Lower Illinois Public Fishing and Hunting Area, Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit
By:
Area Description: The Watts Unit is 320 acres along the Illinois River below Tenkiller Reservoir in Sequoyah County in eastern Oklahoma, approximately four miles north of Gore on Hwy 100 and one miles east on County Road E0990. The river is the dividing line between the oak-hickory forest on the east bank and the pasture land with overgrown fence rows and scattered pecan trees on the west bank. The area has one pond but the focus of fishing is the 3/4 mile stretch of the lower Illinois River that runs through the property.
WMA Driving Directions:
From Highway 100 and Highway
10 junction at Gore, follow Highway 100 northeast approximately 3.8 miles. On
the left (west side) will be an old dim billboard sign with “Snake Creek
Wilderness” on it. On the right will be a road to the east. Take road to the
east and continue approximately 1.1 miles to the area.
Game Species of Interest:
Quail: Bobwhite quail may be present .
Deer: White-tailed deer may be present.
Turkey: Turkeys present.
Furbearers: Coyote is available.
Description of Fish and
Wildlife Management Practices:
Fish management currently is trout stocking on a put and take basis.
Additional habitat in the for of rock structures and logs may be added and a
special management area exists in the lower part of the property. These changes
are designed to improve the river to a put, grow and take trout fishery.
Wildlife management practices are being formulated at this time.
Nongame Species of Interest: Bald Eagles are frequent visitors to the area.
Camping
and Facilities:
The Watts Unit is walk-in only and
does not allow camping.
Fishing Opportunities:
The Illinois River is stocked weekly with rainbow trout and with brown trout
when they are available, White bass, walleye and the occasional striped can be
caught in this area. Fishing regulations differ between the upper half and the
lower half. The lower portion of the area between the stream gage and the gravel
plant is a special management area where harvest and terminal tackle are
restricted. Harvest here is limited to trout over 20 inches long and tackle is
restricted to artificial lures and flies with barbless hooks only or with live
bait using a 3/0 hook or larger, Regulations for the upper portion are the same
as the rest of the river.
Hunting Opportunities:
Maps:
Regulations: Consult the Wildlife Management Area General Regulations And Public Lands Restrictions in the Hunting Regulations