Guide To Walleye Fishing In Oklahoma

Walleye, Sauger & Saugeye

Oklahoma provides excellent opportunities for walleye fishing, as well as the closely related sauger and saugeye species. Walleye, known for their delicious taste and challenging nature, are highly sought-after by anglers. Additionally, sauger and saugeye offer exciting alternatives for those looking to catch these prized game fish.

Many lakes and rivers in Oklahoma are home to healthy populations of walleye, making them prime locations for anglers. Lakes such as Lake Texoma, Kaw Lake, and Fort Gibson Lake are known for their walleye fisheries. These lakes offer favorable conditions for walleye, with deep, clear waters and ample forage. Anglers often employ trolling techniques or use live bait such as minnows or nightcrawlers to entice these elusive fish.

Sauger, a close cousin of walleye, are also found in Oklahoma's lakes and rivers. They have similar feeding habits and preferred habitats, often coexisting with walleye. Sauger are known for their aggressive strikes and hard fights, providing an exciting challenge for anglers. The Arkansas River and the lower Illinois River are popular spots for sauger fishing in Oklahoma, particularly during the colder months when these fish are more active.

Saugeye, a hybrid species resulting from the crossbreeding of walleye and sauger, are also prevalent in Oklahoma's waters. These hybrids exhibit traits of both parent species, combining the hardiness and fast growth of sauger with the aggressive nature and larger size potential of walleye. Lakes such as Sooner Lake, Thunderbird Lake, and Waurika Lake are known for their saugeye populations. Anglers often target saugeye using similar techniques and baits as walleye and sauger, such as jigging with soft plastic lures or casting crankbaits.

Oklahoma's Wildlife Department keeps records of notable catches, including state records for various fish species. The state record for walleye is over 12 pounds. The state record for sauger is over 5 pounds.The state record for saugeye is over 10 pounds.

Whether you're targeting walleye, sauger, or saugeye, Oklahoma's lakes and rivers offer a wealth of opportunities for anglers seeking these prized game fish. Understanding their habits, using appropriate fishing techniques, and adhering to fishing regulations ensure an enjoyable and sustainable fishing experience. So grab your fishing gear, explore the walleye hotspots in Oklahoma, and get ready for an exciting adventure on the water.

Walleye Fishing Lakes in Oklahoma

Walleye make their home in major Oklahoma lakes including Broken Bow Reservoir, Canton Lake, Fort Gibson Reservoir, Foss Lake, Grand Lake of the Cherokees, Great Salt Plains Lake, Kaw Lake, Keystone Lake, Lake Altus-Lugert, Lake Carl Blackwell, Lake Ellsworth, Lake Eufaula, Lake Hefner, Lake Lawtonka, Lake Murray, Lake Stanley Draper, Oologah Lake, Pine Creek Lake, Robert S Kerr Reservoir, Sardis Lake, Skiatook Reservoir, Sooner Lake, Tom Steed Reservoir, Waurika Lake and Webber Falls Reservoir. You may also find occasional walleye in the rivers feeding these lakes.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Top lures for walleye in Oklahoma

Jigs with a variety of trailers and bait work well in virtually any depth water. When walleyes are shallow, spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and rip baits are the often very productive. As they move deeper, spoons are ideal for active walleye. Understanding the seasonal movements of walleyes improves your odds of selecting the right lures for conditions on local waters.

The state record walleye was caught from Robert S Kerr.

The state record sauger came from Robert S Kerr.

The state record saugeye was caught in Fort Cobb Lake.

Fishing For Walleye

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Trolling for walleye with deep diving crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinners and live bait provides a way to cover vast areas and locate concentrations of fish. Use of planer boards allows anglers to cover water out both sides of the boat while trolling. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

Fishing For Sauger

Closely related to the walleye and similar in appearance, sauger are generally smaller than walleye, reaching 4 to 5 pounds (or more) and up to about 20 inches. Often found in muddier rivers, it thrives in larger, silty lakes. They spawn in the shallows at night, without creating or guarding specific nests.

Fishing For Saugeye

This hybrid is created by mating sauger with walleye. The walleye influence allows the hybrids to grow larger than sauger, often to sizes equaling walleye. Saugeye tend to survive best in turbid/silty water and are caught in the same general areas and habitat populated by walleye and sauger.

Walleye prefer moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in warmer impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting filets. Click here to learn all about walleye fishing.

Oklahoma walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

Watch this video for walleye tips and tactics.

Walleye Resources

In-Fisherman - Walleye
U.S. Fish & Wildlife - Walleye
The National Wildlife Federation - Walleye

Also find information about walleye, sauger or saugeye fishing in these states.