Winter dampens our desire to enjoy Oklahoma’s natural beauty, which is a sad but real fact. While it might not be the ideal time for activities like boating, swimming and camping, it doesn’t mean you can’t go fishing as the winter is the best time of year for trout. Rainbow and brown trout are energetic and anxious to spawn while bass and crappie go dormant.
The Lower Mountain Fork River in McCurtain County and the Lower Illinois River south of the Tenkiller Dam in Sequoyah County are two of Oklahoma’s best spots for year-round trout fishing. The Oklahoma State Department of Wildlife Conservation stocks six seasonal fisheries across the state, too.
More:Discover Oklahoma: Add some fling to your golf swing at Sequoyah State Park
Six miles of the Lower Mountain Fork between the Broken Bow Lake dam and the State Highway 70 bridge east of Broken Bow make up the authorized trout habitat. Beavers Bend State Park is included in this stretch of the river. The state record German brown trout was caught there in 2005, and many fishermen believe the stream to be Oklahoma’s best for catching trout.
In April, a behemoth weighing 17 pounds, 4.64 ounces was taken, but since that prize trout was released back into the river, there may be an even bigger one waiting there right now. Brown trout were first stocked in the river by the state Wildlife Conservation Department in the early 1990s, giving the other fish plenty of time to grow huge and hungry.
There is another trout record waiting to be broken, and this time it is for rainbow trout. The state record rainbow, 11-pounds, 4.32 ounces, was taken in April 2015 on the Lower Illinois River, not far from Gore, which justifiably bills itself as the Trout Capital of Oklahoma.
Greenleaf and Tenkiller state parks, both close by, also have access to trout fishing, making them ideal destinations for families. Both parks have kid-friendly ponds for angling that are stocked with trout during the colder months.
Otherwise in the state, you can go trout fishing from about November to March.
Quartz Mountain Nature Park, Robbers Cave State Park, Roman Nose State Park and Black Mesa State Park all have winter rainbow trout stockings.
Blue River, which is close to Tishomingo, is one of the most well-liked winter trout fishing spots. A succession of waterfalls and deep pools line the river, which is home to hungry trout. Naturally, camping beside the river is very popular during trout releases. And there will be a Presidents Day Blue River Trout Derby along the Blue River on Feb. 18-19.
Whether you are a seasoned angler or just getting started, the Oklahoma Fishing Trailer, which can be found on Travelok.com, will help you with locations and is loaded with valuable information.
And I would like to add trout are incredibly powerful for their size, guaranteeing excitement for any angler, be they fly fishermen or those who prefer spinning reels.
The other advantage is some of the state’s most stunning landscapes are available for your fishing pleasure.
More:Discover Oklahoma: Whether you want to camp, hike, golf or fish, state parks have you covered
A word of caution: Trout fishing regulations might differ from one location to the next. Knowing the guidelines can help you avoid making an expensive mistake. For up-to-date legal information, go to www.wildlifedepartment.com, the official website of the state Wildlife Conservation Department.
Dino Lalli is the co-host and one of the feature reporters for the weekly television travel show “Discover Oklahoma.”
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