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Tenkiller's October Fishing Frenzy: Topwater Bass, Stacked Crappie, and Prowling Catfish
Published 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Description
Good morning, folks—Artificial Lure here, bringing you today’s Lake Tenkiller fishing report for Sunday, October 5, 2025.
We’ve got **classic October conditions** on Tenkiller. Sunrise hit at 7:19 AM and sunset will set the lake glowing at 6:56 PM. Skies are mostly clear with a gentle mid-60s breeze early, warming to high 70s by afternoon. Water is sitting just above normal at 632.73 feet elevation as of last night, with steady releases and calm lake levels, making for prime fishing conditions. Recent rainfall means there’s good water movement but nothing drastic, so expect clarity in most coves and a gentle current on the main channel, perfect for targeting those active fish.
Tides aren’t much of a factor here, but the **full moon** from earlier this week has fish feeding heavier during morning and evening peaks. The bite window is strongest at first light and just before dusk, so plan to hit the water around those times for best results.
**Bass action is hot on topwater!** Lake Tenkiller locals report plenty of aggressive largemouth and spotted bass hammering buzzbaits and poppers around rocky points and shallow flats, especially in the Gray’s Branch area and along the bluffs near Blackgum Landing. For deeper bass during midday, switch to green pumpkin Texas rigs or ½ ounce football jigs—work those edges of brush and drop-offs.
**Crappie are stacking up on brush piles** at 15 to 20 feet. Slab crappie are coming on small minnows and baby shad jigs (white/chartreuse seems best right now). Folks are reporting limits on submerged timber near Cookson Bend and standing trees off Snake Creek. Fish slow and vertical—don’t spare the patience!
**Catfish are out prowling the flats and creek channels.** Best results are coming from fresh cut shad and chicken livers fished in 8 to 12 feet, especially down lake near Barnacle Bill’s. Several anglers pulled in channel cats in the 3 to 5 pound range, with a few blues reported up to 8 pounds. Set up on a windblown bank and be ready for a steady night bite.
**Walleye are a bonus**—not in big numbers, but a few keepers landed off deeper ledges near the dam using live night crawlers and jigging spoons. Early fall can surprise you with an unexpected tug from these toothy critters.
Last week’s catch reports show:
- Limits of **bass** up to 4 pounds, lots of slot fish
- **Crappie**: plenty over 12 inches, some up to 1.5 pounds
- **Catfish**: steady action, lots of eater-size, a few bigger blues
Best baits today:
- **Topwater lures** for morning bass (buzzbaits, poppers)
- **Green pumpkin or watermelon soft plastics** midday
- **Small crappie jigs** and minnows for panfish
- **Fresh cut bait** or chicken liver for catfish
- **Night crawlers and spoons** for walleye
Best hotspots right now are:
- The flats and rocky points along **Blackgum Landing**
- Brush piles off **Cookson Bend**
- The mouth of **Snake Creek**
- Windblown bays near **Barnacle Bill’s**
Grab your gear before heading out. Local shops and bait stands have you covered—don’t forget extra hooks and plenty of ice for your catch!
Thanks for tuning in. Remember to subscribe, so you never miss a bite-by-bite update from Lake Tenkiller. 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.
We’ve got **classic October conditions** on Tenkiller. Sunrise hit at 7:19 AM and sunset will set the lake glowing at 6:56 PM. Skies are mostly clear with a gentle mid-60s breeze early, warming to high 70s by afternoon. Water is sitting just above normal at 632.73 feet elevation as of last night, with steady releases and calm lake levels, making for prime fishing conditions. Recent rainfall means there’s good water movement but nothing drastic, so expect clarity in most coves and a gentle current on the main channel, perfect for targeting those active fish.
Tides aren’t much of a factor here, but the **full moon** from earlier this week has fish feeding heavier during morning and evening peaks. The bite window is strongest at first light and just before dusk, so plan to hit the water around those times for best results.
**Bass action is hot on topwater!** Lake Tenkiller locals report plenty of aggressive largemouth and spotted bass hammering buzzbaits and poppers around rocky points and shallow flats, especially in the Gray’s Branch area and along the bluffs near Blackgum Landing. For deeper bass during midday, switch to green pumpkin Texas rigs or ½ ounce football jigs—work those edges of brush and drop-offs.
**Crappie are stacking up on brush piles** at 15 to 20 feet. Slab crappie are coming on small minnows and baby shad jigs (white/chartreuse seems best right now). Folks are reporting limits on submerged timber near Cookson Bend and standing trees off Snake Creek. Fish slow and vertical—don’t spare the patience!
**Catfish are out prowling the flats and creek channels.** Best results are coming from fresh cut shad and chicken livers fished in 8 to 12 feet, especially down lake near Barnacle Bill’s. Several anglers pulled in channel cats in the 3 to 5 pound range, with a few blues reported up to 8 pounds. Set up on a windblown bank and be ready for a steady night bite.
**Walleye are a bonus**—not in big numbers, but a few keepers landed off deeper ledges near the dam using live night crawlers and jigging spoons. Early fall can surprise you with an unexpected tug from these toothy critters.
Last week’s catch reports show:
- Limits of **bass** up to 4 pounds, lots of slot fish
- **Crappie**: plenty over 12 inches, some up to 1.5 pounds
- **Catfish**: steady action, lots of eater-size, a few bigger blues
Best baits today:
- **Topwater lures** for morning bass (buzzbaits, poppers)
- **Green pumpkin or watermelon soft plastics** midday
- **Small crappie jigs** and minnows for panfish
- **Fresh cut bait** or chicken liver for catfish
- **Night crawlers and spoons** for walleye
Best hotspots right now are:
- The flats and rocky points along **Blackgum Landing**
- Brush piles off **Cookson Bend**
- The mouth of **Snake Creek**
- Windblown bays near **Barnacle Bill’s**
Grab your gear before heading out. Local shops and bait stands have you covered—don’t forget extra hooks and plenty of ice for your catch!
Thanks for tuning in. Remember to subscribe, so you never miss a bite-by-bite update from Lake Tenkiller. 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.