Page 18 - Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine Mar-Apr2023

GREAT LAKES FOR BASS UNDER 16 INCHES

These lakes have been identified by ODWC’s Fisheries Division as having an overabundance of bass under 16 inches.

DARRIN HILL/ODWC

American Horse Lake.

AMERICAN HORSE LAKE BIRCH LAKE
American Horse Lake is in Blaine County 10 miles west of Geary Birch Lake is 2 miles south of Barnsdall on 8th Street. Hybrid
(S5,T13N,R12W). It was built by the Oklahoma Department of striped bass are stocked.
Wildlife Conservation in 1966. Vegetation around the lake is post
oak-blackjack forest and mixed-grass eroded plains types. The Lake Details
lake has one concrete boat ramp, several picnic tables, and one Shoreline Length: 31 miles.
water well. Geary is the nearest town to get picnic and fishing Volume: 19,000 acre-feet.
supplies. The lake supports an abundant population of good-size Maximum Depth: 52.50 feet.
bluegill and catchable-size largemouth bass. Surface Area: 1,137 acres.
Recreational Facilities
Lake Details U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) manag-
Shoreline Length: 6.80 miles. es campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic areas and designated swim-
Volume: 2,200 acre-feet. ming areas.
Maximum Depth: 75 feet. Nearby Campgrounds
Surface Area: 100 acres. Birch Lake USACE
Nearby Campgrounds Skiatook USACE
Roman Nose State Park. Keystone USACE
Management Practices
Largemouth bass spring electrofishing and
fall hoop nets to evaluate fish populations.
Cedar trees are added to refurbish existing
habitats.
Special Area Fishing Regulations RICHARD WATERS/READERS PHOTO SHOWCASE 2019
Daily/Size Limits: Channel and/or blue
catfish: six combined per day. Methods:
Two rods and reels per person. Bowfishing
allowed. All other methods are prohibited.
Contacts
Fishing: (580) 474-2663.
Game Warden: (580) 623-0206.
Fishing on Lake Bixhoma on a foggy morning.

16 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA