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Lower Mountain Fork River offers excellent trout fishing

If you have never been to the lower Mountain Fork River in southeast Oklahoma, you should make plans to head to the pine-covered hills this spring. The rugged beauty of the area alone is reason enough to make the trip. The outstanding trout fishing is icing on the cake.

Both rainbow and brown trout can be coaxed into biting along the 12-mile lower Mountain Fork River Trout Area managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The area is known for trophy trout, in fact, the state record brown trout (9 pound, 12.8 ounces) was broken just a few months ago with a fish from the Lower Mountain Fork River.

The area is no secret to Bryan Ellis, president of the 89er Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

“Oklahoma is a great place to live and go fishing and the lower Mountain Fork River is certainly one of the most outstanding areas in the state,” Ellis said.

Nearly 300 members strong, the chapter has been a partner in developing and improving trout fishing opportunities in the state since its inception nine years ago.

“The 89er Chapter of Trout Unlimited has assisted with a wide variety of projects,” said Kim Erickson, fisheries chief for the Department. “Not only have they donated $13,000 to help financially, but their volunteer labor has been an invaluable help as well.”

Projects the group has helped with include: habitat improvement work and creation of a trout rearing pen on the river, installation of an aerator to improve water quality for trout at the Dolese Park Pond and the sale of their special trout habitat caps have generated about $1,700 to improve trout habitat along the lower Mountain Fork.

Surveys indicate that trout fishing pumps about $1 million dollars into the local economy and there are plenty of other activities to enjoy other than just fishing for trout. Canoeing, scuba diving, hiking, horseback riding - these are just a few of the things you can do when you are not wetting a line. Broken Bow Lake is home to the state record largemouth bass and is known for its smallmouth bass, crappie, white bass and walleye. For more information, call the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce at (580) 584-3393.

Stay at one of Beavers Bend State Parks cozy and comfortable cabins and you can go trout fishing just a few steps out your back door. You could also “rough it” at the park’s new lodge where you can have view of Broken Bow Lake out the window of your luxurious room. For more information about the park log onto www.beaversbend.com or call 1-800-435-5514.

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