Guide To The Best Fishing Spots For Catfish In Oklahoma

All about fishing for flathead, blue and channel catfish in OK.

Major lakes with healthy populations of catfish include Broken Bow Reservoir, Fort Cobb Reservoir, Fort Gibson Lake, Foss Lake, Grand Lake of the Cherokees, Great Salt Plains Lake, Hugo Lake, Hulah Lake, Kaw Lake, Keystone Lake, Lake Altus-Lugert, Lake Carl Blackwell, Lake Ellsworth, Lake Eufaula, Lake Hudson, Lake Konawa, Lake Lawtonka, Lake Murray, Lake of the Arbuckles, Lake Overholser, Lake Texoma, Lake Thunderbird, Lake Wister, McGee Creek Reservoir, Oologah Lake, Pine Creek Lake, Robert S Kerr Reservoir, Sardis Lake, Skiatook Reservoir, Sooner Lake, Tenkiller Lake, Tom Steed Reservoir, Waurika Lake and Webber Falls Reservoir. You can find catfish in most rivers as well as many of the smaller lakes and ponds across Oklahoma.

Click the images and links above for species details.

What's the best bait for catfish in Oklahoma?

Choose from the top 5 all-time catfish baits and try them on local waters. Appealing to the keen sense of smell and taste could turn a so-so day into a memorable event.

OK State Record Catfish

The state record channel catfish was taken from Taft Lake.

The state record flathead catfish was caught from El Reno Lake.

The state record blue catfish was caught out of Lake Texoma.

Ken Wood caught these blue catfish off the Arkansas river, near Sallisaw.

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. Catfish are found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers throughout Oklahoma. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Additional catfishing information resources.

Catfish Conservation Group

U.S. Catfish Anglers Tournaments

Planet Catfish

Most catfish are considered bottom feeders to one extent or another. They will generally eat anything that can get in their mouth. Their strongest sense is smell which they use to locate potential food sources. Capitalizing on this sense is the primary weapon in your search for these creatures. Aggressive catfish have been caught on most types of fast moving bass lures so don't under estimate their ability to catch live bait.

Catfish Fishing Video

Information for states with catfish.