🧭 Bass fishing
The short answer
Bass fishing on Broken Bow Lake is good, and it holds all three kinds of black bass: largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. In its late-October report, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation said bass were biting well on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, crawfish, worms and soft plastics around coves and points.
The lake is clear and very deep, more than 160 feet near the dam, so the bass often hold on rocky points, drop-offs and standing timber instead of in thick weeds.
Bringing your own boat? Look at the lake level first. In fall the water can sit several feet below normal, and that makes some ramps shallow. The level box on this page updates on its own from the Corps of Engineers.
- Bass in the lake: Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, plus white bass and hybrid stripers
- Daily limit: 6 largemouth and smallmouth combined, only 1 over 16 inches. Spotted bass: no limit
- Size limit: No minimum length on the lake. The 14-inch minimum applies on rivers and streams
- License: Adults need an Oklahoma fishing license, sold online by the Wildlife Department
- Bait & tackle: Beavers Bend Marina, 196 Marina Ln, (580) 722-5200, and Hooker's Live Bait on U.S. 259
- Corps lake office: 580-933-4239
📏 Live from the Corps of Engineers
Broken Bow Lake level today
🎣 What's biting
How the bass are biting this fall
The game warden's report for McCurtain County, posted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation on October 23, called bass fishing good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, crawfish, plastic baits, spinnerbaits and worms around coves and points. The same report said the lake was clear and about 10 feet below normal and falling.
The state says largemouth are the most common bass here. Smallmouth and spotted bass share the same rocky water, and spots are plentiful but usually smaller. The Wildlife Department posts a new report most weeks, so look at its Broken Bow Lake page the week you come.
🚤 Bring your own boat
Where to launch your boat
Beavers Bend State Park's official lake map shows several boat ramps on the park side of the lake, off Firefly Drive, Grasshopper Drive, Deer Drive and near Lakeview Lodge, plus the marina. The park charges a daily parking fee, paid by license plate.
Outside the park, the Stevens Gap, Carson Creek and Cedar Creek areas sit on the west side of the lake, each a short drive from Hochatown. Beavers Bend Marina (196 Marina Ln) sells bait and tackle and rents slips.
When the lake is low, some ramps get shallow or end short of the water. Call the Corps lake office at 580-933-4239 or the marina before you hitch up, and watch for stumps and rocks near shore.
🚤 Marina, fuel, bait & tackleBeavers Bend Marina & Boat Rental is a Broken Bow Lake destination built for easy days on the water, with boat rentals, Sea-Doos, marina services, and a location near Hochatown and Beavers Bend State Park.
See hours, photos & directions →
🚤 Live bait on U.S. 259Hooker's Live Bait is a bait shop on US Highway 259 north of Broken Bow, right on the way to Broken Bow Lake, Beavers Bend and the Mountain Fork River.
See hours, photos & directions →🐟 Hire a guide
Local bass guides
A guide brings the boat and knows where the fish are holding this week, which helps on a lake this deep. These local guides list bass trips on Broken Bow Lake. Most offer half-day and full-day trips, so call for prices and dates.
🐟 Bass trips, half or full dayBigFoot Bass Guide takes anglers out on Broken Bow Lake and the river for guided bass fishing in southeast Oklahoma.
See hours, photos & directions →
🐟 Largemouth, smallmouth & spotsRudy’s Guide Service puts Broken Bow Lake fishing front and center, offering guided trips on one of southeast Oklahoma’s best-known outdoor waters.
See hours, photos & directions →
🐟 Bass & crappie, gear suppliedDavid’s Guide Service is a Broken Bow fishing guide built around year-round trips on Broken Bow Lake and Pine Creek Lake in southeast Oklahoma.
See hours, photos & directions →
🐟 Crappie, bass & white bassBroken Bow Lake Guide Service is a fishing guide service on Broken Bow Lake, known for guided trips focused especially on crappie.
See hours, photos & directions →📏 Keep it legal
Bass limits on Broken Bow Lake
Broken Bow Lake follows Oklahoma's statewide lake rules. You may keep 6 largemouth and smallmouth bass a day, combined, and only 1 of them may be longer than 16 inches. There's no minimum length on the lake. Spotted bass have no daily limit and no size limit.
The river below the dam has different rules. On rivers and streams, largemouth and smallmouth must be at least 14 inches, and only 1 of your 6 bass may be a smallmouth. The trout stretch of the Mountain Fork has its own rules too. See our trout guide for those.
🚚 Delivery to your cabin
Staying in? Get food and groceries delivered
Grocery delivery
Skip the drive to town. Adam's Snack Wagon shops the shelves at Pruett's Food in Broken Bow for you. Type or say your shopping list in the app, check the items it finds, and a driver brings your groceries to your cabin around Broken Bow Lake.
Shop groceries →Restaurant delivery
Order from local restaurants on the Adam's Snack Wagon app. A driver picks up your food and brings it right to your cabin, so nobody has to drive after a long day on the lake.
Order restaurant delivery →🗺️ Everything on one map
Find it on the map
📅 This week & coming up
Coming up around the lake
No events are listed for this area right now. Check the full calendar.
🛏️ Places to stay
Find a place to stay near Hochatown
This map shows cabins and vacation rentals around Hochatown with prices. Add your dates to see what's open.
Tap a price to see photos and book. Add your dates on the map to see what's open. We may earn a small commission if you book. It doesn't change your price.
💡 Before you go
Tips for bass fishing Broken Bow Lake
Check the level first
Fall water can sit 10 feet low. Check the level box above and call ahead about ramps.
Fish the points
The water is clear and deep. Start on rocky points and the mouths of coves.
Know your bass
Spotted bass have no limit. Largemouth and smallmouth count toward your 6.
Buy your license online
Adults need an Oklahoma fishing license. Get it before you drive out.
Bring the parking fee
Ramps inside Beavers Bend State Park need a daily parking pass.
Mind the cold river
Fishing below the dam? The water rises fast when it's released.
❓ Good to know
Common questions
How is the bass fishing on Broken Bow Lake right now?
Good, per the state's late-October report: bass were biting on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, crawfish, worms and soft plastics around coves and points. Look at the Wildlife Department's weekly report for the newest word.
What kind of bass are in Broken Bow Lake?
Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. Largemouth are the most common. There are also white bass and hybrid striped bass.
What is the bass limit on Broken Bow Lake?
6 largemouth and smallmouth a day combined, only 1 over 16 inches, and no minimum length. Spotted bass have no limit.
Where can I launch my boat on Broken Bow Lake?
Beavers Bend State Park has several ramps and a marina (daily parking fee), and there are more at the Stevens Gap, Carson Creek and Cedar Creek areas. Call ahead when the lake is low.
What is the Broken Bow Lake level today?
As of October 26, 11:00 AM Central, Broken Bow Lake was at 590.5 feet, 9.5 feet below its normal pool of 600.0 feet, and falling. This page updates it from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers every 30 minutes.
Can I hire a bass guide on Broken Bow Lake?
Yes. BigFoot Bass Guide, Rudy's Guide Service, David's Guide Service and Broken Bow Lake Guide Service all list bass trips. Call them for prices and open dates.
Can I get restaurant food or groceries delivered to my cabin in Broken Bow Lake?
Yes. Adam's Snack Wagon delivers restaurant food and groceries to cabins around Broken Bow Lake. You order on the Snack Wagon app, a driver goes and gets it, and brings it to your door. For groceries, they shop the shelves at Pruett's Food in Broken Bow, and you can type or say your shopping list right in the app.
🧭 Keep planning