The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation operates two year-round trout fisheries — at the Lower Mountain Fork River (LMFR) and the Lower Illinois River — but in the five other areas, including Lake Pawhuska, Robbers Cave, Blue River, Lake Watonga and Quartz Mountain, the season kicks off Nov. 1.

Rainbow trout usually are stocked about every two weeks at most of the state's trout areas during designated trout seasons, while the Lower Illinois River and LMFR below Broken Bow Lake also are occasionally stocked with brown trout. Stocking schedules can be viewed online at wildlifedepartment.com, and anglers should note that, at the Blue River, the initial trout stocking in the catch-and-release area (the portion of the Blue River which enters the north side of the property and flows to the end of the first walk in trail) will be Nov. 5.

Trout are an introduced species to Oklahoma, and fishing for them can be as challenging or as easy as angler want it to be. Fly fisherman can catch fish on flies they've tied themselves, but young anglers can sit on the bank with a jar of salmon eggs and have just as much fun, and a lot of success.

Anglers can use wildlifedepartment.com not only to view the state stocking schedules, but also for access to a number of useful tips and additional information for making the most of trout fishing in Oklahoma.

The Wildlife Department's streams management team works vigorously on projects to enhance trout habitat in certain state waters. Recent trout habitat improvement projects have included renovations at the Evening Hole portion of the LMFR during summer 2006. At the same time, a new trout stream dubbed “Lost Creek” was also created that is providing additional trout fishing opportunities. Recent flooding caused significant damage to the Lower Mountain Fork River trout fishery, and biologists are currently working to repair the damages and maintain quality fishing opportunities for anglers. The team also has set its sights on improving trout habitat within the Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit portion of the lower Illinois River.

Additional trout habitat efforts include the introduction of bubble plume diffuser technology in Broken Bow Lake to help provide colder water to the Lower Mountain Fork River during the summer months. The bubble plume diffuser is a fisheries tool that, when submerged, releases air that then forces cold water upward from the bottom of the lake, so that it can then be released in the Lower Mountain Fork River and provide optimum water temperatures for trout.

Trout anglers must carry a resident or nonresident fishing license and, if their fishing license was purchased prior to July 1, a fishing and hunting legacy permit, unless exempt, while fishing. Additionally, a trout license is required for all who fish in state-designated trout areas or in tributaries of state-designated trout streams during trout season.

News Source: Oklahoma DWC - Oct. 26, 2009