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Crappie Fishing in Oklahoma (An Angler’s Guide)

Crappie Fishing in Oklahoma (An Angler’s Guide)

Oklahoma offers excellent crappie fishing opportunities and has plenty of lakes with both white and black crappie.

In fact, there is hardly any lake in Oklahoma that doesn’t contain a substantial population of crappie.

This article will help you find the state’s best crappie spots and provide you with essential tips for your next crappie adventure in Oklahoma.

So if you want details on the current crappie limit, information about fishing licenses, and when to best fish for Oklahoma crappie, all you have to do is keep reading!

PRO TIP: Need to gear up for your next crappie trip? Then check out this quality equipment on Amazon.

It’s very decently priced, extremely durable, and will catch you a ton of slabs!

Where Is the Best Crappie Fishing in Oklahoma?

a happy angler holding two big crappie slabs
Courtesy of Brian Harford

Oklahoma has many productive crappie waters, but a few lakes definitely stick out here, both when it comes to the amount of fish you can catch and their size.

No matter if you aim to fill your limit or catch giant trophy slabs, the following lakes are most certainly worth a visit.

Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees

Grand Lake is undoubtedly one of Oklahoma’s best crappie lakes. 

You can catch plenty of black and white crappie, and due to reduced daily and size limits, the chance to hook up to a real slab is always good here.

Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees is located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountain Range of Northeast Oklahoma.

The lake measures over 46,000 acres and has plenty of public boat ramps, restrooms, and camping facilities. 

Apart from being a first-class crappie destination, it is also ranked among the top bass fishing lakes in the US.  

PLEASE NOTE: Grand Lake has special daily and size limits for crappie. Please visit the Oklahoma State Department of Wildlife Conservation to check for current limits!

Lake Texoma

Lake Texoma is a border water between Oklahoma and Texas and another well-known crappie destination in both states.

This lake produces plenty of slabs, and many fish can weigh well over 2lb here.

The lake is popular among bank and boat anglers and offers plenty of well-accessible fishing spots. 

Thanks to its many marinas and boat slips, shore fishing can, at times, be as productive as from a boat! 

Lake Eufaula

Lake Eufaula is yet another of Oklahoma’s top crappie waters. 

With a little over 105,000 acres and 800 miles of shoreline, it’s Oklahoma’s biggest lake and a popular crappie destination among both local anglers and out-of-towners. 

In other words, Eufaula is a massive lake with a ton of crappie in it!

Lake Eufaula is located in the Northeastern part of Oklahoma, on the Canadian River near the town of Eufaula.

There are plenty of productive crappie spots that you can target both from the shore and boat, and fish of 2lb or more are pretty common here. 

Lake Hugo

If you want to fish a smaller lake, Hugo might just be the perfect water for you.

Located 7 miles east of the town of Hugo, in the Southeastern parts of Oklahoma, this cozy little lake covers just under 12,500 acres and has a maximum depth of around 50 feet.

Despite its fairly small size, it has a very decent black and white crappie population. 

As a matter of fact, it has the highest population in an eight-county fisheries district, offering excellent crappie fishing.

So if you are looking for a crappie water with a lower difficulty level, Hugo is the place to be!

Kaw Lake

Kaw Lake is another smaller-sized crappie lake in Oklahoma. 

While not having the largest crappie population, the fish in this lake show phenomenal growth rates, leading to many trophy catches every year. 

Kaw Lake is located in north-central Oklahoma, about 8 miles east of Ponca City, on the Arkansas River. 

It’s considered an excellent crappie fishery and has plenty of great spots to target, as there is a lot of cover and structure to be found in this lake. 

If you know your crappie fishing game, you’ll be surely able to land quite a few slabs here!

When Is the Best Time to Fish for Crappie in Oklahoma?

a fisherman on a guide boat holding a bunch of crappie caught in Oklahoma
Courtesy of Fishingbooker.com

The best time of year to catch crappie in Oklahoma is from late winter to late spring or early summer, meaning from late January through late May or early June. 

In many of the state’s southern lakes, you can start fishing for crappie as early as mid or late January, as they generally warm up faster than the lakes further up north. 

More generally speaking, the time before and during the crappie spawn is undoubtedly the best time of year to catch them.

It is now that the crappie will be found in the shallower areas of the lakes as they start to build their nests and gather, often in large schools, for the upcoming mating season. 

Seek out those shallow areas with heavy cover near the shore, and you’ll find your crappie!

What Month Do Crappie Spawn in Oklahoma?

The crappie spawn in Oklahoma can stretch from mid-March to mid-May. 

However, the fish typically spawn sometime between late March and mid-April in most Oklahoma waters during most years. 

The fish will gather in the shallower areas of the lakes as soon as the water reaches a temperature of about 50F. 

The actual spawning will begin in water temperatures around 65F. 

RELATED ARTICLE: Check out this article for even more interesting facts about the crappie spawn!

How to Fish for Crappie in Oklahoma?

a crappie angler holding his fishing gear and a big slab

Target Oklahoma crappie the same way you would target them elsewhere, meaning with jigs, cranks, or minnows!

Brightly-colored feather-tail Marabou jigs are a classic among OK crappie anglers and produce best during the colder months of the year. 

Come April, when water temperatures are higher, you can switch trolling minnow-tipped jigs or small crankbaits. 

Alternatively, you can set up a slip bobber rig with a single bait hook and twitch your minnow to crappie success. 

Your gear and tackle should be as light as possible, especially in clear water conditions. 

Essential Gear Tips

If you’re looking for solid and reliable crappie fishing gear, these tips might be useful for you.

This gear and tackle is of top quality and sells at a very decent price on Amazon:

Fenwick Eagle 7′ Light Crappie Spinning Rod

A solid and popular all-around spinning rod! This Fenwick rod is lightweight, has great sensitivity, and phenomenal action. Fits both beginners and seasoned anglers. A 6’6” or 7′ light rod is your best pick for crappies.

Pflueger President 10 Spinning Reel

An affordable high-performance spinning reel that’s perfect for crappie. Pflueger spells high quality and awesome durability! Makes for a great combo together with the Fenwick spinning rod. A size 10 is a solid choice for crappie!

Power Pro Braid

One of the best braids available today! Zero stretch, great feel, and immense strength make this line the perfect pick for crappie! Use a 6-8lb test in open water and a 10-15lb test when fishing near or in heavy cover.

Best Crappie Fishing Guides in Oklahoma

two anglers on a boat with several nicely sized crappie
Courtesy of Fishingbooker.com

Oklahoma can offer you an excellent crappie fishing experience. But if you’re not familiar with the local waters, it can be a good idea to head out with a knowledgeable fishing guide. 

The following crappie guides know their lakes inside out, offer you the very best service, and make sure that you’ll hook up to some regular Oklahoma slabs! 

Recommended Crappie Fishing GuidesLocation
Alexander Guide ServiceGrand Lake
Carper’s Fishing IncHugo and Pine Creek Lake
Troy’s Guide ServiceLake Texoma

Crappie Fishing Reports for Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation offers regularly updated crappie reports for many of the state’s lakes between March and June. 

For crappie fishing reports during the year’s remaining months, you are welcome to contact a county game warden or local bait shop for the water you’re interested in.  

The well-established fishing forum Crappie.com also has an informative section on crappie fishing in Oklahoma

You can also check out the very active Facebook Group Oklahoma Crappie. Here, you’ll find updated fishing reports, helpful tips, and dates for upcoming crappie tournaments in OK! 

What Is the Crappie Limit in Oklahoma?

In the state of Oklahoma, the daily limit for black and white crappie combined is 37. 

There is no size limit for crappie in general fishing areas without special regulations.

For more detailed information, please visit the eRegulations section at OklahomaFishing.com.

Do You Need a Fishing License in Oklahoma?

Both residents and non-residents need a valid fishing license in Oklahoma.

There are both day, annual, lifetime, and fishing/hunting combo licenses available. 

Please visit the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for more information and current license fees

How Big Do Crappie Get in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma has a state record for both black and white crappie, and both of these are regular slabs!

The current state record for black crappie is 4lb 10oz, while the state record for white crappie is a fish of 4lb 15oz. 

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