If the early bird gets the worm, then the early angler gets the fish.
The first few months of the year are very productive for fishermen,
especially those who target big fish. If you need proof just check out the
record book 26 out of the 39 official Oklahoma rod and line record fish
were caught in the first five months of the year.

"Early spring is a great time to get outside and go fishing," said Barry
Bolton, assistant fisheries chief for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation. “After the long winter, fish are becoming more active as
they build up their energy reserves in preparation for spawning.”
Fishing is a great way to escape from the house and spend time enjoying
the spring weather and the beauty of Oklahoma’s outdoors. Ponds, streams,
rivers and lakes provide Oklahoma’s sportsmen ample opportunity for a
quality fishing experience.

"Farm ponds are a particularly good bet early in the year, but don’t
forget to obtain permission to fish from the landowner. The fish are
responding to increasing water temperatures, which usually rise quicker
than they do in larger bodies of water. Of course, temperatures are also
rising slowly in many of our rivers and lakes, and fishing will only get
better as those temps continue to rise."

Farm ponds are not the only place where good fishing can be found.
“It won’t be long until anglers will be seeking out their favorite spot
for the annual white bass (sand bass) run,” Bolton said. “The spawning run
begins in early March and continues through April in Oklahoma. Most
creeks, streams and rivers that flow directly into a major reservoir are
good places to find white bass. Fishing can be fantastic during these
annual runs.”

Early spring is also a great time to target crappie, one of the states
most sought after fish species.

“Crappie will soon begin moving into the shallows of lakes and reservoirs
around the state,” Bolton said. “You can catch them from the bank or from
a boat, and crappie are hard to beat at a fish fry.”

From walleye to catfish, bass to bluegill, spring time is the right time
to go fishing.

“No matter what kind of fishing you like to do, just get out there and
go,” Bolton said. "The state is blessed with thousands of acres of
fishable waters and you can enjoy some great fishing with very basic
equipment, so there isn’t any reason not to get out and enjoy the
opportunity."

Before heading out, anglers should consult the “2003 Oklahoma
Fishing Guide” for specific species and area regulations as well as
license requirements. The guides are available at fishing and hunting
license vendors across the state or by logging on to the Department’s Web
site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.