Attention Non-Residents
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission adopted new rules in 2025 that require non-residents accessing certain Oklahoma public hunting and fishing areas to check in and out of the area. By checking in and out of these areas, hunters, anglers, shooters, birdwatchers, hikers and any other users can help the Wildlife Department better understand how the area is being used. There is no additional cost associated with checking in or out of an area. There is no limit to the number of check ins for an individual in a year.
Contacts
Tailwater of USACE-operated tailwater of Lake Tenkiller.
The Lower Illinois River (Google Map) is located 5.5 miles northeast of Gore on SH 100.
Lake Details
Located
U.S. Corps of Engineers and ODWC manage public access locations.
Bait & Tackle shops are displayed by distance, starting with the closest.
- Dave's Bait & Tackle (304 S Main St, Gore, OK 74435) - (918) 489-2424
- Jimmy Houston Outdoors Store (25148 OK-82, Park Hill, OK 74451) - (918) 456-1156
- Walmart Supercenter (Sallisaw) (1101 W Ruth Ave, Sallisaw, OK 74955) - (918) 775-4492
- Mike's Outdoors (2015 N York St, Muskogee, OK 74403) - (918) 687-3146
- Dunham's Sports (2346 E Shawnee Rd, Muskogee, OK 74403) - (918) 913-4250
- Walmart Supercenter (Muskogee) (1000 W Shawnee St, Muskogee, OK 74401) - (918) 687-0058
- Walmart Supercenter (Tahlequah) (2020 Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, OK 74464) - (918) 456-8804
- JJ's Bait Shop (20108 N County Rd 4460, Stigler, OK 74462) - (918) 552-2272
- Bait Barn (550 W Harris Rd, Muskogee, OK 74403) - (918) 682-4479
- Mater's Bait & Tackle (7500 N York Rd, Okay, OK 74446)
Rainbow trout are stocked regularly.
(From Tenkiller Dam downstream to the confluence of the Arkansas River)
Walleye, sauger and saugeye: six per day/16-inch minimum.
(From Tenkiller Dam downstream to the confluence of the Arkansas River)
Allowed methods: From Tenkiller Dam downstream to the U.S. 64 bridge: fishing limited to one rod and reel per person. Cast nets may be used to take bait for personal use from the south boundary of the lower Illinois River Public Fishing Area – “Simp and Helen Watts Area” downstream to the Highway 64 bridge. (Also see “Tailwaters” regulations.)
Note: For more trout regulations, see Trout Regulations.
Additional Resources
Fish Species of Interest
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Charles Nott
- Caught at: Lower Illinois River PFHA
