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Lake Tenkiller Fishing Report: Bass, Crappie, and Catfish Biting on Points, Ledges, and Timber
Published 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Description
Alright, folks, this is Artificial Lure, and I’m here to give you the straight scoop on Lake Tenkiller this morning. If you’re thinking about getting out there today, you’re in for some good action if you play it right.
First off, the lake’s sitting a bit low — about 1.29 feet below normal pool, with the water level around 630.7 feet. That means some of the usual brush piles and points are sticking out more than usual, so focus on the deeper structure and any submerged cover near the old creek channels. The conservation pool’s still about 95% full, so we’re not in any drought panic, but it’s definitely a winter pattern out there.
Weather’s your friend today — clear skies, mild temps, and light wind. Perfect for sight fishing shallow flats in the back of coves, especially on the south and west sides of the lake where the sun hits early. Sunrise is around 7:10 a.m., sunset about 5:05 p.m., so you’ve got a solid window. Water temps are likely in the upper 40s to low 50s, which means fish are sluggish but willing.
Bass are the main show right now. Largemouth are holding deep — think 12 to 20 feet — near ledges, points, and any standing timber. Recent reports out of the Gore area and around the dam show some nice 3- to 5-pounders caught on shaky heads and finesse worms. Smallmouth are still active too, especially around rock piles and main lake points. A brown or green pumpkin tube jig or a small crankbait along the riprap near the dam has been money.
For lures, keep it slow and subtle. A 1/8- to 1/4-ounce shaky head with a finesse worm in green pumpkin or watermelon is working well. If you want to cover water, throw a squarebill crankbait along the tops of points and secondary breaks. For smallies, a brown or black jig with a craw trailer around the rocky humps near the marina has been solid.
Catfish are still biting, especially near the dam and along the Illinois River channel. Cut bait — skipjack or chicken liver — on a slip float or bottom rig is the way to go. Some folks are pulling in some nice channel and blue cats in the 2- to 8-pound range, especially in the evenings.
Crappie are scattered but starting to group up near brush piles and deeper timber. Try 1/16-ounce jigs in white or silver with a minnow under a slip float. The area around the old creek channels near the upper end of the lake and near the marina has been productive.
Two hot spots to hit: First, the main lake points near the dam — especially the long point on the south side. That’s been a smallmouth magnet. Second, the back of Tenkiller Ferry arm, where the creek channel swings close to the bank. That’s been holding some nice largemouth on the deeper ledges.
Tide report? Well, this is Oklahoma, so no tides — just good ol’ lake level and flow. The dam’s releasing a modest amount, so the river below the dam is running clear and fishable, but the lake itself is your best bet today.
Thanks for tuning in, and remember to subscribe so you don’t miss the next update. 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.
First off, the lake’s sitting a bit low — about 1.29 feet below normal pool, with the water level around 630.7 feet. That means some of the usual brush piles and points are sticking out more than usual, so focus on the deeper structure and any submerged cover near the old creek channels. The conservation pool’s still about 95% full, so we’re not in any drought panic, but it’s definitely a winter pattern out there.
Weather’s your friend today — clear skies, mild temps, and light wind. Perfect for sight fishing shallow flats in the back of coves, especially on the south and west sides of the lake where the sun hits early. Sunrise is around 7:10 a.m., sunset about 5:05 p.m., so you’ve got a solid window. Water temps are likely in the upper 40s to low 50s, which means fish are sluggish but willing.
Bass are the main show right now. Largemouth are holding deep — think 12 to 20 feet — near ledges, points, and any standing timber. Recent reports out of the Gore area and around the dam show some nice 3- to 5-pounders caught on shaky heads and finesse worms. Smallmouth are still active too, especially around rock piles and main lake points. A brown or green pumpkin tube jig or a small crankbait along the riprap near the dam has been money.
For lures, keep it slow and subtle. A 1/8- to 1/4-ounce shaky head with a finesse worm in green pumpkin or watermelon is working well. If you want to cover water, throw a squarebill crankbait along the tops of points and secondary breaks. For smallies, a brown or black jig with a craw trailer around the rocky humps near the marina has been solid.
Catfish are still biting, especially near the dam and along the Illinois River channel. Cut bait — skipjack or chicken liver — on a slip float or bottom rig is the way to go. Some folks are pulling in some nice channel and blue cats in the 2- to 8-pound range, especially in the evenings.
Crappie are scattered but starting to group up near brush piles and deeper timber. Try 1/16-ounce jigs in white or silver with a minnow under a slip float. The area around the old creek channels near the upper end of the lake and near the marina has been productive.
Two hot spots to hit: First, the main lake points near the dam — especially the long point on the south side. That’s been a smallmouth magnet. Second, the back of Tenkiller Ferry arm, where the creek channel swings close to the bank. That’s been holding some nice largemouth on the deeper ledges.
Tide report? Well, this is Oklahoma, so no tides — just good ol’ lake level and flow. The dam’s releasing a modest amount, so the river below the dam is running clear and fishable, but the lake itself is your best bet today.
Thanks for tuning in, and remember to subscribe so you don’t miss the next update. 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.