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TROUT Two trout species, Rainbow and Brown can be fished in Oklahoma. Year-a-round trout fishing is available on the Lower Illinois River from Tenkiller Dam to Highway 64 bridge near Gore and on the Lower Mountain Fork River and its tributaries from Broken Bow Dam downstream to U.S. Highway 70 bridge. Trout can also be caught in the following designated Trout areas: Quartz Mountain
Lake Watonga
Lake Etling Blue River
State fishing regulations list the seasons and rules for these areas. Make certain you understand state regulations before planning an outing.
Oklahoma Record - 9 Lbs. 10.5 Oz.. Oklahoma's Brown or German Brown trout, originally native to Europe, are stocked in the Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow Lake by the ODWC. The brown trout designated area is from the Old Park dam downstream to the re-regulation dam. Browns were first stocked in the United States in 1884 in Michigan's Pere Marquette River. Browns can grow very large, over 40 lbs. Brown trout prefer undercut stream banks, dense cover and the deep water below riffles such as where boulders disrupt the current. Aquatic insects such as mayflies, caddis flies, dobsonflies, dragonflies and their grasshoppers and minnows are the Brown's common foods. Brown trout normally spawn in cold water temperatures of 44 to 48 degrees F. At this time, no natural spawning is believed to occur in Oklahoma. Regulations in effect for brown trout are designed to develop a trophy brown trout fishery in the Mountain. Fork river. This Oklahoma designated brown trout area is therefore restricted to artificial flies and lures with barbless hooks and all brown trout caught must be returned unharmed immediately to the water. The Oklahoma Wildlife Department is working to establish a trophy fishing stream, allowing future Oklahoma anglers to land a trophy Brown trout. We thank the folks at the Oklahoma Wildlife Department for the fine work they are doing with the Brown and all other species of fish and game in Oklahoma. Without their efforts, Oklahoma sportsmen and women would have far less enjoyment on their outings.
Oklahoma Record - 10.42 lbs. Rainbow trout are not native to Oklahoma are maintained on a " put-and-take " stocked basis. Rainbows prefer found riffles, eddies, boulders and other exposed obstructions in rivers and streams. In lakes they are found in the deeper water areas off points. Aquatic insects such as mayflies, caddis flies, stoneflies, dobsonflies, dragonflies mollusks and other small fishes are the rainbow's common foods. Rainbows spawn at water temperatures of forty to forty five degrees F. Rainbows are not known to spawn naturally in Oklahoma. Rainbows are highly prized fishing trophies and superb tablefare. Rainbow trout can be caught on baits such as whole kernel corn, salmon eggs, cheese, flies or spinners depending on local regulations. Fly fishing with hand tied flies is a popular method for catching rainbows in Oklahoma and nationwide. The majority of fishermen on American streams and rivers catch rainbows and browns between 8 and 12 inches so Oklahoman's have good opportunities to catch a trophy. All trout are opportunistic feeders, and will attack anything they perceive as a meal, including spinners, live baits and hand tied flies.
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