Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

For Immediate Release:

March 29, 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

Okmulgee students compete in Archery in the Schools event; state tournament slated

Choosing turkey hunting load and choke combinations that work

"2007 Angler's Guide now available"

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

Okmulgee students compete in Archery in the Schools event; state tournament slated

Nearly 100 students from three Okmulgee Co. schools showed up at the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge Tuesday to participate in the second annual Okmulgee County Archery Day.

Students at the event competed against each other in Olympic-style archery shooting events and also tried 3-D archery target shooting and mock bowfishing. Additionally, students were treated to a wild game lunch and hands-on archery instruction. The highlight of the day-long event included a shoot-off between the three competing schools, which were Morris, Wilson and Beggs. Morris took home the team championship trophy, but every school had individual shooters who placed in the top three of either the boys or girls shooting events.

Taking first in the boys category was Luke Driver, Morris, followed by Alex Workman, Morris, and Christian Bowers, Wilson. In the girls category, Krysten McLaughin, Morris, took first placed, followed by Cassy Rice, Beggs, and Kate Nichols, Morris.

Okmulgee County Archery Day was part of the Oklahoma Archery in the Schools program coordinated by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The national program is a partnership between state wildlife agencies, schools and the nation's archery industry.

"The Archery in the Schools program makes it possible for students to try a sport that isn't normally offered in schools. It's so much fun though, that schools are catching on and getting students involved," said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Wildlife Department who also heads up the Archery in the Schools program for the state.

Designed for 4th-12th graders, the Archery in the Schools curriculum covers archery history, safety, techniques, equipment, mental concentration and self-improvement. Teachers attend an eight-hour National Archery in the Schools training class taught by certified Wildlife Department instructors, and then return to their schools fully prepared to teach the two-week archery course to their students.

Students shoot at targets placed before an arrow-resistant net, and the shooting equipment is designed to fit every student. Eleven universal draw-length compound bows, 60 aluminum arrows, five foam targets, a bow rack, a backstop and a repair kit are all part of the Oklahoma Archery in the Schools kit that can be purchased by schools to offer the program.

"Archery is one of those sports where all students can really learn to excel at something, and it allows them to be a little competitive, too," Meek said. "But even if they don't compete in the sport, archery is still a lifelong hobby that they will always have to enjoy."

The Oklahoma Archery in the Schools state tournament is slated for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 26 at the University of Central Oklahoma's Hamilton Field House and Wellness Center. Any of the state's 80 schools that have taught the two-week Archery in the Schools curriculum can bring students to compete in the tournament.

For more information on the Archery in the Schools program, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

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Choosing turkey hunting load and choke combinations that work

The state's spring turkey season opens April 6, and many hunters will be carefully selecting their camo, counting their game calls and choosing the best waterproof boots before taking to the woods, but one official with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation says there is one important element that should not be ignored by gobbler hunters.

"The type of shot shell and shotgun choke you use for turkey hunting is as important as any other factor in determining whether you harvest a bird," said Craig Endicott, northeast region supervisor for the Department. "You can get everything in order, from your clothes to your turkey calls and all your other gear. You can even spend a lot of money on a shotgun. But you need to use the proper shot shell load and choke combination for it all to come together."

Endicott goes into further detail in his online article, "Turkey Loads," available now on the Wildlife Department's Web site. To read the story, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. The Web site also provides tips for turkey hunting as well as season regulations.

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"2007 Angler's Guide now available"

With the onset of spring weather and angling opportunities heating up across the state, officials with the Wildlife Department say now is the time to get out and go fishing.

Before heading out, anglers will want to grab a copy of the "2007 Oklahoma Angler's Guide," an informative guide available now in the March/April issue of "Outdoor Oklahoma" magazine, the official publication of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

"The 'Angler's Guide' is an excellent source for Oklahoma anglers," said Nels Rodefeld, "Outdoor Oklahoma" editor. "It provides electrofishing results, stocking information and the best destinations for many popular species. It also describes the most popular fish species available in Oklahoma."

The "Angler's Guide" is an annual production put together based on information provided by Department fisheries biologists who know most of the ins and outs of Oklahoma fishing.

"I'm confident that the information in this year's 'Angler's Guide' is going to be helpful to anglers who use it to their advantage," Rodefeld said.

Also available in the March/April issue is a profile of two hot destinations - the Honobia Creek and Three Rivers wildlife management areas. Department biologists say both areas provide more hunting, fishing and camping opportunities than one sportsmen can handle on a weekend get-away. The issue also features an instructional turkey-calling guide for hunters learning the art of attracting turkeys.

The Watchable Wildlife profile features one of the state's most unique fish, the longear sunfish.

To obtain the most recent issue, mail $4 (check, cash, money orders or cashier's check) to "Outdoor Oklahoma" magazine, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. However, one-year subscriptions are just $10 (two years for $18 or three years for $25) and are available by calling 1-800-777-0019. Additionally, you can subscribe over the Internet by logging on to www.wildlifedepartment.com/outdooroklahoma.htm.

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

APRIL

1: Last day of youth spring turkey season.

2: The Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium) located at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City.

3: Bluebird Bob Walshaw will present hands-on programs on bluebirds and how to deal with the killer house sparrows at 7 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow. These programs will be held in the upstairs seminar room and are free and open to the public, and door prizes will be awarded.

2: Hunter Education Home Study, Bass Pro (200 Bass Pro Drive), OKC; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (405) 218-5200.

6- May 6: Spring turkey season. Check regulations pertaining to individual counties. The season limit is three (3) tom turkeys. Hunters may take more than one tom turkey per day, up to the season limit of three toms. However, no more than one (1) tom may be taken in any county with a one (1)-tom season limit and no more than two (2) toms may be taken in any county with a two (2)-tom season limit. No more than two (2) toms may be taken from the combined eight (8) southeast counties.

7: Deadline for the US Fish and Wildlife Service's annual Junior Duck Stamp art contest. Entries will be judged at the state level. Students interested can view regulations online at www.fws.gov/duckstamps or contact the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge at (580) 429-3222.

7: National Wild Turkey Federation Black Kettle Longbeards Oklahoma Hunting Heritage Banquet. Banquet starts at 6 p.m. at the Rockin' S Steakhouse, Cheyenne. For more information contact Todd Goodall at (580) 214-0350.

9 & 10 & 12: Hunter Education: 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Bass Pro Shop (101 Bass Pro Dr.), Broken Arrow; (918) 355-7600, ask for promotion manager.

11 & 12: Hunter Education: Francis Tuttle 1400A (12777 N Rockwell), OKC; 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; (405) 521-4636.

12: Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan to be held at Beaver County Fairgrounds Pavilion (1107 Douglas Ave). Meeting begins at 6: 30 p.m. For more information contact Jeri Fleming at (405) 744-9994.

13-15: Waurika Rattlesnake Hunt on Main Street, Waurika. Come for the thrill of Waurika's Rattlesnake Hunt! Also featuring carnival rides, games, arts & crafts vendors, photo booth, and the Thrill-Safety Show Guided Hunts! For more information call (580) 228-2553.

14: Spring Wilderness Hike at the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. This strenuous hike will depart from the headquarters at 10 a.m. Registration is required and a $5 fee will be collected. For more information contact the Refuge at (580) 429-3222.

19: National Wild Turkey Federation Garvin County Longbeards Oklahoma Hunting Heritage Banquet. Banquet starts at 6 p.m. at the Bosa Center, Pauls Valley. For more information contact Luann Waters at (405) 642-9232.

FISHING REPORT FOR MARCH 28, 2007

CENTRAL

Hefner: Water 64. White bass being caught in the upper end of the lake by the cannal on jigs and spinners. Catfish being caught on cut bait and stinkbait. Walleye being caught off the dam on jigs and crankbaits. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Overholser: Water 70. Catfish being caught on cut shad and punch bait. Crappie being caught off banks on jigs at 3-4 ft. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Thunderbird: Elevation 10 1/2 ft. below normal and clear. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 5-9 ft. around structure. Largemouth bass good on tandem spinners and medium-divers around structure in coves. Saugeye should be hitting off old road beds and points. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 5 1/2 ft. below normal, water 55-64 and clearing but muddy in the feeder creeks and back west portion of the lake. Largemouth bass fair to good on assorted colored soft plastics at 3-5 ft. White and lighter colored spinnerbaits and shallow-diving crankbaits are good. Catfish good on chicken livers, bait shrimp, minnows and assorted stink baits. Crappie are being caught on minnows and jigs at 10-12 ft. White bass good on crankbaits trolling north side of the lake. Report submitted by M.M Fowler, St. Gregory's.

NORTHEAST

Birch: Elevation 1 ft. below normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on artificial lures, crankbaits and spinners. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on spinners on the north end of the flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs along creek channels. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Carl Blackwell: Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 60 and murky. Saugeye good on plastic grubs off windy points. Striped bass hybrids good trolling with crankbaits and plastic grubs. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County.

Chandler: Elevation below normal and murky. Crappie slow to fair on jigs around the fishing dock. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Eucha: Elevation slightly below normal, water 61 and clear. Crappie excellent on minnows and jigs. Crappie have moved into the coves and are very active. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and jerk baits. Channel catfish are being caught on trotlines baited with night crawlers. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 60 and clear. Largemouth bass good at 4-6 ft. on spinnerbaits around brush structure and off windy points. White bass excellent in the upper end of the lake and in the mouths of tributaries on inline spinners and crankbaits. Channel catfish good on juglines baited with whole shad at 15 ft. in the flat areas. Crappie fair at 4-6 ft. along structure and brush docks. Paddlefish snagging good in the river channel and in the upper end of the lake. Report submitted Don Cole, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Grand: Elevation normal and clear. Crappie fair to good around baited brush piles and commercial docks using minnows and jigs. Paddlefish moving up river, snagging good. Channel catfish good using juglines and trotlines at 15 ft. on cut shad. White bass fair on gravel points using spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass being caught on crankbaits and spinners along the shoreline and in creek channels. Channel catfish good on cut bait on bottom. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around fishing docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: Elevation normal. White bass good in the upper end of the lake on small lures. Largemouth bass good at 5-7 ft. on jig and chunk or jig and pig. Paddlefish snagging good on the upper end. Blue and channel catfish fair to good on cut shad on mud flats. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Kaw: Elevation normal, water 60 and clear. Crappie good in Bear, Beaver and Otter creeks on minnows and small jigs. White bass are also being caught in these same areas. As the water clears up in these upper tributaries, the fishing will improve. Traders Bend on the upper Arkansas River is another access point where white bass are being caught. Fishing below Kaw dam for white bass has been excellent. Jigs with 2" shad bodies have been the most productive. Paddlefish are being caught in small numbers. Blue catfish continues to be good in the areas above Sarge Creek bridge on jugs or rod and reel with cut shad as bait. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Keystone: Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 60 and murky to muddy. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and dark eight-inch worms at 4-8 ft. in creeks and halfway back in coves. Smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits and jig and chunk at 6-10 ft. inside cove points. Spotted bass fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits at 4-8 ft. in main lake pockets. White bass good on 1/8 oz chartreuse grubs and small crankbaits at 4-8 ft. in creeks and coves on the upper end of the lake. Striped bass below the dam fair on sassy shad and buck tails at 4-6 ft. when discharging. Striped bass in the lake are fair on swim baits and crankbaits at 4-8 ft. in creeks and coves in the upper end of the lake. Channel catfish good on worms and shrimp at 4-8 ft. below the dam and in coves and creeks. Blue catfish good on shad and worms at 4-8 ft. below the dam and in coves in the upper end of the lake. Flathead catfish fair on worms and large minnows at 5-10 ft. below the dam and rocky steep banks. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 4-15 ft. in coves with rocky banks. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle.

Oologah: Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water 60 and clear on the south end and muddy on the north end. Blue and channel catfish good on shad near the mouth of the Verdigris River. Crappie and white bass good on minnows and jigs in creeks around stumps and standing timber. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits around flooded bushes. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Skiatook: Elevation 11 ½ ft. below normal, water 55-60 degrees and murky. Striped bass hybrids fair on shad and pearl white sassy shad on points and mouths of creeks. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits and jig and chunk at 10-20 ft. and near banks. Crappie good, on jigs and minnows in creek channels, at docks and Hwy 20 bridge. Catfish fair on cut baits and large minnows in most of the creeks and on the flats at upper end of lake. Report submitted by Greenwood Fishing Center.

Sooner: White bass and striped bass hybrids good in the lake off points trolling at 12-14 ft. and in the discharge channel on topwater lures, rattletraps and sassy shad. Catfish good on cut bait and live bait off Hwy 15 and Hwy 177. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Spavinaw: Elevation slightly below normal, water 62 and clear. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around the dam area. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Webbers Falls: Elevation normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinners along riprap, brush structure and moss beds. Catfish good on cut bait and stinkbait on the mud flats. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 1-3 ft. in moss beds and in creek channels. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation 7 ft. below normal. Crappie fair around brush piles on minnows and jigs. Walleye and white bass fair along dam early and late on jigs and crankbaits. Channel catfish fair at Big Bend. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Ft. Supply: Elevation normal. White bass fair on jigs, minnows and spinners. Crappie fair on jigs, spinners and minnows. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation normal, water 59-61 and clear. Crappie excellent on jigs near brush piles. White bass excellent in back of all three creeks. Bass fair to good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jig and worm in coves and creeks. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Arbuckle: Water 60. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, spinners and worms. White bass good on minnows and jigs. Crappie good at 15-20 ft. around brush piles on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, state game warden stationed in Carter County.

Blue River: Elevation normal, water 67 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on minnows and flies. Catfish fair on stinkbait and worms. Trout fair to good on power bait, super dupers, rooster tails and meal worms. Report submitted by Charles Baker, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: Largemouth bass good on soft plastics off points and in the mouth of creeks, White bass good on road runners, rooster tails white and yellow in color running up the Mountain Fork River. Walleye fair on 1/4 oz. lead heads and five-inch grubs in the upper end of the Mountain Fork River. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: Elevation normal, water clear to the east and murky to the west. Largemouth bass good on jerk baits and plastic baits at 3-6 ft. around rocks. White bass good on jigs at 2-8 ft. Blue catfish fair on shad at 4-10 ft. on the flats. Crappie good on minnows or jigs at 2-6 ft. along the banks. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 55 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastic lures. Blue catfish fair on cut bait and liver, Crappie good on live minnows and light-colored jigs. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: Elevation normal, water 63 and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, plastic worms in weed beds and off points at 4-8 ft. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on minnows and jigs in the discharge channel at 15 ft. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver off points at 5-15 ft. in the discharge channel. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

McGee Creek: Elevation one ft. below normal, water 59 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on spinners at 2-6 ft. along shorelines. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around cedar brush at 6-10 ft. Report submitted by Joe Young, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout fair. Zone 2 continues to be very unpredictable. Fishing in zone 2 is either excellent or very poor. The trout seem to be interested in flies sporting the color red, so many types of attractor flies have been working. Crane flies have been the primary hatch lately. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

Murray: Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 60 and clear. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass good on minnows, jigs and crankbaits. Walleye fair off dam on jigs and minnows. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, state game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: Elevation normal water clear. Bass excellent on Slug Os and flukes at 2-8 ft., especially in the upper end of the lake. Crappie good on minnows at the old bridge. Catfish good to fair on pole and line with liver or night crawlers. White bass good in the upper river channel on white jigs. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation below normal, water 63 and stained. Largemouth bass good at 3-6 ft. on spinnerbaits, jerk baits and plastics fishing the weed, rock and woody shoreline areas. Crappie good at 2-4 ft. using minnows fishing the shoreline cover. White bass good on shad and minnow imitation lures fishing up in the major tributaries. Fish are still spawning. Blue catfish fair at 5-10 ft. using fresh cut shad fishing the flats next to the old channels. Flathead catfish fair at 10-20 ft. on trotlines using live bait. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Largemouth bass fair in creeks and around islands. White bass good on grubs and sassy shad in Jack Fork Creek. Blue catfish fair on cut bait, Crappie good on minnows around bridges and tower and in creeks on grubs. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation normal, water 62 and clear. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass fair to good on plastic bait combinations at 10-15 ft. under water structures. Striped bass and white bass fair to good on live bait, sassy shad and slabs at 15-20 ft. at Platter Flats. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on cut shad and stinkbait from 10-20 ft. above the Hwy 70 bridge. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. near underwater brush and other objects. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Water murky. Largemouth bass good on shad colored crankbaits. Channel catfish good on cut shad. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 21 ft. below normal and rising. White bass great off main swim beach. Striped bass hybrids good near the old fish-o-rama. Walleye very good but most are not long enough to keep (must be 18 inches). North Shore Ramp is high and dry. Hicks Mountain and Main Boat ramp are functional. You may want to check for current depth by going to: http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/ALTU.lakepage.html Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain State Park.

Ellsworth: Elevation 13 ft. below normal and murky. Crappie fair at Ralph's Resort at 3-5 ft. around boathouses. Catfish fair on cut bait. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Foss: Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 40 and clear. Crappie good on live bait. Striped bass hybrids fair. Walleye fair around rocks. Catfish fair. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Ft. Cobb: Elevation 1 1/4 ft. below normal and rising. Catfish slow to fair. Report submitted by James Edwards Jr., game warden station in Caddo County.

Tom Steed: Elevation 5 ft. below normal, water rising and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs along rocks at 10-12 ft. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.

Waurika: Elevation below normal, water 54 and murky. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on white jigs and live bait. Catfish good on live bait and punch bait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.