Fishing at Cimarron River, Pawnee County, Oklahoma

• Overview

  In Oklahoma, Cimarron River falls inside Pawnee County. It sits at 732 feet above sea level. Start from Mannford, 5.3 miles down the road. The big place round here is Tulsa, 16 miles distant. Others within reach: Mud Creek a touch under 3.9 miles, Waresha Creek just 4.7 miles, Shell Lake a touch under 5.3 miles, Oknoname 143004 Reservoir just 5.7 miles and Mannford Water Supply Lake a touch under 6.4 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Cimarron River

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. After rain the colour clears from the surface first, so fish the edges. The outside of each bend cuts deepest and holds the better fish. Pawnee County records list green sunfish, largemouth bass, orangespotted sunfish and bluegill among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The shape of Cimarron River rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 81°F at the top of summer and 35°F at the bottom of winter. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Cimarron River rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. For a change of water, Mud Creek is 3.9 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for Cimarron River.