Turkey hunting begins, the morel mushrooms are popping up from the ground, and the fishare biting. If you were lucky enough to find and catch spawning crappie this spring, you more than likely experienced some considerable fishing. All Rights Reserved. This small 2,500-acre water supply lake is contoured like a bowl, and tucked away in the heart of Oklahoma City. Bass are slow on plastics fished near brush. ]]>*/ calm water. It's not uncommon for bass anglers to catch 3- to 5-pound largemouths, and Hefner contains some hybrids that make the journey down from Canton Lake in the North Canadian River. Lake Hefner (Google Map)is located between NW Grand Blvd and Hefner Road, and Hefner Parkway (S.H. airplanes. Tenkiller is a favorite lake of mine, as its rocky structure serves as welcoming habitat for many species of fish. In fact, when it comes to catching big crappie, the humble Reece seems to have a knack, having caught several weighing over 3 pounds. There is 1 lighted fishing pier. 1 lb. He uses a handmade 14-foot rod to hurl a Styrofoam slip-cork and a pair of handmade jigs, one weighing 1/16 ounce, the other 1/64. From March 10-20, Richardson said you can catch crappie between 2-15 feet. Adams & Co., set to open in OKC. Advertisement This 2,500-acre water-supply lake in the heart of Oklahoma City offers tremendous fishing opportunities for a variety of species. Jones recommends that newcomers to Hefner should try casting jigs from the rocky areas near the dam, and near the lighthouse on the east side of the lake. Catfish, Blue, Catfish, Channel fair on crawfish, cut bait, shad, shrimp, sunfish, worms around channels, dam, points, riprap, shorelines. Care should be exercised when navigating through the thick vegetation. White crappie. The lake is known as a great wintertime crappie lake, and Kuklinski says the crappie fishing there is good year 'round. Apr 29. Spawning crappie can be predictable, and savvy anglers can catch an ice chest full in no time. 2023 Fishidy. Today, it is a popular recreational spot for city residents, particularly these wanting to go fishing. What Kind of Fish Can You Catch with a Fishing Guide? I had a lot of fun.. Guide, All Rights Reserved. #4.25.5. 5 oz. So, read on as I give you my picks of the best crappie spots. In April, crappiemoveinto the shallow water along the shoreline to spawn. 2022 All Rights Reserved Express Fishings, Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. Crappie fishing in Lake Albemarle is decent, with fish up to 12 inches being available. Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee. Click Here for AD-Free Premium membership options. The tedium was suddenly broken: Crow's white spinnerbait was struck violently, he set the hook, and the battle was on. They just dont get very big.. Support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today. Oklahoma City's oldest reservoir, Lake Overholser was built in 1919 and connects to Hefner Lake by a canal. Barbara Mandrell's classic song "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool," could have been written differently to refer to fishing instead and about avid crappie anglers like Rowe. "I love it when a plan comes together:" Thomas Allen may have missed a day-starting coffee and chill time, but his planning before a recent turkey hunt in Minnesota had him ready when gobblers showed up earlier than expected, and just before an April winter storm blew in. Arcadia Lake garnered fame just after it opened by giving up some bragging-sized stringers of both crappie and largemouth bass. just wasn't prepared for a walleye haha! The catfishing has just been awesome.. 13. If, however, you were one of the unfortunate anglers who, because of work or spousal obligations, didn't get to dunk a minnow or bounce a jig into a mess of slabs last month, I've got great news for you: The good crappie fishing is only beginning, and big numbers of hard-fighting papermouths can be found at a venue near you. #google_translate_element2 {display:none!important;} Lake Eufaula, though, is king of the crappie lakes in Oklahoma. Russ Horton points out that certain coves on the south side of the lake, such as Calypso Cove and Little Ax, hold quite a few crappie. Walleye, Sauger & Saugeye Walleye The boat launching and dock on Hefner offers additional fishing access. Zebco 33 and my rhino rod. About 10 lbs. Hefner Lake. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Off bottom, with a common slip rig. 8 in. The Magnolia State is its own crappie planet!" Top here is Grenada Lake, a shallow, 36,000-acre Corps of Engineers impoundment 82 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee on I-55. Hefner anglers are allowed a generous daily limit of 37 crappie with no length restrictions. Live minnows or small beetle spins are excellent bait for . 7800 Northwest Expy, Oklahoma City, OK 73132, 1801 Belle Isle Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73118, 1200 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73114, 1225 W I- 35 Frontage Rd, Edmond, OK 73034, Upland Update: Research Teams Trap Over 40 Turkeys in March, Turkey Numbers Reported "Steady" Ahead of April 16 Hunting Opener, Oklahomans Can Champion the Wild with Tax Return. It has been years since I fished Hefner. And Oklahoma City angler Clint Young, a regular visitor to Hefner Lake, also tells quite the fish story. Don't let your life pass you by. It was built in 1947 to expand the water supply for the city of Oklahoma City. Longnose Gar with a Berkley Flicker Shad Pro Series Crankbait, 24 lb. Just remember: Two crappie lights work better than one! Lake Hefner is located in central in Oklahoma One thing's for sure: The crappie action is heating up, so pack up the panfishing gear, take a friend, and head to one of these local crappie holes. So take plenty! Let's find some beautiful place to get lost. If you are going to fish that close to the rocks, you are going to lose some, said the 56-year-old angler. As at Grand and Gibson, Tenkiller anglers are allowed 15 crappie with a minimum length of 10 inches. Fishing Lakes & Camping Martin Park Nature Center Municipal Golf Courses Myriad Botanical Gardens Nature & Gardening Oklahoma City Convention Center Oklahoma City Zoo Oklahoma River Cruises Parks & Recreation Department Parks Rentals & Permits Park Locations Paycom Center Pools & Spraygrounds Public Art Recreation Programs Riversport Rapids The bass and catfishing can be good as well on Lake Eufaula, but it gets overshadowed by the crappie fishing. Bass, Largemouth, Bass, White Good on crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, spinnerbaits around brush structure, shorelines, weed beds. Caught 5 perch before this guy on artificial lures. This month, the state's storm trackers hit the roads, keeping a watchful eye on ominous skies. The lake's only drawback: a pricey access fee. Fishing with minnows near any of the brushpiles marked by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation should prove productive. Finally, there are trolling guides. Reece catches some of his largest crappie in the south end of the lake near Crowder. When using minnows, always have an adequate supply; the action can always heat up. Google more shows me in the lake, I assure you I'm well grounded. Lake Hefner is a reservoir in northwestern Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (USGS Lake Level). Favorite Lake or River Whatever water is closest usually Lake Eufaula, Ok. Posted August 3, 2013. Look to your sonar equipment for structure resembling submerged trees and deep dropoffs. Throw in some morel mushrooms and not only will a country boysurvive, he will be well-fed to boot. 4 foot depth. So, what type of fish are in Hefner Lake? Elevation is 6 ft. below normal (stable), water temperature 63F and murky. "They are moving up," Motley said. These Major League Fishing pros share the best tips and advice they've ever received. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. Bass, White, Crappie, Black, Crappie, White slow on jigs, minnows, plastic baits, spinnerbaits around docks, main lake, shorelines. They pick all the big fish out.". Three sizes of jigs do the trick for Reece: 1/32, 1/16 and 1/8 ounce. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Register and I will offer you a free Crappie.com decal (plus a lot less ads too). .goog-te-menu-value:hover {text-decoration:none !important;} .goog-te-banner-frame {display:none !important;} 7 oz. [CDATA[/* >