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Sports
August 1, 2024
Best Bass Lakes 2024: Central

Find out which bass fisheries made the cut for the annual bucket list of bucketmouths as Bassmaster Magazine reveals the 100 Best Bass Lakes list for

2024.

No. 1 O.H. Ivie Lake, Texas

[20,000 acres] OK, y’all. Let’s face facts — O.H. Ivie is a straightup freak show! What more can you say about a fishery that produced 35 Toyota ShareLunkers

(8 pounds or heavier) in the first four months of

2024? That haul includes an astonishing 12 Legacy Class bass, meaning they must be 13-plus pounds, caught between January and March and loaned to Texas Parks and Wildlife for its (obviously successful) selective breeding program. Another 17 of the ShareLunkers made Strike King Elite Class (10-plus pounds). This is nothing new, of course. O.H. Ivie was voted the best bassin’ spot in the U.S. in 2023 and No. 2 in 2022, behind only the St. Lawrence River. There’s absolutely no sign of this phenomenal fishery slowing down, either, which should make Ivie (only a three-hour drive from either the Dallas-Fort Worth or San Antonio-Austin metroplexes) among the most popular attractions in the Lone Star State for years to come.

24. Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma

[105,500 acres] We asked anglers in Oklahoma for their top couple of bass fisheries in the Sooner State, and no one mentioned this bad boy among their first few choices. That’s reasonable, considering Grand Lake, Texoma and the like are so darn good. But, it’s also hard to understand, considering recent results at Eufaula. Consider, the top two anglers in a Phoenix Bass Fishing League event in March both caught more than 19 pounds. Once anglers catch on to how good this lake is, more data will likely prove this fishery deserves to be higher on the list.

1. O.H. Ivie Lake, Texas

2. Lake Fork, Texas

3. Bussey Brake Reservoir, Louisiana

4. Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota

5. Caney Creek Reservoir, Louisiana

6. Toledo Bend Reservoir, Louisiana/Texas

7. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas

8. West Okoboji Lake, Iowa

9. Oak Creek Reservoir, Texas

10. Lake D’Arbonne, Louisiana

11. Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Oklahoma

12. Lake Texoma, Oklahoma

13. Caddo Lake, Louisiana/Texas border

14. Lake Oahe, South Dakota/North Dakota

15. Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas

16. Lake Nacogdoches, Texas

17. Table Rock Lake, Missouri

18. Upper Mississippi River, Wisconsin

19. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

20. Lake Ouachita, Arkansas

21. Lake Bistineau, Louisiana

22. Newton Lake, Illinois

23. Lake Vermilion, Minnesota

24. Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma

25. Lake Hudson, Oklahoma

Stilwell Indians pull away in second half to defeat Checotah Wildcats
B:, Sports...
Stilwell Indians pull away in second half to defeat Checotah Wildcats
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
January 22, 2026
STILWELL — The Stilwell Indians used a strong offensive performance and physical defense to defeat the Checotah Wildcats (3-9) by a final score of 74–38 in a nondistrict boys basketball game Friday ni...
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Paws N Claws – Eufaula celebrates second anniversary
A: Main, News...
Paws N Claws – Eufaula celebrates second anniversary
By STAFF REPORT 
January 22, 2026
It’s been two years since Paws N Claws –Eufaula, OK started their volunteer group to help pound pups find homes in McIntosh County and the surrounding areas. What started off as a small volunteer part...
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A: Main, News...
Absentee Ballot applications available for 2026 election year
January 22, 2026
Voters in McIntosh County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for elections in 2026 should apply now. Any registered voter may request absentee ballots for a specific election or for a full calen...
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Fast Lanes Bowling Center celebrates 25 years
A: Main, News...
Fast Lanes Bowling Center celebrates 25 years
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
January 22, 2026
Fast Lanes Bowling Center recently celebrated a mile marker anniversary – their 25th year in Checotah. “It’s hard to believe 25 years ago, Fast Lanes opened its doors,” Lori Barnard said. “And because...
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MLK Day gathering in reflects on faith, responsibility and community
A: Main, News...
MLK Day gathering in reflects on faith, responsibility and community
By STAFF REPORT 
January 22, 2026
Community members gathered Sunday, Jan. 18, at Mount Olive Star Missionary Baptist Church in Checotah for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance centered on faith, reflection, and shared responsibili...
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Author shares story of purpose and memory
News
Author shares story of purpose and memory
By STAFF REPORT 
January 22, 2026
Sulli Mariah Lee, author of the book Wees Are Kneak Moments and a member of the Eufaula High School Class of 1965, opened her presentation last Friday at the Eufaula Public Library by recalling a sent...
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Editor Picks
News
Checotah Senior Center menu
January 22, 2026
January 26-30, 2026 Call to make reservations. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. Mon. - Fri. Monday, Jan. 26: Sloppy Joe; potato; veggie salad; cookie; milk Tuesday, Jan. 27: Chicken salad; cucumber salad; frui...
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Local Beta Sigma Phi announces meetings
News
Local Beta Sigma Phi announces meetings
January 22, 2026
The local Beta Sigma Phi chapter met Jan. 12, 2026 at the lovely home of Janelle McKnight who served as hostess along with Gretchen Payne who served as cohostess. After Karen Martin reported that memb...
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News
Competitors needed for Chili Cook-Off
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
January 22, 2026
Who is ready to compete for the best tasting chili in McIntosh County? The 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off is set for Saturday, Feb, 28 to benefit the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery. This year the chi...
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Relax to reset and reconnect
Opinion
Relax to reset and reconnect
January 22, 2026
In a world where it seems we stay connected 24-7 to social media, our jobs and more, we must intentionally do what we can to stop and relax, reset and reconnect. Each week if I don’t intentionally tak...
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Opinion
MLK Day in Eufaula: Justice That Keeps Moving
By MICHAEL BARNES 
January 22, 2026
In a town like Eufaula, people still know one another. We see familiar faces at ball games and grocery stores, in church pews and along the lake. That closeness is a gift. It is also a responsibility....
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