Mike Diehl, futurepromike@gmail.com
Readi-Lure Tackle Boxes, made by Tackle Tech, are the most unique, versatile tackle boxes on the market. Every March, June, September and December, a lucky fishing report subscriber will receive an Original Readi-Lure Tackle Box!
This quarter's winner is John J. from Yukon, Oklahoma. Want a chance to win a new tackle box? Sign up here!
Editor's Note: Congratulations Zak and good luck with all your fishing adventures this year
Twice a month, www.OklahomaFishingGuides.com awards free lures & tackle to lucky fishing report subscribers.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Lake Record Fish Program continues to grow, with several new lake records — and lakes — added throughout this spring.
Last year, there were 13 lakes and this year it has been expanded to 28! The current lakes are:
The Lake Record Fish program recognizes anglers who catch a fish that qualifies as a record setter for the lake in which it was caught. Though the program was established as a way to serve anglers and recognize significant fish, it also serves as an indicator of trophy fish production in the state's lakes.
Since last year, the program has doubled in size and there are now twenty-eight lakes currently enrolled in the program. An easy-to-use search feature is available through the Wildlife Department's Web site to view all kinds of interesting record fish information, ranging from the size of record fish caught to what kind of bait or rod and reel was used to catch them. To access the search feature, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
Anglers who catch a potential record from a participating lake should contact designated business locations around the lake that are enrolled as lake record keepers, or vendors. The lake record keeper may then enter the fish into an automated database via the Internet. Once it has been determined that an angler has landed a record fish, the media is notified and the public will be able to view information about the catch on the Wildlife Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com.
All past and current state record fish are registered in the Lake Record Fish Program as records for their respective lakes.
Species eligible for spots in the lake records book include:
Minimum weights are set for each species included to avoid a rush of potential yet easily broken records early in the program's inception.
For more information about the new Lake Record Fish Program or for contact information for lake record keepers, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
The recent discovery of an invasive alga in a southeast Oklahoma river serves to remind anglers of their role in helping prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.
Biologists with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the University of Oklahoma recently confirmed the presence of Didymosphenia geminata, also known by anglers as “Didymo” or “rock snot,” in the Lower Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow Lake. The invasive species is native to North America and thrives in low-nutrient, cold, flowing streams rich in oxygen, such as the Lower Mountain Fork River, the Lower Illinois River and the Blue River.
Didymo starts out as small tufted colonies, but can grow into dense, thick mats that cover large portions of a streambed.
“When it forms extensive mats or produces large blooms, rock snot can outcompete native algae relied on by aquatic insects,” said Curtis Tackett, aquatic nuisance biologist for the Wildlife Department. “That may not sound like a problem, except that those insects provide an important source of food for trout in the Lower Mountain Fork River.”
Tackett said that in some cases, the reduction of available food sources for trout because of competition from invasive species like Didymo can result in smaller fish. Additionally, Didymo can clog water pipes and other flow structures as well as become quite a nuisance to anglers because of how easily it can be snagged by a fish hook.
“Anglers can help prevent further spread of Didymo and other aquatic nuisance species, and it just takes a little bit of effort,” Tackett said. “But that effort can go a long way.”
According to Tackett, the following measures can be taken to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species:
For more information about the Lower Mountain Fork River trout fishery, log on to the Wildlife Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com.
The City of Duncan is having a fishing and tackle show Jun 5 - 6, 2009. There will be antique lures and reels on display along with fishing and tackle vendors.
The hours are Friday 9am-6pm & Saturday 8am-3pm at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center.
For more information, contact: Jerry Jolley 580-606-2489
Lake Keystone Catfish Festival will be at Feyodi Park in Cleveland. The fishing contest entry fee is $25, and registration must be received by June 1. The top three places will be awarded for biggest three-fish stringer; 1st place -- $1,000; 2nd place -- $500; and third place -- $250.
In the event of a tie, prize money will be split equally for that prize. No more than three fish may be entered per registrant, and weigh-in takes place promptly at 5 p.m. Fish (Channel, Blue and Flathead Catfish only) must be alive and pass inspection.
All Oklahoma Wildlife Department rules and regulations must be followed. If there is flooding at Feyodi Park, the event will be held at Cleveland High School in front of the Event Center/Soccer Field. For more information, call (918) 358-2131
Fishing guides who operate on Oklahoma waters will be required to purchase a fishing guide license from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation beginning July 31.
At its June meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission approved emergency rules to go into effect July 31 in accordance to Senate Bill 277, which recently was signed by the Governor.
“The new fishing guide license was requested by the fishing guide industry in Oklahoma and will help ensure our state's fishing guides have a strong set of safety and first-aid skills as well as properly functioning equipment and insurance,” said Greg Duffy, director of the Wildlife Department.
The annual license will cost $132 for both residents and nonresidents, but Wildlife Department officials are only going to charge $66 for the remainder of 2009 since the requirement will only be in effect for half of the year. The license is required of all persons, resident or nonresident, who charge or accept consideration to take someone fishing. The only exemption is for landowners or lessees who provide such services on their own property and those who assist a licensed guide in the same boat.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, fishing guides applying for a license must provide the Wildlife Department with documentation stating they have completed boat training through the National Association of Safe Boating Administrators, which is available readily online or at locations throughout Oklahoma. They also must provide the Wildlife Department with proof of commercial general liability insurance covering services as a fishing guide with policy limits of at least $500,000 per occurrence.
Additionally, fishing guides must maintain current boat inspection by any governmental agency or entity authorized to perform such inspections, and they must be certified by the American Red Cross in CPR and basic first aid.
“Other states, including Texas, have guide license requirements, and I am confident this will benefit our anglers and guides,” said Barry Bolton, chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Department. “We hope to maintain a list of licensed guides to help anglers identify guides and get ‘hooked up,' so to speak.”
