Page 4 - 2019 SEPT/OCT Outdoor Oklahoma

Off the Beaten Path

Off the Beaten Path

NOT ES ON WILDLIFE • OU T DOOR TI PS • R EA DERS’ LET T ERS • EN V I RON MEN TA L NEWS
C OM PILED BY DON P. BROW N
LT. GOVERNOR LAUNCHES OKLAHOMA FISHING TRAIL

The Oklahoma Fishing Trail,
an initiative designed to show-
case the state’s quality fishing
opportunities and increase OK TOURISm & RECREATION DEPT
tourism, was kicked off in June.
“Our goal is to become a Top
10 tourism state, and the No.
1 fishing state in the nation,”
said Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt
Pinnell, also the state’s Secre-
tary of Tourism and Branding.
“Fishing is big business, and the
Oklahoma Fishing Trail initia-
tive will promote our state’s
unique fishing opportunities —
arguably the most diverse fish-
ing in the country — increase
tourism, and generate addition-
al tax revenue for the state.
“Most people don’t real- Announcing the new Oklahoma Fishing Trail tourism initiative are, from left, Wildlife Department nnouncing the new Oklahoma Fishing Trail tourism initiative are, from left, Wildlife Department
A
ize the kind of revenue we’re Director J.D. Strong, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, pro angler Jimmy Houston, and Tourism Department Director J.D. Strong, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, pro angler Jimmy Houston, and Tourism Department
talking about. On average, Executive Director Jerry Winchester.
anglers in Oklahoma already spend $1.8 billion on fishing Grand Lake State Park, will even process anglers’ catches and Grand Lake State Park, will even process anglers’ catches and
annually and support more than 15,000 jobs in the state. And return fillets to the angler at no cost.
we’re only going to grow from there.” Other speakers at the event included Jerry Winchester, exec-
The Oklahoma Fishing Trail is a cooperative effort of the utive director of the Tourism and Recreation Department, and
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Okla- B.A.S.S. National Conservation Director Gene Gilliland, for-
homa Tourism and Recreation Department. It highlights 38 mer Assistant Chief of Fisheries for the Wildlife Department.
lakes across the state and an additional 20 Oklahoma fishing “Oklahoma is well-prepared for this increase in fishing
experiences that are part of the Wildlife Department’s Close to tourism,” Winchester said. “Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees has
Home Fishing Program. twice hosted the Bassmaster Classic, the ‘Super Bowl’ of bass
The Trail has six loops, one for each region of the state, to fishing. Bassmaster magazine regularly lists Grand Lake and
help guide visitors to the perfect lake for their desired catch. Lake Texoma on the list of the country’s best bass lakes. We
The Trail’s website is FishinOK.com. have more shoreline than the East and Gulf coasts combined,
Wildlife Department Director J.D. Strong said Oklahoma and we’ve also got a lot of fun things to do along that shoreline:
is already a premier destination for fishing-related tourism state parks, marinas, museums, breweries, casinos, restaurants.
because of its fish diversity and liberal regulations. You name it, we’ve got it in Oklahoma.”
“Whether you’re looking for an all-around lake that’s known for “America’s Favorite Fisherman,” TV personality Jimmy Hous-
several different species or a specific spot to get that standout spe- ton of Cookson helped kick off the campaign along with a group
cies, we’ve got options,” Strong said. “In the Northeastern Loop, of Moore Public Schools students who participate in the Wildlife
Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees is a great spot for catching large- Department’s Fishing in the Schools (OKFITS) program.
mouth bass, crappie, catfish and paddlefish, while Lake Eufaula A free Oklahoma Fishing Trail brochure is available at
and Lake Tenkiller were chosen for their standout crappie fishing.” TravelOK.com/Brochures or by calling (800) 652-6552. Anglers
Oklahoma fishing also stands out for some unique species, can also find the brochure at Oklahoma Tourism Information
such as the paddlefish. The Wildlife Department’s Oklahoma Centers, Oklahoma State Parks and at the Oklahoma Fishing
Paddlefish Research Center, near the Twin Bridges Area of Trail lakes.

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