With over one hundred organized tournaments a year, Grand Lake
is considered the best bass fishing lake in Oklahoma. It is also
known as a great crappie lake and boasts the largest spoonbill population
in the country. Grand Lake offers seventeen species of game fish, with
Black Bass (also known as Largemouth Bass), White Bass (also known as
Sand Bass), Crappie, Spoonbill (also known as Paddlefish), Blue Catfish
and Channel Catfish as the primary species to fish.
There are numerous public and private boat ramps and many enclosed
fishing docks affording year-round opportunity to catch that big one.
We're often asked what the best time of the year is for catching fish on
Grand, and our standard answer continues to be "when you can go". Each
year is a little different, but we've had good success year-round on Black
Bass. Winter can be great for Largemouth as long as the lake isn't muddy.
We have our best results from October to June on Crappie, generally
finding the hot summer months more challenging. We catch White Bass
from January through November, catching the biggest ones in January and
February; spawners in the river in March and April, and great fishing in the
main lake all summer; off points in the fall. Catfishing is good year-round,
with the best success for big Blue Cats over 30 pounds in November,
December and March. Spoonbill snagging is best in December and January
in the lake and during February; March and April up the rivers.
If you really want to have the best chance at catching fish, engage the
services of a professional fishing guide. They know the lake and they know
the fish. They will generally provide a well-equipped late model boat, top of
the line tackle and lures, soft drinks, water, and most will clean the fish you
catch other than Black Bass, which are "catch and release" (except for a
trophy).
Editor's Note: GrandFishingReport.com offers continuously updated fishing reports by professional
fishing guides and fishermen and also provides current information on ramp status, dock reports, lake
level, water temperature, tournaments, regulations, weather, guides, where to find tackle and
supplies and much more. GrandFishingReport.com is a cooperative effort of Ivan Martin, Martin
Landing Guide Service, and Bud Gammell, (aka "webguy") of GrandLakeWebs.com)
is considered the best bass fishing lake in Oklahoma. It is also
known as a great crappie lake and boasts the largest spoonbill population
in the country. Grand Lake offers seventeen species of game fish, with
Black Bass (also known as Largemouth Bass), White Bass (also known as
Sand Bass), Crappie, Spoonbill (also known as Paddlefish), Blue Catfish
and Channel Catfish as the primary species to fish.
There are numerous public and private boat ramps and many enclosed
fishing docks affording year-round opportunity to catch that big one.
We're often asked what the best time of the year is for catching fish on
Grand, and our standard answer continues to be "when you can go". Each
year is a little different, but we've had good success year-round on Black
Bass. Winter can be great for Largemouth as long as the lake isn't muddy.
We have our best results from October to June on Crappie, generally
finding the hot summer months more challenging. We catch White Bass
from January through November, catching the biggest ones in January and
February; spawners in the river in March and April, and great fishing in the
main lake all summer; off points in the fall. Catfishing is good year-round,
with the best success for big Blue Cats over 30 pounds in November,
December and March. Spoonbill snagging is best in December and January
in the lake and during February; March and April up the rivers.
If you really want to have the best chance at catching fish, engage the
services of a professional fishing guide. They know the lake and they know
the fish. They will generally provide a well-equipped late model boat, top of
the line tackle and lures, soft drinks, water, and most will clean the fish you
catch other than Black Bass, which are "catch and release" (except for a
trophy).
Editor's Note: GrandFishingReport.com offers continuously updated fishing reports by professional
fishing guides and fishermen and also provides current information on ramp status, dock reports, lake
level, water temperature, tournaments, regulations, weather, guides, where to find tackle and
supplies and much more. GrandFishingReport.com is a cooperative effort of Ivan Martin, Martin
Landing Guide Service, and Bud Gammell, (aka "webguy") of GrandLakeWebs.com)
The largemouth bass is the largest and most popular
member of the Centrarchidae family of sunfish and its
subgroup known as black bass. Largemouth bass have
bodies that are both elongated and thick, providing
them with the ability to swim very quickly for short
bursts. Their coloring is mostly green, ranging from olive to
dark green on the back and greenish yellow on the sides, with a white or cream-colored belly. A series
of dark splotches form a horizontal stripe that extends down the length of the sides along the lateral line.
In some circumstances, especially very muddy water, the largemouth may lose much of its coloring,
appearing almost white or very light green. Two ways to distinguish the largemouth bass from the
smallmouth bass is that the largemouth's upper jaw extends beyond the eye and there is a clear
separation between the first and second dorsal fins. Neither is true of the smallmouth bass. Largemouth
bass inhabit lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and medium to large rivers primarily, yet because they are so
adaptable they can also thrive in ditches, creeks, canals, and sloughs.
Their adaptability is due in large part to the large temperature range in which they can live, which
extends to waters above 90 F down through the mid-30s F. The ideal temperature for largemouth bass
is between 65 and 85 F. The water can be either murky, stained or clear, but they prefer non-flowing
waters with abundant vegetation or flooded timber. They almost always seek out cover of some sort,
such as lily pads, weeds, bushes, docks, stumps, rocks, or stonewalls, but can survive without cover. In
general, largemouth bass are more likely to be found in shallow water than in deep water. However, in
waters that lack sufficient cover, they will be found in deep water near drop-offs, channels and rocky
bluffs.
Largemouth bass are not migratory by nature, preferring to stay in holding positions within a given area
for extended periods of time. However, they commonly relocate if the availability of food, spawning
needs or comfort is reduced in their present location. Movements will generally occur according to
season. As the spawn approaches in early spring, largemouth will move from winter holding patterns in
deep water toward shallow spawning sites. They remain in the shallow water throughout the spawn,
though sometimes retreat to deep water near the nests during and shortly after spring cold fronts. Once
the spawn is complete, many largemouth will remain in shallow areas until water temperatures rise
above 72 F. Then they often establish summer residence in deeper water, moving shallow to feed early
and late in the day, or at night. Largemouth return to the shallows in fall before moving back to deep
water during winter.
Largemouth bass spawn when water temperatures reach around 60 F. They spawn in water usually two
to eight feet deep. Males gently nudge females into a saucer-shaped nest. The male makes this nest by
placing its lower jaw at the bottom and rotating around a central location. Females deposit between
2,000 to 43,000 eggs and quickly leave the nest. Multiple partners are possible for both genders. Eggs
hatch in five to 10 days, after which males guard the young largemouth bass for a short period. Male
largemouth will attack anything that approaches the nest, often inhaling an intruder (such as
salamanders, bluegills and other small fish) and moving it away from the nest instead of eating and
digesting it.
The bulk of the largemouth bass diet consists of other fish such as bluegill, shad, shiners and other
minnow species, small catfish, and other sunfish, as well as large invertebrates, crayfish and frogs. In
addition to their core diet, they are aggressive and opportunistic predators that may eat whatever
creature they can ambush, including ducks, snakes and small turtles. The main limiting factor in prey for
largemouth bass is size because they swallow food whole. Largemouth bass mainly hunt by ambush,
hiding under cover and waiting for prey to swim close by. Once the prey is decided upon, they advance
upon it at startling speed, quickly opening their immense jaws creating a vacuum effect that helps suck
in the prey. They will pursue schools of baitfish in open water if there are no ambush opportunities
available, or when high or low water temperatures force them into deep water.
Largemouth bass are so adaptable to different environments that they are the most available species
for anglers in the United States. They are very popular among fishermen due to their size, a tendency to
strike aggressively, and the ability to fight hard at close range. Because they feed on such a large
variety of prey, largemouth will chase a wide variety of artificial lures. And, unlike many trout species
and game fish, lures do not necessarily need to imitate specific prey of largemouth bass. Consequently,
there is probably no other freshwater game fish for which there is such a wide range of lure types, sizes,
colors, and actions. Likewise, there is a tremendous variety of strategies used in fishing for largemouth
bass. Traditionally, these involve probing shallow or calm water in coves and bays with abundant
vegetation such as lily pads, weed beds, bulrushes, flooded timber or some other type of cover. Bass
will also relate to non-visible features along the bottom, which anglers refer to as "structure." A
combination of optimum cover and structure will often attract the most and the biggest bass.
Largemouth will often watch prey for a long time before striking, so anglers should cast repeatedly to
any potential fish-holding location. Largemouth rarely travel in schools, but several fish will gather near
an attractive spot, and similar spots will also hold fish in the same body of water.
member of the Centrarchidae family of sunfish and its
subgroup known as black bass. Largemouth bass have
bodies that are both elongated and thick, providing
them with the ability to swim very quickly for short
bursts. Their coloring is mostly green, ranging from olive to
dark green on the back and greenish yellow on the sides, with a white or cream-colored belly. A series
of dark splotches form a horizontal stripe that extends down the length of the sides along the lateral line.
In some circumstances, especially very muddy water, the largemouth may lose much of its coloring,
appearing almost white or very light green. Two ways to distinguish the largemouth bass from the
smallmouth bass is that the largemouth's upper jaw extends beyond the eye and there is a clear
separation between the first and second dorsal fins. Neither is true of the smallmouth bass. Largemouth
bass inhabit lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and medium to large rivers primarily, yet because they are so
adaptable they can also thrive in ditches, creeks, canals, and sloughs.
Their adaptability is due in large part to the large temperature range in which they can live, which
extends to waters above 90 F down through the mid-30s F. The ideal temperature for largemouth bass
is between 65 and 85 F. The water can be either murky, stained or clear, but they prefer non-flowing
waters with abundant vegetation or flooded timber. They almost always seek out cover of some sort,
such as lily pads, weeds, bushes, docks, stumps, rocks, or stonewalls, but can survive without cover. In
general, largemouth bass are more likely to be found in shallow water than in deep water. However, in
waters that lack sufficient cover, they will be found in deep water near drop-offs, channels and rocky
bluffs.
Largemouth bass are not migratory by nature, preferring to stay in holding positions within a given area
for extended periods of time. However, they commonly relocate if the availability of food, spawning
needs or comfort is reduced in their present location. Movements will generally occur according to
season. As the spawn approaches in early spring, largemouth will move from winter holding patterns in
deep water toward shallow spawning sites. They remain in the shallow water throughout the spawn,
though sometimes retreat to deep water near the nests during and shortly after spring cold fronts. Once
the spawn is complete, many largemouth will remain in shallow areas until water temperatures rise
above 72 F. Then they often establish summer residence in deeper water, moving shallow to feed early
and late in the day, or at night. Largemouth return to the shallows in fall before moving back to deep
water during winter.
Largemouth bass spawn when water temperatures reach around 60 F. They spawn in water usually two
to eight feet deep. Males gently nudge females into a saucer-shaped nest. The male makes this nest by
placing its lower jaw at the bottom and rotating around a central location. Females deposit between
2,000 to 43,000 eggs and quickly leave the nest. Multiple partners are possible for both genders. Eggs
hatch in five to 10 days, after which males guard the young largemouth bass for a short period. Male
largemouth will attack anything that approaches the nest, often inhaling an intruder (such as
salamanders, bluegills and other small fish) and moving it away from the nest instead of eating and
digesting it.
The bulk of the largemouth bass diet consists of other fish such as bluegill, shad, shiners and other
minnow species, small catfish, and other sunfish, as well as large invertebrates, crayfish and frogs. In
addition to their core diet, they are aggressive and opportunistic predators that may eat whatever
creature they can ambush, including ducks, snakes and small turtles. The main limiting factor in prey for
largemouth bass is size because they swallow food whole. Largemouth bass mainly hunt by ambush,
hiding under cover and waiting for prey to swim close by. Once the prey is decided upon, they advance
upon it at startling speed, quickly opening their immense jaws creating a vacuum effect that helps suck
in the prey. They will pursue schools of baitfish in open water if there are no ambush opportunities
available, or when high or low water temperatures force them into deep water.
Largemouth bass are so adaptable to different environments that they are the most available species
for anglers in the United States. They are very popular among fishermen due to their size, a tendency to
strike aggressively, and the ability to fight hard at close range. Because they feed on such a large
variety of prey, largemouth will chase a wide variety of artificial lures. And, unlike many trout species
and game fish, lures do not necessarily need to imitate specific prey of largemouth bass. Consequently,
there is probably no other freshwater game fish for which there is such a wide range of lure types, sizes,
colors, and actions. Likewise, there is a tremendous variety of strategies used in fishing for largemouth
bass. Traditionally, these involve probing shallow or calm water in coves and bays with abundant
vegetation such as lily pads, weed beds, bulrushes, flooded timber or some other type of cover. Bass
will also relate to non-visible features along the bottom, which anglers refer to as "structure." A
combination of optimum cover and structure will often attract the most and the biggest bass.
Largemouth will often watch prey for a long time before striking, so anglers should cast repeatedly to
any potential fish-holding location. Largemouth rarely travel in schools, but several fish will gather near
an attractive spot, and similar spots will also hold fish in the same body of water.
By Ivan Martin and Bud Gammell,
GrandFishingReport.com
GrandFishingReport.com
The Fish Species of Grand Lake
Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
| Copyright 2006 - Grand Lake Area Chamber Of Commerce 918-782-3214 www.grandlakechamber.org |
| Photos by James Easton www.grand-performance.com |
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