Southcentral Region Fisheries Management

08/12/2026

This week SCR staff added Arkansas Cubes to several areas on Lake Arbuckle to reintroduce coontail to the lake. Drought and flood cycles can deplete aquatic vegetation and native coontail once thrived here. These floating cages, developed by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, rise and fall with water levels. Within the cage, a founder colony of coontail is protected from predators and allowed to fragment and spread. Once established, coontail removes excessive nutrients, improves water quality, and enhances habitat for fish and invertebrates. Monitoring will be conducted over the next few growing seasons to evaluate success.
The source of plants for this project come from within the watershed and are not contaminated with exotic invasive species. Please help us keep our lakes and rivers free of invasive species by not moving fish or plants to other waterbodies.

07/22/2026

New Lake Texoma Fish Habitat! 🎣
Last week, ODWC staff with assistance from USACE personnel constructed and installed habitat at multiple fish attractor locations in the Johnson and Newberry Creek arms of Lake Texoma. Maps and GPS coordinates for these and other fish attractor locations throughout Oklahoma can be found on our website at wildlifedepartment.com. Time to get out and check to see if these structures are holding fish. Tight lines!

06/27/2026

Crappie regulations have changed for Atoka and Eufaula to 20 crappie per day. See below for details and additional changes.

06/15/2026

Texoma Striped Bass sampling data update.
The Lake Texoma fishery is jointly managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. We are proud of our cooperative efforts and meet regularly to discuss sampling efforts, data analysis, opportunities, and the occasional challenge.
Striped bass sampling in early 2026 revealed very “normal” population numbers. Following several years of large fluctuations, the past four years are back to historic levels and relative stability. Attached graphs show historic gillnet catch rates, % of population >20-inches, size structuring, and length at age. Approximately, 26% of the population is at or above 20” in length. Aging data illustrates successful annual recruitment in recent years and steady continuous growth. On average, Texoma striped bass reach 20-inches during their 3rd summer of growth.
The fishing forecast for 2026 is very positive. There was an abundance of shad all winter and they had a prolonged spawning season this spring. Bait fishing has been good lately and traditional summer “slabbing runs” are right around the corner. With an abundance of fish right at the 20-inch mark, measure carefully. Get out there and enjoy one of the best fisheries in the region.

03/23/2026

Two positions are now open at the Caddo Regional Office just north of Durant, OK! See link in comments to apply for the vacant Fisheries Technician or Administrative Assistant positions.

We’re hiring several positions! Get more information about these positions and apply at the link in the comments.