Anybody have anything to add to the zero knowledge I have on the Lower Illinois River in Oklahoma? Let it out, you'll feel better.

There is a thread in bb flyshop forum. From what I have learned the water levels fluctuate based on the releases and power generation schedule. I had a reservation at 10 killer in Jan and the plan was to fish the wma area. Couldn't get too excited, am going to the San Juan instead now.


quote from BB thread

"It's been a while since I have fished at the Lower Illinois but from what I recall, around 200 cfs was very good, especially in the Watts WMA area where I usually went. It's probably still okay down to about 100 cfs or a little less but down to 40 cfs is too slow. I think if the flow is around 400 cfs you can still wade in it but it does become a little swift is some spots. However, when they are generating and it's up there at 4000 cfs you can forget about it. You can't wade it and will be stuck standing on the bank.

For the generation schedule, there's a new link: www.energy.gov/swpa/generation-schedules. Be careful with the days of the week though. They usually post the new schedule only one or two days in advance. Check the date at the top of the schedule to make sure.

To make sense of the schedule, pick a day of the week and go to Column 6 (TKD) for Tenkiller Dam. As you go down that column it will tell you what hours of the day will have a power output. As I recall, anything above ZERO is too much and will have too much flow for wading.

Like I said, it's been a while since I've been there - 3 or 4 years - and I stopped fishing there because of the flows. They were either generating most days with 4000 cfs or pinching off the flow to 40 cfs with the minimum flow valve. Neither case was fishable and then they let the water level build up too high in the lake one fall and had to open the gates to 18000 cfs to bring it back down. If they would have released something reasonable during the off-generation hours they could have avoided that problem and allowed for good fly fishing too. But no. I believe there was some legislation passed to avoid those low flow situations but I'm not sure. I got frustrated, went into Missouri to fish the freestone creeks and trout parks, and never went back."

Fished it a few weeks ago. There were no planned generations when we went. And, Oklahoma is still stocking trout year round.

Here is an old article posted years ago that has more details. - Lower Illinois River.

Here are videos that may be of interest - Lower Illinois River Videos.

There is a Striped Bass study ongoing. Details are posted on a sign by the Powerhouse Parking Area. And, there is construction ongoing at the Powerhouse, so we could not take the trail near the fence line. Still easy access to the River taking the trail by the outhouse.

When power is generating, there is a pool area below the Dam that can be fished as it is protected. Main issue is crossing the river to get to it; may be a tough to wade. I thought it could be accessed from a trail at the top of the Dam but was not successful when I checked it out several years ago.

Also, you can go downriver to several locations that are wadable when generating to include the Special Regulation area.

And, there is the Marval Resort Campground that can be fished when power is generating. When you check in, let the attendant know you are trout fishing. If it is like past Seasons, the entrance fee is waived for trout fishermen from Nov 1 to March 31 to coincide with the state-wide stocking program.

Hope this helps.

I know someone that has been killing it up there. Last weekend, mop flies in dirty water were the ticket.... I think you know this guy as well. Hit him up.

Keep driving and go to Arkansas. That’s my .02 cents although havnt been back to lower Illinois in several years. Way better fishing and the scenery is way better especially in the fall. Way more options right next to each other as well. The difference in what you find is worth the extra 3 and 12 hour drive imo.

Thanks for all the info! Now I just have to find my driving mojo.