Medicine Park Trout Fishing Guide | All You Need To Know!


Medicine Park is a charming town nestled in the Wichita Mountain foothills of southwestern Oklahoma. It is known for its natural beauty, crystal-clear streams, and excellent trout fishing.

To have a successful trout fishing trip at Oklahoma’s Medicine Park, you’ll want to make sure you are well-prepared with the items and knowledge you need, including a valid fishing license, rods, lures, baits, water, sunscreen, and other luxury items, and an idea of how to catch the trout!

Keep reading; we’ll cover everything you need to know about trout fishing at Medicine Park and help ensure your next fishing trip is a success!

How To Prepare For A Medicine Park Trout Fishing Trip?

Many of the basics for preparing for a fishing trip to Medicine Park are the same no matter where you plan on fishing, but there are some key features to note about this park.

There are opportunities for single or multi-day trips, information regarding stocking schedules, and the benefits of the beautiful town surrounding the area.

1. Check The Weather and Stocking Reports

Two easy resources to check ahead of time include the weather and the stocking reports.

Both of these factors play a crucial part in whether or not you’ll be able to catch the fish or even if you’ll be able to go fishing at all.

Water temperatures fluctuate year-round, but any time the water is between 50-70 degrees, you’ll have the best chance of catching the trout as they are actively feeding.

On overcast days, especially after heavy rain, trout will feel safer and more likely to be out and about in a feeding position.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation posts weekly water and stocking reports, so be sure to watch these closely to find the best opportunity to catch them right after stocking day.

While it may be crowded with other anglers with the same idea, soon after the fish are released is a good time to catch them.

Check The Weather And Stocking Reports

2. Have a Checklist Ready

Here’s a checklist of items you may want to pack for a trout fishing trip:

  • Fishing line: Use a 4-6 lb test line for trout fishing. I’ve written a guide on the best fishing lines for trout to make things easier for you.
  • Lures or bait: Bring a selection of artificial lures or live bait, such as worms or crickets.
  • Tackle box: A small tackle box can help you organize your fishing gear.
  • Fishing vest or pack: A fishing vest or pack can keep all your fishing gear easily accessible.
  • Waders: If you are fishing in a stream or river, waders can help you stay dry and comfortable.
  • Fishing boots: Choose a pair of sturdy, waterproof boots for traction and stability on slippery rocks.
  • Sunglasses: Polarized sunglasses can help reduce glare and improve visibility in the water.
  • Hat and sunscreen: Protect yourself from the sun with a hat and sunscreen.
  • Insect repellent: Keep insects at bay with insect repellent.
  • Snacks and water: Stay hydrated and energized with plenty of water and snacks.
  • First aid kit: Be prepared for minor injuries with a small first aid kit.
  • Camera: Capture memories of your fishing trip with a camera or smartphone.
  • Fishing net: A fishing net can help you safely and easily land your catch. Any net will work if you plan on keeping the fish, but a rubber net is easiest on the fish if you plan on releasing them.

3. Catch and Release or Catch and Cook?

Both ‘catch and release’ and keeping trout have their benefits and drawbacks. Catch and release allows anglers to enjoy the sport of fishing while preserving fish populations and the ecosystem.

On the other hand, keeping fish can provide a source of food and may also help control overpopulation in some areas.

Whatever approach anglers choose, it’s essential to be mindful of their fishing practices’ impact on the environment and the fish population.

Thankfully, the stocked trout of Medicine Park are stocked frequently, and by keeping them, you are not impacting wild populations.

However, if you do not plan on eating the fish, let them go for the next angler.

Catch And Release Or Catch And Cook

How to Catch the Trout?

Bringing the items above is important to have the right gear to catch the trout at Medicine Park, but knowing how and where to fish is necessary to actually hook into one.

Below are some details about how to catch a stocked trout.

1. Use the Right Setups

Compared to other fish species, such as bass, trout can be much more finicky about what bait and presentation you use. As a result, it’s key to choose the correct setup to catch the trout.

A sensitive fishing rod is vital, and a 6-7 foot rod with fast action and medium power is the go-to for many people.

A light 4-6 pound line of monofilament or fluorocarbon is important since fishing lines easily spook trout.

Bring a variety of lures such as spoons, spinners, or bright-colored small soft plastics to try a few different things.

If you would prefer to use live bait, a small hook with a piece of a worm will work well under a bobber or as part of a Carolina rig.

Many anglers also swear by Berkley’s Power-bait, a brightly colored dough or preformed balls that you can easily attach to your hook for trout fishing, and it is easy to keep in your tackle box.

Use The Right Setups

2. Fish in the Right Spots

Here are some of the best spots to catch trout in a river:

Pools: Deep pools provide a cool and protected area for trout to rest and feed. Look for pools with slower-moving water and structure like rocks or logs, where trout can hide and ambush their prey.

Runs: Runs are areas of the river where the water flows more quickly. Trout use these areas to feed and conserve energy by staying in the slower currents along the edges.

Riffles: Riffles are areas where water flows quickly over rocks, creating small rapids.

Trout can be found in the calmer water behind rocks and other structures, where they can feed on insects that get caught in the current.

Edges: The edges of a river where shallow water meets deeper pools or runs can be an excellent spot to catch trout. These areas offer the trout protection from predators and access to food.

Undercut banks: Trout like to hide under undercut banks where the water has eroded the bank and created a space for them to rest and feed.

3. Be Patient

When fishing for stocked trout, patience is critical to success. Stocked trout may not have the same instincts as wild trout and may take some time to acclimate to their new environment.

They may also be wary of bait or lures and not actively feeding when you first start fishing.

Fishing pressure, the time of day, and weather conditions can also affect their behavior, so it’s essential to be patient and observant.

Using the right bait or lure can make a big difference, and experimenting with different options until you find what works best is important.

Finally, taking the time to learn about the behavior and feeding patterns of stocked trout can help you be more successful in catching them.

Be Patient

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, Medicine Park is a great place for trout fishing.

In order to make the most out of your trip, you must be well-prepared with the right gear and knowledge, including a valid fishing license, fishing rod, line, lures and/or bait, water, sunscreen, and other luxury items.

Following these tips can help ensure a successful and enjoyable trip! Combined with planning for the right weekend, some practice, patience, and luck, you’ll have a great fishing trip at Medicine Park.

As one of the best fishing destinations in the U.S., this place is an excellent introduction to trout fishing.

Shailen Vandeyar

A proud Indian origin Kiwi who loves to plant trees and play with my pet bunny when not freshwater fishing in the nearest creek or enjoying saltwater fishing by taking boats far in the ocean.

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