Striped bass fishing in Oklahoma is a popular and rewarding activity, drawing anglers to the state’s lakes and rivers. Known for their strength and size, striped bass, often referred to as stripers, thrive in waters such as Lake Texoma, which is renowned for its abundant striper population. Oklahoma anglers target these fish using various techniques, including trolling, casting, and live bait.

The excitement of hooking a large striper, combined with the scenic beauty of Oklahoma’s fishing spots, makes striped bass fishing a cherished pastime for both locals and visitors.

FISHING TIPS

Try lipless crankbaits in gold, silver or red patterns; sassy shad and swimbaits in white or chartreuse; lipped crankbaits in shad-colored variations; white or chartreuse marabou jigs and curly tail grubs on the windblown side of points, rip-rap and coves in the low-light hours of the mornings and evenings.

If fish begin to boil on top of the water, switch to topwater lures such as poppers, buzzbaits, walkthe- dog style lures and propellor baits.

Bait anglers can use a live minnow or shad on a small- to mediumsized bait holding hook attached to a 12-inch leader line below a barrel swivel and ¼ to ½-ounce egg weight on main lake flats, channel drop-offs and ledges. Let the line off of the reel directly below the boat to your desired depth or use a slip float if fishing from the bank.

Bank anglers have the best success around windblown shoreline and dam during the shad spawn in May and the pre-winter gorge during the fall months.

Boat anglers should utilize fish finding electronics to locate schools of open water shad. Heavy concentrations of birds can also give away large bait schools. Striped bass and hybrid striped bass are typically in the immediate area.

Vertically jigging bladed baits, spoons and slabs can also be effective.

The tailwaters at Kaw, Keystone and Eufaula offer anglers the chance to catch trophysized striped bass. The Lower Illinois River has good striped bass fishing during the summer months when water is being generated through the dam.

The tailwaters at Oologah, Grand, Hudson and Ft. Gibson offer anglers the chance to catch trophy-sized hybrid striped bass.