There are many clear rivers that swell from springs in the mountains. One of those is the Kiamichi River. As the river comes down from the mountains, it flows through rolling green hills that are densely forested. Big Kiamichi Ranch lays along the river and it borders the 35,000 acre Hugo Lake Wildlife Refuge. This preserve has an 18,000 acre waterfowl refuge lake and 17,000 acres of river bottom forest.
Fishing is a main event on the ranch.
Each of the catch and release lakes are stocked with species such as Florida largemouth bass, northern largemouth bass, bluegill, red eared perch, hybrid bluegill-green sunfish and catfish. One cold clear spring-fed lake has exclusively smallmouth bass and bluegill. Smallmouth are big jumpers. You can have lunch on a big picnic table next to a lake. You want a 12 lb.