North Fork Red River below Altus Dam Fishing Guides
An irrigation-driven tailwater below Lake Altus-Lugert in the Quartz Mountains, strongly seasonal, with catfish and bass through the reach when water is being delivered.
Guides on the North Fork Red River below Altus Dam
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About the North Fork Red River below Altus Dam
The North Fork of the Red River below Altus Dam runs out of Lake Altus-Lugert in southwestern Oklahoma, in the shadow of the Quartz Mountains where granite domes rise abruptly out of otherwise flat wheat and cattle country. The dam impounds the North Fork for irrigation of the Lugert-Altus district, and the reach below it carries whatever that district is being delivered, which makes it one of the more strongly seasonal tailwaters anywhere in the state.
In practice that means the river below the dam runs substantially through the irrigation season and can be very low outside it. That pattern shapes the fishing completely. When water is moving, catfish work the riffles and the deeper holes below them, bass hold on the rock and the current breaks, and the whole reach behaves like a small river. When releases stop, the fish concentrate into whatever pools remain and the river becomes a string of disconnected holes.
Channel and blue catfish are the most dependable fish here and flatheads hold in the deeper timber and undercut rock. Largemouth and smallmouth bass use the rock and the shaded banks, white bass and hybrid stripers move down out of the lake, and walleye occasionally do the same. Crappie, bluegill and longear sunfish fill in through the pools, and freshwater drum and carp are common enough to keep a rod bent on a slow day.
The lake above has had recurring golden alga problems that have affected its fishery, and conditions in the tailwater reflect whatever is happening upstream, so a look at recent state reports is worth the trouble before making the drive. Quartz Mountain State Park provides the main developed access and lodging, Altus and Lugert are the nearest towns, and the gauge below the dam reads discharge and stage with no temperature.
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Access
Altus Dam - the structure at the head of the reach, and the gauge location.
Quartz Mountain State Park - the granite-country park on the lake, with lodging, camping and ramps.
Lake Altus-Lugert - the impoundment above, which controls everything downstream.
Altus - the nearest city, with full services, tackle and highway access.
Lugert - the small community at the lake, and the closest local landmark.
North Fork Red River - the river below the reach, running southeast toward the Red.
Hobart - the town to the northeast, with further supplies and information.
Seasons
Spring: rising releases and warming water make this the most reliable stretch for bass and white bass.
Summer: full irrigation delivery keeps the river running, and catfish fishing is at its best.
Fall: releases taper off and fish concentrate into the remaining holes, which can fish very well.
Winter: low and often nearly static, with fish stacked in the deepest pools and limited opportunity.
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Questions
What is the current flow on the North Fork Red River below Altus Dam?
As of Oct 18, 4:45 pm, the USGS gauge North Fork Red River blw Altus Dam nr Lugert, OK reads 1 cfs. Conditions update every 15 minutes.
What species can you catch on the North Fork Red River below Altus Dam?
Anglers target Black Crappie, Blue Catfish, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Flathead Catfish, Freshwater Drum, Hybrid Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Longear Sunfish, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, White Crappie on the North Fork Red River below Altus Dam in Oklahoma.
Where can you access the North Fork Red River below Altus Dam?
Altus Dam - the structure at the head of the reach, and the gauge location. Quartz Mountain State Park - the granite-country park on the lake, with lodging, camping and ramps. Lake Altus-Lugert - the impoundment above, which controls everything downstream. Altus - the nearest city, with full services, tackle and highway access. Lugert - the small community at the lake, and the closest local landmark. North Fork Red River - the river below the reach, running southeast toward the Red. Hobart - the town to the northeast, with further supplies and information.
When is the best time to fish the North Fork Red River below Altus Dam?
Spring: rising releases and warming water make this the most reliable stretch for bass and white bass. Summer: full irrigation delivery keeps the river running, and catfish fishing is at its best. Fall: releases taper off and fish concentrate into the remaining holes, which can fish very well. Winter: low and often nearly static, with fish stacked in the deepest pools and limited opportunity.
Where are the fishing regulations for the North Fork Red River below Altus Dam?
Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the Oklahoma agency site: https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishing/regs