Oklahoma northeast sheet: Keystone bass in 68-degree water, Illinois trout still slow

Northeast Oklahoma’s mid-October warden reports split between cooling reservoirs and a trout river that is still too warm. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s northeast fishing-report page carries checks from Oct. 11 through Oct. 14.

On the Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area, Game Warden Jerry Henry’s Oct. 14 note has the river normal and stable, 74°F, and clear. Rainbow trout were slow. He cited warm water, low oxygen, and a lack of stocking. Keystone Lake on Oct. 11 was 3 feet below normal and falling, 68°F, and clear, with largemouth bass good and blue catfish good. Crappie were fair.

Kaw Lake on Oct. 12, from Game Warden Spencer Grace, was a foot below normal and rising, 78°F, and stained. Crappie, catfish, and the striped-hybrid and white-bass mix were all rated good. Grand Lake on Oct. 11 was normal, 74°F, and stained: largemouth fair, blue catfish good, white crappie fair, per Game Warden Riley Willman. Spavinaw on Oct. 11 was normal, 75°F, and stained, with bass and crappie fair and channel catfish slow, per Game Warden Kody Moore.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: ODWC — Northeast fishing reports (reports dated Oct. 11–14, 2026).