Oklahoma Public Fishing Lakes
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On The Fly Freshwater
May 2025
By Jimmy Jacobs
For many fly casters across the southland, including Oklahoma, tossing popping bugs for bluegill was our starting point in the long-rod sport. For that reason, many of us still have a soft spot in our heart for seeing a big copper-headed ‘gill splashily engulfing our offering. And, most often we were targeting smaller lakes and ponds.
When it comes to timing your fishing trips for bluegill, you need to take a page from the ancient Druids, who spent much time staring at the sky for lunar signs to plan their year. The first couple of days before and after the full moon offer the best time to find these fish in their spawning ritual. That is when the big boys and girls are most active and vulnerable in shallow water.
Of those full moons, the one in May, often referred to as the Flower Moon, is the very best for this angling. Unfortunately, we have missed it this year, since it took place on May 12. But you can take heart in knowing that some bluegill bed on every full moon from roughly March to September annually.
Finding those bedding areas is relatively simple. Once the bluegill start to spawn, the males fan out bowl-shaped depressions on the bottom in shallow areas. This usually leaves these areas looking like a moonscape of tiny craters. Some anglers say they can find the beds by following their noses, led by the fishy odor produced by the congregation of fish.
On larger lakes and reservoirs, the bedding area ordinarily are found in the shallow, backs of coves. On smaller man-made farm ponds, the place to begin the search is in their upper end. This is usually where a creek enters, supplying water to the pond. Another option for locating these areas are in the corners at either end of earthen dams. If these “elbows” have shallow water, the bluegill will likely use them as well.
Having set the stage, let’s now take a look at five smaller bodies of public water around the state that provide good options for bluegill action.
American Horse Lake
American Horse Lake is a 100-acre impoundment located in the west central zone of the state in Blaine County. The lake, near the town of Geary, was constructed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1966. It is within the American Horse Lake Fishing and Hunting Area and part of the Northwest Loop of the Oklahoma Fishing Trail.
Most importantly, American Horse is noted to provide the best public water fishing for good-sized bluegill in the Sooner State. It’s elongated layout provides 6.8 miles of shoreline featuring numerous coves off the main body, any of which could host spawning beds.
American Horse Lake. Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The lake has one concrete boat ramp, several picnic tables and one water well. American Horse is no-wake lake.
Claremore Lake
Positioned in the northeast corner of Oklahoma in Rogers County, Claremore Lake sort of stretches the description of small, since it covers 470 acres. On the other hand, much of this impoundment that was built back in 1929 is fairly shallow.
The lake has a strong population of bluegill, along with a lot emergent water willow along portions of its shoreline. That habitat tends to provide the best locations for targeting the panfish. Probably the best area to check out is in the upper end where Dog Creek enters the lake. This portion is virtually all shallow water. That, of course, is a good region for finding spawning beds.
The lake is managed by the City of Claremore Recreation Department and does require a small daily fee for fishing.
C.J. Carson Lake
Also known as Stilwell City Lake or simply as City Lake, this impoundment covers 188 acres, four miles from the city of Stilwell, which owns and manages it. It is in the east central part of the state in Adair County.
Only electric motors are allowed on this water supply impoundment. The lake has two boat ramps, a number of areas of bank access and has three marked fish attractors.
Of most interest to fly casters targeting bluegill, the ODWC points out that this lake is a top producer of quality bluegill, with many weighing 1/2 pound or more.
Lake Lloyd Vincent
Situated in the Ellis County Public Hunting Area, 13 miles southwest of the city of Arnett, this 160-acre impoundment is in the northwest portion of the state. The lake was built by the ODWC in 1961 and completely renovated in 2000.
This impoundment has 5.1 miles of shoreline, with one boat ramp and a picnic area. Additionally, there are a large number of brush piles placed by the ODWC. The bulk of those are along the northern shore, but there are some others on the south side of the lake.
Although better known for its redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing, the lake also has a strong population of bluegill. Those latter fish, however, run smaller than their mollusk eating cousins.
Pawhuska Lake
Located in northwest Oklahoma’s Green County, Pawhuska Lake covers 103 acres, with three miles of shoreline. Owned by the city of Pawhuska, the lake has a primitive campground, a boat ramp and a fishing access trail along its shore.
The best shallow water area is found along the northeast shore in the very upper end of the reservoir. Additionally, there are nine fish attractors in the lake, placed by the ODWC.
For anglers, the good news is this lake is managed as a trophy bluegill fishery. The ODWC rates it as the second best place in the state for targeting those panfish.
