Birch Lake, Oklahoma, USA

Also known as:  Birch Reservoir, Lake Birch

Birch Lake is nestled into northeast Oklahoma’s Green Country. Fall and spring turn the prairie grasses and hardwood tree leaves around the lake into rusted yellows, burnt oranges and boiling reds. Blooming wildflowers add splashes of color to the landscape. An impoundment of Birch Creek, the lake was completed in 1977 and was created for a host of reasons: flood control, water supply, water quality control, recreation…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Birch Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Birch Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.


All About Birch Lake, OK

Birch Lake is nestled into northeast Oklahoma’s Green Country. Fall and spring turn the prairie grasses and hardwood tree leaves around the lake into rusted yellows, burnt oranges and boiling reds. Blooming wildflowers add splashes of color to the landscape. An impoundment of Birch Creek, the lake was completed in 1977 and was created for a host of reasons: flood control, water supply, water quality control, recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement. The body of water measures 1,137 surface acres and sits in Osage County, the largest county in Oklahoma, and named after the proud Osage Nation of Native Americans that was forced to move here in 1872.

Natures lovers will find much to marvel at on Birch Lake. The sandstone outcrops that characterize the changing slopes of the shoreline add to the lake’s beauty. Convenient amenities on the lake allow patrons to enjoy Birch Reservoir in various ways. Several park areas provide campsites with hookups, drinking water, showers, charcoal grills, boat launches, picnic areas, hiking and equestrian trails and restrooms.

There is a wide range of fish living in Lake Birch’s waters, promising to keep anglers eager; largemouth bass, walleye, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass, black and white crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and sunfish are the dominant species. Bobwhite quail, mourning doves, squirrels, cottontail rabbits and whitetail deer habituate the tall grass prairie, savannah and woodland environment of the lake, attracting hunters to the area.

Birch Lake is part of a place and lifestyle that many have seen romanticized in western movies. Osage County calls to mind the cowboys of the prairies driving their herd, as well as famous outlaws, entrepreneur oil barons and the unique culture and customs of the Amerindians that inhabited these vast and sprawling lands.

Within 30 miles of Birch Lake, there are many options for getting to know the area. The Osage County Historical Society Museum has exhibits of artifacts and photographs depicting pioneer life, western life, Native American culture, and the booming days of the oil industry. A little over 10 miles from Birch Lake on Highway 123, buffalo, elk, and longhorn cattle roam the Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve’s 3,700 acres, a personal retreat created by the successful oilman Frank Phillips. In various surrounding towns, hundreds of Osage arts, crafts, clothing, furniture, and decor items can be found. You can explore your creativity with quilting classes at the nearby Red Barn Quilting Education & Retreat Center. Visit the Prairie Rattler Winery in Shidler, which specializes in handcrafted and country wines. Have fun at the Osage Nation Million Dollar Elm Casinos in surrounding towns. Appreciate Osage’s beauty with trips to the Osage Hills State Park, Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, and Bivin Garden in Shidler. Visitors to Birch Lake can also visit Tulsa, which is just a short drive away.

Perfect your visit to Birch Lake any way you like. In a place of so much solace and beauty, you won’t need much. Just you and the earth beneath your feet under a wide Oklahoma sky.

Things to Do at Birch Lake

These are some activities in the Birch Lake, OK area visitors can enjoy:

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hunting
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • State Park
  • Museum
  • Casino Gambling

What Kind of Fish Are in Birch Lake?

Birch Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

  • Bass
  • Black Bass
  • Catfish
  • Channel Catfish
  • Crappie
  • Flathead Catfish
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Perch
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Spotted Bass
  • Striped Bass
  • Sunfish
  • Walleye
  • White Crappie
divider

Find Places to Stay at Birch Lake

If you’re considering a Birch Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More Sites to Book a Birch Lake Vacation

Our interactive Birch Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

Check TripAdvisor
Check Expedia
Find a Campspot
All Travel Resources

Birch Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

divider

Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Surface Area: 1,137 acres

Shoreline Length: 27 miles

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 751 feet

Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 730 feet

Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 774 feet

Average Depth: 17 feet

Maximum Depth: 53 feet

Water Volume: 19,200 acre-feet

Completion Year: 1977

Drainage Area: 66 sq. miles

Trophic State: Eutrophic

We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

Shop Birch Lake Gifts

Custom Lake Tumblers

Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake T Shirt

Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

SHOP NOW
VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

More Birch Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

  • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
  • The Birch Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
  • New Birch Lake photos coming soon!
  • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
  • Share this Birch Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: