Lake Tenkiller Fishing Report: Pre-Spawn Action Heats Up on Bass, Crappie, and Catfish

Good morning, anglers! It's April 14, 2025, and what a day to be out on the water at beautiful Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma. Here's your fishing report from your trusted guide, Artificial Lure. The sunrise today was at 6:45 AM, with sunset coming at 7:45 PM, giving you a solid 13 hours to reel in some big catches. The weather is favorable, with highs around 68°F, partly cloudy skies, and southeast winds at 5-10 mph making for comfortable conditions. The lake level is near normal, with excellent water clarity, and surface temperatures hovering around 62°F—a prime setup for pre-spawn fishing. Bass fishing is fantastic right now. Reports indicate consistent catches of largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass in the 2-5 pound range. Largemouth bass are striking Alabama rigs and crawfish-colored crankbaits in areas with rocky points and submerged structures. Smallmouth bass are active near the bottom two-thirds of the lake, going for translucent shad-colored crankbaits and jigs around brush piles. Spinnerbaits burned fast along wind-swept points are also yielding great results. If you're targeting crappie, you're in for a treat. Schools of black and white crappie are holding tight to brush piles and submerged timber in 15-25 feet of water. Chartreuse or white jigs and live minnows have been the top producers. Sixshooter Creek and Petit Bay are hot spots, with many anglers reporting limits within just a few hours. Catfishing remains strong, particularly for channel and blue catfish. Cut shad, chicken livers, and stink bait are doing the trick near the creek mouths and deeper flats. Flathead catfish are also feeding aggressively near the Illinois River arm. For those chasing white bass, they are biting well on jigs, lipless crankbaits, and small spinners near the river mouth and rock-lined shorelines. If you're feeling adventurous, walleye are starting to show up on rocky flats and points, with jigs tipped with minnows being the go-to bait. Some recommended fishing spots today include Chicken Creek for largemouth bass and Petit Bay for crappie. The Illinois River arm near Cookson Bend is another excellent choice for both bass and catfish. When it comes to gear, be sure to bring spinnerbaits, shad-colored crankbaits, and plastic worms for bass. For crappie and white bass, smaller jigs in bright colors like chartreuse and pink are performing well. Live bait such as minnows and nightcrawlers is always a great bet for consistent action. Whether you're casting from a boat or the shoreline, today promises plenty of action. Tight lines and good luck! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.