Canton WRP covers 640 acres on the northeast portion of Canton Lake. Approximately 1/3 of the WRP is water. The area consists of 120 acres of ag fields and food plots. Black locust, cottonwoods, and post oak blackjack are the dominant species surrounding the ag fields. Phragmites dominates the area near the lake.
From Longdale: 2miles north, 3 miles west on CR E 590 (immediately west of golf course)
- Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in fair numbers.
- Deer: White-tailed deer are present in good numbers but are highly sought after.
- Turkey: Rio Grande wild turkeys are present in good numbers but are highly sought after.
- Rabbit: Cottontail rabbits are relatively common on Canton. Jackrabbits are occasionally present, but are not common.
- Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat and raccoon are available.
- Dove: Dove are present in fair numbers early in dove season.
Habitat management on Canton includes controlled burning on 1,000 to 1,500 acres annually, and prescribed grazing on 5,200 acres to manage for native grasses and forbs. In addition, approximately 1,200 acres of ag lease fields and food plots are scattered across the area and planted annually. Eighteen windmills and solar water pumps have also been installed to provide year-around water supplies for wildlife.
No camping is allowed in the WRP but 15 primitive camping areas are available on the Canton WMA.
Additional developed campgrounds with RV hookups are available around Canton lake. Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for more information on the developed campground sites (580/886-2989). Lodging and restaurants are available around Canton WMA at Canton, Seiling, Fairview, and Longdale. The Canton chamber of commerce can be reached at (580/886-2216)
A rifle range can be found on the eastern side of the area, north of Canton dam. It offers a 200 yard range and has a covered shooting pavilion.
Canton lake is well known for walleye fishing and is also an excellent crappie and sandbass fishery. Management efforts include walleye stocking, hybrid stripped bass stocking, and construction of brush piles to provide habitat. Fishing is also available at several cutoff oxbow lakes located on the western end of the area.
All shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot.
Closed Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Deer Archery, Dove, Rail, Gallinule, Crow, Waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, Rabbit, Squirrel, Turkey Fall Archery, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers, Predator/Furbearer Calling
Closed Oct. 15 - Jan. 31.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined, area combined.
Closed to all nonhunting activities from Oct. 1 - Feb. 15.
No camping allowed.
Canton Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 307, Canton 73724
580-886-2216
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Post Office Box 52002
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2002
(800) 652-6552 or (405) 521-2409
www.travelok.com
Seiling Chamber of Commerce
580-922-4460
Watonga Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 537, Watonga 73772
580-623-5452
www.watongachamber.com
cwatonga@pldi.net
Okeene Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 704
Okeene, 73763
www.okeene.com
okchamber@pldi.net
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.
