WHITE BASS

This sporty little fish rarely gets above three pounds, but a two pounder will test your tackle. They are the first to spawn in late February or early March and like to spawn in running water. During this period, a good place to catch them is the upper end of Elk River, Spring River and Neosho River above Twin Bridges. Hundreds of White Bass have been taken below the low water dam on the Neosho in Miami, OK. After spawning, White Bass move to deep flats and underwater islands. By the middle of August when the shad have reached the size of minnows, the White Bass move to the shallows. They are easy to catch trolling or casting on windy points and gravel shorelines. They can be taken with white or light blue jigs, with or without a fight, light colored Roadrunners, white or yellow Roostertails and on occasion, top water lures. Some favorites are white 1/6 ounce Rooster-tails and white Tiny Torpedoes.

This action generally lasts until the first of December. At this time the White Bass go back to deep water, can be caught on jigging spoons.

WHITE CRAPPIE

Grand Lake is known throughout the Midwest as a fine Crappie lake. They can be caught twelve months a year. Some of the larger Crappie are caught in winter months from fishing docks with brush around them and in deep sunken brush. Most public brush piles are marked on the shoreline. Crappie spawn in 55 to 60 degree F water. This generally occurs in April. As Crappie spawn in shallow water two to four feet deep, they are easy to catch and are the finest eating fish in Grand Lake~ A good time to Crappie fish is in March, along the shallow gravel banks in the coves. A small, light colored jig fished 18 inches under a float works well. Some favorites are 1/16 and 1/32 ounce, light colored Tube and Marabou jigs. During hot summer months and cold winter months, Crappie can be found in deep brush, outside or inside fishing docks in 15 to 25 feet of water. Live minnows work well during all those conditions.

SPOTTED BASS

This fish is locally referred to as a Kentucky bass. This bass follows about the same water temperature changes as the largemouth, although they like rocky ledges and is generally caught in deeper water than the largemouth. This fish can be distinguished by a rough spot on the tongue and his mouth does not extend past his eye. Best lures are jig, pork, salt craws, plastic worms and deep jerk baits.

BLUE GILL

CHANNEL CAT

Catfish abound in Grand Lake, and can be caught through December in many ways, trotlines, throw lines, limb lines, jug lines, or rod and reel. Good baits are beef liver, chicken liver, blood bait, stink 'ban', live minnows, live crawfish, crappie entrails and shad. One favorite way to catch Channel is to drift fish with fresh shad for bait. Drift flats in 5 to 15 feet of water most anytime of day or night. Channel spawn when water temperature reaches 75 degrees F, which most likely will be May or early June. During spawn, Channel can be caught around rock fills, breakwater fills and bridge fills.

HYBRID STRIPER

This species, a cross between a White Bass and a Striper, does not reproduce and has to be stocked each year to keep the population up. Hybrids have been stocked in Grand Lake since 1982. The Wildlife Conservation Department netted some in the four pound class in the spring of 1984. These fish grow to a maximum of 20 pounds after nine years and are providing some wonderful sport fishing. Best baits are live or fresh shad fished in 20 to 30 feet of water, large jigs, deep running crank baits and jigging spoons.

LARGE MOUTH

Grand Lake is one of the best bass lakes in Oklahoma. Bass can be taken 12 months a year, the best month for successful fishing being June. But May through September are all good months. Bass spend the winter months in deep water 24 to 30 feet deep. When the surface water temperature reaches 60 degrees F, the bass move into shallow water in the coves. Depending on weather, this generally occurs between April 15 and May 15. At this time, they can be caught on shallow running crank baits and surface lures. The bass spawning begins when the water temperature reaches 62 degrees F. After spawning, the bass move to the willows and shallow rocky points. They can be taken on spinner and buzz baits, plastic worms, jig and frog, crank baits and surface lures. As the water temperature approaches 75 degrees, the fish move to deep points, bluffs, underwater brush piles and boat docks. The same lure pattern holds true. One favorite is the plastic worm. This pattern will hold until late September or early October. When water temperatures cool to 70 degrees F, the bass move back to shallow coves and shallow brush. Jig, frog, plastic worms, spinner and buzz baits work best. When water temperatures get down to approximately 56 degrees F, the fish move back to deep water.