEWIDE HUNTER EDUCATION COURSES

Course locations are listed by town, followed by date, course location and time. If a phone number is listed, pre-registration is required. Courses are a minimum of 10 hours and are free. Students must pass an exam with a score of 70 percent. For updated information on upcoming courses, contact the Wildlife Department's Hunter Education Hotline at (405) 521-4650 or check our Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunted.htm

18 & 19: Hunter Education: Great Plains Technology Center, Lawton; August 18 (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.) and August 19 (9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.).

18 & 19: Hunter Education: Walters School Auditorium, Walters; August 18 (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.) and August 19 (9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.).

19: Hunter Education: Green Country Tech Center, Okmulgee; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

19: Hunter Education: Southern Oklahoma Tech Center, Ardmore; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

19: Hunter Education: Kiamichi Tech Center, McAlester; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

19: Hunter Education: Taloga County Fairground; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

19: Hunter Education: NSU Net Building, Auditorium, Tahlequah; 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.;

19: Hunter Education: Wagoner Civic Center; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

19: Hunter Education: High School, Arnett; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

19: Hunter Education: Caddo/Kiowa Tech Center, Ft. Cobb; 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.;

19: Hunter Education: First Baptist Church, Hollis; 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.;

19 Hunter Education: Police Department, Cleveland; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

19: Hunter Education: Hobart Fairgrounds; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;

19: Hunter Education: Alva Tech Center, Alva; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

19 & 20: Hunter Education: Fairground, Buffalo; 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

19: Hunter Education: Red Castle gun Club, Sand Springs; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (918) 299-2334

19: Hunter Education: Community Center, Owasso. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; (918) 299-2334.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

AUGUST

19: Oklahoma Wildlife Federation dinner at Oklahoma City Sportsman's Club at 6 p.m. For more information contact the Federation at (405) 216-5540.

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

25-27: OKLAHOMA WILDLIFE EXPO 2006 at the Lazy E Arena. Friday 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

For a complete listing of upcoming outdoor activities and events, go to wildlifedepartment.com and check out the Outdoor Calendar.

FISHING REPORT FOR AUGUST 9, 2006

CENTRAL

Arcadia: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 80-85 and semi-clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits around brush piles at 4-6 ft. in the morning to mid-day. Channel catfish good off northeast banks and central coves on sunfish, shad and worms in the evening just off bottom. Flathead catfish good along northeast banks on shad and worms. Crappie fair to good on worms and minnows in the evening just off bottom and around fishing dock at 5-7 ft. Report submitted by Linnie Mason, gate attendant.

Overholser: Elevation normal. Catfish being caught on shrimp and doughbaits. Crappie slow on jigs. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma and Canadian counties.

Thunderbird: Elevation 6 ft. below normal and clear. Channel catfish fair to good at night on stinkbaits and cut baits. Only three boat ramps are open: Hog Creek, Fishermen's Point and Little Axe. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 4 1/2-5 ft. below normal, water 79-89 and clear. Catfish fair on minnows, jigs, chicken livers, stinkbaits, cut baits and cheese/chicken liver. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around boat docks, brush piles, structure at 10-12 ft. or just off bottom. Largemouth bass poor with some action on rattletraps around weed beds early morning and evening and around lip of main lake channel on silver-colored crankbaits. Report submitted M. M. Fowler at St. Gregory.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 90. Largemouth bass slow on plastic worms around structure in deep water. Channel catfish fair on cut baits at 10-12 ft. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs around the dam and deep structure. White bass fair on rattletraps and crankbaits when schooling. Report submitted by Ronnie Arganbright, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.

NOTHEAST

Bell Cow: Elevation 3 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass slow. Channel catfish fair on cut bait, minnows and doughbaits. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around docks at night. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game stationed in Lincoln County.

Birch: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water in the mid-80 and clear. Catfish fair on cut shad off windy banks. Crappie fair around deep brush piles at 20-30 ft. on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Carl Blackwell: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 84 and murky. Striped bass hybrids good on live bait. Catfish good on cut bait and punch bait. Crappie fair around fishing docks. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County.

Chandler: Elevation 3 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass slow. Channel catfish fair on stinkbaits and live baits. Crappie and bass slow. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Grand: Elevation normal and clear. White bass good on spinnerbaits or spoons, following schools of shad. Channel catfish fair at 30-40 ft. in river channels on cut shad. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits in creeks and along shoreline. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbait on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-14 ft. around fishing docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on plastics. Catfish good on worms and shrimp. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Kaw: Elevation 2 ft. below normal and murky. White bass good on slabs, twister tails and crankbaits on windy points in the Pioneer Beach and Sarge Creek areas. Blue catfish good on juglines baited with shad and with rod and reel in the Washunga Bay and Coon Creek areas at 4-25 ft. Channel catfish excellent on stinkbait and blood bait from Traders Bend north to the State line fishing in deep water brush piles. Crappie fair using jigs at 15-18 ft. over sunken brush in the Five Fingers and Beaver Creek areas. Fishermen should be advised that the lake level has been lowered 2 ft. for the planting of Japanese millet for waterfowl. Bear Creek ramp is not usable, and the Coon Creek ramp is very difficult for large boats. Boaters should use extreme caution lake wide for stumps, rocks, and sandbars. Report submitted by Tracy Daniel, game warden stationed in Kay Counties.

Keystone: Elevation normal, water 90 and clear to murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and eight-inch plastic worms at 8-15 ft. around brush piles in deep coves. Smallmouth bass slow on crankbaits and small jig and chunk at 10-18 ft. off points and bluffs. Spotted bass fair on crankbaits and topwater lures early from the surface to 10 ft. off points and bluffs. White bass fair on rooster tails, crankbaits and minnows at 8-12 ft. off main lake points and under bridges at night. Striped bass fair below the dam on topwater lures and bucktails from the surface to 4 ft. on topwaters when no water is running. Striped bass fair in the lake on deep crankbaits and big swim baits at 15-20 ft. along Hwy 64 rip rap. Channel catfish fair on worms and shrimp at 8-12 ft. in coves and creeks. Blue catfish fair on cut shad and punch baits at 15-20 ft. in river channel flats. Flathead catfish slow on goldfish and large minnows at 15-20 ft. off rocky points. Crappie slow on medium minnows and jigs at 15-20 ft. around brush piles. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle.

Oologah: Elevation normal, water mid-80. White bass fair on jigs fishing flats near the main lake. Watch for schooling fish. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush piles at 20-25 ft. Channel and blue catfish fair on jugs baited with shad on flats near the river channel at 25 ft. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Sooner: White bass and striped bass fair on live shad in deep water around the dam. Channel catfish fair on cut and live baits in the channels. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Tenkiller: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water 87. Crappie fair around docks on minnows at 10-20 ft. Catfish good on juglines with cut baits and on stinkbaits at 17-21 ft. off points. Sunfish good around docks and bluffs on jigs tipped with worms. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort.

Webbers Falls: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits along rip rap. Channel catfish fair on cut bait and stinkbaits on bottom. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-16 ft. around brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation 5 ft. below normal. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair drifting shad and slabs. Channel catfish good drifting shad. Walleye fair drifting shad and night crawlers. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Ft. Supply: Channel catfish fair on liver and shad along the dam. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County.

Great Salt Plains: Elevation 1 ft. below normal. Fishing below the dam is slow due to a heat/drought related fish kill. Also fishing in the lake is slow because of low water levels and a smaller fish kill in the lake. Report submitted by Ben Bickerstaff, game warden stationed in Alfalfa County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water 58 and clear. Crappie slow. White bass slow. Channel catfish being caught at 15-18 ft. in Guy Sandy Creek. Bass fair night fishing on Carolina-rigged fries and Texas-rigged 10-inch blue fleck power worms early and late. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Broken Bow: Elevation 5-6 ft. below normal and clear. Fishing slow due to heat. Largemouth bass being caught on topwaters early mornings and late evenings. Crappie good along structure and standing timber on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: Elevation 3 ft. above normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits on Carolina rigging deep. White bass good on slab spoons at 8-10 ft. early morning and late evening. Blue catfish slow. Crappie fair on jigs or minnows at 10-20 ft. in standing timber. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 84 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms. Crappie fair on minnows. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 95 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms along weed beds at 10-12 ft. Catfish good on stinkbait along points at 5-10 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

McGee Creek: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 84 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on shad colored lures on schooling bass early and late in open water and fair on soft plastic lures at 10-20 ft. Crappie fair on minnows at 10-20 ft. around cedar brush. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: Fishing has slowed considerably. Folks who normally catch/release lots of fish are doing well. The air temperature has been high for several weeks and the water temperature is rising as well. Seems that the best flies mimic some stage of caddis, caddis larva, pupa, emerger, and adult. Small flies seem to be working well, especially in zone 2, try midge patterns, caddis patterns, and occasionally a colorful streamer. In zone 1 grasshoppers and ants are a good choice. We are observing more and more of the large Hexagenia mayflies. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

Murray: Water 85 and clear. Largemouth bass fair early morning and late evening. White bass fair. Catfish fair on stinkbaits. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: Elevation slightly below normal. Bass excellent on plastic worms Texas rigged at 12-18 ft. and good on topwater lures late in the evening. Crappie fair on minnows and at night crawlers on pole and line. Sunfish good throughout the lake on red worms. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 84 and clear. Largemouth bass fair at 3-5 ft. using plastic baits fishing the weed and rock structure next to deeper water. Crappie fair at 10 ft. using minnows fishing the old submerged creek channels in the Dirty, Sallisaw and Big San Bois creeks areas. White bass fair surface to 6 ft. using shad imitation lures fishing the islands in the Tamaha and Sequyoah National Wildlife Refuge areas. Blue and flathead catfish fair at 10-15 ft. using live bait and fresh cut shad fishing the edges of the old river channel. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass slow. White bass and walleye fair trolling around islands. Blue and flathead catfish fair on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait and shad. Crappie good on minnows around bridges and brush piles. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 83 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on topwater and deep-diving baits from the surface to 15 ft. around riprap and underwater structures. Striped bass and white bass fair to good on topwater baits, spoons and live bait from the surface to 25 ft. scattered from Catfish Bay to the Islands. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on live bait and cut shad from 10-20 ft. from Johnson Creek to Platter Flats. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 83 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on topwaters in the evenings and for awhile after dark. Report submitted by D.G. Belcher, game warden stationed in Latimer and LeFlore counties.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 29 ft. below normal. Lake level is dropping very quickly. North shore ramp and Hicks Mountain boat ramp is high and dry. Main boat ramp is very low-small boats only. Use extreme CAUTION when on the lake. Water murky. Crappie fair on minnows. Striped bass hybrids very good. White bass have been biting on minnows near Lakeview Boat Ramp north shore. Catfish good on juglines. Walleye fair. Report compiled by Quartz Mountain Grocery.

Foss: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water 85 and clear. White bass good in late evening. Striped bass hybrids fair. Walleye and saugeye slow. Catfish fair. Bass slow. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Waurika: Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 81 and murky. White bass and striped bass hybrids good off points on shad. Catfish good on punch bait. Crappie fair in deep water around standing timber. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.