The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission adopted new rules in 2025 that require non-residents accessing certain Oklahoma public hunting and fishing areas to check in and out of the area. By checking in and out of these areas, hunters, anglers, shooters, birdwatchers, hikers, and any other users can help the Wildlife Department better understand how the area is being used. There is no additional cost associated with checking in or out of an area. There is no limit to the number of check-ins for an individual in a year.
Contacts
Walleye, sauger and saugeye: six combined per day/18-inch minimum.
Prohibited methods: bowfishing, gigging, spearing, spearguns, snagging, and noodling within the Little River upstream of Franklin Road in Cleveland County.
Lake Thunderbird (Google Map) is located 12 miles east of Norman on SH 9.
Lake Details
Located
Oklahoma State Parks manages campgrounds with full RV hookups, fishing docks, fishing jetties, boat ramps, picnic areas, an archery range and two marinas.
Bait & Tackle shops are displayed by distance, starting with the closest.
- Calypso Cove Marina(100 Calypso Cove Ave, Norman, OK 73026)- (405) 360-9846
- Little River Marina(13801 Marina Rd, Norman, OK 73026)- (405) 364-8335
- Alameda Market(7500 Alameda Dr, Norman, OK 73026)- (405) 366-7990
- Walmart Supercenter (Norman)(601 12th Ave NE, Norman, OK 73071)- (405) 579-5203
- 24 Hour Bait LLC(11025 Westminster Ln, Oklahoma City, OK 73165)- 405-837-8041
- Our Acres Bait Shop LLC(17208 OK-102, Shawnee, OK 74801)- (405) 432-4212
- Walmart Supercenter (Purcell)(2015 S Green Ave, Purcell, OK 73080)- (405) 527-5621
- Walmart Supercenter (Del City)(5401 Tinker Diagonal St, Del City, OK 73115)- (405) 670-1007
- Walmart Supercenter (Shawnee)(196 Shawnee Mall Dr, Shawnee, OK 74804)- (405) 275-1030
- Bass Pro Shops(200 Bass Pro Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73104)- (405) 218-5200
Fish surveys are conducted every five years. Brush piles are put in the lake for fish habitat in addition to fish stockings.
Thunderbird Report
Apr 19. Elevation is 3 ft. below normal (stable), water temperature 70°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level)
Crappie, Black, Crappie, White Good on jigs, minnows around docks, points, rocks, shallows.
Bass, Striped Hybrid, Bass, White Fair on jigs, minnows, small lures around creek channels, docks, points.
Catfish, Blue, Catfish, Channel on minnows, punch bait, worms around coves, shallows.
Report submitted by Zach Hanson (Game Warden Cleveland County)
Additional Resources
Fish Species of Interest
Upload Your Catch
Teller C
- Caught at: Thunderbird
Adam Brown
- Caught at: Thunderbird
Adam C
- Caught at: Thunderbird
James H
- Caught at: Thunderbird
James (Nance) Jenkins
- Caught at: Thunderbird
Jennifer Musial
- Caught at: Thunderbird
