Tenkiller Fishing Report: Bass, Crappie, and Catfish Biting Strong After Spring Storms

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Tenkiller fishing report for Monday, May 19, 2025. Sunrise rolled in at 6:11 AM with sunset coming tonight at 8:24 PM. The lake level is sitting steady, just a bit above normal by about a foot, and the water temperature is hovering in the low 70s with some stain to the water. Weather this morning is mild and partly cloudy, winds out of the south, and temps expected to climb from the upper 60s into the mid-80s by the afternoon. No tidal action here since Tenkiller is a reservoir, but water clarity and debris are still something to watch after last week’s storms. Fishing activity is heating up right along with the weather. Bass fishing has been good for both largemouth and smallmouth. Anglers are reporting success with crankbaits, jigs, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around the channels, docks, points, and rocky shorelines. That stained water means bright-colored lures and white spinnerbaits are working well, especially around structure and where the current breaks. Fish are still feeding up after the spawn and can be found shallow in the early morning, then moving deeper as the day heats up[2][5]. Crappie are biting well, especially near brush piles and docks. Jigs and tube jigs tipped with minnows are the go-to, and some anglers are still catching limits by working the creek channels and transitions around standing timber. Early morning and evening are tops for the crappie bite[5]. Catfishing is solid, with blue and channel cats being caught on cut shad, hot dogs, and worms. Shorelines and creek mouths are the best bet, and with the muddy water, stink bait and punch bait are also getting attention. Flatheads are starting to move up, so fishing live bait near rocky areas and deeper holes could pay off[4]. Recent catches around the lake have included good numbers of bass, with several in the 3- to 5-pound range. Crappie are coming in solid, with some slabs over 12 inches reported. Catfish catches are steady, with a few blues tipping the scales over 10 pounds. For hot spots, try the dam area and Snake Creek for bass, especially early. Crappie are stacked around the docks at Strayhorn Landing and in the upper end creek arms. Catfish anglers should focus on the mouths of the coves and along the bluff walls on the east side. Remember, debris is still present in some areas after recent rains, so keep an eye out and boat safe. Good luck out there and tight lines from your buddy, Artificial Lure at Lake Tenkiller[4][5]. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.