Weekly Wildlife Newsletter
For Immediate Release:
July 23, 2009
A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
News Contacts: Michael Bergin or Micah Holmes (405) 521-3856
Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com
E-mail: info@odwc.state.ok.us
Oklahoma youth outdoor writing contest winners take national honors for excellence
Lake Record Fish Program continues filling books
Volunteers help make fishing memories for children with illnesses
Outdoor Calendar
Fishing Report
Oklahoma youth outdoor writing contest winners take national honors for excellence
Two Oklahoma teenagers were recognized recently for placing high among their peers in a nationwide youth outdoor writing contest.
Steven Maichak of Edmond took third place in the senior prose division (grades 9-12) of the Norm Strung National Youth Writing Competition, and Raini Stiles of Collinsville took first place in the junior prose division (grades 6-8). Both received national recognition and cash rewards.
“This speaks highly of the youth here in Oklahoma,” said Colin Berg, education supervisor for the Wildlife Department. According to Berg, Oklahoma always has youth that perform very well in national level competitions for outdoorsmen.
Maichak and Stiles were entered in the national writing contest as part of their reward for winning a local outdoor writing contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International. Contestants in the annual statewide youth outdoor writing contest pick from two essay topics — “Hunting: Sharing the Heritage” or “What I like about Archery in the Schools and Bowhunting” — giving them a chance to share their outdoor heritage with others. The winning essays of the state contest are then entered into Norm Strung Youth Writing Competition. Additionally, winners in the state's senior division receive an all-expenses-paid antelope hunt in New Mexico, and junior division winners receive a scholarship to the YO Ranch Apprentice Hunter Program in Texas. The scholarship to the YO Ranch Apprentice Hunter Program and expenses for the antelope hunts are covered by the Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International with funds raised at the Chapter's annual banquet.
The youth writing competition is designed to promote America's hunting heritage among Oklahoma's youth. It provides them an opportunity to express the importance of hunting in their lives and to affirm their commitment to carrying on the hunting tradition. Students use the essays or short stories to relive memorable hunts, to explain why hunting is important to them and to recognize mentors who have influenced them to grow as hunters.
The Wildlife Department and the Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International submit the winning essays to the Norm Strung National Youth Writing Competition, held annually by the Outdoor Writers Association of America.
To learn about how to compete in the state's youth outdoor writing contest and become eligible for the Norm Strung writing contest, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
****Photo*****
Steven Maichak
Raini Stiles
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Lake Record Fish Program continues filling books
The heat is not stopping Oklahoma anglers from catching a mess of fish that qualify as records in the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Lake Record Fish Program. Recently several crappie, catfish and a striped bass hybrid have been added to the books.
More information about the lake record fish program can be found on an easily-operated search feature available at wildlifedepartment.com, the Web site of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The feature allows those interested to view a wealth of lake record fish information, ranging from weight of the fish to the kind of bait and the brand of rod and reel used to catch it.
The Wildlife Department's Lake Record Fish Program continues to grow. Since last year the program has doubled in size and there are now 28 lakes currently enrolled in the program.
The Lake Record Fish program recognizes anglers who catch a fish that qualifies as a record setter for the lake in which it was caught. Though the program was established as a way to serve anglers and recognize significant fish, it also serves as an indicator of trophy fish production in the state's lakes.
Anglers who catch a potential record from a participating lake should contact designated business locations around the lake that are enrolled as lake record keepers, or vendors. The lake record keeper may then enter the fish into an automated database via the Internet. Once it has been determined that an angler has landed a record fish, the media is notified and the public will be able to view information about the catch on the Wildlife Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com.
All past and current state record fish are registered in the Lake Record Fish Program as records for their respective lakes.
Species eligible for spots in the lake records book include blue, channel and flathead catfish and largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass in addition to crappie, paddlefish, striped bass, striped bass hybrids, sunfish (combined) walleye/saugeye and white bass. Minimum weights are set for each species included to avoid a rush of potential yet easily broken records early in the program's inception.
For more information about the new Lake Record Fish Program or for contact information for lake record keepers, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
RECENT LAKE RECORD UPDATES:
Skiatook
Crappie
Weight: 2 lbs.
Angler: Ken Fostar
Bait: Natural bait
Photo link: http://lake-record.ou.edu/fishsite/public/fishView.php?id=747
Keystone
Crappie
Weight: 3.7 lbs.
Angler: Dave Bargas
Date: June 3
Bait: Jig
Photo link: http://lake-record.ou.edu/fishsite/public/fishView.php?id=716
Keystone
Blue catfish
Weight: 63 lbs.
Angler: Kevin Cartwright
Date: June 6
Photo link: http://lake-record.ou.edu/fishsite/public/fishView.php?id=719
Skiatook
Flathead
Weight: 59 lbs.
Angler: J.T. Combs
Date: June 6
Bait: Natural Bait
Photo link: http://lake-record.ou.edu/fishsite/public/fishView.php?id=744
Skiatook
Striped bass hybrid
Weight: 9 lbs.
Angler: Larry W. Jones
Date: June 26
Bait: Hard baits/plugs
Photo link: http://lake-record.ou.edu/fishsite/public/fishView.php?id=741
Murray
Channel catfish
Weight: 15.2 lbs.
Angler: Darla Herndon
Date: July 22
Photo link: http://lake-record.ou.edu/fishsite/public/fishView.php?id=752
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Volunteers help make fishing memories for children with illnesses
Sixty-eight volunteers recently came together to take over 100 kids from Oklahoma Children's Hospital fishing at Lake Texoma.
Camp Cavett offers outdoor experiences to children who are undergoing treatments for illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, sickle cell anemia and other childhood illnesses, and each year anglers and boaters from across Oklahoma, Texas and even Louisiana volunteer their time and their boats to take them fishing.
“Some of these kids have had a tough time over the last few years, but they're just like any other kids — they love to go fishing and take a boat ride,” said Gene Gilliland, central region fisheries supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Gilliland volunteers each year and said some of the campers don't get to fish at home, either because their conditions will not allow them to fish easily or because they are in the hospital too much to find time. Getting the opportunity to go through Camp Cavett gets them involved in the outdoors, giving them something to look forward to as well as broadening their appreciation for the natural world.
“Both the volunteers and kids have a great time. It is something we all look forward to, " Gilliland said.
Other opportunities this summer will allow childhood patients to experience fishing as well, and volunteers are needed. Children who are burn victims will have the opportunity to go fishing Aug. 15 through the 2009 Oklahoma Firefighters' Burn Camp. Volunteers who wish to guide or provide a boat can print out a form available by logging on here, and upon completion, mail or email it to the address provided. For more information, contact Burn Camp Fishing and Boating chairman Kristi Collins at (918) 830-4631 or kcollins@premiersteelservices.com.
****Photo*****
Camp Cavett offers outdoor experiences to children who are undergoing treatments for illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, sickle cell anemia and other childhood illnesses, and each year anglers and boaters come together as volunteers to take the campers fishing on Lake Texoma.
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OUTDOOR CALENDAR
JULY
25 & Aug. 1: Under the Cover of Darkness at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. These interpretive tours are open to the general public. Participants will have an opportunity to search for wildlife and other special features of the night. This tour is unique in that it describes an aspect of the Refuge that visitors do not normally experience. Flashlights with red lens covers (red cellophane will work) are recommended to increase safety moving to and from the bus. Each tour will depart promptly at 8:30 p.m. Ten minutes prior to departure, standbys meeting the age requirement will be accepted. For reservations, which are required, call the Visitor Center at (580) 429-2151. A $5 reservation fee per participant is collected prior to the program.
23 & 30: Quality Deer Management Association meeting at Crescent Cafe (3417 South 113th West Ave, Prattville) at 6:45 p.m. For more information contact Sam Myers at (918) 447-8864.
24 & 25: Stars Over the Wichitas Tour at the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. The public is invited to participate in an evening with the stars. Participants will search for and locate major constellations and other heavenly bodies with assistance from an amateur astronomer. Bring your own optics, or view the night skies through a 13" Dobsonian telescope. The two-hour program begins 30 minutes after sunset. Participants should meet at the Boulder/Lost Lake picnic area entrance gate. For reservations, which are required, call the Visitor Center at (580) 429-2151. A $5 reservation fee per participant is collected prior to the program.
AUGUST
1: Central Oklahoma 89er Chapter of Trout Unlimited annual fundraiser banquet at Sportsman's Country Club (4001 NW 39th St, OKC). Tickets are $55 per person and $25 for spouse. For more information contact James Dietsch at (405) 415-5724.
3: Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting, 9 a.m. Meetings are held monthly at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Building (auditorium), 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City.
8: Sooner Retriever Club Training day. For more information contact Bill Blochowiak at labske@aol.com or (405) 279-1288.
8: Eastern Oklahoma Quality Deer Management Expo at Bridle Creek Horse Ranch and Resort (5811 Roper Road, northwest of Tulsa). Learn how to shoot a bow or shotgun, participate in a kid's deer calling event and attend seminars. Event starts at 12:30 p.m. and runs until 4:30 p.m. For more information contact Randy Adam (918) 637-1379.
FISHING REPORT FOR JULY 22, 2009
CENTRAL
Arcadia: July 20. White bass continue to surface early and can be caught trolling with crankbaits and spinners. Blue catfish and channel catfish fair to good on cut shad and shad guts. Crappie fair at 20-25 ft. on minnows and jigs on brush piles. Report submitted by Mark Murray, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Arcadia: July 20. Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 86 and murky. Channel catfish good on shad, shrimp and minnows at 8-15 ft. along the north cove and south banks morning and evening. Crappie fair on jigs at 6-8 ft. Report submitted by Linnie Mason, gate attendant.
Draper: July 19. Elevation normal and clear. Crappie fair to good for crappie on minnows and jigs off fishing docks. Channel catfish good on cut baits and stinkbaits on rip rap. Bass fair on tandem spinners, plastic worms and shallow diving crankbaits. Report submitted by Chad Strang, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.
Hefner: July 20. White bass fair trolling along the dam on rooster tails and small crankbaits. Channel and blue catfish good when the water is flowing at the inlet on shad and punch bait. Largemouth bass fair early and late on deep diving crankbaits in the southern coves at 8-10 ft. Saugeye fair trolling slowly with bottom running crankbaits or drifting with night crawlers. Report submitted by Mark Murray, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.
Overholser: July 19. White bass good on minnows at the west side dock. Channel catfish good on worms, chicken liver and stinkbait in the tailwaters and in the lake. Report submitted by Ron Comer, game warden stationed in Canadian County.
Thunderbird: July 19. Elevation normal and clear. Crappie good on small jigs and minnows at 6-8 ft. on structure. Catfish good on stinkbait and cut baits off points and drop and rip rap. Bass fair on tandem spinners, topwater baits and medium-diving crankbaits in coves and structure. Saugeye good on medium-diving crankbaits, earthworms and sassy shad off points and drop offs at 5 -10 ft. early and late day. Report submitted by Chad Strang, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.
Wes Watkins: July 20. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 84 and clear. Crappie biting on small minnows at 20 ft. near structure. Channel catfish fair on punchbait and chicken livers. Report submitted by Mike France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.
NORTHEAST
Bell Cow: July 19. Elevation below normal, water clear.. Crappie good on minnows. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.
Birch: July 20. Elevation normal, water mid 80s and clear. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic lures Carolina-rigged at 8-15 ft. and on chuggers and zara spooks early and late. Striped bass hybrids good on crankbaits trolling mid-lake humps and on live shad at 15-20 ft. Occasional surfacing hybrids can be caught on topwaters. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver and worms at 4-12 ft. near main creek channels. Crappie excellent on minnows and jigs at 12-15 ft. around brush and at night with lights. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Chandler: July 19. Elevation below normal, water clear. Channel catfish good on doughbaits and stinkbaits. Crappie good on minnows. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.
Copan: July 20. Elevation normal and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 8-10 ft. near structure. Blue catfish slow on chicken livers below the dam. Channel catfish slow on chicken livers below the dam. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.
Eucha: July 21. Elevation 3/4 ft. below normal, water 84 and dingy. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits at 14-16 ft. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush and structure. Bluegill good on crickets and worms around grass beds. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.
Grand: July 20. Elevation normal, water 89 and clear to murky. Largemouth bass good on red and green rattletraps at 2-15 ft. around points and rocks. Smallmouth bass good on the rivers. White bass good on Texas slabs and minnows at 5-20 ft. morning and night. Catfish fair to good on dip bait, shad, chicken liver and night crawlers. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 15-20 ft. around the docks and brush. Bluegill good on worms and crickets around banks. Report submitted by Grand Lake Sport's Center.
Greenleaf: July 20. Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass good on jigs, worms, spinnerbaits and crankbaits along moss beds, rocky points and shorelines. Channel and blue catfish fair on fresh cut bait on bottom. Flathead catfish fair on sunfish. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
Hudson: July 20. Elevation normal. Largemouth bass fair to good on plastic baits. White bass fair to good on small lures and jigs in the upper end of the lake. Channel and blue catfish good on juglines with cut shad in the channels. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Rogers and Mayes counties.
Hulah: July 20. Elevation slightly below normal and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 8-10 ft. near structure. Blue and flathead catfish are slow on cut shad and worms below the dam. Report submitted by Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.
Kaw: July 20. Blue Catfish excellent on juglines and trotlines baited with shad and goldfish in Coon Creek Flats. White bass good below tailwaters during times of generation on jigs and crankbaits. Bowfishing has been excellent in the tailwaters for Carp and Gar. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Grant and Kay counties.
Keystone: July 21. Elevation 3 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass slow to fair on large plastic worms and jig and chunkbait at 8-15 ft. along brush piles and ledges. Smallmouth bass slow on crankbaits and jig and chunkbait at 10-15 ft. around points. Spotted bass slow to fair on 6 inch plastic worms and crankbaits at 8-15 ft. around bluffs. White bass fair to good on minnows, rooster tails and spoons at 10-15 ft. around points and bridges. Striped bass fair on bucktails and live shad at 3-6 ft. below the dam. Channel catfish fair on stinkbaits and worms at 8-12 ft. around points. Blue catfish fair to good on punchbaits and cut shad at 8-15 ft. around flats along creek channels in big coves. Flathead catfish fair on goldfish and sunfish at 10-15 ft. along steep rocky banks. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. around docks and brush piles. Report submitted by Woody's Bait and Tackle.
Lower Illinois: July 15. Elevation normal, water 59 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures all along the surface. Striped bass good on plugs and live bait at 1-2 ft. below Gore Landing. Channel catfish good on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Trout excellent fly-fishing at the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on power bait on bottom from the dam to Gore Landing. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.
Oologah: July 20. Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water in lower 80's and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush piles at 15 ft. White bass fair trolling shad colored crankbaits around main lake points at 10-15 ft. Blue catfish fair on shad below the dam. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County.
Pawhuska Lake: Fishing report provided during trout season.
Skiatook: July 21. Elevation normal, water upper 80s and clear. Striped bass fair on live shad at 25-35 ft. in Dad's Creek and Skiatook Point. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 8-12 ft. around bridge pilings morning and evening. Report submitted by Paul Welch, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Sooner: July 19. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on live shad and slabs, they are also good at the intake where water is being pumped from the river. Catfish fair on cub bait and live bait in the channels. Report submitted by Doug Gottschalk, game warden stationed in Noble County.
Spavinaw: July 21. Elevation slightly below normal, water 84 and dingy. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around the dam area. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries.
Tenkiller: July 20. Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 89 and clear. Largemouth bass fair early morning on topwater lures, buzzbaits and a variety of plastic worms. Catfish fair on stinkbaits at 18-21 ft. around points and on shad using flip-flops or juglines. Sunfish good on night crawlers in coves or near docks. Report by Monte Brooks Cookson Village Resort.
Webbers Falls: July 20. Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastic worms around brush structure, riprap and creek channels. Catfish fair on fresh cut bait and sunfish on bottom. Sunfish fair on minnows and jigs around brush structure and bridges. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.
NORTHWEST
Canton: July 20. Elevation normal. White bass and striped bass hybrids excellent on slabs and live shad near underwater islands. Walleye fair on slabs and night crawlers. Channel catfish good on waterdogs and shad. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County.
SOUTHEAST
Blue River: July 21. Elevation normal, water 78 and clear. Bass good on topwater lures early in the morning and late in the evening and on small plastic grubs. Channel catfish good on stinkbaits and minnows. Flatheads fair on live bait at night. Report submitted Matt Gamble, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Broken Bow: July 19. Elevation dropping, water clear. Spotted bass fair on topwater lures where schooling and on 10 inch motor oil colored worms Carolina and Texas rigged, early and late. Crappie good around structure, all day. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Eufaula: July 19. Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits and crankbaits around deeper points. White bass good on topwater lures and slab spoons along the flats early and late. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 8-20 ft. under bridges and around standing timber. Report submitted by Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.
Hugo: July 20. Elevation normal, water 85. Crappie fair on minnow along creek channels. Blue catfish good below the dam on cut shad. Report submitted by Jay Harvey, game warden stationed in Choctaw and Bryan counties.
Konawa: July 19. Elevation normal, water 96 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms at 10 ft. road beds. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver and stinkbait at 10-12 ft. around points. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County.
McGee Creek: July 20. Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water 87 and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on soft plastic lures at 3-10 ft. and on topwater baits early and late for schooling fish. Crappie good around cedar brush on minnows and jigs. Channel catfish fair on jug lines with live bait. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County.
Murray: July 20. Water 87 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass good on various baits, soft worms and soft jerk baits worked slowly early, late and at night. White bass good on minnows and jigs trolling and the marina early and late and around tires at night. Channel catfish good on various stinkbaits, worms, minnows and chicken livers. Crappie slow around brush and fish attractors. Walleye slow on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County.
Pine Creek: July 20. Bass great on brush hogs around brush and cover at 4 ft. and less. Crappie fair on jigs around brush. Catfish good on cut shad near creek channels. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.
Robert S. Kerr: July 20. Elevation normal, water 87 and murky. Crappie good on minnows and small jigs at the brush piles at 8-12 ft. White bass good on crankbaits while trolling in the creek channel near the mouth of Big San Bois creek and the Arkansas River. Largemouth bass fair on soft baits and crankbaits at 2-6 ft. near the grass beds. Catfish good on fresh shad, cut bait, punch bait and earthworms on trotlines and juglines in the main creek channel and while drift fishing the mudflats. Report submitted by Leland Sockey, game warden stationed in Haskell County.
Sardis Lake: July 20. Bass good off of points and around creek channels on spinnerbaits and plugs also good on watermelon lizards in grass early mornings. Crappie excellent on pink grubs or green and black around cover and off of Jack Fork Bridge, half bridge and tower using live minnows. Flathead catfish fair on shad, sunfish or goldfish on jugs or trotlines off points close to channels. Blue and channel catfish excellent on jugs and trotlines on cut bait or shrimp or shad off points and close to channels. White bass excellent trolling around islands and east side lake by tower and excellent when found surfacing on lake. Walleye fair trolling around islands on rattletraps. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.
Texoma: July 20. Elevation normal, water 86 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair to good on topwater baits and crankbaits around the drop offs and creek channels. Striped and white bass fair to good on topwater baits and sassy shad from Catfish bay south. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on worms and cut bait, from the Highway 70 bridge north. Crappie fair around underwater brush. Sunfish good around the fish attractors. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County.
Wister: July 20. Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits, topwaters zara spook early and late. Crappie fair with pink spinners, pink jigs and minnows. Channel and blue catfish fair on juglines baited with cut shad and liver. Flathead catfish fair on live sunfish and night crawlers. Report submitted by Randy Fennell, game warden stationed in LeFlore County.
SOUTHWEST
Altus-Lugert: July 20. Elevation 10 ft. below normal and dropping. Walleye and crappie fair to good. Striped bass hybrids fair. Catfish fair. Report submitted by Sue Hokanson, Quartz Mountain State Park.
Foss: July 20. Elevation normal, water 80s and clear. Gates closed. Striped bass hybrids fair on live bait and slabs in deep water. Walleye slow to fair drifting or trolling with shad colored lures. Catfish good on doughbait or stinkbait in channels. White bass good while surfacing. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House.
Waurika: July 20. Elevation normal, water murky. Channel and blue catfish fair on worms and cut bait. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Cotton County.
This program operates free from discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinion or affiliation, race, creed, color, gender, age, ancestry, marital status or disability. A person who feels he or she may have been discriminated against or would like further information should write: Director, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152, or Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.