Oklahoma Walleye?

[Scott Hemstreet]

Still considering moving to Enid, OK and know that there are evidently enough walleye in Canton Lake that they have a walleye festival there every year.

Are there any OK fishermen on the board? Anyone know of any good fishing websites for that area of the country?

Anyone from the area recommend any boat dealers within maybe 150 miles of OK City?

Guess that's it. I drove around Canton last time I was there and it looked small compared to what I am used to and the ramps were pretty bad, but it may be the main lake for fishing in the Enid area, so I'd better get some research done.

Thanks.

[Texeye]

Scott,

Oklahoma has some nice walleye lakes. The Texas Walleye Association just had a tournament on Foss. Weights weren't that great during tournament but the week before some nice fish were caught. There are tons of small walleye in it at the present. Canton lake is good, along with Altus-Lugert to name a couple more.

One of the best boat dealers is in Norman Okl., talk to Jordan at Nichols Marine. They are a Ranger and Triton dealer but deal in other types of used boats.

Good luck on your move. Look up the TWA on the tournament board and the director can put you in touch with a couple of really nice Oklahoma walleye fishermen.

[Hawker]

Hey Scott! If ya make the move,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Welcome to Okieland!! Sooner (a powerplant lake) is a way better fishery (IMO) but there are several lakes that offer good eye fishing east of Enid! I sent you a PM!

[Scott Hemstreet]

Any thoughts on most useful boat size? I was thinking maybe 17' 6" or so like the Dominator 175, but would a 16' class boat work?

Smallest boat I've used lately was a Ranger 185, and my bayboat was 22'. Not sure how I feel about dropping below 18' 6" class of boats, but trying to stay economical to own and operate and still fish 2-3 people.

[Hawker]

Originally Posted by Scott Hemstreet

Any thoughts on most useful boat size? I was thinking maybe 17' 6" or so like the Dominator 175, but would a 16' class boat work?

Smallest boat I've used lately was a Ranger 185, and my bayboat was 22'. Not sure how I feel about dropping below 18' 6" class of boats, but trying to stay economical to own and operate and still fish 2-3 people.

On Oklahoma waters?? Whewww, I don't think you'll be happy with that size boat here, especially to the north central/western side of the state! It gets and stays pretty windy out Enid way, and waters like Canton, Sooner etc don't have much in the way of trees and hills to block the winds, and those lakes get pretty tough to fish in the wind without a good sized boat and a healthy TM! I run a 22' Predator (center console) and if the winds are much above 20 mph, Sooner is nigh onto impossible to fish even with it! Canton isn't much different either! You shoulda kept the 22' bay boat and brought it up here!

[jambi]

Hawker tells it right on. If the wind isn't blowing when you are on the water here, its a rare treat. Enid is a good place to live, we have a shop over there and 10 employees. Canton is a pretty body of water; but I haven't fished it as much as I would like.

[Eyeokie]

Scott,

Hope you make it out this way, we need more walleye fishermen!! Enid is a good area and not too far from some of the better walleye lakes. As Texeye said, Foss is normally very good. Lake Carl Blackwell near Stillwater would be closer to Enid and is a good saugeye lake as is Sooner. I'm surprised how many lakes have either walleye or saugeye and they are a very under utilized resource. This is bass and catfish country.
I also agree with Hawker on boat size. Most of the better lakes are pretty wide open and the wind is normally blowing! Good Luck!

[Scott Hemstreet]

Originally Posted by jambi

Hawker tells it right on. If the wind isn't blowing when you are on the water here, its a rare treat. Enid is a good place to live, we have a shop over there and 10 employees. Canton is a pretty body of water; but I haven't fished it as much as I would like.

Enid seems like a nice town, my brother and his family have lived there quite a while, and I moved my parents out there about 3 years ago. My concern is the job market. I know unemployment is low there, but high wages seem few and far between in my online searches. Still, cheaper to live there than in Raleigh.

Oh yeah, I noticed the winds too, yuck.

[jambi]

Scott - there is another oil boom right now around Enid. All hotels are full, old empty warehouses are now rented up. Housing market could be tight with the influx of new workers. North cental Oklahoma is very active with horizontal drilling. I love capitalism. The job market is stronger now than ever.

Great for everyone but may be tough finding housing, or that available may be a little expensive now, but still likely cheaper than NC?

[caffeineforall]

When I was in Lawton I fished Lawtonka reguarly from shore. Took a few trips to figure it out, but then I was catching saugeye left and right.

I still miss that sweet sweet saugeye, it honestly is better than a walleye!