fishing in broken bow
Oklahoma’s Premier Trout & Bass Destination
Fishing in Broken Bow, Oklahoma: A Complete Guide
Broken Bow has the best trout fishing in Oklahoma and one of the most underrated bass lakes in the state. Here’s everything you need to plan your trip from licenses to where to fish to when to go.
Broken Bow Lake & Beavers Bend Fishing at a Glance
Do I need a license?
Yes, anyone 18 or older needs an Oklahoma fishing license. Trout stamps are no longer required.
Best fish to catch?
Rainbow and brown trout in the river, plus largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish in the lake.
Best time to fish?
Year-round trout fishing. Trout peaks November through April. Bass and crappie peak in spring.
Where to fish?
The designated trout stream for fly fishing. The lake for bass, crappie, and catfish year-round.
Need a Fishing Guide?
Not required, but highly recommended for first-timers learning Zone 2 rules and the trophy section.
Year-Round Fishing?
Yes. The Lower Mountain Fork is one of only two year-round trout fisheries in Oklahoma.
Where are the best places to fish in Broken Bow?
The Lower Mountain Fork River offers about 12 miles of designated trout water, running from the Broken Bow Lake spillway down to the Highway 70 bridge. About 5 of those miles flow through Beavers Bend State Park.
The most popular access points are:
- Spillway Creek: Fast pocket water below the dam with plenty of parking. Best Area 1 spot for beginners.
- Evening Hole: Deeper pool just north of Beavers Bend Fly Shop. Best at dawn and dusk for big browns.
- Old Park Dam: Boundary between Area 1 and Area 2. Below the dam holds larger browns and rainbows.
- Re-Regulation Dam (Mountain Fork Park): Area 2 trophy access roughly 4 miles downstream. Boat ramps above and below hold trophy trout.
- Presbyterian Falls: A 2.5-foot ledge in Area 2 with deep pools holding larger trout year-round.
- Beavers Bend Marina: Only marina on the lake at 196 Marina Lane. Primary launch for bass and crappie.
For bass and crappie, Broken Bow Lake covers 14,200 acres with 220 miles of shoreline. Beavers Bend Marina is the only marina on the lake and the easiest launch point. The northern coves and shallow areas produce well in spring; deeper structure and brush piles hold fish through summer.
When is the best time to fish in Broken Bow?
- Trout: Year-round fishery thanks to consistent cold water releases from the bottom of Broken Bow Dam. Late fall is the prime window for trophy browns during their spawning run. Spring and fall tend to be most productive overall, but the river fishes well in every season
- Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: March through May for the spawn and topwater bite. Fall (October-November) is consistently strong with shad imitations.
- Crappie: Spring (March-May) when they move shallow to spawn around rocky shorelines and timber.
- Catfish: Late spring through early fall, especially evening and night fishing.
- Fishing is great year-round, but each season offers something different. See our full seasonal guide to Broken Bow for more on what each time of year brings.
Do I need a guide to fish here?
Not required, but worth it for first-timers. The Lower Mountain Fork is a technical trout river with multiple zones, regulations, and fly preferences that change weekly. A half-day guided trip teaches you more than a week of reading forums. Here are local guides worth knowing.
BEAVERS BEND FLY SHOP
One of the largest fly fishing guide operations in the area with 8 professional guides, including Trey Prater and Morgan ‘Mo’ Prater.
BROKEN BOW TROUT PRO
Steve Branson has 30+ years guiding the Lower Mountain Fork River and holds the local rainbow trout record at 6 pounds, 12 ounces. Year-round trips.
BEAVERS BEND FLY FISHING GUIDE SERVICE
Six professional fly fishing guides with 20+ years of experience on the Lower Mountain Fork River. Wade-in or drift boat trips offered year-round.
TIED2FLY
Credentialed local fly fishing guide service offering year-round trips on the Lower Mountain Fork River. Half-day and full-day options for all levels.
RUDY’S GUIDE SERVICE
Bass and crappie guide service on Broken Bow Lake. Over 40 years of experience and famously runs a “no fish, no pay” policy that backs the promise.
Multi-species fishing guide service on Broken Bow Lake. Officially licensed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Family-friendly trips.
What gear do I need for the Lower Mountain Fork River?
Fly Fishing Trout Gear: a 9-foot 4 or 5 weight rod, a 7.5 to 9 foot leader with 5x tippet, and a good landing net. Wading boots with felt soles are critical because the rocks are notoriously slick. A wading staff is worth it in Zone 2.
Fly Fishing Trout Bait: For flies, common producers include zebra midges in red, black, wine, or olive (sizes 18-20), pheasant tail nymphs (12-14), copper johns, hares ear nymphs, and partridge and peacock soft hackles. When fish are rising, parachute Adams, elk hair caddis, and Griffith’s gnats handle most situations.
Where to Shop: Beavers Bend Fly Shop sells everything you need and posts current river reports. Stop in before you fish and they’ll tell you what’s working that week.
Bass Fishing on the Lake: Medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting setup. Soft plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jigs in natural shad colors are go-to producers.
What are the trout regulations on the Lower Mountain Fork?
FISHING LICENSE: A valid Oklahoma fishing license is required for anyone 18 or older, no separate trout stamp needed. Grab one online at GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com or at either fly shop before you cast.
AREAS: The river is split into Area 1 (Spillway to Old State Park Dam) and Area 2 (Old State Park Dam to U.S. Hwy 70 Bridge). Pick up a zone map at either fly shop, the limits differ.
DAILY LIMITS (Area 1): 3 trout total per day. Only one can be a rainbow over 25 inches. Only one can be a brown trout, and it must be over 30 inches to keep.
DAILY LIMITS (Area 2, Trophy Section): 1 rainbow per day, must be over 25 inches. 1 brown per day, must be over 30 inches.
Tackle: Barbless hooks only on the entire river. Bait is permitted in both areas.
Where to stay when fishing in Beavers Bend State Park?
Rustic Luxury Cabins puts you 10 to 15 minutes from world-class trout fishing on the Lower Mountain Fork River and the quiet coves of Broken Bow Lake. Our cabins are built for the way people actually want to unwind, hot tubs, fire pits, fully equipped kitchens, and enough space for the whole family or a crew of fishing buddies. End your days on the water with a cold drink on the deck and dinner on the grill. No rushing, no roughing it.
Book now to find the perfect Broken Bow cabin.
