Fishing Oklahoma’s Blue River: Catch Trout and More

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The Blue River near Tishomingo is a trout angler’s paradise from November into spring. However, many anglers overlook this incredible fishery throughout the rest of the year.

Let’s head to south-central Oklahoma and experience one of the most scenic rivers you can find within a few hours of driving from Dallas or Oklahoma City. Not to mention the next-level fishing! 

We’ll begin with tips for everyone’s favorite, stocked rainbow trout, but we’ll also discuss some of the best river bass fishing the Sooner State has to offer and the little-known catfishing opportunities.

Trout Fishing the Blue River

Beginning in November, when the water gets cool enough, the Oklahoma Wildlife Department of Conservation (ODWC) stocks the Blue River with hatchery-raised rainbow trout into early spring. 

This annual rite draws thousands of trout anglers to the area each of those cool-weather months. However, they’re often scattered along the Blue River Public Hunting and Fishing Area, a stretch of the stream a little over 6 miles long.

Trout anglers here primarily use artificial lures and dough baits like PowerBait on much of the Blue River’s trout section.

However, there is a relatively short special catch-and-release-only section at the upper end of the prime trout stretch of the river where flies and artificial lures are all you can use.

The catch-and-release-only area has the fewest people and the largest fish, so if you’re looking to catch a trophy-sized trout or get away from the crowds, this is the section of the river to fish.

Catching trout here is pretty straightforward if you’ve caught stocked trout anywhere else. They’re not overly clever, even though they see thousands of lures each month. Plus, new and more gullible fish are regularly stocked to replace the ones caught out.

I always look for pools when trout fishing. If the pool has rock piles or a laydown, it’s even better.

Rainbow trout will congregate in deep, slow-moving pools because they don’t have to spend as much energy fighting the current, and they can hide from predators, such as hawks and eagles. 

Other excellent places are right before and right after ripples and rapids. Trout will often use current breaks to rest while they wait for their next meal to float by, and these areas are the perfect spot for them to do that.

Sometimes trout, especially those that begin to acclimate to river life, will hide in surprisingly small pockets of still water surrounded by faster current.

I cast my lure upstream above the target area and let the water flow bring it back to the current break as I retrieve it. I get the most bites when my passing lure nearly hits the object obstructing the water.

There are several of these spots at the Blue River Public Hunting and Fishing Area; it’s just a matter of walking or wading to reach them.

As you continue reading, you’ll notice I’ve separated the fishing tips for spinning gear and fly fishing since they often require slightly different approaches.

Spinning Rod and Reel

My preference for catching stocked trout is to use a spinning rod and reel because they’re used to eating artificial food in the hatchery, but they still have some instincts for hunting their natural food.

An ultra-light setup with a 4-6 lbs test fishing line is a must. My favorite trout lure is a Super Duper or small spoon, but I’ve also caught trout using a small crankbait, spinner, and dough bait.

I think fishing with dough bait, such as PowerBait, is identical to fishing for catfish. I tie on a small trout hook, place a split shot about a foot above the hook, cast it in the general area where the fish are, tighten the line, and then wait for a bite. 

The bites are typically very light; it often feels like the weight is bouncing off the bottom.

Fly Fishing

For fly fishing at the Blue River, a simple fly fishing setup is all you need. A 4, 5, or 6 weight line, about a 7-foot leader, and a light tippet (depending on the type of flies you plan to use) will get the job done.

The most productive flies anglers use here are the Megaworm, Flo Peach Eggstacy Egg, Black DM jig, Hares Ear nymphs, Prince nymph, and Woolly Bugger.

It’s critical to have wading boots with studs because the rocks are incredibly slick. A wading stick will help you avoid accidentally stepping into a deep hole.

Catch More Trout

Our trout fishing guide provides the basics that will catch rainbows and other trout species across the U.S.

Blue River Bass Fishing

Most anglers visit this river to catch trout during the winter; however, Blue River also offers excellent bass fishing opportunities abound during the year’s warmer months. 

The river is home to three species of black bass: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. Each species has preferences for where they like to hang out in the river and what they prefer to eat.

However, there are a few simple tips you can keep in mind to catch more bass while fishing at the Blue River. 

Always fish the current breaks, whether a rock, log, clump of grass, or bend in the river. Bass will spend a lot of time in these spots because they’re using less energy since the moving water will serve their food on a platter to their mouths.

Moving lures tend to work best; however, there are a few exceptions, especially during the spawn.

Bass don’t grow as big in rivers as lakes, so downsizing your hooks and lures will get you more bites.

Alrighty, let’s discuss some specifics for each species.

Largemouth Bass

Largies prefer the slowest-moving portions of the river. They’re primarily found in grass and laydowns along the bank.

Jigs, shallow-diving crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and a Texas Rig will be your best bets for river largemouth. The water is clear, so I use natural colors that resemble shad, crappie, and crawdads, the primary food source for largies in the Blue River.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallies can handle more current than the other two species. I often catch them around rocks and weed patches toward the middle of the river. 

Jigs, Whopper Ploppers, spinners, and a Ned Rig should be your go-to lures for smallmouth. In the spring, I’ll also throw a small swimbait.

Minnows, sunfish, and crawdads are what smallmouth eat the most, but they also won’t pass up on large insect larvae such as Hellgramites, so matching your lure selection and color to these critters that call the Blue River home is always a good idea.

Spotted Bass

Spots most often inhabit the river’s deep pools, with a few venturing into the current. They’re primarily on open-water fish, but don’t be surprised if you pull a few out of a brush pile or grass patch.

A swim jig, shallow-diving crankbait, spinnerbait, and a fluke on a drop shot should be the lures you grab first and don’t overlook a swimbait. Shad colors tend to grab spotted bass’s attention the most, but bluegill patterns also will get bites.

Catch More Bass

Be sure to pick up all the basics of fishing for black bass species in our complete guide.

Catfishing the Blue River

Another fish that’s incredibly popular to catch at the Blue River is the catfish.

Three species are found in the river: channel cats, blue cats, and flatheads. However, channel cats and flatheads are the most common and the two I’ll discuss in this article.

Channel Catfish

The ODWC stocks channel catfish in the public fishing areas when they’re not stocking trout; this keeps the number of eater-sized catfish at a high number for anglers to enjoy catching.

You only need a 6/0 hook, a 15-30-pound fishing line, and a 2-3-ounce sinker rigged on a solid rod to catch channel cats. I prefer to use a slip sinker rig or Carolina rig, as it’s called when bass fishing. 

Shrimp, cut bait, nightcrawlers, chicken liver, and prepared stink baits have always worked well for me when targeting channel cats for a fish fry.

I like to fish deeper holes with a little structure, especially if they have a brush pile. Fishing below the rapids is also an excellent spot for catfish; cast your bait as close to the downstream side of the ripple or rapids as possible. 

Don’t be surprised if you reel in a few blue cats when targeting channel catfish, as they tend to inhabit the same areas and have a similar diet, especially those in the 1-5-pound range.

Flathead Catfish

Flatheads are also commonly found in Oklahoma’s Blue River. 

I like to use a little stronger gear for flatheads because they will grow much larger than channel cats. My general setup for flatheads is an 8/0 hook with a 2-3-ounce sinker and a 30- to 50-pound fishing line. I still use a slip sinker or Carolina Rig.

I’ve found live bait, specifically bluegill, to work the best for flatheads, but I’ve also caught them using nightcrawlers and cut bait.

Flathead catfish like to get out of the current more than channel cats, so fishing the slow-moving deep pools around rock and brush piles is best for flatheads.

Catch More Catfish

We have a full guide to all kinds of catfishing, with bait and tackle choices and other tips.

Bluegill and Sunfish

Panfish angling can be good in the Blue River, especially during the warmer months.

You’re likely to catch bluegill, redear sunfish or green sunfish.

Try a small hook with natural baits like worms, crickets or mealworms around hiding spots such as brush and weed beds. Small lures such as spinners also work well, especially if these sunfish are guarding nests.

Fly fishing can be really fun for bluegill and other sunfish, which feed primarily on insects. Try tossing streamers and Woolly Buggers or fishing small poppers on top, especially during the warmer months.

Find more bluegill and sunfish fishing tips in our complete guide.

Planning Your Trip to the Blue River

Now that I’ve convinced you to visit the Blue River to do some fishing, it’s time to begin planning your trip. To help you get started, I’ve gathered some basic information regarding access to the river and some places to stay nearby. 

Public Access Areas

To access some of the best trout fishing the state offers, you must head to one of two places on the river. The first is the northern portion of the trout fishery, in the Blue River WMA parking lots along Highway 7. 

To reach the southern section of the trout fishery, you’ll need to head to the Blue River Campground.

No matter where you park, you can walk the entire 6 ¼ miles of this section of the river if you’re up for a hike because it’s within the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Places to Stay

There are a few places to stay nearby. The closest is the Blue River Campground. It is a primitive campground with latrines.

However, if you’re looking for something more comfortable, there are hotels and a few bed and breakfasts in and around Tishomingo, about 10-12 miles south of the main fishing access areas of the Blue River PFHA.

You will find other hotels and campgrounds in Durant and Lake Texoma, both under an hour’s drive.