Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Oklahoma (Complete Guide)

Oklahoma offers some of the best fishing in the United States. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Oklahoma are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in Oklahoma.

Month	Oklahoma Fishing Location
January	Lower Illinois River is popular for winter trout fishing and is known for rainbow and brown trout.
February	Lower Illinois River is popular for winter trout fishing for rainbow and brown trout.
March	Lake Texoma: Abundant striped bass fishing opportunity, stunning lake views.
April	Grand Lake: Hotspot for bass fishing, especially largemouth bass.
May	Lake Eufaula: Prime time for crappie fishing and offers diverse angling opportunities.
June	Keystone Lake: Great for catfish and walleye fishing, beautiful lake scenery.
July	Illinois River: Ideal for float trips and smallmouth bass fishing.
August	Lake Murray: Fantastic for largemouth bass fishing, scenic lake setting.
September	Lower Mountain Fork River: Premier trout fishing spot with rainbow and brown trout.
October	Lake Tenkiller: Excellent for fall bass fishing, known for its clear water and scenic beauty.
November	Arkansas River: Productive for catfish and striped bass fishing, scenic river environment.
December	Lake Hefner: Popular winter destination for trout fishing, serene lake atmosphere.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Oklahoma. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Sections of Creeks/Rivers to Fly Fish in Oklahoma

Lower Mountain Fork River in McCurtain County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: trout.

Blue River in Johnston County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: trout.

Illinois River in Adair County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: smallmouth bass, sunfish.

Lower Illinois River in Sequoyah County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: trout.

Upper Mountain Fork River in Le Flore County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: trout.

Glover River in McCurtain County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: smallmouth bass, sunfish.

Lower Illinois River in Cherokee County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: trout.

North Canadian River in Cleveland County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: bass, catfish.

Red River in Love County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: catfish, largemouth bass.

Barren Fork Creek in McIntosh County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: smallmouth bass, sunfish.

Washita River in Caddo County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: catfish, bass.

Glover River in Pushmataha County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: smallmouth bass, sunfish.

North Canadian River in Oklahoma County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: bass, catfish.

Mountain Fork River in McCurtain County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: trout.

Salt Fork Arkansas River in Harper County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: smallmouth bass, sunfish.

Glover River in Choctaw County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: smallmouth bass, sunfish.

Little River in McCurtain County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: catfish, largemouth bass.

Caney River in Osage County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: trout, smallmouth bass.

Washita River in Love County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: catfish, bass.

Deep Fork River in Okmulgee County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: smallmouth bass, sunfish.

Best Sections of Lakes to Fish in Oklahoma

Broken Bow Lake in McCurtain County, best months to fish: April to June, targeted fish: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish.

Lake Eufaula in McIntosh County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: crappie, white bass, catfish.

Grand Lake in Delaware County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish.

Lake Texoma in Love and Marshall Counties, best months to fish: April to June and October to December, targeted fish: striped bass, smallmouth bass, catfish.

Lake Murray in Carter County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish.

Lake Tenkiller in Cherokee and Sequoyah Counties, best months to fish: April to June and September to November, targeted fish: smallmouth bass, walleye, catfish.

Keystone Lake in Pawnee, Osage, and Tulsa Counties, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish.

Lake Thunderbird in Cleveland and Pottawatomie Counties, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish.

Oologah Lake in Rogers County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: white bass, crappie, catfish.

Lake Hefner in Oklahoma County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: channel catfish, largemouth bass, crappie.

Lake Skiatook in Osage and Tulsa Counties, best months to fish: April to June and September to November, targeted fish: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish.

Lake Wister in Le Flore County, best months to fish: April to June and September to November, targeted fish: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish.

Sooner Lake in Noble County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish.

Lake O’ the Cherokees in Mayes, Rogers, and Wagoner Counties, best months to fish: April to June and September to November, targeted fish: striped bass, catfish, white bass.

Lake Carl Etling in Harmon County, best months to fish: April to June and September to November, targeted fish: largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye.

Lake Lawtonka in Comanche County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish.

Lake Altus-Lugert in Jackson County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: largemouth bass, walleye, catfish.

Lake Ellsworth in Comanche County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish.

Lake Konawa in Seminole County, best months to fish: March to May and September to November, targeted fish: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish.

Fort Gibson Lake in Cherokee, Mayes, and Wagoner Counties, best months to fish: April to June and September to November, targeted fish: white bass, crappie, catfish

Recommended Fishing Guides in Oklahoma

These Oklahoma-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Bill Miller Texoma Striper Guide	Kingston, OK
B&C Fishing – Fort Gibson	Wagoner, OK
Papa Bob’s Guide Service	Kingston, OK
Big Fish Texoma	Kingston, OK
Alexander Guide Service	Grove, OK
Troy’s Guide Service	Platter, OK
Reel Time Striper Guide Service	Kingston, OK
Chris Stowe Striper Guide Service	Kingston, OK
Reel Good Time Guide Service – Keystone Lake	Mannford, OK

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Striped Bass

Striped bass fishing in Oklahoma is best in spring and fall, particularly from April to June and September to November. Early morning and late evening are the prime times to target striped bass. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for striped bass fishing include Lake Texoma, Keystone Lake, Lake Eufaula, and the Arkansas River.

Brown Trout

Brown trout fishing in Oklahoma is best during the cooler months, particularly from October to March. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to target brown trout. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for brown trout fishing include Lower Mountain Fork River, Blue River, Lake Watonga, and Lake Carl Etling.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout fishing in Oklahoma is best during the cooler months, particularly from October to March. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to target rainbow trout. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for rainbow trout fishing include Lower Mountain Fork River, Blue River, Lake Watonga, and Lake Carl Etling.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass fishing in Oklahoma is best in spring and fall, particularly from April to June and September to November. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to target largemouth bass. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for largemouth bass fishing include Lake Texoma, Lake Eufaula, Lake Murray, and Grand Lake.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing in Oklahoma is best in spring and fall, particularly from March to May and September to November. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to target smallmouth bass. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for smallmouth bass fishing include the Illinois River, the Lower Mountain Fork River, Lake Eufaula, and Lake Texoma.

Spotted Bass

Spotted bass fishing in Oklahoma is best in spring and fall, particularly from March to May and September to October. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to target them. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for spotted bass fishing include Lake Texoma, Grand Lake, Lake Eufaula, and the Illinois River.

White Bass

White bass fishing in Oklahoma is best in spring and fall, particularly from March to May and September to October. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to target white bass. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for white bass fishing include Lake Texoma, Keystone Lake, Lake Eufaula, and the Arkansas River.

Carp

The best times to fish for carp in Oklahoma are during the spring, summer, and fall months, particularly from April to October. Early morning and late evening are the prime times to target carp. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for carp fishing include Lake Texoma, Lake Eufaula, Keystone Lake, and the Arkansas River.

Northern Pike

Northern pike fishing in Oklahoma is best during the year’s cooler months, particularly from October to March. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to target pike. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for pike fishing include Lake Texoma, Lake Eufaula, Keystone Lake, and the Arkansas River.

Musky

Musky fishing in Oklahoma is best in spring and fall, particularly from April to May and September to October. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to target musky. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for musky fishing include Lake Texoma, Lake Eufaula, Grand Lake, and Keystone Lake.

Yellow Perch

Perch fishing in Oklahoma is best in spring and fall, particularly from April to May and September to October. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to target perch. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for perch fishing include Lake Thunderbird, Lake Konawa, Lake Eufaula, and Lake Texoma.

Catfish

The best times to fish for catfish in Oklahoma are spring, summer, and fall, particularly from April to October. Late evening and nighttime are the prime times to target catfish. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for catfish fishing include Lake Texoma, the Red River, Lake Eufaula, and the Arkansas River.

Crappie

The best times to fish for crappie in Oklahoma are spring and fall, particularly from March to May and September to November. Early morning and late evening are the prime times to target crappie. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for crappie fishing include Lake Eufaula, Lake Texoma, Lake Tenkiller, and Grand Lake.

Walleye

The best time to fish for walleye in Oklahoma is spring and fall, particularly from March to May and September to November. Early morning and late evening tend to be the most productive times of the day for walleye fishing. Oklahoma’s best locations for walleye fishing include Lake Texoma, Lake Eufaula, and Fort Gibson Lake.

Sauger

The best times to fish for sauger in Oklahoma are during the winter months from December to February. They are more active during colder temperatures. Early morning and late evening are the prime times to target sauger. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for sauger fishing include the Arkansas River, the Illinois River, and the Lower Illinois River.

Gar

The best times to fish for gar in Oklahoma are during the spring and summer months, particularly from April to August. Early morning and late evening are ideal times to target gar. Some of the best locations in Oklahoma for gar fishing include the Red River, Lake Texoma, Lake Eufaula, and the Arkansas River.

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Louisiana. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Texas. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to catch fish in Missouri.

Best Fishing in Oklahoma on Seasonal Basis

Winter

Lake Texoma: Catch striped bass, catfish, and largemouth bass in winter.
Keystone Lake: Fish for striped bass, largemouth bass, and catfish during winter.
Lake Murray: Target largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish in winter.
Lake Eufaula: Catch crappie, white bass, and catfish during winter months.

Spring

Broken Bow Lake: Catch largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish in spring.
Lake Tenkiller: Fish for smallmouth bass, walleye, and catfish during spring.
Lake Eufaula: Target crappie, white bass, and catfish in spring.
Lake Murray: Catch largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish during spring months.

Summer

Lake Eufaula: Catch crappie, white bass, and catfish during summer.
Grand Lake: Fish for largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish in summer.
Lake Murray: Target largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish during summer months.
Lake Texoma: Catch striped bass, smallmouth bass, and catfish in summer.

Fall

Lake Texoma: Catch striped bass, catfish, and largemouth bass in fall.
Illinois River: Fish for smallmouth bass and sunfish in fall.
Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout fishing hotspot in fall.
Red River: Target catfish and largemouth bass during fall season.