Broken Bow

[ostate_hayes]

Anyone ever fished Broken Bow in Oklahoma and have tips for me? Im goin there next week and hope to catch some big bass. Here is a map:

Also, what is a good website to get free contour/topo maps for lakes?

Thanks yall!

[Bladesmith,]

I've never fished there but this link will let you get topography of the lake; http://www.navionics.com/en/webapp. You will have to scroll to the lake and enlarge like Google Earth.

[CDMeyer]

Navionics Web App is a really great site for topo maps

[flyingmonkie]

Ahhhhh… one of the most beautiful places on the planet.  I'll be there the week after you but probably won't fish much, sadly,

 

Broken Bow is full of big bass… It held the state record for a while.  It's been very hard for me to fish… I think because I predominantly fish stained/shallow water, and BB is very clear and often fishes deep, especially in the summer.  I don't have a ton of experience on the lake, but here goes.

 

Water should be in the mid-70s when you're there… which should be good.  Considering most of the fish should be post spawn, I'd avoid the main lake and treck up into the long, remote creek arms that the lake has so many of and look for areas adjacent to spawning grounds.  I'd expect to find fish in the 10-15 foot range, but spend some time scouting and looking for baitfish.  Graphing some baitfish balls should be a good indicator of the active depth.  I'd focus on secondary points, and any brush structure you can find.  Think cranks, plastics, spinner/chatter baits, A-rig, and jigs.  

 

If all else fails, stop by the Fast Lane on the north side of the town Broken Bow (on 259) and ask for Jerry (I think).  He's hard to find… but if you bump into him, he's a wealth of knowledge - I went in for a bag of ice once and ended up talking to him for an hour.  I've gone back several times looking for him, but he's usually fishing!

 

If you've never been, you're in for a treat.  Even if you get skunked.  Broken Bow is an absolutely AMAZING place.  If you ever question there being a "higher power", this place will set you straight.

 

I'd love to hear how your trip goes.  Tight lines!

[ostate_hayes]

Ahhhhh… one of the most beautiful places on the planet.  I'll be there the week after you but probably won't fish much, sadly,

 

Broken Bow is full of big bass… It held the state record for a while.  It's been very hard for me to fish… I think because I predominantly fish stained/shallow water, and BB is very clear and often fishes deep, especially in the summer.  I don't have a ton of experience on the lake, but here goes.

 

Water should be in the mid-70s when you're there… which should be good.  Considering most of the fish should be post spawn, I'd avoid the main lake and treck up into the long, remote creek arms that the lake has so many of and look for areas adjacent to spawning grounds.  I'd expect to find fish in the 10-15 foot range, but spend some time scouting and looking for baitfish.  Graphing some baitfish balls should be a good indicator of the active depth.  I'd focus on secondary points, and any brush structure you can find.  Think cranks, plastics, spinner/chatter baits, A-rig, and jigs.  

 

If all else fails, stop by the Fast Lane on the north side of the town Broken Bow (on 259) and ask for Jerry (I think).  He's hard to find… but if you bump into him, he's a wealth of knowledge - I went in for a bag of ice once and ended up talking to him for an hour.  I've gone back several times looking for him, but he's usually fishing!

 

If you've never been, you're in for a treat.  Even if you get skunked.  Broken Bow is an absolutely AMAZING place.  If you ever question there being a "higher power", this place will set you straight.

 

I'd love to hear how your trip goes.  Tight lines!

Thanks for all the info and I'll try it! Would docks be a good place to try too? I know they're usually around docks in most lakes.

[flyingmonkie]

Not many docks at Broken bow… the marina area and the boat ramps are about the only ones I know of.  It's a pretty remote area… no houses on the water or anything like that.

 

There is quite a bit of brush in the lake… and standing timber.  If you don't have a good sonar, I'd check the OKWRB website for fish attracters.

 

http://www.owrb.ok.gov/maps/viewers/BasicViewer/index.html?webmap=10419d240fee4ecda1560cf102af2432

 

If you're like me, it's an easy lake to get overwhelmed by (both in beauty, and how "fishy" everything looks).  Use what you know about the conditions, study maps, and have a good strategy going into your trip.  I'd pick a few areas and fish them diligently.

[BigBassBarry]

I have spent 6 hrs on Broken bow.  It is a deep lake.  I caught Walleye, Crappie, Sand bass,  spotted bass, and Large mouth bass all in the 6 hours I fished.  I fished Crankbaits, rattle traps, and Spinner Baits.  I found some Largies chasing shad in a creek and caught about 7-8 biggest one was 3 lbs lot of fun.  and Yes the Lake is beautiful.  

[ostate_hayes]

I have spent 6 hrs on Broken bow.  It is a deep lake.  I caught Walleye, Crappie, Sand bass,  spotted bass, and Large mouth bass all in the 6 hours I fished.  I fished Crankbaits, rattle traps, and Spinner Baits.  I found some Largies chasing shad in a creek and caught about 7-8 biggest one was 3 lbs lot of fun.  and Yes the Lake is beautiful.  

How deep were they?

[BigBassBarry]

How deep were they?

no very Shallow.