15 Best Crappie Fishing Lakes in Oklahoma

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Sure, you can find crappie in almost any decent-sized body of water in Oklahoma, but you’ve come here for the best crappie fishing in the Sooner State.

You’ll find the very best of them here, no matter what part of Oklahoma you want to catch them.

Oklahoma offers spectacular crappie fishing year-round at many of its lakes, so you’re seldom very far from a panful of fillets of these tasty panfish.

Of course, spring is the absolute prime time for crappie fishing here as in most places.

Oklahoma crappie typically move shallow and spawn from March through May in Oklahoma. This time of year draws many anglers to lakes for the chance of catching a mess of crappie.

While crappie are most aggressive during the spring spawn, you shouldn’t just fish for them at that time. But you’ll have to change up your approach a bit.

Crappie will move to the 10- to 15-foot depth range around brush piles, creek channels, and other underwater structures during the summer and fall. Depending on the recent temperatures, holding depths might vary a little more in the winter.

Crappie are a schooling fish. You should expect to work to find a school around likely holding water, and once located the action can be fast and furious.

Take note of the depth, structure type, and best lure or bait for catching crappie that day, and that should help you find the next school.

Before you hit the water, be sure to check out all of our best crappie fishing tips and techniques.

Most lakes in Oklahoma are flood control lakes managed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) governs the wildlife.

No matter what part of the state you are in, you are sure to have an excellent crappie fishing lake within a short drive. Most Oklahoma lakes have a crappie population; the following are the very best crappie fishing lakes in Oklahoma.

An angler holds up a nice-sized crappie caught fishing in Oklahoma, with the lake's creek arm in the background.
Photo courtesy of Wesley Littlefield

Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees

The third-largest lake in Oklahoma, Grand Lake might be known across the nation for having some of the best bass fishing in the state, but you can bet many Northeast Oklahomans also know it for the excellent crappie fishing.

Anglers catch crappie year-round throughout the lake under docks (some docks at marinas are heated), around underwater brush piles and along creek channels. 

There are several publicly accessible boat ramps around the lake. The local marinas and tackle shops will have what you need to get the job done, including minnows and jigs. 

Grand Lake is known for heavy boat traffic, especially in the spring and summer months. The boats and Oklahoma wind constantly churn the water, which help maintain a stained color for most of the year. 

More: Grand Lake Fishing

Eufaula Lake

Eufaula Lake is the second-largest lake in Oklahoma and a spectacular lake for crappie fishing.

Anglers in the southeastern part of the state (about two hours east of Oklahoma City) have the opportunity to catch black and white crappie along with many other species of fish. 

Here again, docks (also some heated ones), brush piles and creek channels are the most common and productive structures for crappie fishing. 

Campgrounds and publicly accessible boat ramps are available at Eufaula Lake. You can purchase minnows and other crappie fishing gear at the local bait shops.

The water tends to stay stained or murky throughout the year because of flooding, boats and wind churning the water.

Eufaula Lake also is one heck of a catfish fishing lake, one of the best in Oklahoma.

More: Eufaula Lake Fishing

Kaw Lake

Kaw Lake was created when the U.S. Corp of Engineers dammed a section of the Arkansas River near Ponca City, in northern Oklahoma. Many species are found in the reservoir, including black and white crappie. 

Brush piles, standing timber and creek channels will be the primary structures to look for while crappie fishing.

The Corps operates the campgrounds and boat facilities at the lake. The Wildlife department stocks walleye and places brush piles throughout the lake to enhance fish habitat.

Like most Oklahoma lakes, the water tends to stay murky or stained, but it will clear up at times to have decent visibility.

Like other parts of the Arkansas River and its reservoirs, Kaw Lake also sports one of the Oklahoma’s excellent striped bass and hybrid striper fisheries.

Keystone Lake

Keystone Lake is perhaps best known as Oklahoma’s best spot to snag trophy paddlefish. Multiple world record-sized paddlefish have been caught here.

So, it’s not surprising many anglers overlook the crappie fishing, but a good population of white crappie make this one of the best crappie fishing spots near Tulsa.

Docks, brush and creek channels will be the structures that hold the most crappie throughout the year.

There are bait and tackle shops in the local area to purchase jigs and minnows. The Corps and Oklahoma State Parks manage the campground and the boat ramps around the lake.

Keystone is typically a murky lake, often a chocolate milk color. However, the water will clear up at times, depending on the weather.

More: Keystone Lake Fishing

Robert S. Kerr Lake

Located southwest of Sallisaw in eastern Oklahoma, Kerr Lake has many fishing opportunities, including black and white crappie, in this dammed-up stretch of the Arkansas River, which also is home to the same types of game fish.

Brush piles, creek channels and main lake points will be the best structure to focus on while crappie fishing at Robert S. Kerr Lake.

The U.S. Corps of Engineers maintains the campground and the boat ramps at the lake.

Kerr Lake is often murky because the Arkansas River flowing into the lake is regularly muddy.

While Kerr has several other great fisheries, we’ll mention here another very good schooling fish you can catch in great numbers. Yes, Kerr Lake is quite a good fishing spot for white bass (sand bass) in Oklahoma.

Webbers Falls Lake

Webbers Falls Lake looks like a wide spot in the Arkansas River from the map, so one might be surprised it is considered one of the states’ top 20 largest lakes.

It is located near Gore and Tenkiller Lake on the east side of the state. Both black and white crappie are found in the lake, along with many other fish species.

The primary structure will be around trees that have fallen into the water and in creek and river channels.

The Corps manages campgrounds and boat ramps, and several bait and tackle shops can be found in the surrounding communities.

The water is usually murky since the primary water source is the muddy Arkansas. 

Wister Lake

Wister Lake is a small lake southwest of Poteau. White crappie are the most prolific species of crappie in the lake and the primary target for many anglers. 

Brush piles, channels, points, and standing timber will be the primary structure when fishing for crappie at Wister Lake.

The Corps and Oklahoma State Parks manage some campgrounds and boat ramps, while ODWC manages others.

The water is known to be cloudy and murky in this shallow lake.

Broken Bow Lake

Broken Bow is the fourth-largest lake in Oklahoma and is home to countless fishing opportunities, including black and white crappie.

Located near the town of Broken Bow in southeast Oklahoma, the lake is a destination spot for many types of anglers.

Brush piles, standing timber and creek channels are the primary structures crappie are caught around in this lake.

The Corps and the Oklahoma State Parks manage the campgrounds, cabins and boat ramps at the lake. There are also many privately owned cabins for rent near the lakeshore.

Several bait and tackle shops are in the area, so you can purchase the gear you need.

Broken Bow is one of a few lakes in Oklahoma known for relatively clear water most of the year.

Once you’ve filled your stringer with crappie, you’ll probably still have time to check out some of the best trout fishing in Oklahoma in Lower Mountain Fork below the reservoir.

More: Broken Bow Lake Fishing

Pine Creek Lake

Pine Creek also is located in the state’s southeastern section, about 25 miles west of Broken Bow. The lake is home to several species of fish, including white crappie.

Brush, the river channel and standing timber are the common structures crappie will spend most of their time near.

The U.S. Corps of Engineers manages the campground, boat ramps and fishing piers. Other private cabins and RV resorts are available to rent near the lake. Bait and tackle shops are located in several local communities.

Pine Creek is another relatively clear water lake most of the time.

Hugo Lake

Located just seven miles east of the town of Hugo, the lake offers anglers many fishing opportunities, especially for black and white crappie in the southeastern part of Oklahoma.

The primary structure in Lake Hugo is brush, channels and standing timber. 

The Corps and Little Dixie Community manage the Lake Hugo campgrounds, cabins, and boat ramps. You can find angling gear at a couple of places in the town of Hugo.

This lake is another murky water lake, typical of Oklahoma waters. It will be more transparent at different times of the year than others.

Waurika Lake

Black and white crappie, along with several other game fish species, call the waters of Waurika Lake home.

The lake is located 10 miles north of the town of Waurika in the southwestern section of the state, under an hour’s driving heading southeast from Lawton.

Brush, creek channels, and standing timber will be the largest attractants for crappie in this lake.

The U.S. Corps of Engineers maintains the campground and boat ramps around the lake. Duncan is the nearest town with a bait and tackle shop.

The water clarity is often murky to stained at best, depending on the time of year and recent weather in the area.

Lake Lawtonka

Lake Lawtonka is near Lawton in the southwestern area of Oklahoma. It’s home to many fish species like smallmouth bass.

The ODWC doesn’t advertise Lake Lawtonka as having a substantial number of crappie, but many anglers who actually fish there know the lake has good crappie fishing.

Creek channels and brush piles are the primary structure available to crappie. 

The City of Lawton manages the campgrounds and boat ramp. Camping is also available close by at the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. Several bait and tackle shops are located in the surrounding communities.

Lake Lawtonka is a clear lake by Oklahoma standards.

More: Lake Lawtonka Fishing

Canton Lake

Canton Lake is two miles north of the town of Canton in the northwestern part of the state, a little more than an hour and a half’s drive northwest from Oklahoma City.

Both crappie species are found in the lake alongside largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye and hybrid striped bass.

Brush piles, creek channels and shallow flats near channels will be the most likely places to find crappie.

The U.S. Corps of Engineers maintains the campgrounds and boat ramps located around the lake. There’s one bait and tackle shop nearby in Canton; otherwise, you will have to travel a little bit to find fishing gear, so best to bring what you need.

The water clarity of Canton lake is usually murky or stained, with some clearer periods.

More: Canton Lake Fishing

Konawa Lake

Located east of the town of Konawa, the lake is known for white bass and crappie fishing in the central part of the state, despite the ODWC not listing crappie being present on their website. 

Main lake points near drop-offs and channels and brush piles will be the primary areas to focus on while crappie fishing most of the year. In springtime, they will move to the shallow regions of the pockets and coves.

OG&E manages three boat ramps around the lake, which is about an hour east of Norman. There are several bait and tackle shops or Walmarts where you can stock up on fishing gear in the surrounding communities.

Konawa Lake is a power plant lake and stays clearer year-round compared to other Oklahoma lakes. The clarity ultimately depends on local weather conditions over the previous several days.

Fort Supply Lake

Fort Supply Lake is located near Woodward, in northwestern Oklahoma, and is most well known for its black and white crappie fishing. 

Main lake points with drastic depth changes, creek channels and brush piles are the prime locations for crappie most times of the year. During the spring, the shallow flats are an excellent place to begin.

U.S. Corps of Engineers maintains the campgrounds and boat ramps. There is a Walmart in Woodward where you will be able to stock up on crappie fishing gear.

Fort Supply Lake is an unusually shallow lake for Oklahoma. It can range from stained to clear in water clarity, depending on the weather patterns over the area.