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Tenkiller

Tenkiller Lake, photo by Steve Webber

Contacts

Fees & Facilities:
Game Warden (County):
(918) 431-2562(Cherokee)
(918) 431-2552(Cherokee)
(918) 431-2550(Sequoyah)
(918) 431-2544(Sequoyah)

Impounded in 1952, Tenkiller is the only controlled impoundment on the Illinois River and can experience prolonged drastic lake level fluctuations.  Situated in the Ozark highlands, Tenkiller is a deep, clear lake dominated by a shoreline with rocky bluffs and outcroppings.  There are numerous public access areas, including two state parks, and Tenkiller is very popular for all types of recreation.  Due to its depth, the lake provides cool water for the popular year-round trout fishery in the tailwaters.

Lake Tenkiller (Google Map) is located 10 miles south of Tahlequah on US 82 and S Indian Rd.

Lake Details

Shoreline Length: 170.00 mi.
Volume: 654100.00 ac. ft.
Max. Depth: 132.70 ft.
Surface Area: 12900.00 ac.

Located

Cherokee, Sequoyah Counties

U.S. Corps of Engineers and Oklahoma State Parks manages campgrounds with full RV hookups, boat ramps and designated swimming areas.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are subject to a 13-16" no harvest slot limit. Crappie must be a minimum of 10-inches and have a daily limit of 15.

Public-use areas provide easy access to the shoreline. Private resorts in the Burnt Cabin, Caney Creek and Tenkiller State Park areas operate fishing dock concessions.

Daily/Size Limits:

(Downstream from Horseshoe Bend boat ramp to dam)

All crappie: 15 combined per day/10-inch minimum.

Methods:

(Downstream from Horseshoe Bend boat ramp to dam)

Prohibited methods: gigs and spears downstream of Horseshoe Bend boat ramp. Speargunning is legal when used with scuba, except taking flathead catfish from June 15 through July 15 is prohibited.

Tenkiller Report

Mar 17. Elevation is Normal (stable), water temperature 57°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level)

Bass, Largemouth, Bass, Smallmouth, Bass, Spotted Fair on crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, jigs, plastic baits around brush structure, channels, docks.

Bass, White Fair on Alabama rigs, in-line spinnerbaits, small lures around coves, creek channels, river channel.

Crappie, Black, Crappie, White Fair on minnows, tube jigs, worms around brush structure, docks, main lake.

Comments: Anglers are having some success catching white bass in coves with creek channels and along the river channel on the upper end of the lake. The white bass have not made it up to Horseshoe Bend in great numbers yet, but shouldn't be too far from doing so. Crappie fishing is good around brush in docks and the main lake. Boaters should use caution this week while out on Lake Tenkiller as the 2024 Bassmasters Classic Kayak Series Championship is taking place.

Report submitted by Cody Youngblood (Game Warden Cherokee County)