Broken Bow is known for its alluring scenic beauty, which can be partially attributed to its rivers and lakes. Many people flock to Broken Bow to take part in water sports, hiking, kayaking, boating, and other outdoors activities. However, one of the greatest attractions to Broken Bow is the fishing! If you have your trip booked to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, we probably don’t have to tell you that Broken Bow is a great spot for some great fishing. 

Whether you’re an expert fisherman or looking to try your hand at fishing, Broken Bow is the place to be! No matter your skill level, there are so many ways to enjoy a day of fishing in the Hochatown area. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know in order to reel in the catch of a lifetime while you’re in Broken Bow.

How to Get a Fishing License

In order to cast your line in the state of Oklahoma, you’ll need your fishing license. Luckily, these are pretty easy to obtain! You can purchase a fishing license online, or you can visit Walmart in Broken Bow to purchase one in-person! Pricing varies depending on a few different factors, such as your age, whether or not you’re an Oklahoma resident, and a few other factors. 

We recommend investing in an annual fishing license. For a mere $10-$20 more than the cost of a two-day or six-day license, you can fish for the entire year! Even if you only have one planned trip to Broken Bow in a year, you’ll have so much fun fishing that you’ll want to plan your next Broken Bow trip as soon as possible! Additionally, your fishing license will be valid across the state of Oklahoma, so even if you don’t head back to Broken Bow for a second time in one year, you can use this license in other cities.

What else do I need?

Other than a fishing license, there are some basic supplies and gear you’ll need for a successful day of fishing. These supplies include:

A fishing rod and reel

Find a fishing rod and reel that are comfortable in your hands and easy for you to operate! There are a ton of different rod and reel options. First and foremost, for beginners, we recommend purchasing a kit that includes both the rod and reel. Additionally; try to look for a spinning reel because this is typically the easiest type of reel for beginners to fish with. This rod and reel combo works great for beginners, and it’s sold for a super reasonable price!

Fishing line

Once you’ve picked out a rod and reel, the next step is to attach your fishing line. Fishing line is what you’ll attach your hook and bait/lure onto. There are many different types of fishing line, and some experts will use specific types of line for different bodies of water and to catch specific types of fish. However, for beginners, monofilament fishing line is typically regarded as a safe starting choice. Monofilament fishing line is typically cheaper than most other types of line, easy to work with, and it has low visibility in the water (which is important for not scaring away fish). 

Bait/lures

To attract fish to your line, you can use either bait or lures. Bait refers to live worms or other natural materials that fish will smell and want to eat, which is what attracts fish to your line. Lures tend to be made of plastic or rubber, and they tend to mimic the movement of a fish’s prey as they move through the water. 

The effectiveness of each depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of fish you’re looking to catch, the temperature of the water, your skill level, and even the time of day that you go fishing! However, the differences in function between the two are minimal, and it’s possible to catch a lot of fish with either bait or lures! 

Proper clothing

Depending on where you go and the temperature when you go, you want to wear attire that allows you to fish as comfortably as possible. If you’ll just be fishing off a river bank or the edge of a lake, you’re probably okay to simply wear any attire that is comfortable and weather-appropriate. 

If you want to elevate your fishing attire, there are a few articles of clothing worth your consideration. Fishing shirts are wonderful because they are designed to be breathable and waterproof to help keep you cool and dry in the summer. To shield your face and neck from the hot sun, you may also want to consider adding a neck gaiter to your summer fishing attire.

If you’re taking your fishing trip in the winter, you’ll want to be especially intentional about layering up! We recommend the following clothing choices:

• Over your base layer, you’ll want to have a warm jacket to insulate yourself with your own body heat. Consider a lightweight, fleece-lined pullover or jacket; this will keep you warm without restricting your movement too much!
• Depending on how cold it is outside, you may want to add one more layer. In this case, we recommend a waterproof puffer jacket. This type of jacket will further work to keep you warm while you fish without adding too much bulk.
• A nice pair of fishing waders– not only will they help keep your whole body dry and warm, but they allow you to stand in a shallow body of water if you need to! 
• Boots? 

On top of your normal attire, we recommend wearing a hat and sunglasses to keep you shielded from the sun, and gloves to avoid scratching or poking your hands as you handle fish and your fishing attire. In any season, no matter how hot or cold it is, spending a lot of time in the sun can be damaging to your skin. Keep your skin as protected as possible!

Types of Fish

The waters of Broken Bow contain many different species of freshwater fish! These fish include:

• Brown trout
• Various species of catfish
• Crappie
• Rainbow trout
• Walleye

• Largemouth bass
• Smallmouth bass

The types of fish you will catch when you fish in Broken Bow will depend on the time of day you go, the season during which you go, where on Broken Bow Lake or Mountain Fork River you go, and other such factors. If you have your heart set on catching a specific type of fish, research that beforehand and plan your trip around when that particular type of fish is most likely to bite. If you’re fine with any catch and just want to try your hand at fishing, it still would be helpful to do a little bit of research beforehand. This way, you can make a more informed decision about the sorts of equipment you’ll want to bring and the time of day in which you’ll want to fish. 

Places to Fish

One of the reasons Broken Bow is such a great location for fishing is the multitude of bodies of water in Broken Bow. Broken Bow has two main bodies of water for your fishing pleasure:

Broken Bow Lake 

Nestled in the Ouachita National Forest and at the base of the Kiamichi Mountains sits Broken Bow Lake. The stunning surrounding scenery makes this lake a unique and fun fishing location! You can easily access Broken Bow Lake through Beavers Bend Marina, the only marina on Broken Bow Lake! Rent a boat from the marina and head out on to the water for a wonderful day of fishing.

Along Broken Bow Lake, there are also a few locations where you can simply stand and cast your line from the bank straight into the lake. You can access these parts of the lake through Beavers Bend State Park! 

Mountain Fork River 

Also accessible through Beavers Bend State Park is the gorgeous and pristine Mountain Fork River. The Mountain Fork River area is perfect for catching trout! You can also get to the river by traveling a short ways out of Broken Bow to Mountain Fork Park. 

Fishing Guide

Still feeling a little lost? Not sure exactly where to start or if you want to commit to buying so much equipment? We understand! If you’re a bit new to the sport of fishing, you may feel a bit overwhelmed trying to fish for the first time. In that case, consider hiring a fishing guide! Not only do these guys know the area well, but they are also experienced fishermen, so they have all the know-how necessary to ensure you have a great day of fishing! Some of our favorites guides include: 

• Mountain Fork Outfitters Trout Fishing Guide: The pros at Mountain Fork Outfitters will provide you with EVERYTHING you need for a successful day of trout fishing- just make sure you get your fishing license, and show up! 
• Huffman’s Guide Service: Huffman’s Guide Service offers fishing tours for multiple different species of Broken Bow’s native fish. They are officially licensed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, so you can rest assured knowing you’re in the hands of expert fishermen! 
• Rudy’s Guide Service: With over forty years of fishing experience, Rudy operates under a simple rule: “No fish, no pay!” If Rudy’s Guide Service can’t help you catch at least one fish, then your service is free- that’s how confident Rudy is in his abilities! For some of the best bass and crappie fishing in Broken Bow, trust Rudy!
• Beavers Bend Fly Fishing Guide Service: For a unique fishing experience, try a guided fly fishing trip! Fly fishing involves a technique of baiting and casting your line that differs from standard fishing. For beginners and seasoned fishermen alike, fly fishing can be difficult to master. That’s why you should take a guided fly fishing trip with Beavers Bend Fly Fishing Guide Service! You’ll be in the care of one of six professionals on your trip, and they will help you have the best day of fishing of your life!

For someone who has never been fishing before, the sport can seem daunting. However, with this simple guide, you should be able to easily catch some fish during your trip to Broken Bow! Book your trip to Broken Bow, Oklahoma today, and experience the great outdoors like never before!