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Lake Tenkiller Fishing Report: Hot Pre-Spawn Bite for Bass, Crappie, and Cats
Published 1 year ago
Description
Good morning folks, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Tenkiller fishing report for Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
We’re waking up to classic Oklahoma spring weather—clear skies, a light breeze, and prime conditions to get out on the water. Sunrise hit at 6:42 AM, and you’ll have daylight until sunset at 8:00 PM, giving anglers a great window to chase a hot bite. The lake level is a touch above normal but slowly dropping, with water temps hanging between 55 and 58 degrees. Most spots have a slight stain, especially in the main arms and coves, but it’s nothing that should slow you down.
Fish activity is popping this week, thanks to the pre-spawn. Bass are leading the charge—largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass are all staging around brush piles, rocky banks, and channel points. We’re hearing about some nice catches, with largemouth and smallmouth running three to five pounds not being uncommon. Anglers are having the most luck with crankbaits, Alabama rigs, and lipless baits fished close to cover. Jigs are also a smart pick, especially around deeper brush and channel swings. If you’re after smallmouth, scale down to a natural-colored finesse jig or soft plastic, especially if you find clearer water near bluffs and the dam[2][3][4].
Crappie are fair, holding around brush structures, docks, and the main lake. Hair jigs, tube jigs, sassy shad, and minnows are putting fish in the boat. Fish are scattered, but patience pays off—focus on brush in 10 to 15 feet of water for your best chance at a slab[2][3].
White bass are still around, though the run is cooling down. They’re fair on crankbaits, small jigs, and spinnerbaits around creek channels and the upper ends of the lake. Catfish are starting to move, with blue and channel cats fair on cut bait along main lake points and deeper holes[2][3][5].
For baits and lures, crankbaits in shad or craw patterns, spinnerbaits, and jigs are doing most of the damage. Minnows and hair jigs for crappie, and cut shad for the cats.
Hot spots right now include the Snake Creek arm for bass and crappie, and the mouth of the Illinois River for white bass action. Don’t overlook the bridge brush piles and rocky points near Strayhorn Landing, especially early and late in the day.
There’s no tidal influence to worry about at Tenkiller, so your best bite times will be early morning and just before sunset, especially with the longer daylight hours.
That’s it for today’s report. Fish safe, respect each other on the water, and good luck—Lake Tenkiller is fishing as good as it gets this spring[2][3][4].
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
We’re waking up to classic Oklahoma spring weather—clear skies, a light breeze, and prime conditions to get out on the water. Sunrise hit at 6:42 AM, and you’ll have daylight until sunset at 8:00 PM, giving anglers a great window to chase a hot bite. The lake level is a touch above normal but slowly dropping, with water temps hanging between 55 and 58 degrees. Most spots have a slight stain, especially in the main arms and coves, but it’s nothing that should slow you down.
Fish activity is popping this week, thanks to the pre-spawn. Bass are leading the charge—largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass are all staging around brush piles, rocky banks, and channel points. We’re hearing about some nice catches, with largemouth and smallmouth running three to five pounds not being uncommon. Anglers are having the most luck with crankbaits, Alabama rigs, and lipless baits fished close to cover. Jigs are also a smart pick, especially around deeper brush and channel swings. If you’re after smallmouth, scale down to a natural-colored finesse jig or soft plastic, especially if you find clearer water near bluffs and the dam[2][3][4].
Crappie are fair, holding around brush structures, docks, and the main lake. Hair jigs, tube jigs, sassy shad, and minnows are putting fish in the boat. Fish are scattered, but patience pays off—focus on brush in 10 to 15 feet of water for your best chance at a slab[2][3].
White bass are still around, though the run is cooling down. They’re fair on crankbaits, small jigs, and spinnerbaits around creek channels and the upper ends of the lake. Catfish are starting to move, with blue and channel cats fair on cut bait along main lake points and deeper holes[2][3][5].
For baits and lures, crankbaits in shad or craw patterns, spinnerbaits, and jigs are doing most of the damage. Minnows and hair jigs for crappie, and cut shad for the cats.
Hot spots right now include the Snake Creek arm for bass and crappie, and the mouth of the Illinois River for white bass action. Don’t overlook the bridge brush piles and rocky points near Strayhorn Landing, especially early and late in the day.
There’s no tidal influence to worry about at Tenkiller, so your best bite times will be early morning and just before sunset, especially with the longer daylight hours.
That’s it for today’s report. Fish safe, respect each other on the water, and good luck—Lake Tenkiller is fishing as good as it gets this spring[2][3][4].
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI