Lake Eufaula archives

I fished thursday and friday and could not believe the water temp....started right off the bat with 56 degrees and watched it go up to 60. I have been fishing thunderbird and it is 47....what a big difference. I fished coal creek all the way back to 113. Found most of the fish to be sitting in 8 feet of water. There were quite a few folks fishing the 69 bridge on the south side with baskets about half full as I went past. There were lots of guys slip corking off the 113 bridge and catching quite of few smaller fish with a few nice ones being brought in on minnows. Fish were not hitting jigs well towards 113 but jigs were the ticket for the first two miles past the 69 bridge.

P.S.....I have no idea if my report will make a difference....I left this morning and had 6 inches of snow around my trailer.....so fish at your own risk...lol

Thanks, LLD for the report. The only problem was you didn't say how many you caught. Did the color of the jig make any difference?

Odie

OK, now I get it. I will have to try trolling like that when I learn how to use the trolling motor. :D My husband took the boat out with the guy we bought it from. He tried to use the trolling motor, but kept going around in circles! I am sure it will be much funnier when I try to use it. I should put a flag on my boat so you guys will see me coming and get out of the way! :eek:

Thanks for your help.
Patti

I'm planning on going to Eufaula Wed 3/24, Any advise would be helpful. I know the lake is rising but what about the current, water temp. and clarity? Thanks

hey odie...caught quite a few fish both days....cleaned 25 for the two day catch...I usually let anything 10 inches and less go...so I had a pretty good basket of nice fish...nothing over 13 inches, but close....used blk/chart, pink blk white, blue flake with chart tail, cricket, and a few on electric chicken

Lake is rising. Water temps last Friday were 55-61. I fished today and they were 45-53. I went into a creek down south and it had current and the fish just were not in the biting mood. We fished in 10-14 fow around Rock creek and brought home 21 over 10 inches. Lots of boats and hardly anyone catching more than 8-10 keepers. I hope the water temps get back up in the high 50's and low 60's by the weekend. We also beter hope for not a lot of rain Wed. evening. We need the lake to stabilize as much as we need it to warm.

Odie

Fished Graves creek yesterday. Got there about 9:30 or 10 ish and left at 1:30 with 4 keepers around 10 to 11 inches. Probably caught a dozen fish overall but most were in the 6 to 8 inch range.

Saw lots of people tied up catching a lot of dinks.

Had the pleasure of meeting Flexplate there as well. Switched over to minnows after he said they were preferring minnows over jigs. We did better the further toward the lake we went.

One thing I did notice though, that all buy two of our fish came off of Rosie's. We were fishing 6 to 8 feet deep in 10'+ water and the fish seemed to be on the channel drop offs.

Water temp was in the high 40's when we left.

OkieDon,

I saw the Grave Creek ramp parking lot yesterday, mid-day. Looked like you had a lot of company in the creek.

Yeah, there was quite a few people there, but not as many as the week before. Last Friday I thought I would put in there but they were parked all the out on the road...so I went to Gentry Creek.

I too have been fishing the Gains Creek area lately, and was there Tuesday. I have a white bass boat. Anyhow, I caught a solid 20-25 fish. I ended up going down Hollywood Blvd, into Bodark creek. I was fishing in 6-12 fow alonge the creek channel. Most of the fish I caught were nice fem's and did have one 1lb 11 oz. My thought is when the creek is running get OUT of the current. Although the water temp was around 50 the sun and the lack of current, in my opinion pushes these fish up toward the shallower water. The females seem to be roaming the 6ft area in the evenings.

feel free to say hello if you see me

We have to remember that there is a full monn this week and the fish with any warm trend at all will go to the shallows. I know of two people catching good fish in shallow water, less than 4 foot. The females will only be on the nest for a short time, the rest of the time they are in open water within a foot deep of where the nest is set. We also have to remember that all the fish do not do the same thing at the same time, they come in waves. I just hope to be fishing when that school of a million decides to do there thing. LOL Good fishing EB

Hello everyone. I am new to the area and looking for some spring crappie fishing. A friend suggested Eufaula and after doing some internet research this seems to be one of the top lakes in the state.

I would like to do some fishing using a float tube but I am not sure which area to target or where to park. I do not have a boat. I would prefer the northern part of the lake near I-40.

It looks like there is public access parking in the Eufaula WMA areas in the Deep Fork and N. Canadian arms. Are these decent spots to walk in and find some fish?

Going out from Crowder boat ramp is there a safe way over the old railroad raised rightaway bed?

Went Thru Yesterday In My 520 Ranger Just Kinda Hugged The Markers With The Motor Up Just In Case Made It Ok

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RoKnRuiN

Hello everyone. I am new to the area and looking for some spring crappie fishing. A friend suggested Eufaula and after doing some internet research this seems to be one of the top lakes in the state.

I would like to do some fishing using a float tube but I am not sure which area to target or where to park. I do not have a boat. I would prefer the northern part of the lake near I-40.

It looks like there is public access parking in the Eufaula WMA areas in the Deep Fork and N. Canadian arms. Are these decent spots to walk in and find some fish?

---

Hi and welcome to the board. We're always glad to see another crappie fisherman. I'll try to respond to some of your questions.

First of all, I would not attempt to use a float tube in Lake Eufaula. Just too risky and if you do, stay very close to the banks at all times. Lake can go from calm waters to white caps within a matter of minutes.

There are lotsa fish caught along I-40 and you should focus your efforts around bridges and culberts. Look for large "rip-rap" because as we learned yesterday from Eufaula Boy, when you see large rocks above the water, there are large rocks beneath and they seem to make better areas for the crappie to have a place to duck into.

I do not fish in the northern part of the lake so I cannot give any advice about Deep Fork and N. Canadian areas.

Good luck to you.:)

well its been a while since ive posted anything but its good to be back chasin those slabs went out for the first time this year last fri kind of a rough start for me mostly drove around tryin to find some fish, ran my rig pretty much all day from bout 1:00 to bout 6:00 couldnt find any fish in less than 10 fow we caught em all in 10 to 14 ft bout 6 to 10 ft deep we only ended up with bout 30 keepers quit a few smaller fish we threw back. most every one we caught was on white and chrt 3" beavertails "water is very very dirty"
HEY EB SEND ME A MESSAGE NEED TO KNOW IF YOU EVER PULL CRANKBAITS ID LIKE TO LEARN HOW TO DO THAT. "THANX WILDMAN "

wHAT IS IT YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT PULLIN CRANKS I have done it several times buy lots of bandit 200 and 300s if you want to learn that is what most use

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RoKnRuiN

Hello everyone. I am new to the area and looking for some spring crappie fishing. A friend suggested Eufaula and after doing some internet research this seems to be one of the top lakes in the state.

I would like to do some fishing using a float tube but I am not sure which area to target or where to park. I do not have a boat. I would prefer the northern part of the lake near I-40.

It looks like there is public access parking in the Eufaula WMA areas in the Deep Fork and N. Canadian arms. Are these decent spots to walk in and find some fish?

---

You would be better off fishing from the bank, the lake is murky at best in some places and more like chocolate milk in alot of others. You won't be able to see anything below the water.

This time of year you would be better off going back into one of the creeks such as Gaines, or Gentry and walking the bank looking for gravel areas and dipping jigs in and around any brush you may find.

Maybe Lip Rippers will be along soon, he is well versed in this technique and may be able to assist further. Good luck!

Welcome to the board RKR, For sure Gentry Creek has lots of good shoreline access for dipping and wading, also Emerald Bay, and Elm Creek too. We cast cork/jig with a 7' rod to locate them and then break out the 9-6' rods and get in close...use 1/8-1/4oz. jigheads with 2" dark colored Beavertails in that muddy water and keep that jig SWIMMIN never stop it for very long. Remember your trying to provoke a reaction bite from the bedding males not in full spawn mode, not a bad idea to go with a RR head for added flash, if there's no fish in a 50yd. stretch of good lookin cover keep moving because the crappie are checking areas to bed early and wont hang around long unless their in FEED mode, concentrate on the 3pm. till dark as the peak time.

We fished yesterday from 10-5 and had 40 keepers. The fish seemed to be spread out all over the place, we would catch 2 or 3 here or there. We spider-rigged minnows in 10-20 of water fishing 8-10 feet deep. The water color was a little on the muddy side, and the temps were 51-53 degrees around Rock creek. The bigest fish we caught were susspended in 20 ft of water. The north wind really limited us to where we could fish. But the good news is that is a full moon and with some 80 degree temps coming so get ready for the first wave of spawning fish. I fished will ole "Slabman" Mike Reynolds for years and he use to say "when we start seeing those 50 degree nights the fish will really go to bank". Good fishing EB

Fished Rock Creek today for a couple hours. Caught a few suspended 7-8' in 10-20 fow. Water temp was 54-58 back in the creek.

Trying to post a picture of fish but have not got that figured out! Fished Eufala 25,26,27,28, caught 68, 78, 82, 10. Most all fish caught spider riggin thanks Crappie George for the great rods, and Eufaual boy for the technique!!!!!!!!!!! Minnows, and some jigs BLK/Char, and Red/Char tipped with minnows. 8-10' deep in 10-20 ft water. Rock Creek 25th, 26th, Gaines on 27th trying to hide form the wind! Gaines on 28th till 12 noon, North wind fish vanished on Sunday. Wishen I was there this week! Good fishing to all!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jerkey Log

Trying to post a picture of fish but have not got that figured out! Fished Eufala 25,26,27,28, caught 68, 78, 82, 10. Most all fish caught spider riggin thanks Crappie George for the great rods, and Eufaual boy for the technique!!!!!!!!!!! Minnows, and some jigs BLK/Char, and Red/Char tipped with minnows. 8-10' deep in 10-20 ft water. Rock Creek 25th, 26th, Gaines on 27th trying to hide from the wind! Gaines on 28th till 12 noon, North wind fish vanished on Sunday. Wishen I was there this week! Good fishing to all!!

---

These are some of the 82 from Saturday.
http://md17.embarq.synacor.com/servi...59230&part=2.2

linky no worky

Hello all, I am new to the board and always looking for places to catch some crappie. Plan on taking the wife out on Friday and trying to locate some good places where we can fish from the bank. I heard they were catching some fish at the dock at Arrowhead, is this a good place to fish? Is there a particular method to use? Any info is greatly appreciated.

We fished yesterday and today. Yesterday we caught over 250 fish and kept 87 over 10 inches. Today we caught over 100 and kept 28. All fish caught on jigs in 10-15 fow and fish were 8-10 feet deep. Best colors were electric chicken and blk/char. Yesterday was a great day on the water and today was brutal fighting the wind. The only difference we could tell was the wind, but the bite was way off today. We tried the shallow water because the water temps got in the low 60's, but didn't get a bite. The lake is still falling slowly and that may be the reason the fish aren't moving to the bank yet. Going to give Oologah a try tomorrow. Sorry no pics, I gave all the fish to my buddies.

Odie

Thanks for tha great report odie, sounds like alot of fun...

thanks odie....nice report....watch out for that wind!!!!

Thanks for responding, hoping to catch a few there Friday

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Breas

Fished Rock Creek today for a couple hours. Caught a few suspended 7-8' in 10-20 fow. Water temp was 54-58 back in the creek.

---

is there somewhere you can fish this area walking in and fishing from the bank?

I am catching big Crappie 2lbs plus wading and fly fishing. If anyone can tell me how to post pictures or imbed pictures into the message. I will post a copy of the fly and the fish I am catching. I am from Livingston, Montana and have developed a good fly fishing technique for Crappie.......?????

Caught one female 14” on an unwooly chartreuse yellow and pink Slide/Gagger fly tied on a #4 Mustad 3906.

I could never fly fish where I wade for crappie not enough room but I would be interested in hearing how you do this. Are you using this technique currently on Eufaula?

Rick _ I bet you buy flies from Dan Bailey's Fly Shop.

I did my fly tying apprenticeship about 30 years ago in Dan Baileys. However, I get my equipment and materials from John. I will elaborate on my technique later. Hitting the water this am. Want to post pictures.

We are thinking about going down to Eufaula Friday night. Is the wind still an issue? Being new to boating, I don't want to get in over my head....literally! Should we wait until next weekend for the water to get warmer? The wind might not stop until May...it is Oklahoma after all. :D

I missed the spawn every year since I didn't have a boat. This year I am not missing it. I hope. What area should I try? I need to get there early since it will probably take me at least 12 hours to back the boat up! I also worry about getting into an area with stumps and breaking the prop. I know to use the depth finder, but I am not good at understanding it yet.

So, wait until next weekend or try this weekend? Thanks!

Peke

Went out after work fished from 6-7:30 jigging a favorite small creek and mouth of the creek on the north end.Cleaned 11 crappie 10" - 12".All males and all caught in 18" - 24" of water. It is getting closer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rick Wall

I am catching big Crappie 2lbs plus wading and fly fishing. If anyone can tell me how to post pictures or imbed pictures into the message. I will post a copy of the fly and the fish I am catching. I am from Livingston, Montana and have developed a good fly fishing technique for Crappie.......?????

---

I was born in Bozeman Montana. What a state!!!

I would love to see your pictures especially of the fly... I haven't gone after crappie in a long time with a fly rod because I usually do better with a jig pole. I used to catch some on the fly rod but never really "tore em up"


Here is how to post pictures:

The main trick is to shrink your picture before you post it. You can go to this website to shrink the picture. Free Online Picture Resizer - Crop and Resize photos, images, or pictures online for FREE! If you shrink it by 75% you should be fine. Then go to the attachments on the post and attach the picture that was resized.

Make sure when you shrink the picture online you click the option to save the image to your PC. It will rename the picture with a name that starts with "rsz_"

So far, real early in the morning not so much wind. However, after 10:00 am it is ripping. May be better to wade and fish. Need to be an aggressive wader. I was around Gentry Creek a couple of weekends ago and guys were doodle socking with fly roods. The guys had chest waders, but would only get knee deep. You need to get out in the water – I am anywhere from belly button deep to chest deep and throwing the fly back towards the bank. It works better if you face the wind. You don’t need to shoot much line about 15’ or less. The wave action works the fly. If there is a crappie around, it won’t be long until they grab it. Sometimes, I give it a short strip if nothing happens right away. I am fishing with an indicator about 6” from the fly. I have been fishing coves south of Buggtussle. I am using chest waders with boots and spikes while wading and it gives me good traction. I would recommend Dan Baileys’ waders and better also the boots. I have been using one set of Baileys’ waders for about 5 years and I give them plenty of rough treatment. If you get a leak break out some Plybond Glue and give the spot a layered coating. You will have to ask the shop to install spikes if you use Dan Bailey’s boots. It is good equipment and cheaper than a boat. And if the wind blows too hard, just wad out of the water and head for the bar.

Set up

• 7 wt. rod
• 7 wt - weight forward floating line. I prefer SA line.
• 40 lb. butt section with a tapered leader about 5’ with a 32” 7 lb. tippet
• A large arbor manual reel with a good drag. Don’t use an automatic reel everyone seems to prefer in this area – you’ll get sand in it and it won’t work.
• I fish with an indicator (small bobber). Get the biggest indicator you can find – Bass Pro has some big ones
• The fly is yellow and chartreuse marabou tail with about 4 strands of yellow crystal flash thrown in. And the body is crystal flashy chenille a little pink with more chartreuse for the body. I am also using a tungsten bead head for weight. Remember - the bead head will have to fit over a #4 or #6 short shank hook. Haven’t seen this size bead head that will work at Bass Pro. I don’t think the color makes any difference, but I am using gold. The fly is basically a wooly bugger without palmering a feather around the body.

Another tip for the bigger crappie. I found out today that bigger crappie have a tough mouth believe it or not. All the crappie I caught this AM, were hooked in the roof of the mouth and I didn’t loose a one. Keep your hook real sharp – you’ll be dinging rocks and brush and the hook will get dull fast. I use a needle sharpener that saddle makers use for sharpening their sewing needles. Got mine in Wyoming.

Phone just rang - looks like I’m going to work. I may only make a few Crappie trips this year. With the bad economy, I need the work so I can head west this summer.

The fly fishing works real well. I tie may own flies and when I’m into the crappie and snag up. I just break the fly off and it doesn’t seem to spook the crappie. I had a boat crowding me close this am. When these guys fish from boat they catch several fish and the inevitable is going to happen. “Their going to snag up” and they move the boat into the pod of crappie to retrieve the expensive jig and the crappies are spooked away. If you tie your own flies – break it off and tie on another. You’re only loosing a dime.

Happy fly fishing for crappie. Hope this helped. Maybe I can attach a picture later.

Hi Rick; Wow that's a great report casting a woolybugger to crappie, sometimes the slow fall and rise when stripping a fly is deadly on crappie. I used to flyfish alot but got away from it. Where your talking about at Bugtussel is much easier to cast than some area's down south. Keep casting and maybe we will run onto you down there.