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success. ODWC regularly stocks these sites Public Lakes and Reservoirs: While not weather on small bodies of water at the
with sunfish and catfish. And most sites a recommended place to take a brand-new most productive times of year.
have fish feeders to serve as attractors and up angler, you might decide one of the state’s Keep the equipment simple: bait and
the odds of making a few catches. For more larger water bodies is most conducive to your bobber, or small, steady retrievable lures.
information, go to www.wildlifedepartment. mentoring needs. The U.S. Army Corps of Teach your new angler to be self-
com/fishing/wheretofish/cth. Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, sufficient: how to tie knots, bait a hook,
Municipal Lakes: Many medium and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation operate cast and reel.
and large cities and towns in Oklahoma dozens of large lakes, mostly in eastern Provide encouragement during moments
operate municipal lakes, often as sources Oklahoma. Look up the websites of these of failure.
of drinking water. And most of them do agencies to find out more about the waters Stay patient and positive.
allow fishing at these lakes, usually with they manage for public recreation. Reinforce good experiences by taking
required city permits. Some examples: Lakes of Oklahoma Atlas: When looking new anglers out as often as possible.
Sportsman’s Lake near Seminole, Bixhoma for a place to go, it always helps to study the A new, self-sufficient angler can be
Lake near Bixby, Bell Cow Lake near maps! Get some great ideas where to fish on made in as little as a summer, with a
Chandler, Clear Creek Lake near Duncan, a particular lake by checking out all the maps good mentor leading the way. And just
Lake Overholser in Oklahoma City, Lake in this great resource at www.owrb.ok.gov/ remember that the most important aspect
Yahola in Tulsa, and many more. Check news/publications/lok/lok.php. of mentoring is that with our help, we’re
with the communities nearest you. passing along a heritage that will endure
ODWC Fishing Lakes: These smaller lakes So, do you have what it takes to for generations to come.
are maintained and stocked by the Wildlife mentor a new angler? Why not make it a
Department for public fishing enjoyment. A commitment to share your passion now so (Contributors to this article: Skylar
map of these lakes is included with this article. that it can live on with someone else in the St.Yves, Don P. Brown, Michael Bergin,
For details, go to www.wildlifedepartment. future? Remember the basics: Daniel Griffith, Recreational Boating and
com/fishing/wheretofish/odwc-lakes. Take a new angler fishing during good Fishing Foundation.)

DARRIN HILL/ODWC

Lake Carl Etling is a Wildlife Department fishing lake in Cimarron County.
WHERE TO GO? ODWC FISHING LAKES

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
maintains 16 lakes throughout the state for public fishing. The
lakes provide good fishing, primitive camping, limited hunting
and watchable wildlife opportunities. The lakes range in size
from 30 acres to 263 acres.
The Wildlife Department’s Fisheries Division manages MAP KEY
these lakes to provide sustained quality fishing over the years.
The Fisheries Division annually stocks catchable-size channel 1. Lake Carl Etling
catfish in all the lakes and monitors the fish populations for age 2. Lake Evans Chambers
and growth rates, species composition and possible applications 3. Lake Vincent
of new management techniques. 4. Lake Watonga 11. Lake Jap Beaver (currently
Boat ramps are found on nearly all of the lakes, and the 5. Lake Elmer undergoing renovation)
Fisheries Division has provided brush piles in some of the lakes 6. American Horse Lake 12. Lake Nanih Waiya
to concentrate fish for anglers. 7. Lake Vanderwork 13. Lake Ozzie Cobb
Some ODWC fishing lakes have special restrictions, so 8. Lake Hall 14. Lake Schooler
be sure to check the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Guide 9. Lake Burtschi 15. Lake Raymond Gary
section on Special Area Regulations before heading out. 10. Lake Dahlgren 16. Doc Hollis Lake

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