Biggest lakes in Oklahoma: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Lake Eufaula

Lake Eufaula spreads over some 102,000 acres. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass are the draw. It goes down to about 87 ft.

Lake Eufaula today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Texoma

At 89,000 acres of water, Lake Texoma is a huge piece of water. Striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish and crappie are the draw.

Lake Texoma today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Grand Lake

At 46,500 acres, Grand Lake is a big lake. Expect largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass. At about 133 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Grand Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Robert S. Kerr Reservoir

Robert S. Kerr Reservoir is a reservoir of 43,000 acres of water. The lake is about 3.2 miles northwest of Vian. Robert S. Kerr Dam holds it on the Arkansas River. The usual Oklahoma mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass and catfish. At about 52 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start. Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, completed in 1970, is part of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System and includes a hydroelectric plant.

Robert S. Kerr Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Oologah Lake

At some 29,000 acres, Oologah Lake is a big lake. It lies about 25 miles southwest of Tulsa. Like most lakes its size in Oklahoma, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass and catfish. At about 80 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

Oologah Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Keystone Lake

At 23,600 acres, Keystone Lake is a big lake. It lies right by Mannford. Keystone Dam holds it on the Arkansas River. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass and white bass. The deepest water is around 73 ft.

Keystone Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Kaw Lake

At 17,000 acres of water, Kaw Lake is a big lake. The lake is about 6.2 miles southwest of McCord. The usual Oklahoma mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Kaw Lake was formed by Kaw Dam on the Arkansas River near the Kansas border, completed in 1976.

Kaw Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Fort Gibson Lake

Fort Gibson Lake is a reservoir of about 16,700 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Broken Arrow (about 25 miles). It is the Neosho (Grand) River behind Fort Gibson Dam. The usual Oklahoma mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. Fort Gibson Lake was formed by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam on the Neosho (Grand) River, completed in 1953.

Fort Gibson Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Sardis Lake

Sardis Lake spreads over 14,400 acres of water. You will find it near Hartshorne. It is the Jackfork Creek (Kiamichi River basin) behind Sardis Dam. The usual Oklahoma mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Sardis Lake, completed in 1982 on Jackfork Creek, is southeastern Oklahoma's main water-supply reservoir.

Sardis Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Broken Bow Lake

At some 14,000 acres, Broken Bow Lake is a big lake. You will find it about 72 miles north of Fort Smith. The usual Oklahoma mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 185 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look.

Broken Bow Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

Large lakes make their own weather: a breeze that is nothing on a pond builds real waves over miles of open water. Check the wind on the lake page before you launch and keep to the lee shore when it picks up.