Lake Nanih Waiya
By: Don Groom, Southeast Fisheries Supervisor. Phone (918) 297-0153
Location: Located 1.5 miles northwest of Tuskahoma in Pushmataha County.
Driving Directions: From Clayton – 5 miles northeast on U.S. Hwy 271, ½ mile north on N4340.
Recreational Facilities: 2 boat ramps, fishing jetties and primitive camping.
Lake History: Lake Nanih Waiya was constructed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1958.
Primary Uses: Angling and general recreation
Physical Description:
Surface area...... 131 ac.
Volume ............. 1,064 ac.ft
Average depth......... 8.1 ft.
Shoreline development............0
Maximum depth .................... 25 ft.
Shoreline length ...................... 3 mi.
Fish Species of Interest:
Largemouth Bass, Bluegill Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Crappie, Channel Catfish
Notable Characteristics of Lake or Fishery: Nutrient loading and water chemistry has promoted excessive aquatic vegetation. Nanih Waiya has a wide variety of fish species including grass pickerel and bowfin.
Special Regulations:
Largemouth/smallmouth bass; six (6) combined per day of which
only one (1) may be 22 inches or longer/ 16-22 inch protected
slot limit. Channel and/or blue catfish six (6) per day no size
limit. Fishing limited to two rods and reels only per person.
Fishing limited to rod and reed and bowfishing. No other method
of fishing is allowed.
Habitat Types Status and Improvements: The Lake has an
excess of vegetation that can make fishing the lake a challenge.
Recent herbicide application has been effective in reducing
vegetation around jetties and other areas of the lake. Triploid
grass carp stocked in 2011 will assist in controlling
vegetation. In 2011, woody vegetation thinned near the primary
boat ramp on the east side of the lake has improved bank access.
Further efforts to improve bank access around the lake will
continue. Staff will continue to reduce and gain control on
aquatic vegetation to improve fishing for all anglers. The lake
has four marked fish attractors made up of brush piles. Staff
refurbished these attractors in 2011. Riprap along the dam and
some standing timber provide additional fishing opportunities.
Access roads that did not lead to the water have closed due to
littering/dumping. Restrooms have been removed due to vandalism.
Description of Fish Management Practices: The 16-22”
protected slot limit was removed in 2011. Effective immediately,
six (6) largemouth bass over the 14” minimum length limit may be
harvested each day. Annual 9” channel catfish stockings will
continue at a rate of 40 per acre. Future stocking rates and
frequency could be adjusted following an examination of catch
rates and growth rates during summer netting surveys. Total
largemouth bass abundance was moderate during 2009
electrofishing surveys. Quality LMB 14” and over are present in
moderate to high abundance. A 5.5 lbs., 20” LMB was recorded as
the largest of the sample.
Hunting: All forms of hunting are permitted during open hunting seasons from September 1 through spring turkey season. Hunting is restricted to shotguns and bows only. These lakes are closed to antlerless deer harvest, except during archery season. Hunting and shooting other than provided above is prohibited. “Closed areas” may be designated for purposes of safety and/or security.
RULES REGULATING USE OF DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
OWNED LAKES