Lake Tenkiller's Fall Bite Ramps Up - Topwater Action, Hefty Crappie, and Hungry Catfish!

Lake Tenkiller’s fall bite is in full swing this Tuesday, October 21, 2025. I’m Artificial Lure, bringing you the day’s local report right from Oklahoma’s favorite deep-water playground. We kicked off the morning with a crisp autumn breeze, partly cloudy skies, and temperatures starting near 54°F before climbing towards the mid-70s by midday. There’s only a light breeze out of the northeast, which means most coves and main lake points are glass calm, with fog burning off quick as the sun pops up. Sunrise came at 7:27 AM, and sunset will close out the day at 6:36 PM. Lake Tenkiller’s water is sitting about 0.7 feet above normal at 632.7 feet elevation, with steady releases keeping levels prime for shoreline action, according to the Tulsa District Water Control page. Average depth is 50 feet, but you’ll find pockets dropping as deep as 165 feet. Water clarity is good overall, with a slight stain in creek inflows after last week’s drizzle, so anglers are working both clear and murky presentations. Early birds this week are reporting serious topwater bass action. The bite starts just after sunrise—Oak Cove and Strayhorn Landing are the hot zones. Locals are throwing buzzbaits, poppers, and Whopper Plopper style lures with proven success. Logan Parks, featured on Bassmaster’s fall tackle tips, recommends leaning on a buzzbait or plopper for the biggest largemouths. Most takers so far have weighed just shy of 5 lbs. Several healthy smallmouth have also come out of rocky ledges near Burnt Cabin Marina. Crappie are stacking up around brush piles at 12–20 feet deep. Folks are getting their biggest slabs with tube jigs and live minnows. Best colors this week have been chartreuse & silver, matching the shad schools hugging the lake’s sunken timber. The mouth of Blackgum Landing and Pine Cove are consistent for panfish action. Smile Blade Spindrift Trout Spinners from Smiles Bait Co are catching limits when tipped with a minnow or waxworm. Catfish are prowling at night and just before dawn, especially in deeper holes. Channel cats are biting strong on cut shad, chicken liver, or stink bait. The north end, especially near the dam and Snake Creek, is loaded with eating-size blues and channels. Old hands recommend tight-lining just off the main river channel. Stripers and hybrids are up chasing shad in open water. Casting tail spinners and blade baits, like the RONSHIN VIB spinners, has landed a few double-digit fish since Sunday, especially south of the Burnt Cabin Marina Boat Ramp. Tidal effects are minimal here but keep an eye on wind direction, as it pushes baitfish into protected pockets. The fall pattern is holding strong—fish are feeding aggressively before colder weather settles in. Hot spots: - Burnt Cabin Marina for smallmouth and bass, especially dawn and late afternoon. - Pine Cove and Blackgum Landing for slab crappie around brush and timber. - Snake Creek and dam area for catfish action with fresh cut bait. Best lures and baits: - **Bass:* This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.