Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

It's Crappie Time!

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation sent this bulletin at 04/02/2021 04:30 PM CDT

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Make this your best year for crappie ever! (Skylar St.Yves/ODWC)

From the Bait Shop to the Kitchen Table: It's Crappie Time!

Crappie are good no matter how you cook 'em, but there's one way that really makes me want to clean 'em. Pan-seared crappie tacos!

After several springs of trial and taste, I believe I've finally gotten to the point where I'm done tinkering with the recipe.

Let's start with the one ingredient you can't buy at the store, crappie! What an awesome fish, easy to catch and butter on the taste buds. Head to your local crappie fishing honey hole and fill up a bucket with a limit of crappie, 37 fish in most places with no size restrictions, but always check the current fishing regulations before hitting the water because some lakes have special limit and size restrictions on crappie.

Click here to read the full article

Purchase a Fishing License

Time to Hit the Trail — the Oklahoma Fishing Trail

Why not set a goal this spring to become a trail boss. An Oklahoma Fishing Trail boss, that is!

There’s probably no better time than now to grab your gear and go fishing. The bite is on, and the Trail is waiting.

The Oklahoma Fishing Trail highlights the best of Oklahoma fishing. It’s organized into six loops, one for each region of the state. Within each loop are some great fishing spots, including an all-around lake and several locations selected for one or two standout species.

The Trail was created almost two years ago as a collaborative effort of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department to showcase the state’s remarkable fishing opportunities. Among those are two lakes — Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees and Lake Texoma — that consistently are ranked among the nation’s best bass fishing sites.

Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Director J.D. Strong showcase a striped bass from one of Oklahoma's Fishing Trail lakes. (Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell)

In recent years, Oklahoma has twice hosted the Bassmaster Classic, the “Super Bowl” of competitive fishing. And Grand Lake is scheduled to host the 2021 Bassmaster Open in October.

So, how do you become an Oklahoma Fishing Trail boss? Just complete the Trail’s Grand Slam challenge. Catch one each of the designated species, snap photos and submit them. You will get an exclusive decal that you can slap on your tackle box, cooler or bumper, showing everyone that you conquered the Trail. Go online to FishinOK.com for a list of species and to submit your catch photos. And while you’re there, check out the cool logo gear available at shopTravelOK.com.

And as you’re making tracks across the state, why not invite someone to tag along. The Fishing Trail is a great “hook” to get new people interested in the traditional American pastime of fishing. It takes one to make one! So, do your part to pass along the joys of fishing to the next generation by serving as a mentor to a new angler.

Learn all about the dozens of places to fish on all six of the Trail’s loops in the newly revised brochure at www.travelok.com/brochures. And to find out more about how and where to fish, regulations and license requirements, go to www.wildlifedepartment.com.

Spring Fishing Tips

ODWC's Fishing Coordinator Skylar St.Yves shares some good fishing tips for anglers of all levels. Species include largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, catfish, sunfish, walleye and saugeye.

Click here to view ODWC's Spring Fishing Tips!

Ask an Angler Series 2021

ODWC's Ask and Angler Series is back for 2021! Ask an Angler is a series of monthly two-hour virtual fishing courses covering relevant topics for that particular month. Participants can have all of their fishing questions answered live and in real time during the events. Those unable to attend can watch the videos after the live events have concluded.

Click here to view all Ask an Angler Series videos!

REGISTER FOR AN UPCOMING COURSE

Ask an Angler: Virtual Fishing Course (Springtime Pond Fishing Tips) I April 13, 1-3 p.m. Youtube Live I REGISTER HERE
Ask an Angler: Virtual Fishing Course (Sunfish Fishing Tips) I May 11, 1-3 p.m. Youtube Live I REGISTER HERE
Ask an Angler: Virtual Fishing Course (Spawning Catfish Fishing Tips) I June 8, 1-3 p.m. Youtube Live I REGISTER HERE

Click here to stay up-to-date on the latest fishing happenings!

Click here to view a breakdown of pairing the right fishing line to your rod and reel.

What Should I Use? Click here to view popular lure selections.

Click here to check out all of ODWC's Outdoor Adventure opportunities!

Don't Forget to Share Your Fish Photos at The Dock!

Julius Smith shared these stud saugeye at The Dock! Click the link below to share your fish photos.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is committed to showcasing your proud fish catches to the world! The Dock is a place to share your fish photos and see what's being caught around the state. There are no minimum weight or measurement requirements. It doesn't matter if you caught a two-pound neighborhood pond bass or 100-pound Keystone Lake paddlefish, we want to see it! Any fish species, no matter the size or method of take, that was caught in Oklahoma is eligible for submission. So catch that fish, snap that pic, and show it off at The Dock!

Click here to share your fish photos at The Dock!