GRAND LAKE
Written by Andy Ostmeyer | Photo courtesy Bassmaster
Grand Lake a favorite for bass anglers
You couldn ’ t get a more ringing endorsement for a bass lake than this : Three times in 11 years the Bassmaster Classic has been held at Grand Lake in Northeast Oklahoma .
Known as the “ Super Bowl of bass fishing ” the Bass Pro Shop Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey was held at the 46,500-acre lake in March . The event , also called " the greatest celebration of the sport of fishing ," also was held there in 2013 and 2016 .
Bryan Brasher , executive director of B . A . S . S . Publications , said the fact that
“ Grand Lake has been on this list each of the 12 years it has been published . ... The track record speaks for itself ,”
Grand Lake has hosted the Classic three times “ says an awful lot about Grand Lake .”
He said anglers at Grand Lake can " catch a big bag ," referring to the weighin of five fish at tournaments .
Eric Lopez , director of operations for B . A . S . S ., said in a statement when Grand
Lake was announced as the choice for the 2024 Classic : “ It really is a great place for an event like the Classic , and that ’ s before you even start discussing the quality of the fishing , which is fantastic .”
During the first Classic in 2013 , former Elite Series pro Cliff Pace , of Mississippi , claimed the victory . In 2016 , it was Edwin Evers , who caught a five-bass limit that weighed 29 pounds , 3 ounces .
Grand Lake regularly ranks among the 100 Best Bass Lakes in the country by Bassmaster Magazine , and in the 2023 ranking came in ninth in the Central
Region .
“ Grand Lake has been on this list each of the 12 years it has been published . ... The track record speaks for itself ,” the survey concluded . “ So what makes Grand Lake O ’ the Cherokees so special ? A lot of things , but really , it ’ s the consistent , world-class bass fishing that keeps bringing B . A . S . S . and recreational anglers from around the globe back to this corner of Northeast Oklahoma . Consider that it took 25.72 pounds to win the Anglers in Action Team Trail opener in March
( 2023 ), and the top three teams in a team tournament topped 18 pounds in late April ( 2023 ). Results matter . Grand Lake O ’ the Cherokees provides them ".
Tony Coatney , owner of Shangri-La Guide Service , has been guiding on the lake for 30 years - largemouth , white bass and crappie .
Although Grand Lake does not have the Florida strain of largemouth in it , which grow larger than the local northern strain , it ’ s got a healthy prey base for bass . " It ' s got a lot of shad . It ' s full of shad ." And that helps boost results for tournament and recreational anglers .
" It ' s got a lot of threes , four and fives ," he said of the lake , referring to the size of the largemouth anglers can bring in .
Zach Rumple , with BZ Guide Service , out of Wyandotte , agreed . He said Grand Lake is really multiple lakes within one lake - clear water , stained water , muddy water , with places where anglers can fish shallow or deep .
This allows the anglers to play to their strengths .
Brasher said the region is known for its ability to host the event .
" We have been treated very well and have had some great experiences .
26 JOPLIN MAGAZINE | APRIL / MAY