Lake Ellsworth

Boat Ramps: 8
Access Points: 12
Species: 10

Lake Ellsworth is a 5,600-acre reservoir located in southwestern Oklahoma, approximately 8 miles south of Apache on State Highway 62 and about 10 miles north of Lawton. This man-made lake was impounded in 1961 as a water supply reservoir for the City of Lawton, with flood control gates added in 1969. With approximately 40 miles of shoreline to explore, Lake Ellsworth offers anglers numerous fishing opportunities. The lake is primarily known for its catfish fishing, though it also supports healthy populations of bass, crappie, and saugeye. Water clarity is typically murky, with clay turbidity being a common feature of this lake.

Oklahoma licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Lake Ellsworth and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

White Bass

Morone chrysops

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Lake Ellsworth. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Lake Ellsworth

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Oklahoma licenses and regulations

Oklahoma Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Oklahoma Fishing License

16-year old (and older) residents are required to purchase a valid license. 15-year old (and older) non-resident is required to purchase a valid license.

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Oklahoma Fishing Regulations

This state has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this state is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Oklahoma Stream Access Laws

The public has the right to fish from boats in non-navigable streams, adjacent landowners own the streambed to the middle of the streambed.

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Take Lake Ellsworth with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Lake Ellsworth to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Ellsworth to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.