SURFACE ACRES: 26,020
AVG DEPTH: (ft)25
LOCATION: 8 miles west of Sand Springs
COUNTY: Osage, Pawnee, Creek and Tulsa
DATE IMPOUNDED:1965
OPERATOR: Corps of Engineers
PHONE: 918/865-2621
PRIMARY USES: Flood control, Hydropower, Recreation, Fish and Wildlife
PUBLIC USE FACILITIES: Boat ramps, RV hook-ups, swim beaches, camping, picnicking, sanitary facilities and 2 marinias
NOTABLE CHARACTERISTICS OF LAKE OR FISHERY: Noted for good blue catfish, channel catfish, flatheat catfish, stripped bass and white bass fishing. Tailwater fishery is good for striped bass.
| Sport Fish |
Total Abundance |
Quality Size Abundance |
Quality Size |
| Largemouth bass | Below average | Below average | >14" |
| White crappie | Below average | Below average | >8" |
| Striped bass | Below average | Below average | 20" |
| White Bass | Moderate | Moderate | 12" |
| Channel Catfish | Moderate | Below average | 16" |
| Blue catfish | High | High | 16" |
SPECIAL REGULATIONS:Striped bass daily limit is 15 of which only 5 may be 20 inches or longer. A minimum 14 inch length limit on all black bass.
HABITAT TYPES STATUS AND IMPROVEMENTS:Large areas of steep eroded rock and gravel, bottom types vary from large ares of sand and clay to silt. Eleven buoyed tire reefs are located in coves throughout the lake.
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY:In 1989, a change in water releases was initiated in an attempt to improve water quality in the lake for striped bass. several low rainfall years will be rewuired to fully evaluate this strategy.
OTHER COMMENTS:Striped bass abundance decreased slightlysince the 1993 sample. Three year classes, 1993, 1994 and 1995, represented the bulk of the striper population. Lake strain smallmouth bass have grown rapidly after the 1990 and 1991 stockings but natural recruitment has yet to be verified.