Tenkiller Teeming with Bass, Crappie, and Cats - Fishing Report for May 18, 2025

Artificial Lure here with your fishing report for Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma, on this fine Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Lake Tenkiller’s water level is currently about 1 foot above normal and stable, with water temperatures holding around 72 degrees. The lake’s still got a bit of stain from recent rains, and you’ll still see some debris fields scattered around, so watch your props and be careful out there, especially if you’re running main lake channels or boating near the shorelines[3][1].

We saw a real Bass Bonanza the last couple days, with largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass all biting well. Anglers are having luck working crankbaits, jigs, soft plastics, and spinnerbaits around the points, channels, docks, and rocky shorelines. The best bite has been early, right after sunrise, which came up this morning at 6:16 AM, and again in the last couple hours before sunset this evening at 8:22 PM[3][4].

The catfish bite is solid. Blue and channel cats are good on cut bait, hot dogs, fresh shad, and even nightcrawlers. Creek channels, the river channel, and the long stretches of shoreline are producing well. Folks soaking baits near the mouth of Standing Rock Creek and down by the Snake Creek area are reporting decent catches, with a few blue cats tipping the 10-pound mark[1][3][4].

Crappie anglers are still crushin’ it. White jigs, tube jigs, and live minnows under a float around docks, brush piles, and creek inlets are pulling in some good slabs. Best results have been mid-morning to midday. The area around Petit Bay marina and the bridge pilings near Blackgum Landing have been especially hot for crappie this week[3][4].

As for weather, today’s highs are pushing into the low 80s with just a light southern breeze, making for perfect fishing weather. No tidal worries on Tenkiller, but wind can get up in the open water, so keep an eye out for afternoon chop[2][3].

Best baits right now: for bass, try a chartreuse or natural-colored crankbait, or a black and blue jig. For crappie, go with white or chartreuse jigs, or a live minnow. Catfish are hitting best on cut shad or punch bait.

Hot spots for today: Petit Bay for crappie, Snake Creek for cats, and the main lake points north of the dam for bass. Remember, the water’s still a bit stained and there’s debris about, so fish slow and safe.

That’s your report from Lake Tenkiller. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water[1][3][4].