Thanks guys. The information about the Ouachita smallie came about when I emailed the Oklahoma DCNR about the Neosho strain. They were very helpful and then proceeded to let me know about this strain that I had not heard of. Apparently the 2 get confused quite often. Here is a quote from the email I received from Chris Whisenhunt, Fisheries Biologist at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation:
"Oklahoma is home to two genetically distinct populations of smallmouth bass: the Neosho strain and the Ouachita strain. For Neosho strain, Spring Creek and Baron Fork Creek in northeast Oklahoma have the best populations, with Baron Fork Creek being the most accessible to the public. Baron Fork Creek is a tributary to the Illinois River and the best place for public access is a bridge crossing at Welling, OK (near Tahlequah, OK). Spring Creek flows into Fort Gibson Lake and is located near Locus Grove, OK, but is almost completely surrounded by private land where access is gained by land owner permission.
For the Ouachita strain, the Little River, Upper Mountain Fork River (above Broken Bow Lake) and Glover River in Pushmataha & McCurtain Counties in southeast OK have good populations. The southeast rivers are accessible, but much of the area is controlled by timber companies and may require a special access permit (Honobia Creek & Three Rivers WMA's) to get to some points on the rivers. Much of the Glover River is located within US Forest Service land and is the last free flowing river in the state (best chance for pure Ouachita strain fish)."
Hope this helps with distribution differences between the 2 strains.
"Oklahoma is home to two genetically distinct populations of smallmouth bass: the Neosho strain and the Ouachita strain. For Neosho strain, Spring Creek and Baron Fork Creek in northeast Oklahoma have the best populations, with Baron Fork Creek being the most accessible to the public. Baron Fork Creek is a tributary to the Illinois River and the best place for public access is a bridge crossing at Welling, OK (near Tahlequah, OK). Spring Creek flows into Fort Gibson Lake and is located near Locus Grove, OK, but is almost completely surrounded by private land where access is gained by land owner permission.
For the Ouachita strain, the Little River, Upper Mountain Fork River (above Broken Bow Lake) and Glover River in Pushmataha & McCurtain Counties in southeast OK have good populations. The southeast rivers are accessible, but much of the area is controlled by timber companies and may require a special access permit (Honobia Creek & Three Rivers WMA's) to get to some points on the rivers. Much of the Glover River is located within US Forest Service land and is the last free flowing river in the state (best chance for pure Ouachita strain fish)."
Hope this helps with distribution differences between the 2 strains.
