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Quick Reference Fair
Conditions last updated: July 1, 2026
Lake McMurtry sits 6 miles north of Stillwater in Noble County — close enough to the Oklahoma State University campus that it’s been a student and local fishing destination for generations, and quiet enough that it still fishes like a local secret. At 1,155 acres, this lake is manageable in a morning kayak session. The Lake McMurtry Friends Nonprofit Organization manages the public facilities, which includes placing brush piles throughout the lake for crappie and catfish habitat. ODWC stocks saugeye specifically to improve crappie size — a management practice that benefits the whole fish community.
McMurtry is often overlooked in favor of nearby Lake Carl Blackwell, but the two lakes have different characters. Carl Blackwell sits on OSU’s range with open, windswept water. McMurtry is more sheltered, with a distinctive enclosed crappie dock on the west side that makes it a year-round destination even in cold or windy conditions. The lake runs along a 23-mile shoreline with a mix of shoreline brush, ODWC-placed fish attractors, and natural structure. For a Stillwater-area kayak angler who wants a quieter alternative to Carl Blackwell, McMurtry is the answer.
No current ODWC fishing report is on file for McMurtry — this lake is smaller and not on the mandatory reporting list. Current conditions: call Lake McMurtry West Bait Shop at (405) 747-8085 before heading out — they’re on the water and know what’s biting. Visit LakeMcMurtry.org for facility information and access details.
Species you’ll find here
| Species | Best technique from a kayak | Best season | Where to find them |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Crankbaits and plastics along shoreline brush; jigs around fish attractor brush piles | Spring through Fall; spring peak | Shoreline brush, ODWC fish attractors, main lake |
| White Crappie | Jigs and minnows — vertical presentations over brush piles and the enclosed crappie dock | Spring (peak spawn), Fall; enclosed dock fishes year-round | ODWC brush piles, enclosed crappie dock (west side), main lake |
| Black Crappie | Jigs and minnows around structure | Spring (peak), Fall | ODWC brush piles, main lake |
| Saugeye | Jigs and crankbaits on deeper structure; hair jigs and minnows | Spring and Fall; twilight and night bites best | Main lake structure, fish attractors, channel edges |
| White Bass | Small jigs and inline spinners; find the school | Spring (spawning run), early Summer | Main lake, points |
| Channel Catfish | Cut bait or stinkbait anchored on shoreline structure | Spring through Fall | Shoreline, brush, main lake |
| Flathead Catfish | Live bait near woody debris at dusk | Spring through Fall | Deeper holes, woody debris |
The enclosed crappie dock on the west side is the most unique feature of this lake. It’s a covered, year-round structure that holds crappie even when the main lake is cold and windy — the rare situation where you can fish comfortably from a kayak in winter at a central Oklahoma lake without fighting the elements. In spring, the dock structure absolutely concentrates crappie pre-spawn. Fish the dock pilings and any submerged structure underneath with a 1/16 oz jig or small minnow. The saugeye stocking program means you might also pick up a saugeye working a jig along the nearby bottom structure.
Best launch points for kayaks
West Recreation Area Ramp Easy
Primary ramp on the west side, located at 30285 Bronco Curve, Stillwater, OK 74075. Lake McMurtry West Bait Shop is on-site. Kayak/non-motorized day pass is per vehicle — no motorized boating permit required for kayaks. Annual membership (5/vehicle) available for frequent visitors. The enclosed crappie dock is directly accessible from this ramp. Aquatic nuisance species wash stations must be used before and after launching. Call (405) 747-8085 for current conditions and bait.
East Recreation Area Ramp Easy
Second ramp on the east side at 29180 Chisholm Curve, Stillwater, OK 74075. This is the kayak and SUP rental hub — single kayaks, double kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent (no reservations, call ahead at (405) 533-1831). Good access to the open main lake and mid-lake structure. Same day pass applies.
Conditions and what to know before you launch
Wind
Lake McMurtry is sheltered by surrounding terrain more than its neighbor Carl Blackwell, but afternoon south and southwest winds still build chop on the open main lake in summer. The west side of the lake near the enclosed crappie dock is typically the calmest zone in a south wind. Morning launches are recommended for main-lake fishing in summer. The enclosed dock provides a wind-protected fishing option that’s unique among Oklahoma lakes.
Boat Traffic
Light to moderate. McMurtry sees less tournament pressure than Carl Blackwell and serves mostly local Stillwater and Noble County anglers. Weekend mornings in spring see crappie anglers working the dock and brush piles. Weekday mornings are generally quiet. No jet ski or water ski traffic consistent with the lake’s fishing-first character.
Water Conditions
No current ODWC fishing report is on file for Lake McMurtry — this lake is not in the mandatory ODWC reporting program. For current water conditions, call Lake McMurtry West Bait Shop at (405) 747-8085. ODWC places brush piles throughout the lake and stocks saugeye periodically — the fish attractor program means structure is distributed throughout the water column and findable with a fish finder.
Safety
Standard central Oklahoma lake safety applies: afternoon thunderstorms are the primary hazard in summer, and south winds can build chop on the open main lake. The lake’s size (1,155 acres) makes it easy to be back at the ramp quickly if conditions deteriorate. Wear your PFD — Oklahoma law requires a wearable PFD on board for every person on the water.
No current ODWC fishing report is available for Lake McMurtry. For current bite conditions, water temps, and access status, call Lake McMurtry West Bait Shop at (405) 747-8085 before your trip. They are on-site and are the most reliable source for current conditions on this lake.
Recommended gear for Lake McMurtry
Fish Finder
The ODWC brush piles at McMurtry are distributed around the lake and are key crappie and catfish holding structure. A Garmin Striker Vivid shows you the brush pile locations and the depth where fish are holding — especially useful in summer when crappie drop below 12 feet and a visual approach from the kayak won’t find them. Also helps you track the saugeye that tend to suspend along channel edges near the fish attractors.
Best Kayak Fish Finders →Anchor Trolley System
Sitting quietly over a specific brush pile or along a dock piling for crappie requires an anchor — if you’re drifting, you’ll drift off the productive spot before the fish commit. A YakAttack trolley with a light grapnel keeps you positioned exactly where you want to be. Essential for the enclosed crappie dock fishing and for working individual brush pile locations on the main lake.
Best Kayak Anchor Systems →High-Visibility PFD
Oklahoma law requires a wearable PFD on board for every person on the water. Lake McMurtry attracts weekend anglers in spring, and being visible to approaching boats matters. A bright PFD worn on your body keeps you safe on the water and compliant with Oklahoma law.
Best Kayak PFDs →Safety Whistle
Standard kit. Clip it to your PFD. 115dB pealess whistle works wet and requires no maintenance. At 1,155 acres with occasional boat traffic, a whistle is your fastest distress signal.
Check Price on Amazon →Fishing regulations for Lake McMurtry
Lake McMurtry has no area-specific fishing regulations beyond Oklahoma statewide limits. Standard ODWC daily bag and size limits apply for all species. Non-residents must comply with the 2025 ODWC check-in/out requirement. Contact: Fisheries Management Office (580) 304-9243 or Game Warden Noble County (580) 370-0700.
Always verify current regulations before fishing: wildlifedepartment.com/licensing. Annual resident fishing license runs about $25.
Lake McMurtry has a lake-specific rule: only 2 fishing poles per person at any time. Oklahoma state law allows up to 7 — this is a more restrictive local rule enforced by the nonprofit management. Trot lines, jug lines, limb lines, yo-yos, gill nets, and cast nets (except for shad) are all prohibited. No boating after 10 PM. Speed limit 25 mph. Jet skis, Sea-Doos, and water skiing are prohibited lake-wide.
The moment you attach any electric trolling motor, your kayak becomes a motorized vessel and must be titled and registered with the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Operating without registration is a citation offense.
Nearby bait and tackle
- Lake McMurtry West Bait Shop — 30285 Bronco Curve, Stillwater, OK 74075 — (405) 747-8085 — on-site at the lake
- Cowboy Corner at Lake Carl Blackwell — 11000 Oklahoma 51 West, Stillwater, OK 74074 — (405) 743-1977
- Walmart Supercenter (Stillwater) — 4545 W 6th Ave, Stillwater, OK 74074 — (405) 707-0744
- Academy Sports (Stillwater) — 2409 N Perkins Rd, Stillwater, OK 74075 — (405) 742-6010
- R.C. Bait and Tackle — 11608 Fairgrounds Rd, Perkins, OK 74059 — (405) 880-5522
Other Oklahoma lakes worth fishing
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Any angler age 16 or older needs a valid Oklahoma fishing license (about $25/year resident). Purchase at wildlifedepartment.com or at Lake McMurtry West Bait Shop on-site. Non-residents must also check in and out per the 2025 ODWC requirement.
Lake McMurtry West Bait Shop (30285 Bronco Curve, Stillwater, OK 74075) is on the west side of the lake at the primary access ramp. Call (405) 747-8085 for current access information. The enclosed crappie dock is also on the west side, directly accessible from this launch. Visit LakeMcMurtry.org for current facility information.
Largemouth bass, white bass, black crappie, white crappie, saugeye (stocked), channel catfish, and flathead catfish. ODWC stocks saugeye specifically to improve crappie size in the lake. Brush piles are placed throughout the lake by the nonprofit management organization.
An enclosed covered fishing structure on the west side of the lake that provides year-round crappie fishing access regardless of wind or weather conditions. From a kayak, you can position alongside the dock pilings and fish the submerged structure with jigs and minnows. This feature is unique among Oklahoma lakes and makes McMurtry a viable winter crappie destination when open-water conditions on other lakes are tough.
Both are near Stillwater but have different characters. Carl Blackwell (3,300 acres) is an OSU-managed reservoir with more open water and more fishing pressure from Stillwater anglers and tournament events. McMurtry (1,155 acres) is smaller, managed by a nonprofit, typically quieter, and has the unique enclosed crappie dock feature. McMurtry is the better choice for a quiet morning crappie trip; Carl Blackwell is better for covering more water for bass and saugeye.