OKLAHOMA - Where to fish the Lower Illinois River?

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

A questions for all the Okie FAOLers…I’ll probably be starting a new job in the next week or two (if this week’s interview goes as well the first two) and can relax and take some time to explore the trout waters of Oklahoma.

I have heard about the Lower Illinois River by Gore, but have no idea where to start? I’ll be wading, assuming that the water is wadeable, and would love to know the first two or three areas to go fish.

Also - is there a fly shop in the area that would be a good place to stop?

THANKS!

2

Google Oklahoma trout locations, or Oklahoma trout fishing, or Oklahoma G&F and you’ll get lots of info. Big strippers use to run in the lower Illinois. Couple of places for year-round trout fishing including good browns. Check out the area below the Tenkiller Dam.

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DJ - thanks for the note back.

I’ve read lots of online info about fishing there - but what I’m hoping to find is the first-hand accounts of “drive down this road, look for this trail” kind of stuff. Not having been there before, I don’t know where on the river to start and unfortunately none of the online resources I’ve found are specific enough.

Have you fished it? Any suggestions?

THANKS

4

Jim,
Here’s a map of the Lower Illinois http://www.tenkiller.net/lowermap.htm
The area that is designated “fee area” is now a free access, owned by the state, and one of my favorite areas to fish. Here is a link to see if they are releasing water from Tenkiller Dam. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=07198000
Steve

5

Hey Steve - thanks for the info - I’ve been looking at those maps and wondered about the “fee area”…thanks for the local dope that it’s now free. I’m hoping to get up there for a day trip sometime next week if all goes well.