logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Poor Conditions cited in Trout Stocking delay to Dec. 1
News
October 31, 2024
Poor Conditions cited in Trout Stocking delay to Dec. 1

Oklahoma’s trout stocking season that normally begins Nov. 1 each year is being delayed this year, said Richard Snow, assistant chief of Fisheries for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Trout stocking is now tentatively set to begin Dec. 1, 2024, at ODWC’s six seasonal trout fishing areas. But the stocking delay for the seasonal areas won’t affect the state’s two year-round trout fisheries at the Lower Mountain Fork River and the Lower Illinois River, where conditions allow trout stocking to continue as usual. Several factors contributing to higherthan- normal water temperatures have combined to prompt biologists to delay trout stocking this year, Snow said:

• Unseasonably warm daytime air temperatures are forecast to stretch into November, which likely will keep water temperatures higher than normal later into the season.

• Ongoing drought conditions across most of the state have lowered water levels in most waterbodies, which allows the sun to heat water more quickly than normal.

• ODWC’s trout fishing areas are more susceptible to wider water temperature fluctuations because they are smaller bodies of water.

Trout do not survive very long when water temperature is around 70 degrees F or higher. These cold-water fish thrive at water temperatures from 45 to 60 degrees. They will begin to be stressed in water above 60 degrees.

ODWC doesn’t produce trout in its four state fish hatcheries. But to offer state anglers an opportunity to catch trout, ODWC buys trout from hatcheries in states to the north and brings them to Oklahoma for stocking.

The costs of maintaining a put-and-take stocking program for this non-native species have risen greatly over the past decade. This year, ODWC will spend about $7 for each pound of trout it stocks during the season, and each trout stocked usually weighs a little more than a pound.

“We basically would be throwing money away to begin stocking them Nov. 1,” Snow said.

Seasonal trout stocking sites for 2024 are Sunset Lake in Guymon; Lake Watonga/Boecher Lake; Lake Carl Blackwell Turtle Pond; Robber’s Cave State Park; Medicine Creek; and Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.

For more information on ODWC’s trout stocking program, go to wildlifedepartment. com/fishing/resources/ trout-information. Sign up for ODWC’s Weekly Fishing Report email at wildlifedepartment. com/fishing/fishingreport.

Treasurer honored at retirement party
A: Main, News...
Treasurer honored at retirement party
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 3, 2025
Retiring McIntosh County Treasurer Betty Whisenhunt received high praise from the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd at Whisenhunt’s retirement party Friday. “She could give courses acros...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Council approves water rate increase for city and rural users
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
July 3, 2025
A newly adopted ordinance, passed June 9 by the City Council, increases rates for all users, including those living outside city limits. This new ordinance officially raises monthly water rates for re...
this is a test
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
A: Main, News...
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 3, 2025
A 57-year-old Eufaula woman was killed by lightning during a routine stroll through a cemetery Friday evening. Joy Ann Rogers was walking through Greenwood cemetery shortly before 7 p.m. when a thunde...
this is a test
Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
A: Main, News...
Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
July 3, 2025
Her casket rested below center stage at the Checotah Performing Arts Center, open for friends, fans, and family to view her precious body before her life’s celebration began. No one lingered long. Tha...
this is a test
Classmates reunite after years apart during Checotah Alumni weekend
A: Main, News...
Classmates reunite after years apart during Checotah Alumni weekend
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 3, 2025
Class of 1975 honor Jim Caro as 'Significant Alumni' Classmates from all over the U.S. reunited after years apart during Checotah Alumni weekend. The Class of 1975 celebrated their 50th reunion by hon...
this is a test
Killing them with kindness
commentary
Killing them with kindness
July 3, 2025
What a month it’s been for me personally and in our close-knit communities. Trying to cope with the loss of loved ones has been extremely difficult and downright demanding. Yet having to come to terms...
this is a test
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
For the Children ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
commentary
For the Children ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
By JOE DORMAN, OICA CEO 
July 3, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past month, I have highlighted portions of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the U...
this is a test
Another busy week in the district
commentary
Another busy week in the district
By REP. TIM TURNER 
July 3, 2025
I started last Saturday June 21, bright and early at Stigler Reunion Days. I kicked things off at the Haskell County GOP Tent, answering questions and catching up with friends and supporters. Then I h...
this is a test
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
commentary
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
July 3, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and ...
this is a test
News
Woman captured following foot chase
July 3, 2025
A 39-year-old Eufaula woman who had an outstanding warrant on an arson charge was arrested Wednesday, June 25, following a foot chase in a wooded area around south 7th Street in Eufaula. Tamara Dean K...
this is a test
Katy Depot Meet and Greet
News
Katy Depot Meet and Greet
July 3, 2025
Mike Key talked to his Class of 1975 and other alumni about their Significant Alumni Jim Caro at the Katy Depot Meet & Greet on Saturday.
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy