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Oklahoma trout opener set for
November 1
October 29, 2007 - The wait is almost over
for trout anglers growing anxious for the opening of seasonal
trout areas in several state waters.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
operates two year-round trout fisheries - at the Lower Mountain
Fork River (LMFR) and the Lower Illinois River - but in the six
other areas, including Lake Pawhuska , Robbers Cave , Blue River
, Lake Watonga , Quartz Mountain and Lake Carl Etling, the season
kicks off Nov. 1.
"Anglers should try to get out and do some
trout angling this year," said Paul Balkenbush, southeast
region fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife Department. "There's
a lot of people who may be missing out on a great new hobby in
trout fishing. You can bet that if you like to fish, you will
love fishing for trout."
Rainbow trout usually are stocked about every two
weeks at all eight of the state's trout areas during designated
trout seasons, while the Lower Illinois River and LMFR below
Broken Bow Dam also are occasionally stocked with brown trout.
"Trout are an introduced species to Oklahoma
, and they are stocked regularly at all eight trout areas. Anglers
can view the trout stocking schedules by visiting our web site
at wildlifedepartment.com," Balkenbush said. "While
you are there, check out all the other great information about
trout and trout angling that is provided."
The Wildlife Department's streams management team
works vigorously on projects to enhance trout habitat in certain
state waters. Recent trout habitat improvement projects have
included renovations at the Evening Hole portion of the LMFR
during summer 2006. At the same time, a new trout stream dubbed
"Lost Creek" was also created that is providing additional
trout fishing opportunities. The team is now setting their sights
on improving trout habitat within the Simp and Helen Watts Management
Unit portion of the lower Illinois River .
Habitat is not the only thing getting attention
at state trout fishing areas. This past summer, streams management
program staff and other Wildlife Department fisheries personnel
worked with engineers to complete installation of three bubble
plume diffusers near the dam of Broken Bow Reservoir.
Bubble plume diffusers are designed to pull up
the deep, cold water within reservoirs so it is more accessible
to intakes that supply water to tailrace fishing areas. In the
case of Broken Bow Lake, cold water is found at a lower elevation
than that of the intake structures at the dam, so when water
is released from the lake, the temperature of the LMFR becomes
warmer than that which is optimal for trout.
"The initial phase of bubble plume diffuser
testing has been completed, and analysis of the results is ongoing,"
Balkenbush said. "We hope the project will ultimately provide
long-term access to cold water for the trout fishery during warm
seasons."
Trout anglers must carry a resident or nonresident
fishing license and a fishing and hunting legacy permit, unless
exempt, while fishing. Additionally, a trout license is required
for all who fish in state-designated trout areas or in tributaries
of state-designated trout streams during trout season.
Trout angling tips as well as daily trout limits,
season dates and other trout fishing regulations for each area
are available on the Wildlife Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com
or in the current "Oklahoma Fishing Guide."
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