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Oklahoma · Fishing
Ardmore sits in south-central Oklahoma with a handful of fishable waters close to town, and the standout is Lake Murray State Park, a reservoir that holds largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, and crappie.
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Ardmore sits in south-central Oklahoma with a handful of fishable waters close to town, and the standout is Lake Murray State Park, a reservoir that holds largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, and crappie. The fishing pier there makes it one of the more accessible spots in the area — you can walk out, drop a line, and be fishing at 855 feet elevation without any real hike or boat required. Caddo Creek Site 21 Reservoir and Noble Lake round out the local options, both offering lake fishing within reasonable driving distance of the city. None of these are remote wilderness destinations, which is actually the point — Ardmore's fishing scene is practical and close-in, suited to day trips and weekend outings rather than multi-day expeditions. Striped bass in particular can run large in Oklahoma reservoirs, so if that's your target at Lake Murray, it's worth coming prepared for bigger fish than you'd expect from a pier setup. Crappie and channel catfish are reliably present and tend to be more forgiving for anglers who aren't chasing a specific trophy. If you're new to fishing or bringing kids, the Lake Murray pier is the obvious starting point given its easy difficulty rating and direct water access.
Lake Murray's reservoir holds largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, and crappie. Striped bass are the most distinctive species here — they grow larger than most anglers expect and require heavier tackle than you'd use for crappie or catfish.
The Lake Murray State Park Fishing Pier gives you direct pier access to the reservoir without a boat. Caddo Creek Site 21 Reservoir and Noble Lake are also listed as lake fishing sites, though access details vary by location, so check current conditions before heading out.
Buckhorn Pavilion
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Buckhorn Campground (Chickasaw)
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Lake Murray State Park Fishing Pier
~20 min drive
Easy
Blue River Public Fishing Area
~51 min drive
Moderate
Veterans Lake Pavilion
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Soldier Creek Marina
~49 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TX.
Noble Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery
~51 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Upper Bayou Site 8 Reservoir
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Buncombe Creek Resort Marina
~55 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Caddo Creek Site 21 Reservoir
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OK.
Walnut Creek Resort
~58 min drive
A worthwhile stop near TX.
Also worth it near here
Bring a medium-heavy rod if you're targeting striped bass, and a lighter setup for crappie or catfish. Live bait and cut bait both work well for catfish on Oklahoma reservoirs. If you're fishing for stripers, larger swimbaits or live shad are worth having.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows for bass and crappie in Oklahoma lakes. Channel catfish tend to feed more actively after dark, which is worth knowing if the pier allows evening access.
Yes, Oklahoma requires a valid state fishing license for anyone 16 and older fishing in public waters, including Lake Murray. You can purchase a license through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website or at local sporting goods retailers before your trip.
