Konawa Lake, Oklahoma, USA

Also known as:  Konawa Reservoir, Lake Konawa

Located in south central Oklahoma’s Arbuckle Country, Konawa Lake is a world class bass fishing lake that is open for fun and enjoyment all year. Constructed and owned by OG&E in the town of Konawa, the reservoir was built to produce electricity and to provide cooling water to the power plant but the secondary benefits of a top recreational site is enjoyed by locals and visitors. “Konawa”…
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All About Konawa Lake, OK

Located in south central Oklahoma’s Arbuckle Country, Konawa Lake is a world class bass fishing lake that is open for fun and enjoyment all year. Constructed and owned by OG&E in the town of Konawa, the reservoir was built to produce electricity and to provide cooling water to the power plant but the secondary benefits of a top recreational site is enjoyed by locals and visitors.

“Konawa” is an Indian word that means “string of beads”. As the sunlight danced across the morning dew on the railroad tracks, the early settlers thought that at first glance it looked like a long beautiful string of beads. The town began in 1903 as a small railroad town in Indian Territory of the Seminole Nation. In 1926, the discovery of oil in the area changed the local economy and the town grew with oil industry.

With facilities for swimming and beaches, areas for picnicking, and numerous ramps for boating and waterskiing, Konawa Lake is great for a day on the water. But over the years, the fishing at Konawa Lake has gained great popularity and has been named as one of Oklahoma’s fishing “hot spots.” The lake currently holds the state fishing record for a smallmouth buffalo caught weighing in at 44 pounds 2 ounces. Other species include northern largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, flathead catfish, blue catfish, Florida largemouth bass, inland silversides, threadfin shad, hybrid largemouth, hybrid striped bass, hybrid white bass, white crappie, black crappie, gizzard shad, carp, river carpsucker, freshwater drum, tilapia, red shiner, and green sunfish. Local guides are available and waiting to help you reel in a record catch.

The area around Konawa Lake is also designated as a wildlife refuge. As you enjoy the scenic views around the water, watch closely for wildlife coming to the water’s edge to drink. This refuge is near the Continental Central Flyway which is a chain of refuge areas for migrating birds and waterfowl. So each season, a different species of migratory birds can be seen in the area including occasional bald eagles that winter in the area. No hunting is allowed in the refuge area.

As Konawa Lake is located in Arbuckle Country, named for the Arbuckle Mountains, you are only a short drive from a variety of diverse attractions. Vacation rentals are abundant and range from bed and breakfast inns, cabins, RV parks, and lodges. Multiple Vegas-style casinos offer gaming excitement, world-class facilities, and fantastic entertainment. Days of the Wild West are still present with rodeos and Indian powwows and festivals. The mountainous terrain offers many trails for hiking, mountain biking, ATVs, and horseback riding. Many creeks and rivers also provide some great water for paddling enthusiasts. The towns and cities that dot the area provide venues for shopping, dining, and golfing, as well as, homes and real estate waiting for you claim this area as your own. With all this activity, it is easy to see why Arbuckle Country calls itself south central Oklahoma’s playground.

Allow yourself plenty of time to enjoy all that Konawa Lake and the surrounding area has to offer. You do not want to miss one minute of fun!

Things to Do at Konawa Lake

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

  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Swimming
  • Beach
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Water Skiing
  • Golf
  • Picnicking
  • Cabin Rentals
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hunting
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Birding
  • Playground
  • Shopping
  • Casino Gambling

What Kind of Fish Are in Konawa Lake?

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

  • Bass
  • Black Bass
  • Black Crappie
  • Blue Catfish
  • Bluegill
  • Carp
  • Catfish
  • Channel Catfish
  • Crappie
  • Flathead Catfish
  • Freshwater Drum
  • Gizzard Shad
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Shad
  • Silverside
  • Striped Bass
  • Sucker
  • Sunfish
  • Tilapia
  • White Bass
  • White Crappie
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Find Places to Stay at Konawa Lake

If you’re considering a Konawa 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.

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More Sites to Book a Konawa Lake Vacation

Our interactive Konawa 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:

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Konawa Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

Water Level Control: Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co,

Surface Area: 1,350 acres

Shoreline Length: 20 miles

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 924 feet

Average Depth: 17 feet

Maximum Depth: 50 feet

Water Volume: 23,000 acre-feet

Completion Year: 1968

Drainage Area: 12 sq. miles

Trophic State: Eutrophic

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