Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here bringing you the latest fishing scoop from Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma for August 31, 2025. It’s a perfect late-summer Sunday to hit the water—the weather started the morning mild at sunrise, right around 6:52 AM, with temps in the low 70s, a hint of cloud cover, and light NW breezes keeping things comfortable. The forecast calls for highs near the upper 80s with just a touch of humidity—ideal for early risers and those sticking around for the golden hour at sunset, which is expected about 7:51 PM. Water levels at Tenkiller are holding just under a foot above normal, pool elevation near 632.97 feet and stable outflows keeping the lake clear and the bite consistent, so conditions couldn't be much better for late August according to the US Army Corps lake update.

No tides to worry about here, just water flow and temperatures cycling with the day, and word from the docks is that predawn and late-evening fishing are both producing well. The past week’s reports are lighting up with activity: bass anglers are seeing great action, especially on the main lake points and creek mouths. Topwater lures like Zara Spooks and Whopper Ploppers created some real excitement in the morning chop, while plastics—Senko worms and shaky-head rigs in watermelon red—continue to coax bites from post-spawn largemouth and spotted bass. Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits are getting strikes just off the deeper rocky ledges and drop-offs. According to the Daily Tenkiller Fishing Report, fish are holding tight to brush and submerged timber, with crappie stacking up deep—brushpiles and docks between 15 and 25 feet holding consistent slabs, especially on chartreuse and black jigs tipped with live minnows. Catfish, meanwhile, are cruising those flats and creek channels, biting best on cut shad, chicken liver, and stink bait. Night anglers have bragged up stringers of channels and blues, with the occasional flathead landed near rock piles after sunset.

Recent counts from tournament weigh-ins and local marinas note bass bags topping 15–17 pounds in a single day, with Trey McKinney sitting in second place recently at 17 lbs 1 oz after adapting to changing water levels—he swears by working finesse plastics and downsizing presentations for finicky fish. Crappie catches are running solid, average keeper size holding around 10–12 inches. A few trophy drum and sunfish have been noted on incidental catches; Tenkiller even boasts record warmouth and freshwater drum according to LandBigFish’s Oklahoma records.

If you’re heading out today, focus your efforts on two local hot spots:
- **Chicken Creek Point** is firing early with topwater bites and stacks of active bass.
- **Cookson Bend’s brushy coves** are loaded with crappie and provide shelter when midday heat hits.

Don’t leave the dock without packing a variety:
- Topwater plugs and spinnerbaits for bassturns
- Chartreuse soft plastics for depth work
- Minnows and jigs for crappie
- Cut bait or chicken liver for night-time cat chasers

As always, live bait is excellent, but don’t sleep on plastics—the clear water and late-summer forage shifts really allow you to experiment with color and presentation. Keep an eye out for schooling baitfish; when you see them rippling the surface, swap over to shad imitations or swimbaits for a fast play.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake Tenkiller fishing report. If you’re headed out, tight lines and don’t forget your sunscreen! Remember to subscribe for daily updates and angler tips. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Tenkiller fishing report for Saturday, August 30, 2025. Let's get you set for a day on the water, Tenkiller style.

Right now, the lake is sitting just a half foot above normal—water levels are steady and clarity is good, with the latest reading showing the lake at 84 degrees and clear, perfect for late-summer angling. The Corps of Engineers reports a steady outflow of about 578 cubic feet per second, so currents are mild, and you won't find much in the way of debris. No worries about the flood pool either, which sits just a tad over 3% full—ideal for working those shallows and deeper ledges without worrying about dramatic changes in conditions.

There’s no tide to factor in here in Oklahoma, but your best bet for hitting peak activity is around sunrise, which is rolling in at 6:47 AM today, and sunset tonight will be at 8:02 PM. Early morning and last light are always money on Tenkiller, especially with this week’s high pressure and a nice stretch of sunny weather holding steady, keeping the bite predictable.

According to the most recent Oklahoma Department of Wildlife fishing report, largemouth bass are rated “good,” with steady action coming on main lake points, secondary points, and deeper brush—especially near the channel swings. Anglers have done well working topwater walkers and poppers right at sun-up, switching to Texas-rigged soft plastics and crankbaits as the sun climbs. The bite is most aggressive on green pumpkin and watermelon-red lures, with shad-pattern squarebills playing well during midday.

Smallmouth folks, don’t sleep on those rocky bluffs and mid-lake points around Cookson Bend and Standing Rock—some solid brown fish have come up on suspending jerkbaits and finesse jigs fished along drop-offs just as that sun starts warming the rocks.

Catfish action is also strong. Blue and channel cats are both rated “good,” with most of the numbers coming on cut shad and live bait set on drift rigs around the main lake flats and river channels. If you’re looking for a mess of eaters, W Cookson and the Snake Creek area have been reliable spots. You may also bump into a hefty flathead; a live sunfish under a slip float by structure will up your odds.

Crappie are a bit scattered but very much catchable, especially if you can locate brush piles in 12-18 feet of water. Black crappie have been hitting small jigs—chartreuse and monkey milk colors are working the best—along brush and submerged timber.

For other species, don't forget about the chance for a drum or the odd striped bass—locals have landed a few drum pushing double digits, particularly below the dam on large jigs.

As for hot spots, I’d start the day at Chicken Creek early, targeting bass hitting bait on the flats. By mid-morning, make a move to the bluff points near Standing Rock or Eagle Bluff for a mix of bass and the shot at some big smallmouth. Snake Creek is a safe bet for a mess of catfish and the occasional slab crappie, with heavy timber and deeper holes that always seem to hold fish.

So, to recap: early topwater for largemouth, then soft plastics and squarebills as the day warms. Fish deeper bluffs and rocky points for smallmouth. For catfish, drift cut bait around main channel edges. Crappie are best found on brush piles with bright jigs.

That’s your Lake Tenkiller report—thanks for tuning in, folks! Don’t forget to subscribe for more tips and updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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It’s Artificial Lure coming to you from the banks of Lake Tenkiller on this Friday, August 29th, 2025, with your daily fishing report for Tenkiller and the surrounding waters in northeast Oklahoma.

Sunrise hit at 6:47 AM, and you can look for sunset around 7:58 PM tonight. Weather-wise, it’s another electric late August day—expect clear skies this morning, temps soaring to the upper 80s by midafternoon, and light breezes out of the southwest to keep it from feeling completely oven-like. No tidal influence out here, so you’re free from chasing lunar charts.

According to the most recent ODWC report, Lake Tenkiller’s elevation is hovering right around 632.5 feet, just a tick above normal, and the water remains nice and stable. Surface temps are running in the mid-80s, sitting right on 86 to 87°F, with a light stain to the water that gives you some clarity but enough cover for those bass to stay up shallow without feeling spooked.

The bass bite’s been steady. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass are all showing out, especially near brush structure, rocky points, channel swings, and the edges of weed beds. Most recent action's been using crankbaits, topwater lures, tube jigs, and your tried-and-true plastic worms. Early in the morning and into the evening, you can’t go wrong with a buzzbait or shallow-running crank—chartreuse or shad patterns have been hot. As the sun climbs, switch to soft plastics, like a Texas-rigged creature bait in green pumpkin or black/blue, and work the deeper brush or ledges.

Crappie anglers haven’t been left out either. Reports show crappie—both black and white—hitting well on minnows and small jigs, especially around standing timber and deep brush piles, with best success staged at 10-15 feet down. Docks and the dam area are also producing if you’re patient.

Catfishing’s been above average, thanks to that steady water and warm temps. Blue, channel, and flathead cats are all grabbing cut bait, live shad, sunfish, and even the occasional goldfish near the dam, main-lake channels, and rocky banks—especially below the dam if you’re looking for fast action. For channels, try chicken liver or commercial stinkbait in the late afternoon.

For those chasing hybrids and white bass, live shad remains king, but hair jigs and topwater spooks have also seen early-morning success, especially below the dam or along mid-lake points when the bait’s pushed shallow.

A few hot spots worth your attention today: Sizemore Cove off Sugar Mountain has been seeing a mix of spotted and largemouth action, especially on spinnerbaits and flukes; mid-lake rocky points between Cookson Bend and Standing Rock have consistently produced quality bass, especially working crankbaits parallel to the shore at first light; and for catfish, target the deeper bends off the mouth of the Illinois River or right below the dam for some real rod-benders.

Gear tip: Stay versatile—have a topwater, a crank, and a shaky head ready. Water clarity changes fast, and that’s the ticket for adapting on the run. Keep your bait lively if you're after cats or hybrids, as the bite slacks by midday heat.

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Lake Tenkiller put on a classic Oklahoma late-summer show today, with the water level steady at about 632.5 feet above sea level, just a hair above normal according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Water temps are holding around 87°F and stained, but with clear mornings and hot afternoons, the bite's been pretty pattern-driven. Sunrise came at 6:49 AM, sunset’s set for 7:55 PM, so you’ve got some solid daylight on the water.

Weather’s been hot and humid, but breezes have picked up in the afternoon, giving a little relief and stirring the surface. No big storms, just that late August haze and the cicadas keeping things noisy in the trees.

According to yesterday’s Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation report, largemouth bass fishing is fair, with most of the action early and late. Folks are catching them on crankbaits and soft plastics worked around docks and timber edges. Working a crankbait parallel to the bluff banks up near Pettit Bay has been the ticket for a handful of locals, especially in the first hour after sunrise. Bassmaster News is highlighting some local tournament activity, too, as the Kayak Series rolls through—expect these spots to get some pressure.

White bass and hybrids have been busting shad schools in the main lake, especially between Snake Creek and Carter’s Landing. Topwaters like Zara Spooks or Whopper Ploppers tossed into the boils are drawing some violent strikes. Anglers trolling deep-diving crankbaits have picked off plenty of sandies just off the river channel bends. You can find some bonus walleye near the lower end humps using live nightcrawlers or leeches fished on a bottom bouncer, especially toward dusk.

Catfish have been fair to good on cut shad and prepared dough baits. Look for them in 10–20 feet of water around drop-offs and main creek mouth flats. The bite slows up during the day, but sets back in well after sunset.

Best bait right now for largemouths seems to be a 7-inch green pumpkin worm Texas-rigged, especially pitched into shady pockets and dock stalls. For numbers, crankbaits in chartreuse or shad colors are solid. If you’re after panfish, small jigs and red worms are catching plenty along rocky bluffs and brush piles—you’ll find bluegill and crappie stacked up, but most are running on the smaller side.

In terms of productive spots, the mouth of Sizemore Cove (right by Sugar Mountain) is holding mixed schools of white bass and crappie by midday. Barnacle Bills Marina area is pumping out a mix of species, especially if you can sneak in on a weekday when the boat traffic’s down. Pettit Bay, Snake Creek, and the bluffs opposite Burnt Cabin are my picks for targeting largemouth and spotted bass in the morning and again right before last light.

Lake levels are holding steady thanks to controlled releases, keeping currents light and the fishing spread out. No tidal reports as Tenkiller’s landlocked, but barometric pressure’s been pretty stable, which has kept conditions consistent.

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma, fishing report for Sunday, August 24, 2025. Summer’s hold is still strong this weekend: dawn brought calm air and water temps hovering near the low 80s, with the lake just a hair above normal pool elevation according to the Corps of Engineers. We’ll see a high pushing the upper 90s by late afternoon, a gentle southerly wind, and skies mostly sunny, but with those classic Oklahoma clouds drifting through as the heat builds.

Sunrise hit at 6:45 a.m. and sunset will be at 8:10 tonight—plenty of daylight to chase your next personal best.

No tides to worry about here on Tenkiller, but water clarity remains excellent and the pool level is just about 1 foot above normal. Flows out of the dam are moderate, helping keep points and creek mouths stirred up with a gentle current—not enough to spook the bite, but enough to stack fish up near cover.

Fish activity is solid. Bass fishing has been the main draw, especially largemouth and spotted bass. The early morning bite is hot right now—folks are scoring with topwater plugs and poppers close to the bank and over submerged rock. As the sun rises, work deeper with Texas-rigged soft plastics, green pumpkin or watermelon red, and try a drop shot in 15–20 feet off main lake points. Spinnerbaits with a hint of white and chartreuse are moving some nice secondary point fish, especially where the shad are schooling, so keep your eyes peeled for surface busts.

Crappie have been found suspended over brush piles in 18–25 feet of water. Local anglers are hooking up with small jigs—monkey milk and chartreuse stand out. Slip bobber rigs tipped with a minnow are also steady producers. The bigger fish are holding tight to cover, so precision is key.

Catfish are active along channel edges and flats, especially early and late. Fresh cut shad or chicken liver is working for those drift fishing. Blue cats and channels have made up the bulk of the stringers, with some flats thrown in. Fish in the 5–10 lb. range are typical right now, but don’t be surprised if a larger one takes your bait—August always seems to bring a big bite or two right before dark.

Word around the marinas is that several anglers this week pulled in respectable limits of both spotted and largemouth bass—up to four pounds on the main lake and a five caught up the upper Illinois arm. Crappie catches are mixed but steady, and the evenings have seen an uptick in night-fishing success under dock lights.

Locals recommend the following hot spots:
- **Chicken Creek**: Bass are stacking on the grass edges early, then moving deeper after 9 a.m.
- **Standing Rock area**: Crappie holding tight on brush piles in 20 feet.
- **Pine Cove and Snake Creek**: Good mixed bag action—try working the boat docks and rocky shorelines with finesse jigs for everything from spotted bass to bluegill.

As for gear, spool up with 8–12 lb. line for bass, and drop down if you’re targeting crappie with light jigs. A moss-green braided line, like the Power Pro or P-Line, helps keep things stealthy in clear water. Don’t forget sunscreen and plenty of water, as today’s heat index will creep past 100 by early afternoon.

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Good morning—Artificial Lure reporting in with your Lake Tenkiller fishing update for Saturday, August 23rd, 2025.

Surface temps are holding steady in the low 80s after a muggy, calm night. Today’s weather is classic late-summer Oklahoma: expect partly cloudy skies, a touch of southern breeze, and high humidity driving the real-feel up toward the upper 80s by this afternoon. Sunrise hit at 6:41 a.m., and you’ll get daylight until just shy of 8:11 p.m.—plenty of time on the water to chase ‘em down. There’s next to no tidal action in these parts, so fish patterns will follow sunlight and water temperature more than anything.

The lake level sits just under a foot above normal at about 633 feet, according to the Tulsa District Water Control. Flows out of the dam remain in the moderate range at 585 cubic feet per second and water clarity is classic Tenkiller—clear to slightly stained in the main lake, with a little more color in the creeks after recent pop-up showers.

The “Lake Tenkiller Oklahoma Daily Fishing Report” posted yesterday spots solid activity across all the usual suspects. Largemouth bass are schooling up on main lake points and secondary drops—several reported in the 2 to 4 pound range, with the odd kicker going up to five. Anglers are having the best luck early with white spinnerbaits and buzzbaits along chunk rock and flooded brush, then switching to soft plastics and green pumpkin jigs once the sun breaks through.

Smallmouth are active along bluff walls and gravel banks from Chicken Creek down toward Carter’s Landing. Ned rigs and shaky heads in more natural colors are fooling them, especially when worked slow over rock. Crappie action’s fair but picking up daily in the mid-lake brush piles, holding at 10 to 15 feet—live minnows and small Bobby Garland slab slayers in blue ice or monkey milk are the go-to.

Blue catfish have been reported up to 15 pounds, most coming off deep ledges on cut shad or chicken livers. Nighttime bank anglers working the flats near Snake Creek also picked off several good channel cats on punch bait.

Sunfish are thick along docks and shallow cover, prime for kiddos and new anglers using worms or crickets.

Bassmaster’s Elite Series is previewing a tournament this week, so expect a lot of pressure in the southern half of the lake and along the southwest arm. For a little breathing room, I’d hit the mouth of Standing Rock Creek and the mid-lake humps near Burnt Cabin—both kicked out quality mixed bags this week.

Best artificial lures today:
- White or chartreuse spinnerbaits before 9 a.m.
- 4-inch green pumpkin or watermelon soft plastics
- Medium-diving crankbaits in shad patterns
- For crappie, mini jigs in “lights-out” or “monkey milk” colors
- For catfish, fresh cut bait is hard to beat

If live bait’s your staple, local shops are restocked with shad, minnows, and nightcrawlers.

For a shot at trophy spotted bass, try finesse rigs on rocky points from Chicken Creek down to Blackgum. Don’t overlook the deeper stumps in Pine Cove for that surprise flathead cat after dusk.

The nearby Illinois River, just east of the lake, always provides an extra option if you want to chase sandies or try for walleye—early mornings there have produced some chunky smallmouth and even an occasional rainbow.

That’s the full scoop for today from beautiful Lake Tenkiller. Thanks for tuning in, and if you find this report helpful, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a hot bite.

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Good morning fellow anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Tenkiller fishing report for Friday, August 22, 2025. Let’s get right into what’s happening on and around our favorite deep, clear waters up in Cherokee County.

Weather’s warm and humid this week—expect daytime highs in the upper 80s pushing 90, and those August mornings are sticky with light south winds. The sunrise came up at 6:44 AM and sunset will settle in at 8:06 PM, giving plenty of daylight for making the most of it on the water. We saw some patchy fog at dawn, so boaters, keep those eyes peeled early.

Lake level today sits just under a foot above normal, at 632.97 feet elevation, according to the Tulsa District Water Control’s latest update. That extra water has the shallows a tad fuller than usual for late August. They’re releasing about 585 cubic feet per second down at the dam, so lake current isn’t strong but you’ll find a bit more flow than dead summer slack. Surface temps are in that bathwater zone—high 70s at sunrise, warming to low 80s by mid-afternoon.

There’s no tidal flow on inland lakes like Tenkiller, but the moon phase is waxing, rolling toward full, and that’s got a few night fishermen chasing cats and sand bass with some success.

Bass fishing’s still the main ticket. Reports from last weekend’s events say most folks went “old school”—meaning don’t overlook Texas-rigged worms, creature baits, and soft plastics on deep brush piles and standing timber. Some bigger largemouth and smallmouth have been caught on football jigs and Carolina-rigged Senkos around main lake points and humps. In fact, Kristine Fischer just previewed the Elite bite noting that downsizing finesse baits is paying off when the sun gets high and fish tuck tighter to cover.

Even with summer slowdown, anglers are bagging some fat spots and an occasional kicker smallmouth in the lower lake on rocky banks. The north end by Blackgum Landing and the coves east of Snake Creek are both producing in the early a.m.—topwaters like Spooks and walking baits are working in low light, then shift to shad-colored crankbaits and shaky heads as that sun climbs.

Crappie remain hit or miss. If you’re after slabs, focus on brush piles in 12–18 feet with live minnows or Bobby Garland jigs in monkey milk or blue ice. Heard several limits came out just south of Burnt Cabin Marina at first light.

Catfish are biting fair to good right now, mostly blues and channels on cut shad, chicken livers, or stinkbait. Drift just off main channel ledges in 20–30 feet—especially at the mouth of Petit Bay or up near Vian Creek for steady action.

Stripers and sand bass are making sporadic runs early and late. Keep an eye out for surface chasers in the mid-lake basin, and have a white rooster tail or Lil’ George ready for surfacing schools.

Now for those hotspot suggestions: If you’ve only got a few hours, hit Chicken Creek’s outer points at dawn for bass action. For crappie or cats, try trolling around the standing timber just north of Barnacle Bill’s. Don’t forget the Snake Creek bridge riprap after sunset for both sand bass and bonus walleye.

Best baits right now: shad-pattern squarebills, green pumpkin plastics, live minnows, and cut shad. Topwater frogs and walking baits at first light, especially up in the flooded brush or grassy humps.

That’s your Lake Tenkiller fishing rundown for today. Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure—be sure to subscribe so you never miss the next report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Artificial Lure here, coming to you with your fresh Lake Tenkiller fishing report for Wednesday, August 20th, 2025.

We're kicking off the morning with lake levels a hair above normal—pool elevation is sitting at 632.97 feet, and the reservoir has a steady release of 585 cubic feet per second. The flood pool remains low with only 1.54% full. Water clarity is good and plenty typical for late summer. It’s been muggy around the region with highs inching toward the low 90s and dew points sticking near 70°F, so plan on a humid fishing trip. No tidal activity to report, as is usual for Tenkiller.

Sunrise brightened the water at 6:33 AM this morning, with sunset to come around 8:06 PM. The extended daylight means plenty of fishing time, and with surface temps rising, expect feeding windows early and late in the day.

The bite has been classic August: largemouth bass are holding tight to shallow structure during the low-light hours. According to recent regional tournament updates, crankbaits bounced off rocks and a big Texas rigged worm have brought in solid limits. Anglers also report the buzz bait and walking baits like the Sexy Dawg are working when fished over submerged cover in early morning. The water’s a little off-color, so noise and vibration are your friend—switching to chatterbaits and jigs with rattles can provoke those ambush strikes. Topwater action slows by midday, so dig deeper with jigs or shaky-head rigs as the sun climbs.

White bass are schooled up near the river channel bends; vertical slab spoons and small swimbaits have been effective when the schools bust shad on the surface. Catfish—mostly channel and some blue—are hitting cut shad and stink baits off deep ledges near Snake Creek and Petit Bay, with nighttime anglers reporting steady action.

Crappie catches remain decent, though they’ve moved out to brush piles in 15-20 feet of water. Best approach has been using a live minnow under a slip bobber or slowly trolling small curly tail grubs. Panfish, especially sunfish, are still active around docks and shaded shallows; worms and mealworms get quick bites.

Recent outings have seen stringers with several keeper largemouths (2 to 5 pounds), regular limits of white bass, and a handful of chunky catfish in the 8-12 pound range. No record-breakers this week, but the action has been consistent, especially at first and last light.

For hot spots, you can’t go wrong with the coves near Cookson Bend—in particular, the channel edge and boat slips have held good numbers all week. Another local favorite is the mouth of Caney Creek, where submerged timber and creek inflows are drawing feeding bass and panfish.

When gearing up, select crankbaits that dig the rocks and make a racket, black and blue or green pumpkin jigs, and if bait fishing, nothing beats fresh cut shad or nightcrawlers. In muddy stretches after a rain, switch to chartreuse or white for extra pop.

That’s your Lake Tenkiller report—stay hydrated out there today, work the early and late bite, and don’t be afraid to mix it up if conditions shift on you. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for the latest fishing news and updates.

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Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma fishing report for Sunday, August 17, 2025. Sunrise hit at 6:37 this morning, and sunset will be about 8:18 tonight—plenty of daylight to chase your limit. Tides aren’t a factor here, but water levels matter and Tenkiller is hovering just under a foot above normal, with steady releases keeping the lake clear and stable, per the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

A muggy August morning gave way to calm conditions, with barely a breeze and temps set to climb into the low 90s by late afternoon—classic summer pattern, so think early and late for best results.

The bite’s been steady, especially in the cool dawn and that golden hour before dark. The Lake Tenkiller Daily Fishing Report notes that bass are working the flooded shoreline grass and shallow brush in the mornings and evenings. Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits have been the key for active largemouth and spotted bass, while plastic worms and creature baits on Texas rigs are cleaning up when the sun’s high and fish slide deeper. If you're a power fisherman, cover water with reaction baits early, then slow down with soft plastics as the day heats up.

Crappie are fair, but still scattered out deep. Anglers are picking up a few tight to standing timber and deeper brush piles, mostly over 18–25 feet. Small jigs in natural colors or live minnows are your best bet for these shy biters, especially in the mid-lake area. Reports from yesterday mentioned the occasional slab crappie, but you’ve got to move around to stay on them.

Catfishing's another solid bet—blues and channels have been showing up around river channels and above the dam. Cut shad or punch bait are getting the most attention. Nighttime brings out the big boys; anchor up on the edge of a flat near deep water to intercept those roaming cats.

If you’re after a mixed bag, white bass are busting shad on main lake points in the evenings. A small chrome spoon or inline spinner can fool them when you see the surface action heat up.

As usual, plastics, spinnerbaits, and jigs dominate for bass, with colors like watermelon, green pumpkin, and black-and-blue hard to beat in Tenkiller’s clear water. Early bites go to brighter buzzbaits, white or chartreuse, while natural finesse baits will get bit as the sun climbs. For crappie, stick with Bobby Garland or similar style jigs in blue ice or monkey milk, and don’t be shy about switching to live bait if the bite's soft.

Hot spot picks for today: Snake Creek Cove is turning out reliable bass action, particularly near grassy banks. The area around Chicken Creek is also worth your time, especially for crappie and bonus catfish. The Dam and Burnt Cabin flats are late-evening white bass magnets.

Recent catches have included solid three- to four-pound largemouth, good numbers of eater-size catfish, and some fair bags of crappie—most everybody’s getting at least a few fish for the fryer. While paddlefish action is slow this time of year, there are always a few trophies out deep for patient snaggers, according to the latest state record updates at LandBigFish.

Whether you’re in a boat or working the bank, get out early for a topwater bite, shift to soft plastics as the sun rises, and don’t overlook live bait for those picky crappie or hungry channel cats.

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake Tenkiller fishing report for August 16, 2025. Sunrise this morning came at 6:34 AM, and you’ll have daylight chasing fish until sunset at 8:14 PM. Weather across the Tenkiller area is classic August: expect a light breeze, mostly sunny skies, and temperatures pushing toward the upper 80s by afternoon. Water level is just a hair above normal, with the lake sitting near 633 feet according to the Tulsa District Water Control. Reservoir release stays low at about 585 cubic feet per second, keeping things steady on main points and coves.

Lake Tenkiller doesn’t see tidal swings, so focus your efforts on weather and light changes. Early morning and twilight periods are hot right now as summer fish push shallower to feed.

Fishing’s been lively across the board. Reports from the Lake Tenkiller Oklahoma Daily Fishing Report say main lake points, rocky bluffs, and channel swing banks are loaded with active smallmouth and largemouth. Last week’s Bassmaster Elite event proved these fish are eager—winners were hauling in solid 3- to 5-pounders, with several anglers reporting more than 20 keeper bass a day. Topwater action is still popping right at dawn—try a bone-colored walking bait or classic Whopper Plopper. Once the sun hits, switch to shaky head worms in green pumpkin or a brown-and-orange jig pitched into shade along the bluffs and brush piles.

White bass have been schooling up mid-lake and around mouth of coves most evenings. Look for surface busts after 7 PM and toss chrome slab spoons or small swim baits right into the fray—limit catches have been common with plenty of keepers in the mix.

Crappie are a little deeper now, holding over brush in 18 to 25 feet. Locals working submerged timber with hair jigs or live minnows are putting together nice stringers in the 10- to 12-inch range. If you’re after a slab, target piles near Chicken Creek and Snake Creek.

Catfish fans are scoring near the river channel and below the dam, especially at night. Cut shad and stinkbait are reliable, with flatheads and blues biting best where there’s a bit of current. You’ll also spot some big channel cats mixed in. For trophy seekers, the deeper holes on the south end are still the ticket—bring stout gear.

You might even come across an alligator gar down in slower water stretches, especially closer to river arms. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reminds anglers that harvest is limited for these giants, and any catch must be reported.

Hot spots this week: the rocky drop-offs on the west side, around standing timber at Standing Rock, and the mouth of Caney Creek—especially for midday bass and surfacing whites. Don’t sleep on the Lower Illinois River below the dam either; Marval Resort notes excellent trout action there, and many spillover bass and catfish are moving into the cool water when the temps rise.

Best bait this week:
- Topwaters and spinnerbaits early for bass
- Shaky head worms and jigs midday
- Minnows over structure for crappie
- Cut shad, chicken liver, or punch bait for cats

That’s today’s scoop from Lake Tenkiller. Thanks for tuning in—subscribe to keep these reports coming straight to your dock. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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