Sooner Lake, Oklahoma, USA

Also known as:  Sooner Reservoir

Sooner Lake is a sprawling 5,400-acre reservoir in Pawnee and Noble Counties, Oklahoma. Constructed in 1972 as a source of cooling water for the coal fired Oklahoma Gas and Electric Power Plant, Sooner Lake has become one of the area’s most enjoyed recreational and fishing lakes. Facilities include boat ramps, recreation areas, picnic tables, and a swimming beach. When it comes to fishing, Sooner Reservoir is considered…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Sooner Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Sooner Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Sooner Lake, OK

    Lake Locations: USA - US Southwest Region - Oklahoma - Red Carpet Country, OK -

    Sooner Lake is a sprawling 5,400-acre reservoir in Pawnee and Noble Counties, Oklahoma. Constructed in 1972 as a source of cooling water for the coal fired Oklahoma Gas and Electric Power Plant, Sooner Lake has become one of the area’s most enjoyed recreational and fishing lakes. Facilities include boat ramps, recreation areas, picnic tables, and a swimming beach.

    When it comes to fishing, Sooner Reservoir is considered one of Oklahoma’s premier bass lakes. Stocking of hybrid striped bass began in 1977 making the lake one of the few places in the state to catch these hard fighting and sometimes gigantic fish. The warm water discharge area from the power plant, located at the northwest end of the lake, is known to be a productive area for stripers. Other sport fish in the lake include white bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, saugeye and sunfish. The lake record for largemouth bass is 11.2 pounds. With 42 miles of shoreline and numerous points and islands, anglers will have no trouble finding space to fish.

    Although there are no camping facilities, Sooner Lake does provide picnic tables, restrooms and a swimming beach. Public access to the lake can be found near the heated water discharge area by the power plant. There are also two recreation areas complete with boat ramps. Those wishing to camp in the area will find several campgrounds and RV parks in the nearby cities of Stillwater, Perry and Ponca City. Vacation rentals and private real estate can also be found in these cities.

    For birdwatchers, Sooner Reservoir harbors a large number of waterfowl and prairie birds. Loons, hawks, eagles and a number of grassland birds use the lake as a stopping point during migration. Large flocks of geese can be found on the water during the winter months.

    Ponca City, just 15 miles north of Sooner Lake, is an exciting little town with much to offer tourists and visitors. For nature lovers, Kaw Lake and Lake Ponca offer fishing, swimming, boating and camping. Several museums and an art center will appeal to those seeking a bit of culture. Golfers will want to practice their swing at several golf courses in the area and a sports center will appeal to kids of all ages. Restaurants range from fine dining to fast food and there are plenty of places to shop in the area.

    For an interesting daytrip, the thriving city of Tulsa is 80 miles southeast of Sooner Lake and the culturally diverse city of Oklahoma City is 80 miles south. Both of these major cities offer museums, zoos, sports, great outdoor recreation and all the makings for a great daytrip or weekend getaway.

    Located in northern Oklahoma at the junction of Green Country and Red Carpet tourism regions, Sooner Lake offers anglers some of the best fishing in the state. Whether you are on the hunt for stripers, catfish, or largemouth bass, there are always fish to be caught in this sparkling reservoir. With inviting waters that accommodate swimming, boating and fishing, Sooner Lake is a fantastic place to enjoy the day.

    Things to Do at Sooner Lake

    These are some activities in the Sooner Lake, OK area visitors can enjoy:

    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Hunting
    • Birding
    • Museum

    What Kind of Fish Are in Sooner Lake?

    Sooner Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Blue Catfish
    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Saugeye Perch
    • Striped Bass
    • Sunfish
    • White Bass
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Sooner Lake

    If you’re considering a Sooner Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Sooner Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Sooner Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Sooner Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Oklahoma Gas and Electric

    Surface Area: 5,400 acres

    Shoreline Length: 42 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 927 feet

    Average Depth: 28 feet

    Maximum Depth: 89 feet

    Water Volume: 149,000 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1972

    Drainage Area: 18,536 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Mesotrophic

    Sooner Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Sooner Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Sooner Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Sooner Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Sooner Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Sooner Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: