Fishing at Canton Lake, Blaine County, Oklahoma

• Overview

  In Oklahoma, Canton Lake falls inside Blaine County. Elevation runs to 1,627 feet. At roughly 11.1 sq miles it ranks among the larger waters in the region. There is roughly 21 miles of bank, and each arm behaves like its own water. By surface area it heads our Blaine County listings. For a base, Fairview sits 12 miles out. Further out sit Okeene (16 miles) and Watonga (22 miles). The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Canton Lake

  Depth is on record at 35 ft. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Fish documented in Blaine County include green sunfish, bluegill, largemouth bass, orangespotted sunfish and common carp. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At Canton Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 81°F on average, January about 34°F. A lid forms in a hard winter only. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Canton Lake fishes to that pattern most years. Settled weather over several days beats a single fine one.

• Tackle & Baits

  Being publicly held, the water is generally open for fishing. Mapping shows a ramp about half a mile from the shore. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. There are toilets mapped about half a mile away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For Canton Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.