The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (steep ledge) is open for everyone; the other 3 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Great Salt Plains Lake
Alfalfa County, Oklahoma · 9,300 acres (14.5 sq mi)
61°F water, calm this morning.
About Great Salt Plains Lake
Great Salt Plains Lake is a salt lake in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, covering 9,300 acres. It was made by Great Salt Plains Dam on the Salt Fork Arkansas River. Great Salt Plains Lake is a shallow, saline reservoir in northwest Oklahoma, known for the salt flats and selenite crystal beds along its shore.
It stretches about 8.2 miles end to end and its shoreline adds up to about 37 miles. The water sits about 1,120 ft above sea level. Cherokee lies about 4 miles to the west. Enid, the nearest city, is about 28 miles southeast.
- Size
- 9,300 acres (14.5 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 37 miles
- End to end
- About 8.2 miles
- Elevation
- About 1,120 ft
- Type
- Salt lake
- Dam
- Great Salt Plains Dam, Salt Fork Arkansas River
- County
- Alfalfa County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Fair
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise · wind 10 mph
- 3:45 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 13 mph
Sunday Good
- 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 7 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Great Salt Plains Lake
The water is too salty or too shallow for the usual game fish, so this is a lake to visit for the views, the birds and the shore, not for a fishing day.
Fishing spots
- 1Steep ledge
A sharp wall beside deep water; fish hang along the edge at the depth they like.
- 2
- 3
- 4
3 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
No clear view of the ice yet
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:09 am · sunset 5:24 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Great Salt Plains Lake
- Cherokeeabout 4 mi west
- Helenaabout 9.6 mi south
- Kiowaabout 20 mi northwest
- Alvaabout 21 mi west
- Enidnearest city, about 28 mi southeast
Prices and availability come from booking partners; we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Questions about Great Salt Plains Lake
How deep is Great Salt Plains Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Great Salt Plains Lake?
9,300 acres, with about 37 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Great Salt Plains Lake?
Cherokee is about 4 miles west; Helena is about 9.6 miles south.
What is the water temperature at Great Salt Plains Lake today?
The surface was about 61°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Great Salt Plains Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
