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Quick Reference Fair
Conditions last updated: July 1, 2026
Lake Overholser is Oklahoma City’s oldest reservoir, built in 1919 and sitting right off Route 66 on the western edge of the city. Most OKC anglers overlook it in favor of Hefner or Arcadia — and that’s exactly why it’s worth knowing about. The lake is stocked annually with channel catfish and hybrid striped bass by ODWC, the crappie bite comes on strong in spring, and at an average depth of 6 feet across 1,581 acres, this is one of the most manageable urban lakes in the state for a kayak angler who wants to cover structure efficiently without fighting wind on a big open reservoir.
The real ace up Overholser’s sleeve is Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge. The City of Oklahoma City’s wildlife refuge sits adjacent to the lake’s western shore, and the only way into it is by water from Overholser — there are no road-accessible ramps inside. That means kayak anglers have exclusive access to miles of protected cove water that bank anglers can’t reach and powerboats don’t bother with. The refuge water holds catfish and crappie in the shallower coves and supports some of the best wildlife viewing you’ll find on any OKC-area lake: great blue herons, egrets, bald eagles, deer, and beaver in the refuge arms. If you’re only planning to fish the main lake body, you’re leaving the best part of Overholser undiscovered.
The Riversport OKC Boathouse on the east shore is a bonus: they rent kayaks and SUPs by the hour, run guided sunset paddles into the refuge, and operate the Trailhead Cafe on-site. If you’re bringing someone who doesn’t own a kayak, this is where to send them while you rig up at the city ramp next door. Lake Overholser is located between NW 10th Street and US Route 66, near N Morgan Road and Overholser Drive in western OKC.
Species you’ll find here
| Species | Best technique from a kayak | Best season | Where to find them |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | Cut bait, shrimp, or chicken liver on the bottom — anchor and wait on the points | Spring through Fall; stocked annually | Points, rocks, shallows throughout the lake |
| Blue Catfish | Cut bait or shad on the bottom near deeper structure | Spring through Fall | Points, deeper water near dam |
| Hybrid Striped Bass | Flukes, swimbaits, live shad — stocked annually; target schooling fish on points | Spring and Fall (most active); present year-round | Shorelines, points, open water when schooling |
| White Bass | Small jigs, inline spinners — find the schools | Spring (spawning run), early Summer | Points, docks, open water |
| White Crappie | Jigs and minnows — slow vertical presentation over fish attractors | Spring (peak spawn), Fall | Fish attractors, dock structure, dam area |
Paddle west into the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge. Launch from either city ramp, hug the south shoreline heading west, and you’ll find the refuge water opening up — protected coves that no bank angler can reach and no powerboat bothers with. The catfish hold tight in the shallow refuge coves. The wildlife viewing alone (bald eagles, herons, beaver) is worth the paddle. The refuge water is flat calm in almost any wind condition. This is the reason to fish Overholser instead of Hefner.
Best launch points for kayaks
East Side Ramp (near Patrol Station) Easy
City of OKC-managed concrete ramp on the east shore of the lake, near the patrol station and the Riversport OKC Boathouse. This is the primary kayak launch. Tending dock and ADA facilities on site. Parking available. Located near the historic Route 66 bridge — the boathouse is immediately adjacent if you need a rental or a coffee from the Trailhead Cafe. This ramp gives good access to the main lake body and, from there, the entrance to the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge to the west.
South End / Dam Ramp Easy
Second city ramp at the south end of the lake near the dam, also with a tending dock and ADA access. The covered fishing pier is at the southwest corner. Good for anglers targeting catfish structure near the dam and crappie on the fish attractor brush piles in the southern end of the lake. Both ramps require the City of OKC boating permit — carry it on your person on the water.
Conditions and what to know before you launch
Wind
At 1,581 acres with a 7.3-mile shoreline, Overholser is compact enough that wind rarely builds serious chop — it’s not the open-fetch problem you face on Hefner or Thunderbird. That said, afternoon southwest winds in summer do push across the main lake body. The Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge coves are effectively sheltered in any wind direction. Launch whenever is convenient; the main lake is manageable in all but the strongest weather.
Boat Traffic
Overholser permits all watercraft including personal watercraft and sailboats. Summer weekends bring recreational traffic on the main lake. No water skiing is allowed, which keeps wakes manageable. The refuge arm has no motorized traffic — kayaks only. Weekday mornings on the main lake are quiet and productive. The Riversport OKC boathouse generates some rowing and SUP traffic near the east ramp on weekends — not a hazard, just something to know when loading and launching.
Water Conditions
As of the Jun 30, 2026 ODWC report: water temperature 83°F and stained, elevation 1 ft. below normal (stable). At summer heat, the shallow average depth (6 ft) means the entire lake is warm — fish push to whatever slight depth variation exists near the dam and deeper channel edges. Catfish are Fair on points. Crappie and white bass are Slow. Water is stained year-round due to the lake’s soft-bottom North Canadian River origins. Stained conditions favor reaction baits with vibration and color contrast.
Safety
Overholser is an urban lake with year-round recreational traffic. Wear your PFD — it’s Oklahoma law, and city park rangers actively patrol the lake. Swimming is prohibited on all OKC city lakes. The North Canadian River canal connecting Overholser to Hefner is navigable by kayak but involves open terrain — only attempt it on calm days and know the wind forecast before committing to the crossing. Zebra mussels are confirmed at Lake Hefner, which connects to Overholser by canal. Always Clean-Drain-Dry your kayak between water bodies.
Lake Overholser requires both an Oklahoma state fishing license AND a separate Oklahoma City fishing license. The city license is in addition to your ODWC state license — not included with it. Most metro anglers know about the OKC boating permit ($33 annual / $6.25 daily) but miss the separate fishing license requirement. Fishing without it is a citation offense. Contact Oklahoma City Lakes at (405) 755-4014 for current fee information and purchase locations.
Recommended gear for Lake Overholser
PFD — City Rangers Patrol This Lake
OKC city park rangers actively patrol Overholser and the other city lakes. Oklahoma law requires a wearable PFD on board for every person — and on an urban lake this close to a patrol station, compliance matters. A bright orange or yellow PFD also makes you visible to the sailboats and personal watercraft that use Overholser on summer weekends. Get one comfortable enough to wear all day.
Best Kayak PFDs →Anchor Trolley System
Overholser’s fish attractors and the catfish structure near the dam are specific, small targets. Without an anchor, you drift off them the moment you get set up. A YakAttack anchor trolley with a 3-pound grapnel holds you in place over the brush or on the point — especially useful in the refuge coves where a slight current from the canal connection can push you off your spot. Essential for the catfish anchoring game that works best on this lake.
Best Kayak Anchor Systems →Waterproof Phone Case
Urban lake equals phone in hand — permit apps, maps, fish attractor GPS coordinates, weather radar. Overholser’s shallow depth means wakes from PWCs and sailboats can splash your deck unexpectedly. A waterproof case is cheap insurance on a lake where wet decks are common. Download the city lake map and your GPS coordinates for the fish attractor locations before you launch.
Check Price on Amazon →Safety Whistle
Standard kit on any lake. Clip it to your PFD. On an urban lake with patrol boats, sailboats, and personal watercraft, a 115dB pealess whistle is your fastest emergency signal. It weighs nothing. There’s no reason not to have it.
Check Price on Amazon →Fishing regulations for Lake Overholser
Lake Overholser has area-specific method restrictions: maximum three rods and reels per person on the water at any time, with no more than three hooks per line (treble hooks count as one hook). Bowfishing is allowed during daylight hours only. These rules are set by the City of Oklahoma City — for the complete current special regulations, visit okc.gov. Standard ODWC statewide bag and size limits apply for all species. Non-residents must comply with the 2025 ODWC check-in/out requirement.
Always verify current regulations before fishing: wildlifedepartment.com/licensing. Annual resident Oklahoma state fishing license runs about $25. Contact Oklahoma City Lakes for the Oklahoma City fishing license: (405) 755-4014.
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. On City of Oklahoma City waters, you also need the appropriate OKC boating permit for motorized watercraft. Operating without registration or permit is a citation offense.
Nearby bait and tackle
- Walmart Supercenter (OKC — W Reno) — 6100 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73127 — (405) 491-0320 — closest to the lake
- Academy Sports (Yukon) — 12324 NW 10th St, Yukon, OK 73099 — (405) 246-1429
- Lucky Lure Tackle — 9427 N May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73120 — (405) 749-1808
- Bass Pro Shops — 200 Bass Pro Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 — (405) 218-5200
- Cabela’s — 1200 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73114 — (405) 546-3500
Other Oklahoma lakes worth fishing
Frequently asked questions
Yes — two separate licenses. You need a valid Oklahoma state fishing license (about $25/year for residents) AND a separate Oklahoma City fishing license. Most anglers know about the OKC boating permit ($33 annual) but miss the city fishing license, which is an additional requirement. Contact Oklahoma City Lakes at (405) 755-4014 for current fee and purchase information. Non-residents must also check in and out per the 2025 ODWC requirement.
Two city ramps: the east side ramp near the patrol station (adjacent to the Riversport OKC Boathouse, just south of the Route 66 bridge) and the south end ramp near the dam. Both have tending docks and ADA access. Both require a City of OKC boating permit. The Riversport OKC Boathouse also rents kayaks ($25/hr, $50/3hr) if you don’t have your own.
Channel catfish and hybrid striped bass are stocked annually by ODWC. White bass, blue catfish, and white crappie are also present. The catfish fishing is the most consistent bite on the lake, particularly around the points and rocky structure. The hybrid striper bite picks up in spring and fall when fish school on the surface.
Yes — this is the best feature of Overholser for kayak anglers. The Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge borders the lake on the west and the only water access is from Overholser itself. There are no road-accessible ramps inside the refuge. Kayak west from either launch ramp and you’re in the refuge water — protected coves with catfish, crappie, and exceptional wildlife viewing that no bank angler or powerboat can access.
Yes — especially for catfish and crappie anglers. The shallow average depth (6 ft) makes the whole lake readable from a kayak. The Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge coves give you exclusive access to low-pressure water that nobody else can fish. The lake is rated beginner difficulty by paddling databases, meaning calm, manageable water year-round. The dual license requirement (state + OKC city fishing license) is the main thing to sort out before your first trip.