LCJ newsletter 7-3-2025

Thursday's newsletter

Daily Bible verse

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:29

Oklahoma fishing report

CENTRAL

Arcadia: July 1. Elevation is 5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on bill baits and spinnerbaits around coves and shorelines. Channel and flathead catfish fair on cut bait and dough bait around main lake and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Dalton Buley, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Hefner: June 29. Elevation is normal and rising, water temperature 82.2°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass, striped bass hybrids, and white bass good on crankbaits, jerk baits, and spoons around channels and main lake. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, live shad, plastic baits, and sunfish around docks, main lake, and rocks. Walleye good on spoons and worms around flats and main lake. Report submitted by Tim Campbell, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.

Overholser: July 1. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 82°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait, punch bait, shrimp, and worms around shallows and shorelines. White bass good on crankbaits, jigs, and minnows around docks. Bluegill sunfish fair on crickets and worms around brush structure, riprap, and shallows. Report submitted by Mark Murray, game warden stationed in Canadian County.

Stanley Draper: June 29. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 80°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait, punch bait, shad, and stinkbait around main lake, points, and riprap. White bass fair on crankbaits, plastic baits, and small lures around inlet, main lake, and points. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Chad Strang, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Thunderbird: June 29. Elevation is 4 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 76°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Crappie good on hair jigs and minnows around docks. Blue and channel catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, live bait, and minnows below the dam, channels, docks, and points. Striped bass hybrids fair on plastic baits and spoons around coves and points. Report submitted by Zach Hanson, game warden stationed in Cleveland County.

Wes Watkins: June 29. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 82°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits around points. White bass fair on crankbaits and sassy shad around coves. Channel catfish slow on chicken liver, cut bait, and stinkbait around creek channels and riprap. Report submitted by Michael France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County.

NORTHEAST

Bell Cow: June 29. Elevation is 6 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 84°F and murky. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits, small lures, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, shallows, shorelines, standing timber, and weed beds. Channel catfish excellent on grasshoppers, sunfish, and worms around brush structure, riprap, and shallows. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around docks. Report submitted by Jacob Harriet, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Birch: June 29. Elevation is 4 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 84°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids good on live shad around channels, points, and riprap. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Carl Blackwell: June 29. Elevation is 6 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 83°F and stained. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits, small lures, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, points, rocks, shallows, and shorelines. Channel catfish excellent on grasshoppers, sunfish, and worms around brush structure, docks, riprap, and shallows. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around docks and riprap. Report submitted by Jacob Harriet, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Chandler: June 29. Elevation is 6 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 84°F and stained. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits, small lures, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, dam, rocks, shallows, and shorelines. Channel catfish excellent on grasshoppers, sunfish, and worms around brush structure, dam, docks, and shallows. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around dam and docks. Report submitted by Jacob Harriet, game warden stationed in Lincoln County.

Copan: June 28. Elevation is 14.5 ft. above normal and rising, water temperature 77°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, goldfish, live bait, live shad, shad, shrimp, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms below the dam, channels, riprap, rocks, and shorelines. Crappie slow on hair jigs, minnows, PowerBait, and tube jigs below the dam, brush structure, and shorelines. Largemouth bass slow on in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around coves, shallows, shorelines, and weed beds. Report submitted by Lt. Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Eucha: June 29. Elevation is 4 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and clear. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on crankbaits and plastic baits around rocks, shorelines, and weed beds. Channel catfish fair on chicken liver and worms around channels, points, and shorelines. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and shorelines. Report submitted by Riley Willman, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Fort Gibson: July 1. Elevation is 20.5 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 73°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on bill baits, buzz baits, in-line spinnerbaits, lipless baits, rogues, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures. Blue, channel, and flathead good on chicken liver, crawfish, cut bait, goldfish, live bait, live shad, minnows, punch bait, shad, shrimp, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms below the dam, dam, discharge, inlet, river mouth, and tailwater. Report submitted by Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Wagoner County.

Grand: June 29. Elevation is 7.5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 79°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits, and spinnerbaits around brush structure, docks, points, and rocks. White bass good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and in-line spinnerbaits below the dam, flats, and points. Blue catfish excellent on cut bait and shad below the dam, main lake, and shorelines. Report submitted by Riley Willman, game warden stationed in Delaware County.

Greenleaf: June 27. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 80°F and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, flukes, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and worms around creek channels, docks, points, shorelines, and weed beds. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, minnows, and worms around creek channels, docks, flats, and shallows. Crappie fair on jigs, minnows, and slabs around brush structure, coves, and docks. Report submitted by Dylan Langford, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

Hudson: June 29. Elevation is 12.5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass slow on buzz baits, crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and worms around docks, points, and shorelines. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on crankbaits, plastic baits, spoons, and topwater lures below the dam, channels, and points. Blue catfish excellent on chicken liver, shad, and shrimp below the dam, channels, and points. Report submitted by Cody Morris, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Hulah: June 28. Elevation is 23 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 77°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on crawfish, goldfish, live bait, live shad, shrimp, sunfish, and worms below the dam, channels, riprap, and rocks. Crappie slow on hair jigs, minnows, PowerBait, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, and shorelines. Report submitted by Lt. Joe Alexander, game warden stationed in Washington County.

Kaw: June 30. Elevation is 19 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 78°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass and striped bass hybrids slow on hair jigs, jigs, live shad, sassy shad, and topwater lures below the dam. White bass, crappie, and walleye excellent on grubs, jigs, minnows, and tube jigs below the dam. Paddlefish excellent snagging below the dam. Report submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Kay County.

Keystone: June 30. Elevation is 21 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 83°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on buzz baits, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, and topwater lures around brush structure, shallows, and weed beds. fair on live bait, live shad, worms around channels, creek channels, and river channel. Crappie fair on goldfish and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Tracer Wagner, game warden stationed in Creek County.

Lower Illinois River: June 27. Elevation is 3 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 68°F and stained. Brown and rainbow trout fair on caddis flies, nymphs, plastic baits, PowerBait, and worms below the dam, shallows, and shorelines. Report submitted by Chase Fields, game warden stationed in Sequoyah County.

Oologah: June 29. Elevation is 18 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 84°F and murky. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, and plastic baits around creek channels, docks, flats, shallows, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, and live shad around flats and sandbar. Report submitted by Dartanion Tilley, game warden stationed in Nowata County.

Skiatook: June 29. Elevation is 4 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 82°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass Hybrid good on crankbaits and live bait around channels and points. Crappie fair on jigs around brush structure and channels. Report submitted by Jeremy Bersche, game warden stationed in Osage County.

Sooner: June 30. Elevation is 1.5 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 79°F and stained. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jerk baits, plastic baits, and topwater lures around brush structure, coves, rocks, and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good on jigs, live shad, and minnows around main lake. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, PowerBait, punch bait, and sunfish around coves, flats, and riprap. Report submitted by Stephen Paul, game warden stationed in Noble County.

Spavinaw: June 29. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and stained. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, jigs, and plastic baits around main lake and points. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Channel catfish slow on cut bait around flats. Report submitted by Kody Moore, game warden stationed in Mayes County.

Tenkiller: June 29. Elevation is 1.5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 83°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass fair on jigs, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, docks, and main lake. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, and shad around channels, creek channels, and main lake. Crappie fair on hair jigs, minnows, and tube jigs around brush structure and main lake. Report submitted by Cody Youngblood, game warden stationed in Cherokee County.

Webbers Falls: June 27. Elevation is 7 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 80°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, flukes, grubs, lipless baits, plastic baits, and sassy shad around brush structure, main lake, riprap, shorelines, and weed beds. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait, shad, and worms below the dam, discharge, river channel, and rocks. Report submitted by Dylan Langford, game warden stationed in Muskogee County.

NORTHWEST

Canton: June 24. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids and white bass slow on live bait, shad, and sunfish around main lake. Channel catfish fair on punch bait around dam and rocks. Report submitted by Jaylen Flynn, game warden stationed in Blaine County.

Fort Supply: June 30. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 77°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Channel catfish slow on cut bait, dough bait, and stinkbait around flats and main lake. Report submitted by Jason Badley, game warden stationed in Harper County.

Foss: June 29. Elevation is .5 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 78°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Channel catfish fair on cut bait and shrimp around river channel. Striped bass hybrids slow. Crappie slow. Walleye are still biting at 4-50 ft. deep. Report submitted by Clint Carpenter, game warden stationed in Custer County.

SOUTHEAST

Arbuckle: July 1. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 83°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Channel catfish fair on cut bait, punch bait, and stinkbait around channels, main lake, points, and riprap. Largemouth and smallmouth bass slow on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and plastic baits around creek channels, main lake, and points. Bluegill, green, and redear sunfish fair on jigs and worms around brush structure, docks, and rocks. Report submitted by Casey Young, game warden stationed in Murray County.

Blue River: July 1. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 78°F and murky. (USGS Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass slow on buzz baits, crankbaits, lipless baits, topwater lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, rocks, shorelines, and weed beds. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, crickets, cut bait, punch bait, stinkbait, and worms around brush structure, channels, rocks, and shorelines. Report submitted by Ethan Lovelace, biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

Broken Bow: June 27. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 80°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on Alabama rigs, buzz baits, crankbaits, in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and spoons around brush structure, flats, main lake, points, river channel, shorelines, and standing timber. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and spoons around brush structure, coves, points, and timber standing. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Eufaula: June 27. Elevation is 8.50 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 80°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fair on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and plastic baits around channels, main lake, points, and riprap. Striped bass, striped bass hybrids, and white bass good on flukes, jigs, and sassy shad below the dam and tailwater. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, live bait, and live shad below the dam, river channel, river mouth, and tailwater. Report submitted by Jake Rowland, game warden stationed in McIntosh County.

Hugo: June 27. Elevation is 13 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 75°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, live bait, and shad below the dam and spillway. Largemouth, spotted, and white bass fair on crankbaits, jerk baits, lipless baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, channels, and points. Crappie fair on minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Chance Phillips, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

Konawa: June 29. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 80°F and clear. Largemouth bass excellent on crankbaits, jigs, plastic baits, and topwater lures around main lake, points, river channel, and weed beds. Striped bass hybrids and white bass excellent on crankbaits and live shad around coves, inlet, main lake, and river channel. Channel catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, and shrimp around inlet, riprap, and weed beds. Report submitted by Garret Harley, game warden stationed in Seminole County.

Lower Mountain Fork River: June 27. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 67°F and clear. Rainbow trout good on crickets, grasshoppers, PowerBait, and worms below the dam, creek channels, and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

McGee Creek: June 27. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 82°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs, bill baits, buzz baits, flukes, in-line spinnerbaits, jerk baits, jigs, and plastic baits around brush structure, docks, points, riprap, rocks, shallows, shorelines, and standing timber. Channel and flathead catfish excellent on chicken liver, live bait, shad, sunfish, and worms around dam, discharge, docks, main lake, and rocks. Crappie fair on minnows, small lures, and tube jigs around brush structure, main lake, points, and timber standing. Report submitted by Shay Loudermilk, game warden stationed in Atoka County.

Murray: June 30. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass slow on in-line spinnerbaits, plastic baits, small lures, spinnerbaits, and spoons around dam, main lake, and rocks. Crappie fair on crickets, jigs, and small lures around brush structure, dam, main lake, rocks, and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish on crawfish, grasshoppers, stinkbait, and worms around dam, main lake, and rocks. Report submitted by R. Gillham, game warden stationed in Love County.

Pine Creek: June 27. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 79°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on crankbaits, lipless baits, and spinnerbaits around creek channels, flats, and points. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure. Channel catfish good on cut bait and worms around creek channels and spillway. Report submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County.

Robert S. Kerr: June 28. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 72°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass slow on crankbaits, grubs, small lures, and topwater lures around brush structure, coves, docks, shallows, shorelines, standing timber, and tailwater. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, hot dogs, shad, and stinkbait around channels, creek channels, flats, river channel, and sandbar. Crappie fair on hair jigs, jigs, minnows, and small lures around brush structure, coves, docks, main lake, shallows, and standing timber. Report submitted by James Pixley, game warden stationed in Haskell County.

Sardis: June 27. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 82°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on bill baits, buzz baits, crankbaits, lipless baits, plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure, coves, points, shorelines, and standing timber. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, jigs, shad, stinkbait, sunfish, and worms below the dam, brush structure, channels, main lake, points, and standing timber. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and standing timber. Report submitted by Thomas Gillham, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County.

Texoma: June 29. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 82°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass fair on live shad below the dam, channels, main lake, and points. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on cut bait, dough bait, live shad, and punch bait below the dam, channels, coves, docks, and points. Crappie fair on caddis flies, hair jigs, and jigs around brush structure, coves, docks, points, and standing timber. Comments: Fishing has been slower this week for Striper. Some days are good, and others are a grind. Seems like once the gates at the Denison Dam slowed outflow the fishing slowed down as well. Fishing should pick back up soon. Catfish are good on punch bait around baited holes and ledges. Crappie are fair in open water brush and around docks Report submitted by Garrett Beam, game warden stationed in Marshall County.

Wister: June 27. Elevation is 16 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 82°F and stained. (USACE Current Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures around brush structure. Blue catfish good on cut bait and dough bait around main lake. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Le Flore County.

SOUTHWEST

Ellsworth: June 29. Elevation is 1.5 ft. below normal and stable, water temperature 75°F and murky. ( USGS Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, punch bait, and shad below the dam, main lake, and points. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Fort Cobb: June 30. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Flathead catfish fair on chicken liver, hot dogs, and shad around flats and main lake. Report submitted by J. Cornett, game warden stationed in Caddo County.

Lawtonka: June 29. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and clear. (USACE Lake Level) Blue and channel catfish slow on chicken liver, punch bait, and shad around main lake and points. Crappie slow on jigs and minnows around brush structure and docks. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County.

Tom Steed: July 1. Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 80°F and murky. (USACE Lake Level) Striped bass hybrids, white bass, and saugeye fair on crankbaits around main lake and points. Blue and channel catfish fair on cut bait, live bait, and shrimp around brush structure, points, and rocks. Comments: Hybrids and saugeye are fair trolling with deep crankbaits. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County.

Waurika: June 29. Elevation is 2 ft. above normal and stable, water temperature 76°F and murky. Blue and channel catfish good on cut bait, hot dogs, punch bait, shad, stinkbait, and worms around main lake, points, riprap, and shorelines. Striped bass hybrids and white bass fair on crankbaits, lipless baits, and spinnerbaits around main lake and riprap. Report submitted by Chris Stover, game warden stationed in Stephens County.

Today in history

1863

Battle of Gettysburg ends

July 3, 1863: On the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s last attempt at breaking the Union line ends in disastrous failure, bringing the most decisive battle of the American Civil War to an end. In June 1863, following his masterful victory at the Battle of... read more

19th Century

1887

Gunfighter Clay Allison killed

1890

Idaho becomes 43rd state

1980s

1988

U.S. warship downs Iranian passenger jet

American Revolution

1775

George Washington takes command of Continental Army

Arts & Entertainment

1969

Brian Jones and Jim Morrison die, two years apart to the day

Crime

1989

Mother, suspected in the deaths of her four children, admits killing two

U.S. Presidents

1958

President Eisenhower initiates federal flood-control program

World War I

1918

Mohammed V, sultan of Turkey, dies

Thomas Dwayne Pierson obituary

Thomas Dwayne Pierson, 63, of Bokoshe passed away June 29, 2025 in Fort Smith, Arkansas and was born May 1, 1962, in Altoona, Iowa to Vesta Lucille (Gard) Pierson and Norman Pierson.

Funeral services are 10 a.m. Thursday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau with Jim Cook officiating. Burial will follow at Saint Pat’s Cemetery in Neola, Iowa, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.

Survivors are his brothers Tim Pierson and wife Marilyn, and Terry Pierson and wife Hope.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a infant brother, Harold Norman Pierson.

Online condolences may be shared at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.

George Leon Tucker obituary

George Leon Tucker, 77, of Pocola passed away June 29, 2025 and was. He was born on April 7, 1948, in Porterville, California, to Sarah (Packard) Tucker and Glen Tucker.

A Celebration of Life is 2 p.m. Saturday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Pocola with John Thomas officiating. Services are under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.

Surviving family members are his wife, Lela Tucker; his children Jennifer Tucker Saulter and husband Tommy, Sarah Tucker Saulter and husband Billy, Jason Tucker and wife Lisa, and Shannon Regalman; his grandchildren Jacob, Lucas, Nikolas, Seth, Haliegh, Heather and Kaleb Saulter; along with numerous great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Tilford, Richard, Charles, Glen and Gene Tucker; and sisters Patricia Ridgeway, Alma Graham, Edith Osborne and Debra Brown.

Messages of condolence may be left online at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.