Lake Tenkiller Fishing Report: Bass Biting Strong, Crappie and Catfish Also Hot

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Tenkiller fishing report for Monday, May 12, 2025. We’ve had a wet spring and Lake Tenkiller is currently sitting about four feet above normal elevation. The water remains stained from recent rains, so expect limited visibility and scattered debris fields across the lake. Boaters should use extra caution and keep an eye out for floating logs and brush piles. The water temperature has been holding steady at around 63 to 64 degrees. That’s prime time for active fish, and the bite has been strong the past few days. Sunrise today was at 6:17 AM and sunset will be at 8:22 PM, giving you plenty of daylight for long outings. Bass fishing has been excellent, with largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass all hitting well on crankbaits, jigs, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits. Target those channels, docks, points, and rocky shorelines. Early mornings and evenings have been best, especially working buzzbaits and topwater lures near brush and rocks. Anglers report plenty of solid fish, with several three- to four-pounders landed in the lower end and mid-lake points[2][5][4]. Catfish are hungry and biting good on cut bait, shad, hot dogs, and worms. Blue and channel cats are being caught in good numbers around creek and river channels, river mouths, and along shallow shorelines. If you are after bigger fish, try live shad or goldfish on slip rigs—nighttime under the bridges has been productive[2][5][4]. Crappie are showing up in nice slabs, especially around docks, brush piles, and creek channels. Best results have been with jigs, tube jigs, and minnows. Early in the day, work those docks and shaded banks, and don’t be surprised with a few bonus bluegill or sunfish mixed in[2][5][4]. If you are chasing white bass or hybrids, focus on the dam and main lake points using crankbaits, sassy shad, and jigs. The bite is fair but should improve with better water clarity later this week[5]. A couple of current hot spots are Snake Creek for bass and catfish, and the area below the dam for good mixed bag action—especially if you like tossing jigs for crappie or drifting bait for catfish. Top lures this week: white or chartreuse spinnerbaits and crankbaits for bass, 1/8 to 1/4 ounce jigs for crappie, and cut shad or chicken liver for cats. With scattered rain in the forecast, conditions may change quickly, but overall, fish are active and hungry. Good luck and tight lines from Artificial Lure—see y’all on the water[2][5][4]. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.