Lake Map
Click HERE for a map.
Local Area Information Cookson is located on the east side of the lake and has the only airport available on the lakeshore. There is a 2,600 foot runway with an attendant always on duty to serve flying visitors to the lake area. Cookson is also home to many businesses to serve visitors: restaurants, convenience stores, dive shops, and tourist information from the Lake Tenkiller Association.
Vian is a family town. It is conveniently located to I-40 and is one of the gateways to Lake Tenkiller. Friday night means high school football or basketball - the town revolves around Vian High School and its activities. Sunday will find the families of Vian making their way to one of the more than twenty-five area churches. And everyday of the week the areas outstanding recreational facilities call for fun family times together. Three miles south of Vian is the Sequoyah Wildlife Refuge. Winter home to the American Bald Eagle, literally thousands of Canadian and Snow Geese, beautiful whitetail deer and some of the best fishing in Oklahoma. Vian is a town of friendly, caring people, Vian is also a convenient place for families. Health care comes from medical professionals who are also friends of their patients and still make house calls. Merchants know their customers and are also willing to go the extra step to help. With this attitude, it's no surprise Vian is beginning to grow as new businesses meet the needs of local consumers.
Located 7 miles south of Lake Tenkiller, Gore serves a gateway to the lake area for visitors arriving from the south and west. It is a growing community that has more than doubled its incorporated size in the last three to five years.
For more information:
www.laketenkiller.com/
www.tenkiller.com/
AquaExtremes - Dive Boat
www.aquaextremes.com
Local Weather Conditions
Fishing Information
Known as the "Trout Capital of Oklahoma," Gore is within one mile of the lower Illinois River which offers year-round trout fishing. Record striped bass are also frequently caught in this stretch of the Illinois River. In 1996, a new record was set with a 47 pound 8 ounce striped bass being caught.Fishing opportunities abound at Tenkiller as many different species exist in the clear water. Some of the most popular fish include largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass, crappie, catfish and rainbow trout. Lake Tenkiller is a popular lake for fishing tournaments. Rainbow trout are routinely stocked in the lower Illinois River, along with brown trout. Striped bass are also common in the lower Illinois River with several state record fish coming from its waters. Fishing is a year round activity with each season producing its own challenges.
Spring - White bass (candies) provide excellent fishing opportunities in the spring as they head for the upper Illinois River to spawn. Carter's Landing to Horseshoe Bend is an excellent area to catch the spring run. Crappie fishing is usually best in the spring as the fish prepare for spawning. Look for small pea gravel type banks and shallow water willow trees.
Summer - Largemouth bass move to deeper water during the hot summer months. Night fishing is popular due to the heavy day use on the lake. Smallmouth bass provide some scrappy fighting in the summer. Most successful area to catch smallmouth bass are in the upper Illinois River and Baron Fork Creek. White bass begin to school during the summer months. Areas near Cookson, Chicken Creek, and Snake Creek are good choices. Crappie can be found in deep water during the hot summer months. Catfishing really picks up during the summer. Fishing the deep water near mud flats around Pettit Bay, Standing Rock and Carter's Landing are excellent choices.
Fall - Largemouth bass return to the shallows as water temperatures start to cool back down. White bass can be caught along the windy, rocky points. Crappie move back to the shallows and can be found on submerged brush. Catfishing is good in ten to twenty feet of water.
Winter - Largemouth bass seek deep water for the winter months. Fish deep underwater structures. White bass also seek deeper water. Crappie can be caught from one of the heated fishing docks around the lake.
Boating Information The lake has ten marinas and fourteen parks managed by the State of Oklahoma or the Corps of Engineers with all levels of campsite facilities available. There are 24 boat launching ramps around the lake for those who bring their own boats. Rental boats of all kinds are available at most marinas.
The beautiful clear waters of Lake Tenkiller are perfect for all types of boating and skiing activities. Colorful sails grace the horizon on any given day as sailing enthusiasts discover the deep clear water and whispering breezes. Secluded coves provide shelter from powerboat wakes and prevailing winds and are popular anchoring spots for the large yachts and pontoon boats.
Barnacle Bill’s Marina 457-5438
Cookson Bend Resort and Marina 457-5161
Elk Creek Resort 457-5142
Pine Cove Marina 489-5735
Sixshooter Resort and Marina 457-5152
More than 1,300 acres are available for camping and picnicking. You may choose the site that's right for you from any of the eighteen Public Use Areas, from RV hookups to the primitive wilds. These parks have boat launching ramps, restrooms, showers, shelters and tables, drinking fountains, swimming areas and cooking facilities. The swimming areas have safety buoy markers to prevent boats from entering the areas. Most camping grounds are patrolled by the Corps of Engineers or State Park Rangers for security. There are numerous privately owned resorts as well as Tenkiller State Park with cabins adjoining the parks.Ray Fine Park, located on the north edge of Gore, provides a playground, tennis and basketball courts, picnic tables, group shelters, and modern toilets.
Summers Landing Park, located just south of Gore on the Arkansas River, provides free overnight camping and boat launching facilities.
If you do not see a menu on the left, please CLICK HERE for the complete Lake Page.
