Fishing Grand Lake
AKA: Grand Lake of the Cherokees
Popular Fish Species Grand Lake, OK
Largemouth Bass Fishing
As a long-standing, top bass fishing lake for locals and national bass tournaments alike, Grand Lake continues to deliver great catches of largemouth bass. Results by locals, and many bass fishing tournaments, attest that fishing for largemouth bass has been as good as advertised. A significant number of large bass also roam these waters for the added bonus of a potential lunker. Thorough fisheries management by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has maintained a quality bass fishery for some time now. Generally speaking, when the bite is good bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive. Any time you find them shallow and they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Grand Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Fishing for largemouth bass is good here is year round. Spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.
White Bass Fishing
After numerous, successful spawn years, white bass are flourishing in Grand Lake and anglers should expect some great fishing this year. White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.
Crappie Fishing
Black and white crappie both reside in Grand Lake, with black crappie typically out-weighing white crappie. March and April are a good time to catch crappie here, close to the bank. Other times look for them in the 15 to 55-foot range around brush or any type of cover. Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.
Grand Lake Fishing Video
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, green sunfish, redear sunfish, white bass, hybrid striped bass and paddlefish at Grand Lake of the Cherokees in Oklahoma.
To local anglers, the term "grand" is as much descriptive of the fishing as it is the name of Grand Lake. Giant schools of big crappie, monster catfish and exception bass fishing are the draw to weekend anglers and tournament fishermen alike. And, there is plenty of water to fish in this 46,000-acre lake, located in the northeast corner of the state, at Grove, OK.
Whether you enjoy fishing from the bank or prefer to fish from a boat, there are 460 miles of shoreline to explore. Bluegill, white bass, hybrid stripers, paddlefish and bream are also abundant with excellent catches reported often. At many of the public use areas there is access for bank fishing and launching of small boats, kayaks and canoes. Brush and laydowns provide cover for bass and crappie in some upper regions of the lake, however boat docks are favorite targets for many anglers anytime the fish are shallow. In winter and the warmest months of summer may drive the bulk of the bait and fish to deeper, cooler water where they suspend or hold on structure such as ledges, islands, humps and creek channels.
Primary fish species residing in Grand Lake
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Grand Lake of the Cherokees Amenities
Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Click here for fishing boat rentals.
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Bernice Area Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, at Grand Lake State Park, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.
Cherokee State Park Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, south side, off Highway 28, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.
E310 Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the southeast side of the lake, off E310 Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with limited, paved parking.
Hammerhead Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, west side, off E 350 Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.
Honey Creek State Park Ramp
Located mid lake, on the southeast side of the lake, off State Park Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.
Patricia Island Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Lake Breeze Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.
Red Arrow Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off S 4540 Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.
Wolf Creek Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off 16th Street, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Marinas
Click here for marinas.
Fishing License
Click here for a Oklahoma Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Grand Lake RV Resort Campground - 918 782-2920
Two Mom's Campground - 316 259-1050
Waters Edge RV Park - 918 782-1444
Spring River Canoe Trails Campground - 918 540-2545
Wildwood Cove Resort Campground - 918 435-4054
Pine Island RV Resort - 918 786-9071
Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake RV Park - 918 786-9447
Walnut Cove Resort Campground - 918 786-2105
Cedar Oaks RV Park - 918 786-4303
Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Clearwater Bay Marina
1614 County Road 371
Eucha, OK 74342
918 435-5101
Fishing lakes in each state.
081825
Grand Lake in Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA
Information about fishing lakes in Oklahoma
Grand Lake of the Cherokees offers excellent crappie, bass and catfish fishing, plus quality bluegill, white bass, hybrid stripers, paddlefish and bream fishing in the northeast corner of Oklahoma.
