These Oklahoma Lakes Are Infested With Snakes

If you’ve ever tossed a line into the water or taken a dip in one of Oklahoma’s many lakes, there’s a solid chance you were closer to a snake than you realized. Not trying to freak you out, just keeping it real.

Now, Oklahoma isn’t short on slithery residents. We’ve got around 46 species of snakes, and while most of them are harmless and even helpful, a few are venomous enough to make you second-guess that swim. Here’s a look at the top five lakes in Oklahoma where snakes are known to hang out, especially once things heat up.

Lake Texoma

One of the biggest and busiest lakes in the state, and the snakes like it just as much. You'll find an ample population of cottonmouths, rat snakes, copperheads, and if you're really lucky, the dreaded garnet snake just doing their thing.

They’re more active at dawn and dusk. So maybe save the barefoot walks for the middle of the day,

Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees

People love this place for boating and fishing, and it’s gorgeous, but it’s also a hot spot for snakes. Expect the usual suspects: harmless water snakes mixed in with a few cottonmouths that keep to the shadows.

With warmer winters, snakes are being spotted earlier in the year than usual. Spring break on the water? Keep an eye out.

Lake Tenkiller

Don’t let the name scare you, it’s one of the most beautiful lakes in the state. But under that pretty blue surface, snakes. Locals say water snakes are common along rocky banks and near docks. They’re not out to get you, but they are definitely there.

Water snakes can look a lot like cottonmouths. The big difference? Water snakes flee. Cottonmouths stand their ground. Don’t test it.

Eufaula Lake

This massive lake in eastern Oklahoma is a summer favorite, and it’s also known for its snake population. Boaters and fishermen have swapped plenty of stories about unexpected visitors slithering up near the boat ramp or sunning on rocks.

Local tip: Keep your gear zipped and your eyes open. Nobody wants to find a snake napping in their tackle box.

Lake Thunderbird

Ask anyone from central Oklahoma, and they’ll tell you that there's a reason locals call it Dirty-Bird. Lake Thunderbird has a bit of a wild side, and snakes are part of that reputation. Cottonmouths and non-venomous water snakes have both been spotted around the edges.

Don’t try to “relocate” a snake with a stick. That’s how you end up on the evening news or at urgent care.

While it didn't make the top-5 list of snaky lakes in the Sooner State, Lake Luggert near Altus just missed the cut. It's not that Luggert has a massive population of snakes, but the sheer amount of rattlesnakes around that body of water is insane.

Western rattlesnakes, prairie rattlers, the potent Massasauga, and the occasional pigmy rattlesnake can be found lurking around cabins and campsites with regularity there.

So, are Oklahoma lakes safe?

Well, they're not any more dangerous than any other summer activity. Oklahoma does have a shockingly high average of drownings each year, but it's more attributed to drinking on the water. Snakebites do happen, but the Sooner State is geared up to treat issues like that.

Use your common sense.

• Watch where you step
• Don’t reach into the brush or under rocks
• And if you see a snake, give it space

Oklahoma lakes are still great for fishing, swimming, boating, and making memories... just know you might be sharing it with a few cold-blooded neighbors.