Dave Smith took time out from a hectic work schedule to fish Wes Watkins Lake near Oklahoma City on the day he caught this 10-pounder. Lucky break for him, huh? Photo courtesy of Brad Myers.

Our state boasts some of the finest bass fishing in the nation. Regardless of where you live in Soonerland, you can bet there's a lake, pond, river or creek near you with a feisty bass just waiting to bite a hook.

Many of the state's top bass-fishing sites are fairly near the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas. It's true: Bass aficionados can escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and retreat to the serenity of some prime bass waters without driving hours to do so.

While many of these fishing holes are within the lights of the big cities, others lie in outlying counties. Best of all, bass fanatics can catch fish close to home at any of these hot fisheries.

LAKE TENKILLER
Gary Dollahon is one of the best bass anglers I know. Being a public relations expert for several fishing tackle manufacturers affords him the privilege of fishing some of the finest bass waters in the country. Nevertheless, given a choice, this Tulsan likes to fish Lake Tenkiller, about an hour's drive southeast of his home. Dollahon fishes the lake often and considers June a great month for it.

"This is one of those lakes where you can always have a good day bass fishing," he said. "Other than catching largemouths, you have a good chance at catching spotted bass and smallmouth bass."

Dollahon recommends anglers target areas where creeks and underwater cuts form ledges. He prefers sunny areas to fish early and shaded areas later. He says he has his best success using shad-colored lures, and likes a Carolina-rigged 6-inch lizard in green, watermelon, or motor oil colors.

"In June, if I want to target largemouth bass, I generally find them from the mid-lake area to the north part of the lake," Dollahon noted. "If I want to fish for spotted bass, I fish from Cookson Bend south toward the dam, and generally find the spots in clear, deep water."

Dollahon said the areas of Carlisle Creek, Sizemore Creek, Chick Creek, Snake Creek and Burnt Cabin are good for finding surfacing bass in summer. Dollahon's favorite topwater baits are Zara Spooks and topwater poppers.

When fishing the steep bluffs or the chunk rock banks that surround Tenkiller, Dollahon uses an 8-inch Gene Larew Hook Tail worm or a 4-inch Chub Grub in purple and red or tequila sunrise colors.

Dollahon catches numerous largemouths at Tenkiller weighing 6 to 7 pounds, with his best a 7-pound, 8-ounce trophy.

Tenkiller has 13- to 16-inch slot limits on largemouths and smallmouths

BIXHOMA
One of the state's most overlooked lakes is Bixhoma -- a deep, clear water supply lake near the town of Bixby. Bixhoma nestles between some hills that shelter it from the wind. The lake was stocked with Florida largemouths, and so anglers have caught some real dandies.

Brent Gordon, who oversees Bixhoma for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, says the lake's lunkers can be tough to catch at times. The lake yielded a 14-pound bass, and Gordon reports having electro-shocked several bass in the 8-pound category.

According to Gordon, catching 4- to 5-pound bass daily is common, though catching big numbers of bass can be tough. He does see anglers coming in with 7-pound bass.

For access to Bixhoma, anglers pay a user fee. The lake offers two fishing docks; some bank access is available, but most anglers fish it by boat.

What's the best area for big bass? Try the creek on the backside of the lake.