Cross Timbers/Skiatook lake

[NellieBly]

Any recreational boating types out there have any thoughts about Skiatook Lake? Is it a nice place to boat compared to other area lakes? How is the marina? I know there is a McGill's out there but I am more interested in the Marina services and the recreational opportunities on the lake. Thanks for any input.

[TulsaSooner]

Well, they finally have water in the lake now so that should help.  []

For boating, I'm a Tenkiller man myself.  Broken Bow is very nice as well.

I realize none of this answers your question.  []

[daddys little squirt]

quote:Originally posted by NellieBly

Any recreational boating types out there have any thoughts about Skiatook Lake? Is it a nice place to boat compared to other area lakes? How is the marina? I know there is a McGill's out there but I am more interested in the Marina services and the recreational opportunities on the lake. Thanks for any input.

Its a great lake to get away from the masses yet convenient and clean. I rented a pontoon for the family two summers ago at Crystal Bay Marina and was quite satisfied. Lots of building going on. The addition of McGills and Timbers was sorely needed as I know of no other marinas on the lake.

Beware the shallows. I don't believe they cleared many stumps before filling. And look for the bluffs with the rope swing that all the locals know about. Can't remember the name. Don't bet on catching any fish though. I swear the lake is sterile.

[Conan71]

Every lake I've visited in Oklahoma seems to have it's bonuses and drawbacks.  My wife is more of a crowd person.  I enjoy quiet and remote-feeling places.

My wife and I drove out to Skiatook lake last July when we were considering where to dock our sailboat.  We stopped at the Timbers which is one of the nicest lake marina's I've seen anywhere.  Naturally, it is new but it is well-designed.  We drove over to Crystal Bay and we checked that out as well.  We drove around the housing developments and I was impressed.

The down-side, and perhaps fortunate for our boat, is the water was down and there were a TON of tree stumps all over the place.  That nixed it for me.  I'm surprised we haven't heard of people being gored on them or punching holes in their boats.  If you stay in the middle of the water, you are probably pretty safe when it comes to boating and skiing.  

I looked at Windycrest and Pier 51 at Keystone.  Great value at Windycrest, but it was going to take a looong time to get a slip, likely on the order of four years, and likely a year or two just to get a mooring.  There's also a ton of boat traffic there, and depending on the lake level, highway 412 pretty much will keep a sailboat on one side of the highway or the other.

I considered Grand.  Lots of places to sail to and eat or get a drink by the water, and even had the offer of a free tie up from a friend at his private dock.  Suck factor: lots and lots of motorized traffic, 1.5 hours or so from home depending on where you wind up keeping your boat.

We finally settled on Oologah.  Great sailing lake (based on prevailing winds and lake layout), great and active sailing club (I think there are about 100 sailboats based there now), the suck factor there is there are not any destinations to sail to, unless it's anchoring out in a secluded cove.  There is also only one marina on the whole lake.  This is probably the most under-utilized lake in Oklahoma which is fine with me.  After years of so-so business, Redbud Marina now has a waiting list for slips.  We got in just in time.

[Jonette]

Skiatook has it's stumps, but it is NOT sterile. I have seen some serious size catfish caught from there. My ex-husband and a friend went there several weekends '05 summer and caught enough fish for us to have a family fish fry. Hush-puppies and fries also.

You just have to know how to fish Skiatook Lake.


After you have been boating there for awhile you will know where not to go. Try going with some other people on their boats for awhile before putting your own out there. Learn the layout first. Skiatook Lake is a beautiful lake.



I know this post was old and the person who posted this already got a place at Oologah, but I still thought it might help someone else.