Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

[Phil Lilley]

For Immediate Release:

April 5, 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

Private lands elk season set; Department employee receives national honor

Time to apply for the Department's Controlled Hunts

Record rainfalls mean fantastic fishing for Sooner anglers

First youth spring turkey season a success for families and Oklahoma businesses

Outdoor Calendar

Fishing Report

Private lands elk season set; Department employee receives national honor

Southwest Oklahoma private landowners will now have more days available to harvest elk, as well as increased chances to harvest quality bulls and more cow elk.

At its regular monthly meeting held April 2, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission approved several private lands elk hunting regulations designed to improve the health of the state's elk herds while meeting the needs and interests of landowners.

Alan Peoples, chief of wildlife for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, said meetings with landowners in the affected counties revealed a desire to harvest more quality bulls.

"Landowners want to see better bulls harvested during the private lands seasons in their areas, so we decided to raise the antler point restriction from at least five points on one side to six," Peoples said. "That gives younger bulls more opportunity to grow into trophy-sized animals, and it helps create a healthier age structure of animals in the herd. Hunters are also going to have more days to hunt for these more elusive bigger bulls, and cows as well."

The Commission's decision essentially recognizes the free-ranging elk on lands east and west of SH 115 in Kiowa, Comanche and Caddo counties as two independent elk herds.

The land west of the highway is known as the "Granite" area and is very rocky, whereas the eastern side, known as the "Slick Hills" area, includes a transitioning point from rocky ground to soils more suited for agriculture.

"The highway is like a dividing line between the herds, and research studies tell us there's not much intermingling between the two," Peoples said. "We are confident that managing the two groups of elk separately through different hunting seasons will improve their health and better serve the landowners' desires."

The private lands elk hunting regulations approved by the Commission include a five-day bull or antlerless archery season spanning from the first Saturday in October through the following Wednesday (Oct. 6-10 for 2007) and from the second Saturday in December through the following Wednesday (Dec. 8-12 for 2007). The private lands elk gun season, however, will vary for areas east and west of SH 115.

On both sides of the highway, the season will include the Thursday through Sunday period immediately following the October archery elk season (Oct. 11-13 for 2007) and the Thursday through Sunday period immediately following the December archery elk season (Dec. 13-15 for 2007). However, on the west side of SH 115, the season will be open to bulls only on the Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and open to both bulls and antlerless elk on the two Sundays. On the east side of SH 115, all season days are open to both antlered and antlerless elk hunting. Only one elk per year may be harvested per hunter, regardless of whether the elk is antlered or antlerless.

In other business, the Commission received $32,000 in donations from an Oklahoma conservation organization Monday.

NatureWorks, a Tulsa-based, nonprofit group dedicated to assisting conservation through education and financial support of various wildlife projects, donated the funds.

"The money will be used to help support four specific Department projects, including Operation Game Thief, the Oklahoma Duck Stamp program, Hunters Against Hunger and the Lower Illinois River Stream Enhancement project," said Richard Hatcher, assistant director of the Wildlife Department.

NatureWorks sponsors an annual wildlife art show in Tulsa, and at its last show it sold over $600,000 worth of art. Over the years, the show has generated matching grants to assist a variety of state wildlife conservation projects.

"NatureWorks is a great organization that does a lot for wildlife," Hatcher said. "They have been a great supporter of conservation and the Wildlife Department over the years."

NatureWorks president John Reaves presented the donation and said NatureWorks looks forward to a continued relationship with the Department.

Also at the meeting, one of Oklahoma's own game wardens was recognized as the National Wild Turkey Federation State Game Warden of the Year for two years running and also as the first Oklahoma game warden to receive the National Game Warden of the Year Award.

Shane Fields, game warden stationed in Pittsburg Co., was at the meeting to receive the honor from Gary Purdy and Don Chitwood of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Fields has been a game warden in Oklahoma for eight years.

In other business, the Commission heard a presentation from Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts executive director Clay Pope and Garfield Co. Conservation District representative Jason Skaggs. The District presented Wildlife Conservation Commissioner John Groendyke with an engraved gun case in thanks for his hosting a Legislative meeting and hunt last December. The gathering established a partnership with natural resources agencies in Oklahoma. Groendyke, Enid, has served on the Commission since 1976 and currently holds the District Eight seat, which, along with Garfield county, includes Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woodward, Woods, Major, Alfalfa, Grant, Kay and Noble counties.

The Commission also voted to take sealed bids for disposal and salvage of several structures at the Lower Illinois River wildlife management area in Sequoyah Co. Additionally, the Commission voted to sell five acres of land in Tillman Co. The land, located along HWY 5 on the east side of Frederick, was originally purchased five years ago with non-Departmental funds for the construction of a Hackberry Flat visitor's center but is no longer designated for that project. The visitor's center is now under construction at the Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area, and Department officials hope to have it completed by the fall of this year.

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.

The next scheduled Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. May 7 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium), located at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City.

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Time to apply for the Department's Controlled Hunts

Hunters can now submit their applications for the "2007-08 Controlled Hunts" over the Internet by logging onto www.wildlifedepartment.com/controlhunt.htm.

"Now that the Controlled Hunts applications are done completely online, hunters get the assurance of accuracy, peace of mind and convenience," said Nels Rodefeld, information and education chief for the Wildlife Department. "That means a lot when you're hoping to draw out on one of these highly sought after hunts."

Oklahoma was one of the first states in the nation to offer electronic applications, and last year, 85 percent of those applying for Controlled Hunts used the online application system.

"Online applications have been available since 1999, and now people know how simple it is to apply. Applicants are prompted to fill out their information correctly, which helps avoid the chance of applying incorrectly and losing a chance to be drawn," Rodefeld said. "There's no reason why someone should have to go to all the work to fill out an application and then have to worry that they did it incorrectly, or that it didn't arrive to its destination through the mail or that it didn't arrive on time. Previously, there were so many variables that could limit applicants, but by switching to the online system completely, we're helping applicants avoid a lot of that."

Besides simplifying the process for applicants, Rodefeld said online applications are the best thing for wildlife as well as sportsmen.

"The Department will save money by not having to print an application booklet, and money saved on that is money that can be used on habitat programs and other projects to benefit hunters, anglers and wildlife," Rodefeld said. "It's a winning situation for everyone involved."

After an individual submits an online application, they receive a message immediately confirming that their application was accepted.

"It's easy to tell if you applied correctly, and you get instant peace of mind knowing that you have as good a chance as anyone at getting drawn on the hunts you applied for," Rodefeld said.

Applicants have until May 15 to apply online.

Administered by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Controlled Hunts Program offers a wide variety of highly desirable hunts through a random drawing. Some hunts are held to provide high-quality hunting experiences on high-profile areas where it is necessary to regulate hunting pressure. Others are held to achieve management goals for certain species, and others are held to provide hunting experiences in areas where access is otherwise limited.

All applicants, including lifetime license holders, must pay a $5 application fee to enter the Controlled Hunts drawings. The fee is paid only once per person per year regardless of the number of categories entered.

For complete application instructions, including tips on enhancing your chances of being selected, log on to http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/controlhunt.htm.

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Record rainfalls mean fantastic fishing for Sooner anglers

After the state's wettest March on record, biologists with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation say recent rains are having positive effects on fishing.

"The amount of rain we had in late March is enhancing the angling action across Oklahoma right now," said Jeff Boxrucker, senior fisheries research biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "The rainfall and more daylight we get this time of year raises water temperatures, which results in more fish activity."

Not only was it the wettest March on record for Oklahoma, but it also was the second warmest. Oklahoma received about 8.02 inches of precipitation in March.

Boxrucker said spawning runs of some fish, such as white bass, striped bass and paddlefish, are triggered by water flowing into lakes at this time in the year. The flowing water also replenishes the nutrients in lakes, which is vital for fish production.

"Also, these warm inflows created from springtime rain drive fish into shallower waters because it's warmer there," Boxrucker said.

The Department's fishing report this week echoes Boxrucker, with reports that anglers are catching crappie and largemouth bass in shallow water at lakes all across the state.

Rainfall also plays a role in habitat development in shallow waters. Because of severe drought across the state last year, lake levels stayed low long enough for vegetation to grow.

"When water levels flood vegetation that has been growing along exposed banks, you end up with great habitat where fish can hide and hunt for food," Boxrucker said. "That creates another fishing opportunity in the shallow waters, especially for anglers who don't have a boat."

Rain also creates muddy water in creeks and rivers that tend to warm faster and cool slower than clearer water, further increasing fish activity.

Although last year's drought cycle did not significantly affect fishing, Boxrucker said the recent rains are still a nice relief for state lakes. Many lakes, especially in the eastern portion of the state, are currently at or near normal levels.

"All kinds of factors are working together this time of year to heat up fish activity and angling opportunities, and now through the next few weeks is when people should get out and cast a line," Boxrucker said.

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First youth spring turkey season a success for families and Oklahoma businesses

When seventh-grader Seth Fuller, Jones, set out March 31 to participate in the state's first Youth Spring Turkey season, he probably did not realize just what a successful and memorable weekend was in store for him - and neither did his father.

After a long morning, Seth and his dad were walking back toward their vehicle when they saw four hen turkeys cross a meadow, followed by two toms.

"We let the hens walk out of sight, and snuck around a big brush pile," Seth said. "We waited, and the two turkeys' gobbles got louder and louder, so we knew they were getting close. Soon, one came around the corner of the brush pile, and I got him!"

Rich Fuller, Seth's dad and an avid turkey hunter, said he was nearly as excited about the hunt as his son.

"If you've never taken your kids turkey hunting, you really need to," he said. "It sounds like a cliché, but it gets your heart thumping twice as much as any bird you hunt yourself."

Seth's turkey had a nine and three-quarter-inch beard and one and three-eighths-inch spurs, but it is the memories shared with his father that will last a lifetime.

Once back at home, Seth relived the hunt with his dad when they shared a meal of fried wild turkey and morels.

"When it all comes together and you get a bird coming to the call, it's almost more than I can take physically and emotionally," Rich Fuller said about hunting with his son. "Until spring of 2012, when my son is too old to participate, the weekend of the youth season will be permanently circled on our calendars. Oklahoma's Youth Spring Turkey season is a great opportunity for dads to spend some quality time with their kids."

The Fullers' day in the woods was undoubtedly only one of many success stories from the first Youth Spring Turkey season offered in Oklahoma. The season even proved successful for the some of the state's businesses, such as the Cheyenne Motel in western Oklahoma.

"I can pick out 12 rooms that had to be hunters, and there may be more than that," said Cheyenne Motel owner Wanda Purcell regarding the weekend of the youth season.

Purcell said one group of guests consisted of a young hunter from Holdenville and his father and grandfather. The boy harvested a turkey, and Purcell said he told as many people as he could about his successful hunt.

"That was the most excited little boy," Purcell said.

Department officials say the youth season should be successful every year, much like the youth deer season that opens every October.

"We want to provide as many hunting opportunities as we can, especially for kids," said Bill Dinkines, assistant chief of wildlife for the Wildlife Department. "The Youth Spring Turkey season is one more way people can share the heritage of hunting and have a great time outdoors."

Turkeys harvested during the first Youth Spring Turkey season are included in the youth hunter's county and regular spring season limits. Those who participated in the youth season but did not harvest a turkey may use their unfilled turkey license during the regular spring turkey season, which runs from April 6 -May 6. For license information and other regulations for the regular spring turkey season, log on to wildlifedepartment.com or consult the current "Oklahoma Hunting Guide."

****Photo*****

Editor's note: Below are links for an accompanying photo that is intended for newspaper publication. The ending link is .jpg for the photo. The photo will open in your browser. If you have a pc you should be able to right click, save picture as, choose the file type you want to save as and click save. The other way is on file in toolbar, save picture as, choosing the file type you want to save as and click save. Images can be viewed with the article at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wl_news.htm.

High resolution - http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/newsrele...turkeylarge.jpg

Low resolution - http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/newsrele...turkeysmall.jpg

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR

APRIL

9 & 10 & 12: Hunter Education: Bass Pro Shop (101 Bass Pro Dr.), Broken Arrow; 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.; (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 meeting 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: Spring Garden Fling at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, Norman. The event runs from 8:30 am to Noon. There is a $10 registration fee at the door. Topics include "Wildlife Critters in your Wildscape."

13-15: Waurika Rattlesnake Hunt on Main Street, Waurika. Come for the thrill of Waurika's Rattlesnake Hunt! Also featuring carnival rides, games, arts and 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.

14: The Deep Fork Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association in Lincoln County will hold their banquet at Chandler Fairgrounds Ag Center. The banquet starts at 6 p.m. For more information go to www.qdma.com or call Arthur at (405) 258-8188 or Todd at (405) 409-0585.

FISHING REPORT FOR APRIL 4, 2007

CENTRAL

Arcadia: Channel catfish fair on cut bait and shad at the Deep Fork inflow. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around structure. Report submitted by Wade Farrar, state game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Hefner: Elevation normal, water 68 and murky. White bass are being caught in the upper end of the lake on jigs and spinners. Channel catfish being caught on worms, liver and cut bit. Walleye are being caught on jigs white and chartreuse in color around rocks and along the dam. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Overholser: Water 72 and muddy. Catfish being caught on worms, punch bait and cut bait. Crappie are being caught on tube jigs around the dam. Report submitted by Kelly Roberson, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Thunderbird: Elevation 9 ft. below normal and murky. Crappie excellent on minnows and small jigs at 4-8 ft. around structure. Largemouth bass good in coves with warmer water conditions on structure with tandem spinners, medium-diving crankbaits and plastic worms. Saugeye should be hitting on old roadbeds on green sassy shad or jigs. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 56-67 and very muddy. Largemouth bass good on assorted-colored plastics, spinnerbaits in lighter colors, tubes and sinkoes at 4-6 ft. with some action in the early morning on topwaters. Catfish very good on chicken livers, shrimp, minnows, fresh cut bait and worms. Crappie are being caught on minnows and jigs around dam area and underwater structures and brush piles. White bass are being caught in timbered areas and around main lake trolling with shallow-diving crankbaits. 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 2 ft. below normal, water 65 and muddy. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Striped bass hybrids good trolling with crankbaits and plastic grubs. Catfish fair on cut bait. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County.

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

Copan: Elevation 4 ft. above normal and muddy. Reservoir release is 715 cubic feet per second. Crappie starting to move into shallow waters and good near rocky banks and brush on chartreuse or black/pink tube jigs and bank fishing on the south end of Washington Cove, East of the boat ramp at Copan Point, the coves and creek around Osage Plains and under Cotton Creek bridge. Catfish fair to good on juglines in or near the river channel. White bass fair in the same areas as crappie. Report submitted by Marni Loftis, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Eucha: Elevation slightly above normal, water 64 and clear. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush and structure. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and jerk baits. Catfish good on trotlines using worms. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Ft. Gibson: Elevation 2 1/2 ft. above normal, water 60 and murky. Largemouth bass good at 6 ft. on spinnerbaits and jig and frog combos around structure, bluffs and off windy points. White bass excellent in the upper end of the lake and in tributaries on inline spinners and twister tail jigs. Channel catfish good at 10-12 ft. in the mud flats and along the edge of creek channels on trotlines and juglines baited with whole or cut shad. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 3-6 ft. around docks. Report submitted Don Cole, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Grand: Elevation normal and clear. White bass fair to good on rocky points using spinnerbaits and spoons. Crappie fair to good around baited areas using minnows and jigs. Channel catfish fair to good in lake tributaries using worms and shad guts. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits in creek channels and along the shoreline. 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.

Hulah: Elevation 7 ft. above normal and muddy. Reservoir release is 26 cubic feet per second. Crappie good and starting to move into shallow waters near rocky banks and brush on chartreuse or black/pink tube jigs. Bank fishing for crappie is currently best in Skull creek, Washashee Park and in the river near Rocky Ford boat ramp marina. White bass fair in the same areas as crappie. Catfish fair to good on jug lines in or near the river channel. Report submitted by Marni Loftis, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Kaw: Elevation 8 ft. above normal, water 60 and the lake has crested. White bass very good in Beaver Creek and should remain good for a few days. Crappie excellent above the boat ramp on Beaver Creek. Fishing below dam has been very good for white bass, crappie walleye, blue catfish, channel catfish. The floodgates are open today (4/3/07), which will change the fishing for a few days. Paddlefish are being caught in small numbers below Kaw Dam. Report submitted by Larry Green, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Keystone: Elevation 6 ft. above normal, water 60 and murky to muddy. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and dark salt craws at 2-6 ft. in creeks and coves off secondary points. Smallmouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits at 4-8 ft. along riprap and points in the Salt Creek Area. Spotted Bass fair on crankbaits and small jigs at 4-8 ft. in main lake pockets. White bass good on 1/8 oz grubs that are white or chartreuse in color at 4-6 ft in creeks feeding the upper end of the lake. Striped bass below the dam fair on sassy shad and buck tails at 2-6 ft. when discharging. Striped bass in the lake fair on swim baits and sassy shad at 4-8 ft. in rivers and creeks in the upper end. Channel catfish good on worms and shrimp at 4-8 ft. in creeks and shallow coves. Blue catfish good on worms, shad and minnows at 4-10 ft. in the mouth of coves. Flathead catfish fair on large minnows and goldfish at 5-10 ft. along riprap. Crappie excellent on minnows and magnum jigs at 2-10 ft. in sunny, rocky coves. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle.

Oologah: Elevation 6 ft. above normal and rising. Water muddy on the north end and clear on the south end. Water temp in lower 60s. Crappie good in creeks around standing timber and brush piles at 5-8 ft. on minnows and jigs. Blue and channel catfish good on flats in upper areas of the lake at 10 ft. on shad. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits around submerged bushes at 2-5 ft. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.

Skiatook: Elevation 8 ½ ft. below normal, water 63-68 and muddy, but beginning to clear. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass good on spinnerbaits and jigs in shallow water. Crappie fair on minnows, starting to spread out, in creek channels, at docks and Hwy 20 bridge. Catfish fair on cut baits and large minnows, in most of the creeks.

Sooner: Elevation normal. Largemouth bass, white bass, crappie and striped bass hybrids slow, Channel and blue catfish fair off the highway on cut or live bait. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Spavinaw: Elevation slightly below normal, water 65 and clear. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around the dam area. Largemouth bass good using crankbaits. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.

Tenkiller: Elevation 1/3 ft. above normal, water 59-60. Largemouth bass slow with some action on bass jigs at 15-20 ft. around drop-offs and around brush at 15-20 ft. White bass good trolling mid-lake to upper end - better in the mornings and good in the upper end on spinners, spoons, or jigs. Crappie fair trolling deep runners mid-lake to upper end in the mornings. Catfish fair on flip-flops at 30-40 ft. on cut shad and some action shallow on minnows.

Webbers Falls: Elevation normal and murky. Largemouth bass good on spinners along shoreline and riprap. Channel catfish good on cut bait on bottom. Flathead catfish good on minnows and jigs at 3 ft. brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: Elevation 6 ft. below normal. Walleye good along dam on jigs and crankbaits. Striped bass hybrids and walleye good near beach area on night crawlers. Channel catfish fair on shad near big bend. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs near brush piles. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Ft. Supply: Elevation normal and clear. White bass fair on spinners along the dam. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait along the dam. Crappie fair on jigs and spinners in the shallows. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: Elevation 3 ft. above normal and rising. Water 64 and muddy. Fishing last week was good on all species. Friday's rain has lake muddy. Report submitted by Jack Melton.

Blue River: Elevation normal, water 60 and muddy. Largemouth bass slow on minnows and flies. Channel catfish slow on stinkbait and liver. Trout slow 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 1/2 ft. above normal and clear to the east and murky to the west. Largemouth bass good on jerk baits at 3-8 ft. in rocky areas. White bass slow. Blue catfish good on shad at 5-10 ft. on the shallow flats. Crappie good on minnows or jigs at 1-5 ft. along the banks. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 57 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinners and soft plastic lures. Crappie good on live minnows and light-colored jigs. Blue catfish fair on cut bait and liver. White bass good on small spinners and grubs. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: Elevation normal, water 65 and clear. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on minnows and jigs in the discharge canal at 15 ft. Largemouth bass excellent on plastic worms in weed beds and creek channels at 5-8 ft. and on crankbaits along points at 1012 ft. Channel catfish good on chicken liver and stinkbait in the discharge canal at 15 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout slow but being caught on various dry flies. Insects hatching include: caddis, mayflies, crane flies and midges. The powerhouse has been relatively inactive lately. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop.

McGee Creek: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. above normal, water 59 and murky. Largemouth bass fair to good on spinnerbaits and soft plastic lures at 2-10 ft. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-14 ft. over cedar brush. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

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, game warden stationed in Carter County.

Pine Creek: Elevation normal and clear. Bass good on soft plastics at 2-8 ft. in the upper end of the lake. Crappie fair on minnows at the old bridge and around timber. Catfish fair on pole and line with liver or night crawlers. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: Elevation above normal, water 68 and murky. Largemouth bass good at 2-5 ft. using spinnerbaits, jerk baits and plastic baits fishing the weed, rock and woody shorelines. Crappie good at 1-3 ft. using minnows fishing the weed and woody shoreline spawning areas. White bass good at 2-6 ft. using shad imitation lures fishing below Webbers Falls Dam and the major creek tributaries around the lake. Blue catfish good at 2-6 ft. using large minnows, fresh cut shad and worms fishing the fresh water flowing into the lake from the major creeks. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis Lake: Bass excellent on spinnerbaits in grass beds. White bass good up creeks on grubs and sassy shad. Blue catfish and flathead catfish fair on trotlines and juglines baited with cut bait. Crappie good on minnows along gravel beds and around bridges. Walleye fair up creeks and around islands on grubs. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: Elevation 1 ft. below normal but rising, water 56 and clear to the south and murky to the north. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass fair to good on deep-diving baits at 5-20 ft. in the south part of the lake. Striped bass and white bass fair to good on live bait, slabs, and sassy shad at 10-20 ft. deep at Washita Point and Platter Flats. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on stinkbait and cut bait at 5-15 ft. in the Washita River. Crappie fair to good on jigs and minnows at 5-15 ft. in Kansas and Widow Moore creeks. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.

Wister: Elevation normal and murky. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms. Channel catfish good on liver and cut shad. Flathead good on live sunfish. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.

SOUTHWEST

Altus-Lugert: Elevation 6 1/2 ft. below normal. White bass good to very good off the main swim beach. Striped bass hybrids good off the main swim beach. Crappie good to very good near the old fish-o-rama. Walleye are now good but most are NOT long enough to keep - must be 18 inches. 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 7 ft. below normal and murky. Crappie good at 2-3 ft. on jig and minnows. Catfish good on cut bait around the dam and off rocky points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Foss: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water 60 and clear. Striped bass hybrids good. Walleye good. Crappie good. Catfish good. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.

Ft. Cobb: Elevation 1/4 ft. above normal and rising. Crappie slow to fair around docks. Striped bass hybrids slow to fair on crawfish tails. Catfish slow to fair using cut baits. Report submitted by James Edwards Jr., game warden stationed in Caddo County.

Tom Steed: Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 6-10 ft. near the rocks. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.

Waurika: Elevation normal, water 49 and murky to the south and muddy to the north. White bass and striped bass hybrids good on white or pearl sassy shad or on live bait. Channel catfish good on live bait or punch bait. Crappie good on jigs or minnows. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.