Contacts
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.
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
From Nowata: 3 miles north on U.S. Hwy 169, and 3½ miles east on EW road 19 (E0190).
Salt Creek Area
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
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
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).
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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 exist on Oologah lake with several species of fish present such as crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and white bass.
All shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot on both Overcup Bottoms and Upper Verdigris WDU portions.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Deer Archery, Youth Deer Gun, Deer Muzzleloader, Deer Gun
Goose Island is archery only. All other portions of the WMA are open to legal means of taking for each particular season.
- Quail, Snipe, Woodcock, Rabbit, Squirrel, Predator/Furbearer Calling
Closed during the first nine days of deer gun season.
- Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers
Closed during deer gun season.
- Waterfowl
Hunting hours for waterfowl close at 1 p.m. daily on the WDU portions.
The portion of Oologah WMA known as Goose Island is restricted to shotguns with pellets and archery only.
Hunter and angler camping is allowed in designated areas.
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
Q: Is Oologah WMA open for all 16 days of the deer gun season?
A: Yes.
Wintering Birds
When autumn finally releases its hold on winter, Oklahomans have to say goodbye to such things as fall colors and warm weather bird species, including purple martins, scissor-tailed flycatchers, and other avian summer residents. But winter is a time for greetings, and with the brisk north winds comes wintering birds.
