Page 9 - 2020 Jan/Feb Outdoor Oklahoma

FOLLOW THE TRAIL TO TROUT FOR YOUR GRAND SLAM

Within the first two months after the
June 18, 2019, kickoff of the Oklahoma
Fishing Trail, seven anglers had completed bLue riVer PFha/FacebooK
the Trail’s Grand Slam challenge.
The Oklahoma Fishing Trail promotes
the great fishing opportunities found in
Oklahoma and highlights 39 lakes and
rivers across the state that are divided into
six regional loops and is a joint project
between the Oklahoma Tourism & Rec-
reation Department and the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation.
“We have been so excited about the
response to the Oklahoma Fishing Trail,”
said Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, who is
also Oklahoma’s Secretary of Tourism and
Branding. “With some of the best and most
diverse fishing available in America, Okla-
homa is a Top Ten fishing state. We want
people to get out and complete the Okla-
homa Fishing Trail Grand Slam and earn Try catching some trout and count it as your “bonus fish” for the Grand Slam challenge on the
bragging rights over their fellow anglers.” Oklahoma Fishing Trail. These guys reeled in a rainbow to be proud of while fishing at the Blue
Muskogee native Gaberiel Davison, River Public Fishing and Hunting Area near Tishomingo, a seasonal trout stream stocked by the
22, was the first to complete the Grand Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Slam, which is designed to highlight the incredible diver- Trout, both rainbows and browns, are introduced species to
sity of fish species found in Oklahoma lakes and rivers. Oklahoma. They thrive in colder waters and make excellent table
To complete the Grand Slam, anglers must catch five fare. Using ultralight fishing gear with 4- to 6-pound test line
different species of fish found in Oklahoma, snap a and small hooks can lead to some thrilling action. But any-
picture of each one and then submit the images at one can catch trout using regular angling gear with small
www.FishinOK.com. jigs or spinners, prepared bait or live bait.
The five types of fish required in the Grand Trout fishing is also available from Dec. 1 to Feb.
Slam are bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish and a 28 at two Close to Home Fishing locations in major
bonus fish that can be any other species found urban areas: Oklahoma City's Dolese Youth Park
in Oklahoma, including trout. For more Pond and Jenks' Veterans Park Pond.
details, anglers can visit FishinOK.com. Trout anglers must carry a resident or
Right now, from January through nonresident fishing license while fishing.
March, is an ideal time for anglers In addition, trout anglers at Dolese
to catch that Grand Slam “bonus Youth Park Pond must have an Okla-
fish” at the Wildlife Department’s homa City fishing permit.
designated trout fishing areas. Each The Oklahoma Fishing Trail’s first
year, the Department stocks trout at Grand Slammer, Davison, is stationed
six seasonal trout fishing areas across at Fort Sill Army Post near Lawton.
the state, beginning Nov. 1 and continu- Everyone completing the Slam receives an
ing into March or April. Those areas are Oklahoma Fishing Trail hat, shirt and sticker
Perry CCC/Lake Perry Park, Robbers Cave, in addition to the exclusive Grand Slam window
Blue River, Lake Watonga, Medicine Creek and decal. Davison said he learned about the fish-
Lake Carl Etling. ing trail from a friend.
In addition to these “cold weather” trout fisheries, “I think it’s pretty cool because a lot of people don’t
the Wildlife Department also operates two year-round know what there is to do in Oklahoma,” Davison said.
trout fisheries in the Lower Mountain Fork River below Davison said his favorite Oklahoma lakes are Lake
Broken Bow dam and in the Lower Illinois River below Ten- Eufaula and Tenkiller, but while at Fort Sill he frequently
killer Ferry Dam. Trout are normally stocked in these areas fishes at a pond on post.
every week or two, as long as water conditions are favorable To learn more about the Oklahoma Fishing Trail or get a free
for trout survival. Oklahoma Fishing Trail brochure, visit FishinOK.com.

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