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Tenkiller Lake Fishing Report: Crisp Fall Mornings, Bass Busting Shad, and Surprise Freshwater Jellyfish
Published 7 months ago
Description
Artificial Lure here with your Tenkiller Lake fishing report for Wednesday, October 1, 2025. It’s a classic fall morning on the water, with the lake sitting just a hair above normal pool—last update shows 633.79 feet, and releases holding steady, so expect a bit of current near the dam and outflow areas set by the Tulsa District Water Control. The flood pool is only about 1.6% full; that means clear to stained water in most coves, perfect for targeting active feeders moving shallow.
Oklahoma autumn never disappoints, and today we’re waking up to crisp, comfortable fishing weather. Daybreak came at 7:14 AM, with sunset slated for 7:03 PM—plenty of time for morning and evening bites. Expect pockets of fog early, clearing to a light south breeze with highs up near 76°F. No tides here, but the steady water release mimics a freshwater movement, so plan on those fish relating to current edges and creek channel bends.
Fish are in fall transition mode and chasing shad, so keep moving until you find them. In the past week, anglers have caught strong limits of largemouth and spotted bass, with some nice smallmouth mixing in around bluff walls. Channel and blue cats are active too, and crappie are just starting to show up in brush piles—reports out of Cookson Bend and Sixshooter report mixed bags up to 2 pounds. Don’t be surprised to hook into a surprise—lake regulars have even spotted freshwater jellyfish floating by, a funky Oklahoma special, according to Z94.
Best lures? Locals are grabbing white or sexy shad-colored lipless crankbaits and squarebills for schooling bass, plus flukes and soft jerkbaits in windblown pockets. If you’re targeting deeper structure, switch to green pumpkin or watermelon jig and craw combos; these get consistent bites around rocky points and submerged timber. Spinnerbaits wake up those fat fall bass on cloudy afternoons. If you want crappie, small jigs tipped with minnows around brush between 8 and 18 feet is your ticket.
For catfish, fresh cut shad or chicken liver on main lake flats from mid-morning through dusk is working, especially where current stirs up the bottom. Some folks drifting shrimp or stink bait along drop-offs are hauling in solid eating-size channels.
Hot spots today:
- **Pine Cove**: morning bass busting shad on flats
- **Cookson Bend**: crappie and cats around structure
- **Bluff Creek** near the dam: smallmouth hitting jigs and jerkbaits
Word is hydrilla and milfoil patches are thick right now, so don’t be afraid to toss weedless presentations. And for the curious, those jellyfish don’t sting—just another oddball to watch for as you fish.
Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to subscribe for more local fishing news and tips. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Oklahoma autumn never disappoints, and today we’re waking up to crisp, comfortable fishing weather. Daybreak came at 7:14 AM, with sunset slated for 7:03 PM—plenty of time for morning and evening bites. Expect pockets of fog early, clearing to a light south breeze with highs up near 76°F. No tides here, but the steady water release mimics a freshwater movement, so plan on those fish relating to current edges and creek channel bends.
Fish are in fall transition mode and chasing shad, so keep moving until you find them. In the past week, anglers have caught strong limits of largemouth and spotted bass, with some nice smallmouth mixing in around bluff walls. Channel and blue cats are active too, and crappie are just starting to show up in brush piles—reports out of Cookson Bend and Sixshooter report mixed bags up to 2 pounds. Don’t be surprised to hook into a surprise—lake regulars have even spotted freshwater jellyfish floating by, a funky Oklahoma special, according to Z94.
Best lures? Locals are grabbing white or sexy shad-colored lipless crankbaits and squarebills for schooling bass, plus flukes and soft jerkbaits in windblown pockets. If you’re targeting deeper structure, switch to green pumpkin or watermelon jig and craw combos; these get consistent bites around rocky points and submerged timber. Spinnerbaits wake up those fat fall bass on cloudy afternoons. If you want crappie, small jigs tipped with minnows around brush between 8 and 18 feet is your ticket.
For catfish, fresh cut shad or chicken liver on main lake flats from mid-morning through dusk is working, especially where current stirs up the bottom. Some folks drifting shrimp or stink bait along drop-offs are hauling in solid eating-size channels.
Hot spots today:
- **Pine Cove**: morning bass busting shad on flats
- **Cookson Bend**: crappie and cats around structure
- **Bluff Creek** near the dam: smallmouth hitting jigs and jerkbaits
Word is hydrilla and milfoil patches are thick right now, so don’t be afraid to toss weedless presentations. And for the curious, those jellyfish don’t sting—just another oddball to watch for as you fish.
Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to subscribe for more local fishing news and tips. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.