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Lakes & Reservoirs

Grand Lake O' the Cherokees Fishing Guide

Oklahoma

A northeast Oklahoma reservoir that hosts major bass tournaments.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Grand Lake O' the Cherokees for largemouth bass, crappie and channel catfish. The best months overall are Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct. In October, largemouth bass and crappie are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Bass Jig and Spinnerbait are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles; the closest is SPOONBILL KING Tackle Brand in Grove, 6 mi away.

Best Months

Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct

In October

Largemouth Bass, Crappie

Methods

Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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F
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What You'll Catch

Grand Lake O' the Cherokees Species

Largemouth Bass

Prime Now
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
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D

Best: Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct

Crappie

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Feb to May, Oct to Nov

Channel Catfish

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M
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O
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Best: May to Sep

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

12 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Largemouth Bass

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  • Bass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Largemouth Bass

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  • Spinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.

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  • Bladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.

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  • Squarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

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  • Lipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

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  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.

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  • Crappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Crappie

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  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Crappie, Largemouth Bass · Under a slip float.

  • Nightcrawlers Whole or half

    Bait

    Live Bait · Channel Catfish

  • Chicken Liver Chunk

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Channel Catfish

  • Cut Shad Chunk or fillet

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Channel Catfish

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Largemouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.

Crappie

Fly 8.5 ft 4 wt rod, floating line, small jig flies and minnow patterns.

Spin / Cast 10 to 12 ft jigging pole or 6 ft ultralight spinning rod, 4 to 6 lb hi-vis line.

Channel Catfish

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning or casting rod, 3000 to 4000 reel, 15 to 20 lb line, slip-sinker rig with a circle hook.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Grand Lake O' the Cherokees

Reels

Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcasting Reel

A reliable baitcaster for jigs, Texas rigs, and moving baits.

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Panfish Lures

Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Jigs

A go-to crappie plastic on a light jighead, under a float or vertical.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik Catfish Special Combo

A stout, long rod with a large reel for heavy sinkers and big cats.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Reels

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.

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Line

Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament

Limp, easy-casting mono for spinning reels and general fishing.

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Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Grand Lake O' the Cherokees