🧭 Broken Bow Lake guide
Oklahoma's clear mountain lake
Broken Bow Lake is the big blue heart of the Hochatown area: about 14,000 acres of clear, deep water with roughly 180 miles of pine-covered shoreline. Its dam on the Mountain Fork River sits about 10 miles north of Broken Bow, with Beavers Bend State Park below it and Hochatown along the lake's western side.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the lake. Work began in October 1961, the water started rising in October 1968, and the lake reached its full level in April 1970. The original town of Hochatown, settled in the 1880s, lies under the water today.
This guide covers boat rentals, fishing guides, places to camp and stay by the water, and the businesses in our directory around the shore. The lake level box below updates on its own from the Corps of Engineers.
- Size: About 14,000 acres, 180 miles of shoreline, 185 feet at the deepest
- Built by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, 1961 to 1970
- River: The Mountain Fork River flows in and out of the lake
- Corps lake office: 580-933-4239
📏 Live from the Corps of Engineers
Broken Bow Lake level today
🚤 On the water
Boat, pontoon and jet ski rentals
You don't need your own boat to enjoy the lake. Rental companies around Stevens Gap, the Beavers Bend marina and the coves near Hochatown rent pontoons for big groups, fishing boats, jet skis and Sea-Doos. You can also take a tiki boat tour, paddle a kayak, or try electric eFoil surfing.
Ask about fuel and life jackets when you book, and reserve early for summer weekends and holidays.
🚤 Marina & boat rentalsBeavers 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 →
🚤 Pontoon & fishing boatsBroken Bow and Hochatown Boat Rentals puts Broken Bow Lake right at the center of the outing, with pontoon boat rentals, fishing boat rentals, and chartered options built for easy days on the water.
See hours, photos & directions →
🚤 Pontoon & watercraftEconomy Boat Rentals gives Broken Bow Lake visitors an easy way onto the water with pontoon and watercraft rentals, plus fishing tours.
See hours, photos & directions →
🚤 Pontoon rentalsHochatown Pontoon and Boat Rentals LLC puts Broken Bow Lake front and center with pontoon and boat rentals built for easy days on the water.
See hours, photos & directions →
🚤 Pontoons & jet skisHochatown High Hills & Thrills is a Broken Bow boat-rental outfit built for easy days on Broken Bow Lake, with pontoon boats and jet skis as its main draw.
See hours, photos & directions →
🚤 Boat rentalsMain Street Boat Rentals is a Broken Bow Lake boat-rental business that helps guests get out on the water with a simple, ready-to-go rental experience.
See hours, photos & directions →
🚤 Jet ski rentalsOutlaw’s Adventures brings the rush of Sea-Doo jet ski rentals to Broken Bow Lake, giving visitors a fast, easy way to get out on the water.
See hours, photos & directions →
🚤 Tiki boat toursBroken Bow Lake Tiki Boat Tours brings a playful lake-day experience to Broken Bow and Hochatown, with guided tiki boat tours on Broken Bow Lake that showcase the area’s scenery from the water.
See hours, photos & directions →
🚤 eFoil surfingTopWater eFoil Surfing brings a fresh kind of water adventure to Broken Bow Lake, offering electric eFoil surfboard rentals and lessons built around the thrill of gliding above the water.
See hours, photos & directions →
🚤 Canoe & kayak rentalsCrosby Outdoors offers canoe and kayak rentals in Broken Bow, with outings built for exploring the Mountain Fork River and the surrounding water country.
See hours, photos & directions →🎣 Fishing
Fishing guides for bass and crappie
Broken Bow Lake is known for bass and crappie, with white bass and walleye in season. Local guides bring the boat, the bait and the know-how, and several welcome families and first-timers. Below the dam, the Lower Mountain Fork River is a year-round trout stream. See our Beavers Bend guide for that.
🎣 Crappie & bass guideBroken 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 →
🎣 Family crappie tripsBroken Bow Lake Family Crappie Guide Service is a Broken Bow fishing guide service centered on crappie fishing on Broken Bow Lake.
See hours, photos & directions →
🎣 Bass guideBigFoot Bass Guide takes anglers out on Broken Bow Lake and the river for guided bass fishing in southeast Oklahoma.
See hours, photos & directions →
🎣 Bass & crappie guideRudy’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 →🏕️ Stay by the water
Camping and lodging by the lake
The Corps of Engineers and Oklahoma State Parks run campgrounds around the lake, with RV hookups, boat ramps and designated swimming areas. Stevens Gap campground on the west side has more than 200 first-come, first-served campsites, and Carson Creek has campsites, boat ramps and a pavilion. Beavers Bend Lodge sits right on the shore.
🏕️ Lodge on the lakeBeavers Bend Lodge is a place to stay in the Hochatown area north of Broken Bow, close to Broken Bow Lake and Beavers Bend State Park.
See hours, photos & directions →
🏕️ CampgroundPine Ridge Campground is a campground in the Broken Bow Lake and Beavers Bend State Park area north of Broken Bow.
See hours, photos & directions →
🏕️ State parkBeavers Bend State Park – Hochatown Area is one of southeast Oklahoma’s signature outdoor destinations, a lake-and-forest getaway centered on Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River.
See hours, photos & directions →🌴 Around the shore
Zip lines, lakeside food and cold drinks
When you're off the water, a zip line course runs through the trees near Stevens Gap, there's a grill and bar a short drive from the ramps, and a frozen drink stand sits at the Carson Creek entrance.
🌴 Zip linesRugaru Adventures is a zip line and outdoor adventure operator in the Broken Bow and Hochatown area, built for visitors who want a rush with a view.
See hours, photos & directions →
🌴 Grill & barLake Bums Grill & Buzz Bar is a Broken Bow spot built around hearty grill favorites, cold drinks, and a playful setting that feels anything but ordinary.
See hours, photos & directions →
🌴 Frozen drinksEl Frio Express is a beverage stop in Hochatown that serves frozen daiquiris, margaritas, specialty drinks, and other refreshing beverages.
See hours, photos & directions →
🌴 River water attractionMountain Fork Blob is a water attraction on the Mountain Fork River near Broken Bow built around a giant inflatable blob that launches riders into the water.
See hours, photos & directions →🚚 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 and Hochatown
Hochatown Saloon
Cypress Lawn at Choctaw Landing · 6:00 PM
Tipsy Beaver Pub & Grub · 8:00 PM
Hochatown Saloon · 10:00 PM
Cypress Lawn at Choctaw Landing · 8:30 PM
Cypress Lawn at Choctaw Landing · 5:30 PM
Cypress Lawn at Choctaw Landing · 2:00 PM
Cypress Lawn at Choctaw Landing · 7:00 PM
💡 Before you go
Tips for a day on Broken Bow Lake
Check the lake level
Water levels change through the year. When the lake is low, watch for rocks and stumps near shore and at the ramps.
Book boats early
Pontoons and jet skis go fast on summer weekends and holidays.
Life jackets for everyone
Ask your rental company what's included, and keep kids in a life jacket on the boat and the dock.
Bring shade and water
Shade is hard to find on open water. Pack sunscreen, hats and plenty to drink.
Mind the dam releases
Below the dam, the river can rise fast when water is released. Check before you wade or float.
Check for burn bans
Camping at the lake? Check the county burn ban before you light a campfire.
❓ Good to know
Common questions
What is the Broken Bow Lake level today?
As of October 8, 10:00 AM Central, Broken Bow Lake was at 592.6 feet, 9.2 feet below its normal pool of 601.8 feet, and falling. This page updates it from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers every 30 minutes.
Where is Broken Bow Lake?
In McCurtain County in southeast Oklahoma. The dam is about 10 miles north of Broken Bow, with Beavers Bend State Park below it and Hochatown along the lake's western side.
How big and how deep is Broken Bow Lake?
About 14,000 acres, with about 180 miles of shoreline. It's 185 feet deep at its deepest point.
Who built Broken Bow Lake, and when?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Construction began in October 1961, the lake began filling in October 1968, and it reached full level in April 1970.
What kind of fish are in Broken Bow Lake?
Bass and crappie are the big draws, with white bass and walleye in season. The river below the dam is stocked with trout all year.
Can you swim in Broken Bow Lake?
Yes. The campgrounds and parks around the lake have designated swimming areas.
Where can I rent a boat on Broken Bow Lake?
Rental companies around Stevens Gap, the Beavers Bend marina and the coves near Hochatown rent pontoons, fishing boats, jet skis and kayaks. See the rentals section above.
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