Lake Tenkiller Fishing Report: Early Summer Topwater Bite and Deep Structure Action

This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Lake Tenkiller fishing report. We don’t worry about tides here in the Cookson Hills, but the **water level and weather** are what matter. The lake is sitting near normal pool with good clarity on the lower end and a light stain up the river arms after recent showers. Overnight temps were cool, with morning air in the low 60s and an afternoon warm‑up into the 80s. Winds are light out of the south, just enough chop to help the bite without beating you up. Sunrise hit a little after 6 a.m. local, with sunset coming a little after 8:30 p.m., so you’ve got a long window to work that low‑light bite. The best action is early and late; the mid‑day bite has been tougher unless you go deep or finesse. **Bass:** Largemouth and spots have been pretty active at first light around rocky points, secondary points, and bluff pockets. Folks have been boating good numbers of 1–3 pound fish, with an occasional kicker closer to 5. Topwaters have been the ticket early – walking baits and poppers in shad patterns along the main‑lake points and over submerged brush. Once the sun gets up, the fish slide off to 15–25 feet. Carolina‑rigs, drop shots, and football jigs on gravel points and humps are producing steady bites. Green pumpkin, watermelon red, and natural shad colors are hard to beat. **Smallmouth:** Down by the dam and along the steeper rocky banks, smallmouth have been chewing on finesse baits. Ned rigs and small tubes in goby or green pumpkin, dragged slow along the rocks, are picking up solid bronzebacks, especially on overcast stretches and late evening. **Crappie:** Crappie have moved to summer haunts – brush piles, docks, and timber in 12–20 feet. Anglers are catching nice slabs on small jigs and minnows, with the better bite coming just off the main river channel bends. Slow‑rolling a 1/16‑ounce jig in chartreuse/white or monkey milk around brush is putting fish in the boat. **Stripers/Hybrids & White Bass:** Out toward mid‑lake, schooling activity has been picking up on calm mornings. Watch for surface busts and bird activity. Slab spoons, small swimbaits, and chrome topwaters worked through the schools are producing quick limits of whites and the occasional hybrid. Keep a spoon tied on and ready. **Catfish:** Channel and blue cats are biting decent on cut shad, chicken liver, and prepared stink baits on channel edges and where creeks dump in. Set up on ledges in 15–25 feet and give each spot some time; once they find you, the action can be steady. Best **lures and baits** right now: - Topwaters in shad patterns for bass and schooling fish - Carolina‑rig and drop‑shot plastics in green pumpkin or shad - Ned rigs, tubes, and finesse worms on rocky banks - Small crappie jigs and minnows over brush - Cut shad, liver, and punch bait for cats A couple of **hot spots** to check: - The **dam and lower‑end points** for clear‑water smallmouth and schooling whites - The **Cookson Bend to Chicken Creek stretch** for largemouth on points, docks, and nearby brush piles That’s your Lake Tenkiller rundown from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn