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I'd like to try my hand at catching 'keeper' sunfish (ie; bluegill, shellcrackers, pumpkinseeds, etc).
What lakes would you suggest and what methods work best for you?
Right now on my list of "wanna fish lakes" I have Bixoma and Pawhuska. Haven't fished either one but if I can break away from Crappie fishing long enough, I'd like to give 'em a try.
I'd recommend Bixhoma and fish the grass. Same thing with Eucha, big gills in the grass. I used night crawlers but I here crickets are better.
Good luck.
I cannot speak about Pawhuska. I would give a 2 thumbs up on Bixhoma. I raise red wigglers which are great for redears and bluegills. I have used crickets for 30+ years and my experience is that crickets work better on bluegills than worms. I think partly because when fishing post cold front conditions the bluegills can suck a worm off the hook and you may not realize what happened. The fish crunch the bugs which sends a strong bite signal therefore I can pick up the bite. This weekend should be d-y-n-m-i-t-e for bream as they should be on the bed.
Bixhoma is #1 on my list but I hear from the locals that Onapa lake is hard to beat too. I just order a 500 count carton of Waxworms, rig them on a 1/64oz. jighead {prevents swallowing} make sure to set the worms in a cooler as they will last all day. If you have some leftover store in the icebox.
I just got a canoe so I'm looking to hit up Bixhoma in the coming weekends. I did just discover that you need to buy a city boating and fishing permit to use the lake though. I found that info on a Kayaking website and the pictures they had of the lake were really nice. Should be a nice place to get some fishing in when I don't have time to drive out to a larger lake this summer.
They do have some rather stingy limits on their fish in that lake though...
Catfish - Leave 10 inches and under - Limit 5 per day
Bass - Leave 13 to 23 inches - Limit 5 per day
Crappie - Leave 10 inches and under - Limit 5 per day
Here's a website link with the info on the lake and where to purchase permits (City Hall or Police Station):
You can also get a permit at Leonard gas station which is right at the entrance to Bixhoma off the highway. They also sell bait there too. It makes it alot more convenient then going to city hall.
Oh that's good info, thanks for the heads up!
Mr. Thug, thanks for that tip!
Has anyone fished Claremore lake for sunfish?
Too many lakes, so little time...:)
@ LR,
Where's Onapa lake?
Onapah is South of Checotah and North of Eufaula on W/S of Hwy 69.
Claremore Lake is okay for Sunfish, about just like any other lake. But its not known for big sunfish like the other lakes mentioned above You cant catch as many large ones there like you would as those other lakes. I take my kids there to fish sometimes because its so close to Catoosa, you have to catch alot of dinks before you catch a decent sized.
Anyone ever hit up Prettywater lake in Sapulpa for the Panfish/Catfish season? They stock it twice a month. I took my daughter and fished off one of the little docks and caught a few nice sized ones on some shrimp and Gulp Alive! waxies. They are professional bait stealers though... I don't know what sizes they stock through the summer but I'm thinking there are probably some nice ones in there.
Eucha hands down