Top fish species at Crater Lake
Check which species have trophy potential in Crater Lake
Crater Lake fishing reports
Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app
When are Largemouth Bass biting on Crater Lake?
Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Crater Lake. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.
Fishing regulations at Crater Lake, OK
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in Oklahoma can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Regulations for top species
Largemouth bass
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.
In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.
No Gaff Hooks
The use of "Gaff Hooks", or the use of any other technique or device that severely injures the fish, to assist in landing paddlefish, is prohibited, except while bowfishing.
Keep Intact
In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
In rivers and streams: black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted): six combined per day, only one of which may be a smallmouth bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass must be 14 inches or longer. No size limit on spotted bass.
Doc Hollis Lake: harvest of largemouth bass is prohibited.
Lake Texoma: largemouth bass and smallmouth bass minimum size = 14-inches; bag limit = 5 largemouth bass and/or smallmouth bass in aggregate.
Black crappie
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
No Gaff Hooks
The use of "Gaff Hooks", or the use of any other technique or device that severely injures the fish, to assist in landing paddlefish, is prohibited, except while bowfishing.
Keep Intact
In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.
Site-specific regulations:
- Arbuckle minimum size = 10-inches, bag limit = 15 crappie (in aggregate)
- Blue River Public Fishing Area: bag limit = 6 crappie (in aggregate).
- Hudson minimum size = 10-inches, bag limit = 15 crappie (in aggregate)
- Ft. Gibson (including all tributaries and upstream to Markham Ferry Dam) minimum size = 10-inches, bag limit = 15 crappie (in aggregate)
- Grand Lake (including all tributaries to the state line) minimum size = 10-inches, bag limit = 15 crappie (in aggregate)
- Tenkiller minimum size = 10-inches, bag limit = 15 crappie (in aggregate)
- Texoma minimum size = 10-inches total length
For additional information, see Oklahoma Fishing Regulations.
FAQ about Crater Lake fishing
- Largemouth bass - 23 members reported to have caught this fish
- Black crappie - 4 members reported to have caught this fish
- Bluegill - 4 members reported to have caught this fish
- @james.arbuthnot reported a nice Bluegill.
- @james.arbuthnot reported a nice Black crappie.
- @chern48 reported a nice Black crappie.
- @Owen_53 reported a nice Black crappie.
- @tayloranderson7351 reported a nice Largemouth bass.
Free trial available