Oologah Wildlife Management Area
By:
Scott Cox,
Biologist at Oologah and Spavinaw WMA’s. Phone:
(918) 629-5286.
Oologah Office Phone: (918) 253-4253
Area Description:
Oologah WMA covers 12,941 acres in Nowata and
Rogers counties in northeastern Oklahoma Located just east of Hwy. 169,
southeast of the town of Nowata,
Oak, pecan and willow are the predominant tree species present in the river
bottoms. Locust, button bush, willow, hackberry and elm are present around the
lake with some old fields and native grass interspersed throughout. The average
annual precipitation for the area is about 39 inches.
WMA Driving Directions and places of interests:
Goose Island – From Oologah: 4 miles north on U.S. Hwy 169, 4.5 miles east on EW road 35 (E0350).
Overcup Bottoms WDU – From Nowata: 2 miles east on State Hwy 60, 1 mile north on NS road 416 (N4160), and 1 mile east on EW road 21 (E0210).
Upper Verdigris River – From Delaware: 1 mile north on U.S. Hwy 169, 2 miles east on EW road 15 (E0150), 1 mile south on NS road 416 (N4160).
Riley Bottoms area along Verdigris River – From Nowata: 3 miles north on U.S. Hwy 169, and 3½
miles east on EW road 19 (E0190).
Salt Creek area on Oologah Lake – From Nowata: 8 miles east on U.S. Hwy 60, 3 miles south on State Hwy 28, 1¼ miles west on EW road 25 (E0250).
Lightning Creek area on Oologah Lake – From Nowata: 8 miles east on U.S. Hwy 60, 3 miles
south on State Hwy 28, 1 mile west on EW road 25 (E0250), 1 mile south on NS road 421 (N4210).
Panther Creek area on Oologah Lake – From Nowata: 8 miles east on U.S. Hwy 60, 3 miles
south on State Hwy 28, 1 mile west on EW road 25 (E0250), 2 miles south on NS road 421 (N4210), ½ mile west on EW road 27 (E0270).
Winganon area – From Winganon: The WMA runs north and south of the town.
Spencer Creek area – From Chelsea: 5 miles west on EW road 32 (E0320, part of which is State Hwy 28), 2 miles south on NS road 420 (N4200).
Cherokee Central area – From Chelsea: 6 miles west on EW road 32 (E0320, part of which is State Hwy 28), 2 miles south on NS road 419 (N4190)
Game Species of Interest:
Quail: Bobwhites are present but in low numbers.
Deer: White-tailed deer are present in fair numbers.
Turkey: Rio Grande turkeys are present in fair numbers.
Rabbit: Cottontail are present in fair numbers.
Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat and raccoon are available.
Dove: Can be found in fair numbers, at times, around agricultural fields.
Waterfowl: Limited goose hunting opportunities. Good duck numbers usually available on the lake and in the Overcup Bottoms and Upper Verdigris wetland units.
Squirrel: Both Fox and Gray squirrels are present in fair numbers.
Nongame Species of Interest:
Bald eagle: Eagles can be found in the winter on Oologah lake.
Shorebirds: In the spring and through the fall, several shorebird species move through the area and may be found around the lake.
Description of Fish and
Wildlife Management Practices:
Management efforts focus on producing native plants; although, there is
approximately 1,000 acres of agricultural lease operations and some small
agricultural food plots planted, annually. The Overcup Bottoms and Upper
Verdigris areas have wetland units and are primarily managed for waterfowl.
Camping and Facilities:
Primitive camping is allowed is designated areas and the
Corps of Engineers operates campsites around Oologah Lake both lodging and
restaurants are available in Nowata, Oologah and Claremore. The Oologah Corps
of Engineers can be reached at (918) 443-2250. The Oologah Chamber of Commerce
can be reached at (918) 443-2790. The Claremore Chamber of Commerce can be
reached at (918) 625-4726.
Fishing Opportunities:
Fishing opportunities exist on Oologah lake with several species of fish present
such as crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and white bass.
Maps:
Oologah WMA North Map - best general purpose map, pdf format (8.5x11)
Oologah WMA South Map - best general purpose map, pdf format (8.5x11)
Oologah WMA Map - interactive map with aerial photography available
Area map courtesy of US Army Corp of Engineers
Information on the lake and surrounding area
Regulations: Seasons on public lands section of hunting regulations
For additional information and area attractions:
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Post Office Box 52002
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2002
(800) 652-6552 or (405) 521-2409
www.travelok.com
Bartlesville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
201 SW Keeler
PO Box 2366, Bartlesville OK 74005
918-336-8708
1-877-273-2004
Claremore Convention and Visitors Bureau
419 West Will Rogers, Claremore
918-341-2818
www.claremore.org
Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce
918-256-7133
www.vinita.com