Located in western Oklahoma, Canton Lake is something of an overlooked fishing oasis.
Despite being one of the state’s few walleye hot spots and an all-around fish-producing powerhouse, it simply doesn’t receive the amount of fishing pressure that eastern Oklahoma lakes get. And that helps keep the fishing at Canton Lake well worth the drive.
At normal levels, this artificial reservoir on the North Canadian River is seldom deeper than about 30 feet. That might make you think the fishing would suffer, but that’s not usually the case.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) does an excellent of managing fish populations and habitats to ensure Canton Lake remains a superb fishery.
Fish Species of Canton Lake
Like most lakes in Oklahoma, Canton Lake has a wide variety of species worth chasing, including the usual largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, and white bass.
A little less common in these parts, Canton Lake also is a great spot to catch walleye and hybrid striped bass (a.k.a. wipers). The usual bluegill and other sunfish round out the likely catches.
River carpsuckers are also common in the North Canadian River and in the lake itself, where several state records have been caught. But these rough fish are more popular among bow-fishers than rod and reel anglers.
Here’s a look at Canton Lake’s more popular game fish with some insights on how to catch them here.
Walleye
Oklahoma isn’t known for its walleye fishing, but Canton Lake is among the few spots truly worth checking out if you’re a walleye angler.
This is the best walleye lake in Oklahoma, and it’s the biggest draw here, fishing guide Josh Teply said.
In fact, the ODWC for years used the lake as its main source of eggs used to hatch young walleye.
It’s less likely you’ll catch walleye from the bank, but it is possible to unintentionally catch one while crappie fishing.
The walleye are most active in the early morning, late evening, and night.
You can try slowly trolling for them with crankbaits, using jigs, or live minnows. Nightcrawlers trolled along the bottom on a worm rig or threaded on your jig hook can be very effective.
You won’t need heavy-duty fishing tackle, but you should check the regulations for length limits before heading out to catch walleye.
The Canton Lake Walleye Rodeo is billed as the oldest fishing tournament in Oklahoma. This annual walleye derby is held in mid-May, and it’s a huge draw here. That should give you a pretty good idea of when to expect prime walleye fishing.
Want to catch more walleyes? We have the tips and tactics that will boat more of these delicious fish.
Largemouth Bass
Bass fishing in Oklahoma is a big deal, but at Canton Lake, largemouth bass are not always the most targeted species. That lower pressure on these fish often means bass fishing can be good if you know where to go.
“It is without a doubt one of the best bass fisheries in Oklahoma, and people don’t know about it,” Teply said.
Canton Lake isn’t a large and fairly featureless lake underwater, Teply said.
Some areas to try are along the rocky rip rap bank of the dam, where there are many brush piles in the water and some good shoreline access. Underwater rocks usually have fish nearby.
The north end of the lake is another good place to start. However, you’ll need a boat to access the best bass fishing spots up there, simply because it’s rough walking and tougher bank fishing.
The standard bass fishing gear will work here. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and artificial worms and other soft plastics are good lures to begin with during the late spring, throughout summer, and into the early fall months.
Looking for more detail in the art of catching bass? Read our simple bass fishing tips and techniques. Surely you’re also interested in our picks for the very best bass fishing lakes in Oklahoma.
Catfish
Canton Lake is one of the best catfishing lakes in Oklahoma because of its incredible channel catfishing opportunities.
It offers anglers many chances to catch eater-sized channel catfish of 5-10 pounds, along with some big ones in the 20- to 25-pound range. Not only do you have a good day at the lake, but you also get to have a fresh and tasty dinner.
Catfishing is a great way to get into fishing because it’s straightforward and can effectively be done from the shore.
You will need a strong rod and reel capable of handling large fish. A 2/0 hook will be enough for most cats, though 6/0 or 8/0 circle hooks and some ½ ounce or heavier weights are good insurance if you hook a big one.
I typically use a Carolina rig when catfishing, but other methods catch fish just as effectively. The main thing is to keep it simple.
Live bait and fresh-cut bait work best, but chicken liver and stink bait will also get a fish to bite. Check the ODWC fishing regulations on which live bait you’re allowed to use.
The best locations are flats where catfish feed and spend most of their time.
We have you covered if you need more information about catfish fishing, including bait, tackle and various tips.
Crappie
Canton Lake is far one-dimensional. For example, it’s also one of the best Oklahoma crappie fishing lakes.
With healthy black and white crappie populations, the crappie spawn during the spring at Canton Lake offers anglers another incredible opportunity at excellent table fare. You might also find that sunfish species including bluegill might also nab your crappie lures and bait.
Crappie are most often caught using small jigs or live minnows in brush piles with sensitive poles and light line.
They’re easiest to catch from the bank during the spring and early summer. As the water warms, crappie move into cooler, deeper water. The deepest spots are closer to the dam.
If you have access to a boat with sonar, then finding brush piles where crappie hang out during the summer will be much easier.
Learn more tips and tricks to catching a mess of crappie in our easy angler’s guide.
Hybrid Stripers & White Bass
It wouldn’t be a true Oklahoma fishing oasis without some of the best white bass and hybrid striped bass fishing the state has to offer.
You’ll need to head to the Canadian River to catch Oklahoma’s state fish (white bass) as well as their half-cousin hybrids during the spring. During the summer, you stand a better chance of finding them patrolling the open waters of the main lake.
You’ll find white bass (a.k.a. sand bass) and hybrid bass schooled together, so if you get a bite, there are likely more sandies in that area.
Jigs, spoons and crankbaits are the most effective lures. I use my bass fishing rods to catch sand bass because they’re hard-fighting fish, so you’ll appreciate that strong gear.
Check out our complete how-to guides for catching white bass and freshwater stripers and hybrid stripers.
Canton Lake Fishing Tips
Fishing at Canton Lake is generally the same as most other lakes, but here are a few reminders of the best fishing practices.
Fish the cedar trees submerged around the lake that are accessible from the bank or a boat, as they are some of the best habitats in this fairly bowl-shaped body of water. The Canadian Fishing Area has a bunch of these, Teply said. Big Bend has some as well.
“Anytime you can find cover of some sort,” Teply said, “there are fish there and lots of them.”
When to Fish
Spring is when most fish spawn and are at their hungriest and most aggressive, so it’s one of the best times to go fishing.
Fishing is generally better in the morning and late evening, especially during the summer months as the water temperature peaks.
Water skiing tends to be the favorite activity when the sun is high, and all that activity can put fish off the bite almost as much as the bright sun.
Mid-day is best during late fall and winter because it gives the water a chance to warm up.
Where to Fish
In the spring, fish move shallow to spawn, and some species head toward moving water where the Canadian River enters. As the temperatures rise, they move back to deeper water, which is cooler and has more oxygen.
As fall moves in, fish will move back shallow to feed up for winter when they try to find the warmest waters.
Fishing brush piles and other structure is typically the best bet for most species of fish like crappie, largemouth bass and sunfish.
The deepest spots in the reservoir are toward the dam. There are some brush piles in the area.
Tips & Tactics
A Rooster Tail is one of the most versatile lures to catch many species of fish. It imitates a baitfish that nearly all game species eat. Fishing around Oklahoma, I’ve caught every species found in this lake using a Rooster Tail, and it’s one of my go-to lures when fishing in a new area.
I prefer to be the first on the water, which means I get to the ramp at or before sunrise. I have the best of luck fishing in the morning or late evening.
I do my best to match my fishing gear to the species I plan on catching. So if I’m going catfishing, I’ll have my heavy-duty rod and reel, not a small crappie pole. This will make all the difference between landing a fish or having it break your line.
Planning Your Trip
Note that Canton Lake’s fisheries can suffer mightily during times of drought in this drier part of Oklahoma, so adjust your trips accordingly to fish it at its best.
Canton Lake is not only a prime fishing lake when conditions are good, but it’s the centerpiece of an excellent area to bring the family for the weekend for all kinds of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, boating, swimming and camping.
Canton Wildlife Management Area (WMA) offers incredible bow hunting opportunities during hunting season. The lake has great waterfowl hunting while the surrounding public hunting area has upland game birds such as wild turkey and bobwhite quail.
Getting to Canton Lake
Canton Lake is just north of the town of Canton, on Highway 58A in Blaine and Dewey counties in northwestern Oklahoma. It’s a little over an hour and a half drive northwest of Oklahoma City.
Canton Lake also makes a quick trip if you’re staying at Roman Nose State Park north of Watonga.
Bank Access
The surrounding land is public land or public use areas, so there’s plenty of bank access no matter where you’re on the 7,900-acre reservoir.
However, the north end of the lake is not easy walking, so I recommend staying at one of the campgrounds or public parks.
There also are three finger-shaped fishing jetties that stick out a little bit from the dam, offering easy access to deeper water. Small parking areas allow you to leave your vehicle nearby rather than walking out from public parks on either side of the dam.
Boat Access
There are public boat ramps scattered all over the lake, so boat access is easy to come by. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages launching facilities at both ends of the lake.
Camping & Accommodations
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also manages the campgrounds and parks where you can find everything from day-use opportunities to full RV hookups to sandy beaches for swimming.
The Canton WMA also offers primitive campsites with access to the North Canadian River.
Most of the camping is mid-lake or south, while primitive camping is available on the north end of Canton Lake.
A few cabins are available as well in town, about three miles from the lake.
Acknowledgment
Thanks to Josh Teply Fishing for providing expert tips for this article.