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Weekend Getaways

The 12 Largest Lakes in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is called the “Land of the Pink Man” attributable to its Choctaw title, which implies “purple folks.” Right this moment, over 25 Native American languages are spoken in Oklahoma, and the state’s large panorama range matches its cultural range. Most of its lakes are man-made, setting it other than different states.

Oklahoma has probably the most synthetic lakes within the nation, with round 200, most of which have been shaped by damming rivers. A group of oxbow (U-shaped or curved) and playa (dry lake mattress) lakes are among the many pure ones. Most of them supply a beautiful perspective pleasing to the attention, as huge bluffs and pine forests encompass them. These, like most different lakes in the USA, are a part of a state park, permitting guests to swim, fish, boat, and camp. Beneath, we are going to discover the 12 greatest lakes in Oklahoma.

The 12 Largest Lakes in Oklahoma

12. Skiatook Lake

Skiatook Lake is the twelfth largest lake in Oklahoma.

chadjosephjclark/Shutterstock.com

This 10,500-acre (4,200-hectare) federally owned and operated reservoir is bordered by undulating hills, making it exceptionally tranquil. Skiatook Lake is gorgeous, with excessive cliffs and grasslands throughout it. Picnicking and tenting are among the many many actions out there alongside its gorgeous shoreline, with mountaineering routes additionally out there right here, from which you will get pleasure from some breathtaking views.

Skiatook Lake is situated straight northwest of Tulsa, throughout the Osage Reservation. Fishing, swimming, and boating are in style actions for each metropolis inhabitants and guests to the lake. Sportfishing is kind of in style, and there are a number of yearly fishing occasions at Skiatook Lake. There are many black and white crappie, channel catfish, largemouth, smallmouth, striped bass, and quite a few sunfish or lake perch caught within the lake’s waters.

11. Webbers Falls Lake

Webbers Falls Lake
Measuring 10,900 acres, Webbers Falls Reservoir is among the greatest lakes in Oklahoma.

usacetulsa / flickr – License

Webbers Falls Reservoir is a ten,900-acre lake on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System in Oklahoma, permitting barge navigation on the Arkansas River and its tributaries. A phenomenal viewpoint, situated on a bluff properly above the powerhouse, provides views of the lock and dam and the lockage of barges and pleasure ships.

The waterway system provides a beautiful lake for recreation, sport fishing, hydroelectric energy, and cost-effective waterway transportation. Fishing, boating, looking, tenting, picnics, and sightseeing are only a few of the outside actions out there on the lake all yr spherical. The River and Harbor Act of July 4, 1946, initiated the challenge, bolstered by the Flood Management Acts of 1948 and 1950.

10. Tenkiller Ferry Lake   

Tenkiller Ferry Lake 
Typically generally known as “Oklahoma’s Clear Water Wonderland,”Tenkiller Ferry Lake measures 12,900 acres.

U.S. Military Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown / public area

Tenkiller Ferry Lake, generally generally known as “Oklahoma’s Clear Water Wonderland,” is situated within the Cookson Hills of the Ozark Mountains. The lake covers 12,900 acres (52 km2) in dimension and has a 130-mile shoreline. Known as “Lake Tenkiller,” the lake was created by damming the Illinois River in japanese Oklahoma. Scuba divers flock to this lake since it’s one among Oklahoma’s deepest. Marinas, boat ramps, campgrounds, and tents can be found right here, so you might boat and camp to your coronary heart’s content material. The lake is dwelling to white bass, noticed bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish.

9. Damaged Bow Lake

Broken Bow Lake Oklahoma
With a floor space of 14,000 acres, Damaged Bow Lake is the best location for water sports activities.

iStock.com/loki1982

Damaged Bow Lake, one among Oklahoma’s deepest and most picturesque lakes, is situated within the southeast a part of the state, bordered by mountains, forests, and hills. It’s the best location for water sports activities, swimming, fishing, boating, and extra, with 14,000 acres and 180 miles of shoreline.

Damaged Bow Lake is amongst Oklahoma’s largest freshwater lakes, with spectacular views of the neighboring countryside. It’s an oasis of visible splendor, from attractive, deep forests to the magnificent Ouachita Mountains. The lake can be nice for birdwatching as a result of the situation’s pure setting attracts varied native birds. Deer and wild turkeys are different frequent guests to the realm. Blended bass equivalent to largemouth, smallmouth, white, and noticed bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish, and bluegill are all out there for fishing.

8. Sardis Lake

Sardis Lake
Sardis Lake is understood for catching a number of the state’s largest bass.

Feng Cheng/Shutterstock.com

Situated 5 miles from North Clayton in southeastern Oklahoma, Sardis Lake has 14,360 acres of floor water with a 117-mile shoreline. The Ouachita Mountain Vary, which borders it, supplies lovely views. Three well-kept campgrounds, fishing docks, a swimming seaside, and picnic shelters are additionally out there. Sardis Lake is understood for catching a number of the state’s largest bass. Freshwater fish like walleye, crappie, and catfish are additionally out there. It was named after the now-defunct city of Sardis, Oklahoma, which was pressured to be evacuated earlier than the lake flooded the realm.

7. Kaw Lake

Kaw Lake Oklahoma
Kaw Lake is the seventh largest lake in Oklahoma.

Smallboy944 / Artistic Commons – License

On the Arkansas River, Kaw Lake is situated in north-central Oklahoma, about 8 miles east of Ponca Metropolis. At a mean elevation of 1,010.00 ft above sea degree, the lake encompasses 17,000 floor acres and has 42 miles of shoreline. The Arkansas River and Kaw Lake have a protracted historical past of manufacturing a few of Oklahoma’s largest catfish. Anglers also can catch sand (white) bass, crappie, and walleye on the lake, whereas considerable populations of turkey, quail, whitetail deer, rabbit, and squirrel put hunters’ expertise to the check. Kaw Lake attracts many migratory geese and geese through the fall waterfowl seasons. The American Bald Eagle is one among Kaw Lake’s most well-known vacationer points of interest. Kaw Lake has lengthy been dwelling to one of many state’s greatest wintering bald eagle populations.

6. Keystone Lake

Keystone Lake Oklahoma
Situated 15 miles west of Tulsa, Keystone Lake is an city oasis.

Joshua Burgess/Shutterstock.com

Keystone Lake is nestled among the many sandstone cliffs, grasslands, hills, and sandy seashores. The attractive backdrop, together with the blue-green water of the lake, makes it an excellent vacation vacation spot. The lake is situated 15 miles west of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the Arkansas River. This 26,000-acre lake is a real city oasis. Many locations viewing the lake are accessible by way of a system of the county, state, and federal routes, making it a visible deal with all yr. Striped, sand, black bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish are all present in Keystone Lake. White-tailed deer, bobcat, beaver, raccoon, rabbit, dove, geese, and geese have additionally been seen on the lake’s land.

5. Oologah Lake

Oologah Lake Oklahoma
Oologah Lake measures 29,500 acres.

Lawless_Lilith93/Shutterstock.com

The Verdigris River feeds Oologah Lake, which provides water to the Tulsa area. The Cherokee time period ‘oologah,’ by which the lake’s title was impressed, means ‘black clouds.’ The lake has a floor space of 29,500 acres (119 km2), 209 miles (336 km) of shoreline, 11 lakeside parks, and a 552,210 acre-foot water storage capability.

Flood management, navigation, recreation, water provide, and fish and wildlife are all objectives of the dam and lake. The shoreline is densely filled with parks, boat ramps, a swimming seaside, campgrounds, and a marina the place anglers can catch sand bass, largemouth bass, walleye, catfish, and crappie.

4. Robert S. Kerr Reservoir

Robert S. Kerr Reservoir Oklahoma,
Robert S. Kerr Reservoir is the 4th largest lake in Oklahoma.

Unknown writer / public area

With a floor space of 43,800 acres, Robert S. Kerr Reservoir is situated throughout the Cookson Hills on the Arkansas River. A lot of the lake is shallow, and there are a number of sand bars and islands, notably within the mid to higher areas of the lake, in a typical Arkansas river valley method. Fishing, boating, and looking are all in style actions close to the lake. Boat ramps, bathing seashores, picnic areas, mountaineering trails, RV and tent campgrounds, and concession stands are all out there on the lake. The Military Corps of Engineers additionally administers public looking on about 10,000 acres (40 km2) across the lake.

3. Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees

1653869217 916 The 12 Biggest Lakes in Oklahoma - March 29, 2024
The Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees is among the many most lovely lakes in Oklahoma.

JDMcGreg / Artistic Commons – License

Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees is situated within the northeast nook of Oklahoma, on the slopes of the Ozark Mountain Vary. With 46,500 acres of floor water and an elevation of 741 ft above sea degree, it’s the third-largest lake within the state. Due to its pure setting and picturesque shoreline, the lake is among the many most lovely lakes within the state. Grand Lake is frequently named among the many finest bass fishing lakes within the nation, and it additionally provides a variety of different sport and non-sport fishing alternatives. Sailors from all throughout the nation flock right here due to the constant breezes. Bass, sunfish, bluegill, catfish, crappie, and paddlefish are additionally considerable.

2. Lake Texoma

The 10 Most Snake Infested Lakes in the United States - March 29, 2024
Oklahoma’s largest lake by quantity is Lake Texoma.

iStock.com/asiantiger247

Lake Texoma is Oklahoma’s largest lake by quantity, with 2,643,000 acre-feet, and the state’s second-largest lake by floor space, with 89,000 acres. Lake Texoma can be one of many nation’s largest reservoirs, the twelfth largest US Military Corps of Engineers (USACE) lake, and the most important within the Tulsa District. Denison Dam creates the lake, which receives water from the Pink River and the Washita River. The dam and lake have been constructed for flood management and hydroelectric energy technology.

Many small islands dot Lake Texoma, dwelling to roughly 70 completely different fish species, the place catfish and bass are two of probably the most prevalent. Vacationers go to Lake Texoma in droves, with over 6 million visits every year.

1. Eufaula Lake

Eufaula Lake Oklahoma
Eufala Lake is the most important lake in Oklahoma.

JohnDSmith/Shutterstock.com

The most important lake in Oklahoma spans three counties and has a floor dimension of 102,000 acres. Eufaula Lake additionally has a 602-mile shoreline with varied tenting grounds, marinas, and lodging potentialities. A well known occasion attracts anglers from throughout the nation to the lake, the place they catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Kentucky bass, catfish, crappie, and sand bass. Swimming, boating, mountaineering, horseback driving, and picnics are only a few of the extra actions out there at Eufaula Lake. It’s even possible to go looking or play a spherical of golf.

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