Reservoir · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma
Lake Hefner at Oklahoma City
Current Lake Rating
Point-in-time lake rating — separate from the trip recommendation below.
Excellent93
Conditions look excellent for a Generic fishing trip. Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Rating confidence: Medium
Should I Go?
Go
Fishing guidance for this destination based on available lake conditions, weather, and seasonal context. It is not a boating, swimming, ice, or access-safety rating.
Recommendation confidence: Medium (70)
Guidance uses the shared lake fishing model. It is not destination-specific calibration.
Best window
Sun, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
Why
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Current Readings
- Gage height
- 1,191.23 ft
- Change over 24 hours
- +0.48 ft
- Trend
- Rising
- Water temperature
- 83.7 °F
- Last updated
- 21 min ago
≈ 28.7 °C
Source: USGS · Lake Hefner at Oklahoma City, OK · 07159550 · Gage height
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
85°F
Feels like
85°F
Wind
12 mph S
Wind gust
16 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 2:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Clear
Temp 84°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Sat 7 AM
Clear
Temp 81°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 13 mph
Sat 11 AM
Clear
Temp 94°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 3 PM
Clear
Temp 101°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 7 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 98°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 11 PM
Clear
Temp 88°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Mostly clear
High 101°F / Low 81°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 21 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Rain
High 99°F / Low 81°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.07 in
Max gust 22 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 104°F / Low 83°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 26 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 105°F / Low 82°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 30 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this lake's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence lake level and access, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, and reservoir operations where applicable.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Gage Height History
Loading historical gage height…
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Lake Hefner.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Lake Hefner is Oklahoma City’s northwest municipal reservoir, about 2,500 acres, managed for annually stocked walleye and hybrid striped bass, with occasional channel catfish plants. It is not Lake Overholser and not Thunderbird. A City of Oklahoma City fishing license is required in addition to the state license.
Target species
Hybrid Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
ODWC annually stocks hybrid striped bass at Hefner.
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
ODWC annually stocks walleye at Hefner.
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Occasional
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
ODWC occasionally stocks channel catfish at Hefner.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Stocked
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Urban water-supply lake (OKC Water Trust Authority) with an 18-mile shoreline, marina, covered and heated fishing docks, and an eastern drive-up bank. Average depth about 29 feet.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public marina ramps, lighted and heated docks, and gentle eastern-shoreline drive-up fishing are documented by ODWC. City of Oklahoma City lakes staff manage recreation. Confirm current municipal hours and license rules.
Stocking information
ODWC management practice: annually stocked walleye and hybrid striped bass; occasionally stocked channel catfish. Confirm current official stocking.
- Stocked
Hybrid Striped Bass
Stocked · Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
- Stocked
Walleye
Stocked · Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
- Stocked
Channel Catfish
Stocked · Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Official sources
Oklahoma City fishing license required in addition to a state license, unless exempt. Municipal method limits (including rod and bowfishing rules) apply; see okc.gov. Confirm current ODWC and city regulations.
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
Town
Oklahoma City
County
Oklahoma
Management Category
Municipal water-supply reservoir
Regulation Scope
Lake Hefner at Oklahoma City
Regulation Summary
An Oklahoma City fishing license is required in addition to a state fishing license, unless exempt. ODWC annually stocks walleye and hybrid striped bass; channel catfish are stocked occasionally. Confirm current ODWC and City of Oklahoma City rules.
Surface Area
2500 acres
Average Depth
29 ft
Target Species
Walleye, Hybrid Striped Bass, Channel Catfish
Public Access
Public
Boat Launch
Available
Shore Fishing
Available
Description
Municipal reservoir operated by the Oklahoma City Water Trust Authority in northwest Oklahoma City. ODWC and City of Oklahoma City both list about 2,500 surface acres and an average depth of 29 ft. Maximum depth is unresolved in official materials: ODWC narrative and City of OKC pages state 94 ft, while the ODWC structured lake-details panel lists 76.5 ft, so maximum depth is left blank. Public marina boat ramps, fishing docks/piers, and eastern shoreline drive-up fishing access are documented by ODWC and the City.
