Delaware County, OK · Reservoir
Grand Lake o' the Cherokees
A 46,000-acre reservoir in northeast Oklahoma, a major tournament-bass and crappie destination with strong channel and blue catfish.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Striped Bass — Marginal conditions for Striped Bass.
Best conditions of 5 species tracked at Grand Lake o' the Cherokees.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Grand Lake o' the Cherokees
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Striped Bass Marginal conditions for Striped Bass. In season 37/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
- Daily creel
- 5
5/day (striped & hybrid combined), only two over 20".
Source: Oklahoma regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Largemouth Bass Marginal conditions for Largemouth Bass. In season 35/100
What's helping
- In the current report — largemouth bass is showing up in this week's state fishing report for the area
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Daily creel
- 6
6/day, only one over 16"; 14" minimum in rivers and streams.
Source: Oklahoma regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Crappie Marginal conditions for Crappie. In season 35/100
What's helping
- In the current report — crappie is showing up in this week's state fishing report for the area
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 37
37/day statewide; 15/day on Grand, Eufaula, Tenkiller and other named lakes.
Source: Oklahoma regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 Channel Catfish Skip the Channel Catfish trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 15
15/day (channel & blue combined), only one blue over 30".
Source: Oklahoma regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 Blue Catfish Skip the Blue Catfish trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Ictalurus furcatus — Invasive apex predator, now abundant throughout the tidal Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke. MDDNR actively encourages harvest. Caught on cut bait (bunker, white perch, gizzard shad) fished on bottom. 50+ lb fish are routine on the Potomac.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 10–60 ft.
- Daily creel
- 15
15/day (channel & blue combined), only one over 30".
Source: Oklahoma regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Oklahoma
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Grand Lake o' the Cherokees: Oklahoma Wildlife Department fishing report → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Grand Lake o' the Cherokees?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Grand Lake o' the Cherokees you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Grand Lake o' the Cherokees?
Grand Lake o' the Cherokees is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Grand Lake o' the Cherokees?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Grand Lake o' the Cherokees against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Grand Lake o' the Cherokees have?
Grand Lake o' the Cherokees has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Grand Lake o' the Cherokees?
state agency regulations apply at Grand Lake o' the Cherokees. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Grand Lake o' the Cherokees tidal water?
No. Grand Lake o' the Cherokees is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.