Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

For Immediate Release:

January 26, 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

Lost Creek fishing area sees first ever trout stocking

Prepare now for prescribed burns

"Outdoor Oklahoma" readers encouraged to submit digital photographs for Showcase

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

Waterfowl Report

Lost Creek fishing area sees first trout stocking

The new Lost Creek fishing area of the Lower Mountain Fork River was recently stocked with trout for the first time, and officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation say now is a good time to be fishing the stream.

Lost Creek is a 1,200 ft. long stream constructed last summer as part of an extensive trout habitat project on the Lower Mountain Fork River. It branches off from the river and flows through a wooded area before emptying into the newly renovated Evening Hole trout fishing area.

Paul Balkenbush, southeast region fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife Department, said Lost Creek is ready for fishing.

"Compared to other streams in Oklahoma, Lost Creek is an untouched resource," Balkenbush said. "Now that it has received its first stocking of trout, we encourage anglers to get out there and fish it."

Balkenbush said recent winter weather across the state should have minimal effects on fishing at Lost Creek since the area received mostly rain rather than ice.

This week's state fishing report echoes Balkenbush. According to the report, trout fishing on the Lower Mountain Fork River is currently "very good." Flies that trout are reportedly biting include pheasant tails, red fox squirrel, San Juan worms, egg patterns and wooly buggers. Biologists have also reported fisherman having great success using bead head hare's ear flies.

There are 16 sites along the Lower Mountain Fork River, including two on Lost Creek and one at the Evening Hole, where trout are stocked regularly. For a complete stocking schedule, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

At Lost Creek, as well as the Evening Hole, brown and rainbow trout both have a one-fish-per-day limit, and fish must be 20 inches or longer. Also, anglers in the areas may only use artificial flies and lures and barbless hooks. For complete fishing regulations and license information, consult the "2007 Oklahoma Fishing Guide" or log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

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Prepare now for prescribed burns

While the wildfires of 2006 may still be fresh in peoples' minds, prescribed burning is an entirely different operation, and the months of February and March are ideal for conducting prescribed burns because the weather conditions are often more predictable and provide more safety for conducting burns.

Prescribed burns should not be confused with "wild fires" and are crucial for enhancing wildlife habitat. They serve several purposes, such as removing accumulated leaf litter, stimulating new growth and controlling excessive wood growth. Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation say native rangelands that are burned periodically have a wider diversity of plants beneficial to wildlife, particularly quail, than unburned prairies. Burned units attract more insects for quail chicks and more seeds for adult birds. Additionally, quail can use the areas more easily and have less difficulty feeding.

Prescribed burns also benefit cattle by providing new growth for grazing and by controlling cedar growth.

Officials with the Department say landowners planning to conduct prescribed burns on their properties this winter should attempt to have them completed before April to avoid disrupting ground nesting birds, and those wanting to conduct burns next year should begin preparing now.

There are only so many days where conditions are right to conduct a proper burn, and landowners must be ready to capitalize," said Mike Sams, senior wildlife biologist with the Wildlife Department. "Ideally, landowners wanting to conduct a prescribed burn this year would have already done most of the prep work, including a prescribed burn plan, so that all they need to do is wait on the proper weather conditions. If most of the prep work is not complete, landowners may be forced to put off burning another year. Planning for next year starts now by managing the amount of grass available to carry the fire."

Sams said those who prepared last year for prescribed burning in 2007 are the most likely to be able to burn when conditions are right.

"The prime time for conducting burns is now through March," Sams said.

Sams says fire behavior is directly related to weather conditions, and he discourages the use of fire within 24 hours of a weather front.

"You want weather to be predictable so you can conduct your burn accordingly," Sams said.

Acceptable weather parameters vary depending on a landowner's desired results and their capabilities, but a general rule-of-thumb is when winds are 5-15 mph, relative humidity is above 35 percent and temperatures are less than 60 degrees, it a good time to burn. Sams cautions landowners to contact the neighbors, fire departments and the sheriff's office prior to lighting a fire.

"Notifying emergency personnel is critical. You do not want to risk a life responding to a contained burn," Sams said.

When burning for wildlife, it is important to leave portions of an area unburned.

"Unburned areas are needed to provide nesting structure for ground nesting birds," Sams said.

For birds like quail, this allows nesting, brood rearing and foraging areas to exist in close proximity.

Sams recommends landowners read the OSU Extension publication "E-927 Using Prescribed Fire in Oklahoma" and participate in prescribed burn training before using fire as a management tool.

"Many County Extension offices can schedule training in the use of prescribed burning," Sams said.

For additional resources to help prepare for a prescribed burn, visit the OSU extension service Web site at http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/extension or log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

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"Outdoor Oklahoma" readers encouraged to submit digital photographs for Showcase

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is encouraging readers of "Outdoor Oklahoma" magazine to continue submitting digital photographs for this year's annual Readers' Photography Showcase. Submissions are being accepted until March 31, 2007.

The award-winning magazine is the official magazine of the Wildlife Department. Submissions from both professional and amateur photographers are being accepted for the special July/August issue, and for the first time the magazine will feature only digital submissions in the Showcase.

Nels Rodefeld, "Outdoor Oklahoma" editor, said using all digital submissions will improve the popular issue and make way for talented photographers to have their work displayed in a magazine frequently recognized for its photography.

"There are some talented digital photographers out hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors this year, and the Readers' Photography Showcase gives them a chance to share that once-in-a-lifetime shot of a hummingbird or a child catching their first fish," Rodefeld said. "These are the things that make this issue so popular. I guess you could say we all want to be good photographers at some level."

Rodefeld said that although reader submissions usually include a variety of subjects, the magazine has been focusing on "faces in the outdoors" to show hunters, anglers, kids and other outdoor enthusiasts enjoying the outdoors.

Each participant may submit up to five digital images. Each submission must include a description of the photo, including the location taken, names and hometowns of subjects and what it took to get just the right shot. Photos should be in sharp focus, and images should be at least 300 dpi (dots per inch). The canvas size should be about eight inches by 11 inches. Slides and print images will not be accepted.

Hopeful photographers can mail a disk to: "Outdoor Oklahoma" magazine, ?Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Readers may also e-mail their entries to photoshowcase@odwc.state.ok.us.

Individuals can subscribe to "Outdoor Oklahoma" by calling 1-800-777-0019. Subscriptions are just $10 for one year, $18 for two years, or $25 for three years. You can also subscribe over the Internet by logging on to the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

FEBRUARY

3: Oklahoma Fur Bearer Alliance Fur Auction at Chandler. Sellers must be a member of Oklahoma Fur Bearer Alliance and get a number. Call John Weygandt at (918) 557-1282 to acquire one. You may also pick up a number at the door, based on first come first serve.

3 & 10: Project WILD for college credit at Tulsa Community College (West Campus), Tulsa. Class runs from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. both days. For more information or to enroll, call SPICE Program at (918) 595-8126.

8-11: Aquatic Education Clinic at Green Country Tackle Show, Claremore. Pre-registration required and can done by calling (918) 299-2334.

10: Dutch Oven Cooking for Beginners at Crow's Secret Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird State Park, Norman. Join the naturalist at the nature center to learn how to cook outdoors in a Dutch oven just like the pioneers did in the old west. There is an $8 fee per person and you must be registered by Feb. 10. Contact Julie Morris at (405) 321-4633 for registration and entry fees.

10: Project WILD for college credit at University of Oklahoma, Norman. Class runs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day. For more information or to enroll call Debbie Hubbard at (405) 325-1947.

10: Hunter Education Home Study: Midwest City Library, Midwest City; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; (405) 732-4828.

15-18: Aquatic Education Clinic at OKC Tackle Show. Pre-registration required and can done by calling (405) 521-4603.

19 - March 31: Conservation Order Light Goose Season (COLGS). Please consult the 2006-2007 Waterfowl Regulations for zone boundaries and daily limits.

15: Quail Season ends.

FISHING REPORT FOR JANUARY 24, 2007

CENTRAL

Hefner: Crappie are being caught off the dam on jigs. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Thunderbird: Elevation 9 ft. below normal and clear. Crappie fair to good on minnows at 7-10 ft. on structure. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

NORTHEAST

Birch: Elevation 3 ft. below normal and clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs deep around brush piles. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Grand: Elevation normal and clear. Crappie fair at the heated docks at 15 ft. around brush piles using minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass and catfish slow. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around fishing dock. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Keystone: Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 40 and clear to murky. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass slow on jerk baits and jig and chunk at 8-15 ft. off bluffs and points. White bass and striped bass slow on spoons and minnows at 20-30 ft. in river channel. Channel catfish fair on worms at 15-20 ft. in coves. Blue catfish good on shad at 20-30 ft. in river channel and off ledges. Flathead catfish slow on shad at 20-30 ft. off bluffs. Crappie good on chartreuse jigs and minnows at 12-20 ft. around brush piles and docks. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle.

Skiatook: Elevation 12 ft. below normal, water 47-50 and clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around docks and other structure. Report submitted by Greenwood Fishing Center.

Webbers Falls: Elevation 1 ft. above normal and murky. Largemouth bass slow. Catfish fair on bottom with cut bait. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation 5 1/2 ft. below normal. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs near brush piles. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 41 and clear. White bass using spoons at 39-45 ft. Bass slow. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: Elevation above normal, water 46 and muddy. Largemouth bass slow on minnows and flies. Channel catfish slow on worms and liver. Trout fair on power bait, super dupers, rooster tails and mealworms. Report submitted by Charles Baker, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Eufaula: Elevation 2 ft. below normal and murky. Largemouth bass and blue catfish slow. Crappie fair on small jigs at 15-20 ft. around boat docks. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 10 ft. above normal, water 51 and murky. Crappie fair on live minnows and good below the dam on jigs. Blue catfish fair on liver. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: Elevation normal, water 43 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits in the discharge channel at 15 ft. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on minnows and jigs at 15 ft. in the discharge channel. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

McGee Creek: Elevation 10 ft. above normal and rising. Water 47 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic lures and jig and pig fished off submerged humps. White Bass fair to good on grubs fished along bottom off points. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout very good. The powerhouse has been releasing water. Some of the flies that have been working are pheasant tails, red fox squirrel, San Juan worm, egg patterns and wooly buggers. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

Pine Creek: Elevation above normal rising, water murky. Bass good on plastic worms around points. Catfish fair on cut shad below the dam. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation above normal, water 44 and murky. Largemouth slow at 8 ft. using plastic baits fishing the rock and riprap dikes around the lake. Crappie fair at 8-10 ft. using small minnows fishing the old creek channels of Sans Bois, Sallisaw and Dirty creeks. White bass slow at 10 ft. using jigs fishing below Webbers Falls dam. Blue catfish fair at 5-15 ft. using fresh cut bait or worms fishing windy points or the old river and creek channels. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Elevation 1 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass slow to fair off points and around islands on crankbaits and crawdads. White bass good around islands trolling rattle traps and below the dam on grubs. Catfish fair on trotlines and juglines baited with cut shad in deep flats and channels. Crappie good on minnows around bridges and tower. Walleye fair on jigs and grubs below the dam. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, 49 and clear. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass slow at 10-20 ft. on plastic baits along riprap near the dam. Striped and white bass fair on live bait and sassy shad at 10-20 ft. in the coves. Channel and blue catfish slow on cut bait at 10-20 ft. above the highway 70 bridge. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation 16 1/2 ft. above normal and murky. Largemouth bass slow. Crappie good on minnows and jigs below the dam. Channel catfish fair to good on cut shad below the dam. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Ellsworth: Elevation 14 ft. below normal and murky. Catfish fair off rocky points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Foss: Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water 40 and clear. Crappie good around the marina on live bait. Striped bass hybrids good in deep water. Walleye fair in deep water. Catfish fair. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Ft. Cobb: Elevation 2 ft. below normal. Crappie slow to fair around marina and boat docks. Report submitted by James Edwards Jr., game warden station in Caddo County.

WATERFOWL REPORT FOR JANUARY 24, 2007

For zone maps and complete waterfowl hunting regulations, log on to wildlifedepartment.com

Bill Sartin, wildlife manager for the Copan and Hulah areas, recently passed away, and officials with the Wildlife Department ask that waterfowl hunters keep his family in their thoughts and prayers.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Lake level is 5.86 ft. below normal. Habitat condition is poor. Water level has dropped below all vegetation along the shoreline due to water release. Winter wheat plantings are still in fair condition. Goose numbers are high, with mostly Canadas, but several Snow geese remain in the area. Goose numbers seem to have stabilized and will probably remain so if snow cover continues to melt off of fields. Hunting activity is low in the area, with fair to good success. The boat ramp west of Canton WMA headquarters is not usable due to low water levels.

Ft. Supply: Lake level is 0.3 ft. below normal. Habitat conditions around the lake are poor. Local wheat crops are fair to poor. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are good. Goose movement has been good in the area recently. Hunting activity is low, with no reports of success. The lake is 90 percent frozen, most ponds are frozen, with the forecasted warm whether, the lake should open up and the snow should melt by the weekend.

Washita NWR: Water level is 4.84 ft. below normal. Duck numbers: mallard 289; green-winged teal 73; wigeon 40; bufflehead 13; shoveller 15; pintail 12; gadwall 10. Goose numbers: Canada 23,963; snow 3,165; ross's 1,780.

SOUTHWEST

Ft. Cobb: Lake level is 1.98 ft. below normal. Habitat condition is poor due to lake level. Wheat in the area is good. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are good. Hunting activity is high on weekends with good success.

Hackberry Flat: Approximately 1400 acres of wetland units flooded. Habitat condition is fair. Duck numbers are good. Goose numbers are good. Good movement of waterfowl with recent ice storm. Hackberry Flat WRP is closed to all activities from Oct. 15 - Jan. 31.

Mtn. Park: Lake elevation is 9.33 ft. below normal. Habitat condition is poor due to lake level. Winter wheat is good on WMA and surrounding area. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are high, with a large number Canada, Whitefront, and Snow geese. Hunting activity is low, with no reports of success.

Waurika: Lake level is 4.20 ft. below normal. Habitat condition is fair. Unit flooding has been accomplished on the south units and a portion of the north units. Duck numbers are good. Goose numbers are good. Wetland units have thawed since the weekend. Ducks are again using the units for feeding. Larger numbers of ducks were found on the north end of the lake.

NORTHEAST

Deep Fork NWR: All wetlands are about 90 percent full. Food conditions are fair. Duck numbers: mallard 700; wood duck 300; gadwall 70; shoveller 40; green-winged teal 30; ring-necked 20. Goose numbers: Canada 10.

Eufaula: Lake level is 2.90 ft. above normal. Current habitat condition is good. Vegetation is very good on the mudflats and suitable lake shore. Very little farming in the area. Duck numbers are fair. No geese observed in the area. No significant bird movements have been observed.

Ft. Gibson: Lake level is 4.47 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is good, with smartweed, barnyard grass, bidens, cut soybeans, corn, milo, and wheat in the area. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are low. Some bird movement has been seen in the area. Hunting activity is moderate, with moderate success.

Kaw: Lake level is 0.23 ft. below normal. Habitat condition is poor due to millet and natural food being depleted. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Bird movement is slow at the moment. Hunting activity in the area is low with fair success.

Keystone: Lake level is 0.46 ft. below normal. Habitat conditions are poor. Habitat condition is fair to good on Cottonwood Creak WDU. Very little vegetation is flooded on the lake. Habitat potential is fair on the mudflats, sloughs, potholes, and lower elevation. Both duck and goose numbers are low, with some bird movement in the area. Hunting activity is moderate, with low success. Sloughs now have some water in them. The water level in the sloughs is not up the vegetation line. 3 mile slough is 20 percent full. Lake level needs to be normal for fair habitat and one foot above normal for good habitat.

Oologah: Lake level is 3.20 ft. below normal. Habitat condition is fair, but not flooded. Ag fields have been planted with wheat and soybeans, and are in fair condition. Duck numbers are fair, with gadwalls, mallards, lesser scaup, American wigeon, and ring-necks reported. Goose numbers are fair, with Canada's and snow geese present. Hunting activity is fair, with fair success. There is no water at Overcup Bottoms until there is significant rainfall. Upper Verdigris has no reports of waterfowl and both units are at less than 20 percent capacity and frozen.

Sooner: Lake level is normal. Habitat condition is poor. Winter wheat in lake vicinity is in poor condition. Duck numbers are good, with mostly mallards. Goose numbers are good. Hunting activity is moderate, with moderate success. Ducks and geese are concentrating on the lake due to ice.

Webbers Falls: Lake level is 2.96 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is good, with smartweed, barnyard grass, bidens, cut soybeans, corn, milo and wheat in the area. Duck numbers are fair. Goose numbers are low. Some bird movement in the area. Hunting activity is moderate, with moderate success.

SOUTHEAST

Hugo: Lake level is 10.95 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is fair, with Japanese millet, sedges, and other native vegetation in the area. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are very low. Hunting activity is slow, with fair success. Slow bird movement in the area.

Grassy Slough: Lake is mostly full. Habitat condition is good. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunter activity is low, with low success.

Little River NWR: Water levels are good. Food conditions are fair to good. Duck numbers: gadwall 100; mallard 275; wood duck 125; ring-neck 25; wigeon 35. No geese were observed on the area.

Red Slough: Most wetland units are full now. Habitat conditions are good. Duck numbers are good. Goose numbers are poor. Hunter activity is heavy, with fair success. Approximately 7,500 birds are on the area.

Texoma: Lake level is 0.40 ft. below normal. Habitat conditions are good, with smart weed, barnyard grass, and nutsedge in the area. Duck numbers are good. Goose numbers are poor. New bird movement due to freezing weather. Hunting activity is moderate, with fair success. Lake is rising into new level of food that has not been flooded this season. Duck hunting should be good for the last days.

Wister: Lake level is 15 ft. above normal. Habitat condition is good. Duck numbers are low. Hunting pressure is moderate, with low success. Combination of hunting pressure and weather has moved most of the ducks south.

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