Overholser Lake

About Overholser Lake

Built in 1919, Lake Overholser is one of three reservoirs that supply Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The lake, which is connected by a canal to nearby Hefner Lake, was built to support a still-operating sewage treatment plant.

Named after the 16th mayor of the city, Ed Overholser, the lake has two covered fishing piers, one on the east and one on the west. Fishing is one of the main attractions of the Over holser lake, and there is a covered fishing pier on the southwest side of the lake.

The lake is fairly shallow, but the fish seem to have no objection, and the boat ramp is located on the west side of the lake, a little off the east side, about 800 m from the pier. The lake is a popular destination for perch and other small fish, as well as a good source of trout and whitefish.

Sailing, motor boats and jet skis are allowed, but not main contact. Oklahoma City requires a permit from the Oklahoma Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and a permit from the state and Lake Overholser Waterway Management District.

Lake Overholser differs from neighboring Lake Hefner in that its northern end stretches for miles north along US 66. The asphalt roads around the lake provide access to the shore and the north and south sides of the city.

In 2007, Overholser Dam in the southeast corner of the lake was included in the National Register of Historic Places. Lake Over holser is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, north of downtown and within the city limits, making it easily accessible from all directions.

The dam is open to pedestrians and offers a beautiful view of the lake, and the southeast side of the Overholser Seebe is the right place for picnickers.

There is a covered picnic pavilion available prior to reservation, and picnic tables and barbecues can also be found in the area. For sports enthusiasts there are football and tennis courts, picnic benches and a picnic table for barbecues, both available.

On the southwest side of Lake Hefner is the Lake Overholser Golf Course, which has both a north and a south course. The lake is also known for the incredible jogging and cycling trails that surround the entire lake. On the east side of the lake there is a multi-purpose trail, where sailboat races take place at weekends, as well as a range of other activities such as kayaking, canoeing, hiking, cycling and fishing. Lake Atwater, a major recreational area in Oklahoma City known as a great place for sailing, picnicking or fishing, is located in the heart of the city, just a few miles north of downtown and south of I-35.

If you're planning on visiting Lake Hefner, be sure to visit Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge, located north of Lake Overholser and following the North Canadian River from Morgan Road to the town of Yukon along Morgan Road.

This unspoiled area stretches over nearly 1,000 acres in the north and has changed little in the last 200 years, but is still one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Oklahoma.

The best way to enjoy the refuge is to go on foot, mountain bike, kayak or canoe, but there are several geocaches around them if you are looking for a different kind of outdoor entertainment. Several hiking trails wind around the four small lakes that connect this refuge with the river, as well as several small ponds.

If fishing at the Overholser See is not your thing, there is also a small fishing village on the banks of the river, as well as a number of fishing boats. There are also shops, good restaurants and plenty of entertainment, and cruises take passengers back and forth along the entire length of this river.

Water taxis run like regular taxis, and you can hop on a boat in any direction in 10-15 minutes and even take it to the Bricktown Canal. They stop at shops and restaurants along the canal, but the most popular stop is the water taxi station at the end of the river, just a few blocks from Lake Overholser.

VIP vacation rentals in Oklahoma City offer overholders looking for a small home with views of the Oklahoma River, the Bricktown Canal and the city skyline.