Southcentral Region Fisheries Management

03/23/2026

Two positions are now open at the Caddo Regional Office just north of Durant, OK! See link in comments to apply for the vacant Fisheries Technician or Administrative Assistant positions.

We’re hiring several positions! Get more information about these positions and apply at the link in the comments.

11/01/2025

SCR staff sampled the crappie population at Durant Lake last week. Numbers look good and there were some impressive 12 -13 inch crappie in our nets. Waters are cooling and crappie will be feeding! Time to get to a nearby waterbody and catch a mess of crappie.

10/04/2025

In a recent episode of the ODWC Podcast, Reel Talk, Real Tips, SCR Fisheries Supervisor Matt Mauck discusses striped bass fishing in Oklahoma with an emphasis on Lake Texoma.

In this episode of Reel Talk, Real Tips we’re talking about striper fishing in Oklahoma. Striped bass can be found in several large lakes across the state, w...

09/03/2025

Check out the new Bass Tournament Report for Oklahoma lakes!

With the help of bass tournament directors, ODWC’s Tournament Exemption Program has provided valuable data on bass fishing across the state since launching in 2022.

In 2023–2024, we received 3,079 reports from 296 tournament directors – representing nearly 900,000 hours of fishing! This information helps fisheries biologists better manage Oklahoma’s bass fisheries, benefiting both tournament and non-tournament anglers.

A huge THANK YOU to all the tournament directors who submitted reports—this program wouldn’t be possible without you! To view this report or learn more about the program, check out the link in the comments

07/18/2025

Texoma striped bass anglers: Inconsistent angler catches in recent weeks have led to many conversations about what is going on in the lake and the state of the fishery. Last week, we posted information about what recent gill net surveys suggest about the relative density and size structure of fish in the lake. Below, we focus on post-flood water quality and how striped bass distribution and behavior might be influenced. Vertical depth profiles were collected in three locations earlier this week; near the Denison Dam, at Two-Rivers (where the Red and Wash*ta meet), and at the Frisco Railroad Bridge. Temperature and dissolved oxygen levels are represented in the graphics attached.
With the onset of summer, water layers stratify vertically due to temperature induced density gradient. Warm water (less dense) will build up above the deeper cool (dense) water. These temperature gradients become more exaggerated through the summer and prevent mixing between the layers. Water higher in this column (epilimnion) will maintain sufficient oxygen content due to photosynthesis and wave action but water below the thermocline will become low in oxygen, or anoxic, due to oxygen consuming processes like decomposition.
The relationship between striped bass and temperature and dissolved oxygen has been heavily studied across the southeast United States, including here in Oklahoma. In general, striped bass thrive in cool, oxygenated water. This is best seen in how robust our striped bass get in fall/winter months. While younger fish are more thermally tolerant, adult striped bass are negatively impacted (reduced feeding, weight loss, and possible mortality) when temperatures exceed 77°F (25°C). They simply can’t survive dissolved oxygen levels below 2 mg/L. Past studies in Texoma have shown striped bass congregate mid-depth during summer months squeezed vertically into the most suitable available habitat between hypoxia (unsuitable oxygen) at greater depths and high temperatures near the surface.
The graphs attached show dissolved oxygen dropping to lethal levels below 45 feet. While striped bass desire the cooler water provided at greater depths, they can’t survive. As a result, they spend significant time in this limited zone of “best available habitat” and feeding in opportunistic windows of time above this level. In the comments fish locator photo, a fish is seen just above the thermocline at this squeeze point (35-40 feet). Metabolic demands increase in hot water and often compromise body condition (weight) and the willingness to feed. Skinny fish are commonly observed in the summer/early fall especially with increase in size/age.
While not ideal, these habitat limiting conditions are somewhat normal in Texoma summer months. Conditions this year are likely exaggerated due to recent flooding, high muddy water, and evacuation of flood water from deep cooler depths. That said, Texoma striped bass have endured similar summers if forage base is abundant. Fortunately, it appears shad density is high providing much needed calories when striped bass find the energy to feed. We will continue to monitor the situation and provided updates as the summer progresses.

07/11/2025

Texoma anglers: Fisheries management staff with the Oklahoma Dept of Wildlife Conservation and Texas Parks and Wildlife completed annual striped bass gillnet surveys back in February. Overall, numbers were similar or slightly higher than the previous two years (see graph) and were in the normal range of fluctuation. The population was comprised of a lot of box sized individuals (14-19 inches) but over 17% exceeded the 20” mark. On average, Texoma striped bass reach 20” between ages 3 and 4 as illustrated in the graph attached. Age data shows consistent recruitment in recent years with all spawning year classes collected during sampling.
We understand fishing has been unpredictable following the spring 2025 flooding. While surface water has receded and continues to clear, it is likely that deeper water is still out of sorts and continues to disrupt “normal” distribution. We will continue to monitor the situation and intend to collect vertical dissolved oxygen/temperature profile in the next week or two to share with you.

05/09/2025

Reminder - May is closed season for Alligator Gar

Alligator Gar Regulations
Oklahoma Side: The attempt to take or harvest alligator gar is prohibited May 1-31. Alligator gar harvest must be reported within 24 hours via E-Check at wildlifedepartment.com.

Texas Side: During May, no person shall take alligator gar from, or possess alligator gar while on, the Red River (including Lake Texoma) and all tributaries that drain directly or indirectly to the Red River on the Texas/Oklahoma border in Cooke, Grayson, Fannin, Lamar, Red River, and Bowie counties.

https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishing/regs/public-fishing-areas-special-regulations

05/01/2025

Fishing Report - Apr 27, 2025

Arbuckle: April 27. Elevation is 5 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 66°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass slow on Alabama rigs, in-line spinnerbaits, and plastic baits around shallows and shorelines. Blue and channel catfish slow on cut bait, punch bait, and stinkbait around coves and flats. White bass fair on minnows, plastic baits, small lures, and tube jigs around creek channels. Report submitted by Casey Young, game warden stationed in Murray County.

McGee Creek: April 25. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 67°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass excellent on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, jerk baits, jigs, and topwater lures around brush structure, docks, rocks, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber. Channel and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, live bait, live shad, shad, shrimp, and worms below the dam, channels, main lake, and riprap. Crappie fair on minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, docks, shallows, and shorelines. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: April 27. Elevation is 10 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 68°F and stained. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill sunfish, green sunfish, and redear sunfish fair on jigs, plastic baits, small lures, spinnerbaits, spoons, and worms below the dam, docks, main lake, rocks, shorelines, and w**d beds. Report submitted by R. Gillham, game warden stationed in Love County.

Texoma: April 27. Elevation is 5.5 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 67°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass fair on live shad around channels, main lake, and points. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, dough bait, live shad, and punch bait around channels, coves, and points. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, and minnows around brush structure, coves, main lake, and points. Comments: Fishing this week has been tougher with the amount of water that has come into the lake. The muddy water makes the fish find clear water. Striper have been tougher since they’re in spawning mode. Catfish have been okay near the mouth of the river. Crappie are slower this week, but they have been caught near brush piles in 10-15 ft. of water. Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Marshall County.

04/12/2025

SCR crew, with an assist from Chickasaw National Recreation Area staff, sampled the bass population at Lake Arbuckle earlier this week. It continues to be one of the best trophy bass lakes in Oklahoma. We saw quality bass throughout the lake with an 11.5 pounder topping them all! Adult threadfin shad were abundant and provide amazing forage for many of the sportfish species. It's prime time to get out and enjoy these beautiful spring days at your favorite fishing spot, or try somewhere new! 🎣

04/04/2025

SCR Staff sampled the bass population at Ardmore City Lake this week. The numbers of bass looked good and these fish were fat and healthy with the largest weighing 8.26 lbs.
Just a reminder to always CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boats and equipment between waterbodies. Several lakes around Ardmore have zebra mussels and hydrilla and we need your help to stop their expansion to other lakes. For more information visit www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishing/ans

02/28/2025

We had an unexpected visitor on our final day of winter netting at Lake Texoma. Unusual to see an alligator gar of this size in the nets we use to sample the striped bass population. She was released and appeared to be unharmed. The same can't be said for our gillnet 😄

02/15/2025

Annual gillnetting is underway at Texoma. ODWC and TPWD collaborate each year to collect data and monitor population trends. Summary analysis will be provided once we have completed this year's survey. Here are a couple of pics from yesterday. Stay warm out there!