Tenkiller's Late Summer Report: Bass, Whites, Cats, and More

Lake Tenkiller put on a classic Oklahoma late-summer show today, with the water level steady at about 632.5 feet above sea level, just a hair above normal according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Water temps are holding around 87°F and stained, but with clear mornings and hot afternoons, the bite's been pretty pattern-driven. Sunrise came at 6:49 AM, sunset’s set for 7:55 PM, so you’ve got some solid daylight on the water. Weather’s been hot and humid, but breezes have picked up in the afternoon, giving a little relief and stirring the surface. No big storms, just that late August haze and the cicadas keeping things noisy in the trees. According to yesterday’s Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation report, largemouth bass fishing is fair, with most of the action early and late. Folks are catching them on crankbaits and soft plastics worked around docks and timber edges. Working a crankbait parallel to the bluff banks up near Pettit Bay has been the ticket for a handful of locals, especially in the first hour after sunrise. Bassmaster News is highlighting some local tournament activity, too, as the Kayak Series rolls through—expect these spots to get some pressure. White bass and hybrids have been busting shad schools in the main lake, especially between Snake Creek and Carter’s Landing. Topwaters like Zara Spooks or Whopper Ploppers tossed into the boils are drawing some violent strikes. Anglers trolling deep-diving crankbaits have picked off plenty of sandies just off the river channel bends. You can find some bonus walleye near the lower end humps using live nightcrawlers or leeches fished on a bottom bouncer, especially toward dusk. Catfish have been fair to good on cut shad and prepared dough baits. Look for them in 10–20 feet of water around drop-offs and main creek mouth flats. The bite slows up during the day, but sets back in well after sunset. Best bait right now for largemouths seems to be a 7-inch green pumpkin worm Texas-rigged, especially pitched into shady pockets and dock stalls. For numbers, crankbaits in chartreuse or shad colors are solid. If you’re after panfish, small jigs and red worms are catching plenty along rocky bluffs and brush piles—you’ll find bluegill and crappie stacked up, but most are running on the smaller side. In terms of productive spots, the mouth of Sizemore Cove (right by Sugar Mountain) is holding mixed schools of white bass and crappie by midday. Barnacle Bills Marina area is pumping out a mix of species, especially if you can sneak in on a weekday when the boat traffic’s down. Pettit Bay, Snake Creek, and the bluffs opposite Burnt Cabin are my picks for targeting largemouth and spotted bass in the morning and again right before last light. Lake levels are holding steady thanks to controlled releases, keeping currents light and the fishing spread out. No tidal reports as Tenkiller’s landlocked, but barometric pressure’s been pretty stable, which has kept conditions consistent. Thanks f This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.