Fishing in McCurtain County

So…you'd rather be fishing! With cold-water streams, rivers and lakes, public lands in McCurtain County offer unparalleled fishing opportunities. There's no better place to smell the pines while pulling in rainbow or brown trout, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass…even catfish!

All anglers 16 and older must possess a valid Oklahoma resident or non-resident fishing license and all anglers, regardless of age, must possess a special trout license when fishing in a designated trout stream.

For more information on fishing public waterways pick up an annual fishing guide where hunting and fishing licenses are sold or visit the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website.

Broken Bow Lake

One of Oklahoma's most beautiful lakes, Broken Bow Lake is home to trophy largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish and a variety of panfish. The scenic mountains and forest provide a sensational backdrop for one of the state's favorite fisheries. Access to the lake is through Hochatown State Park.

Glover River

The Glover River is Oklahoma's last wild river and it certainly lives up to that reputation. The Glover flows through some of the state's most beautiful scenery and is home to a fabulous smallmouth bass fishery. Most of the year the Glover is a leisurely float trip, but at certain times, during high water periods, it can become a challenge with its numerous narrows and rapids.

While most of the Glover River flows through public land managed by the Ouachita National Forest, a section of the river runs through the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area. To access the river from Three Rivers WMA, visitors must pay a Land Access Fee of $40 for residents and $80 for non-residents annually. The portion of the Glover River in the Ouachita National Forest is not subject to the Land Access Fee.

Little River

Fishing for channel catfish on Little River is popular with anglers. The river also boasts a fine population of smallmouth bass and various species of panfish. The river's oxbow lakes are also havens for largemouth bass. The Little River National Wildlife Refuge offers convenient access to various points along the river.

Upper Mountain Fork River

(Above Broken Bow Lake) Meandering through the beautiful mountains and forests above Broken Bow Lake, the Upper Mountain Fork River is a perfect setting for tackling one of Oklahoma's hardest fighting native fish, the smallmouth bass. Access points are located at various locations approximately 38 miles north of Broken Bow off US Hwy 259 and near Smithville and Watson on State Hwy 4.

Lower Mountain Fork River

(Below Broken Bow Lake) The Lower Mountain Fork, which flows through Beavers Bend Resort Park, has become Oklahoma's premier trout destination. Stocked regularly, the river offers thrills for fly fishermen and spincasters alike. A trophy trout area has produced the Oklahoma record brown trout. Read more about this angler and trout fishing by clicking here.

Pine Creek Lake

Set in the forested Kiamichi Mountains, Pine Creek Lake features a series of long, deep coves projecting from the main body of the lake. Crappie, white bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish and various sunfish are abundant in the lake. A fishing pier at the old Highway 7 bridge on the upper end of the lake fives anglers greater access to fishing areas.

Red Slough

Catfish are abundant in Push Creek in the Red Slough Wildlife Management Area. A number of small ponds and lakes hold bass, crappie, and sunfish.

This section, from the Backwoods Adventure Guide, is made available here as a free service to benefit visitors to McCurtain County and the McCurtain County Tourism Authority. Printed copies of the Backwoods Adventure Guide may still be available at popular attractions.