Note: This is the fourth part in a series on lakes in the Tri-County area.
Oklahoma’s lakes and rivers are home to some brutishly large catfish, with specimens often topping 50 pounds.
Imagine, a fish larger than most first graders.
These giants can be found in several bodies of water, including a small lake that’s just a hop, skip and a jump from Shawnee.
Straddling the Lincoln County and Creek County line, about three miles northeast of its namesake town, is Stroud Lake. At only 600 surface acres, the lake is a speck when compared to hulks like Lake Eufaula, Lake Texoma and Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees.
But don’t let that small size fool you. If you’re targeting cats, take care that you don’t lose your rod and reel.
Jeff Bowles has been employed through the city of Stroud for seven years as the supervisor at Stroud Lake. He has worked there a total of 13 years, and saw with his own eyes what could possibly be the largest fish caught from the lake — a 72-pound flathead catfish.
Here’s a little perspective: The average weight of an 8-year-old boy who stands 4 feet, 4 inches tall is 55 to 60 pounds.
Here’s a little more perspective: The current state record flathead, caught just last month in the Poteau River, weighed 76 pounds and was just over four feet long.
Bowles said the best spot to seek out big fish is on the northwest side of the lake — the Lincoln County side — in an area called the Tin Horn Campsite.
“This is one of the best fishing spots on the lake,” Bowles said. “There have been many, many huge flatheads caught out here.”
The site is typical flathead turf — shallow water near deeper water, with timber and vegetation and a moving current. The current is courtesy of the creek that feeds into the lake, via a tin horn, under County Road 3580.
Unlike their scavenging cousins, the channel catfish and blue catfish, large flatheads are predominantly predatory. They prefer live bait and will willingly take an offering of bluegill, shad, large minnows or goldfish.
Despite their unkempt appearance (mottled skin, wide head and protruding lower jaw), flatheads are considered by many to be the best-tasting catfish.
Anglers can find other popular species at Stroud Lake, such as channel catfish, largemouth bass and crappie. Bowles said the lake has been known to produce bass in the 12- to 13-pound range.
The current state record largemouth bass, caught 10 years ago at Broken Bow Lake, weighed 14 pounds, 11 ounces.
Bowles described the channel catfish in Stroud Lake as “good filet size,” and said anglers often leave with a stringer full of crappie.
“The crappie aren’t huge, but if you get into a school of them you can catch them all day long,” he said.
A good place to target crappie is along the dam on the lake’s southern edge, Bowles said.
Creel and size limits at Stroud Lake are as follows:
• Bass — Six fish, at least 14 inches long each
• Channel catfish — Six fish, no size limit
• Flathead catfish — Six fish, at least 20 inches long each
• Crappie — 32 fish, no size limit
There is no fee to fish the lake, but anglers must possess a valid state fishing license. Rod-and-reel angling is the only method allowed on the main body of the lake, but those wanting to use trotlines and juglines are allowed to do so on the west side of County Road 3580 — known locally as Graham Road.
“And we do allow noodling,” Bowles said.
There are fees to use watercraft and to camp on the lake, and the fees are as follows.
• Boating — $2 per day, or $25 annually
• Primitive camping — $7 per day
• Modern camping — $15 per day, or $12 per day for those 63 and older
There is no boating fee for those 63 and older. The boating fee includes all types of watercraft, including personal watercraft. Skiing, tubing and personal watercraft are allowed on Stroud Lake, and there is a designated swimming area — open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily — on the southwest side of the lake near the ranger’s station.
Stroud Lake’s 13 miles of shoreline is dotted with trees and campsites, including 18 sites with electricity. A trail for Boy Scout troops is on the west side of the lake, and Bowles said the troops are allowed to camp for free.
Activities not allowed at Stroud Lake include the use of fireworks or the possession of firearms, and no glass containers are allowed at the swimming area. Alcoholic beverages are allowed in campsites only.
