In Wagoner and Cherokee Counties, a captivating northeastern Oklahoma landscape awaits in the 21,798-acre Fort Gibson Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Located north and east of Wagoner, Fort Gibson WMA is a mixture of upland tallgrass prairie and bottomland habitats mixed with farm fields, brushy thickets, and a Crosstimbers oak-filled forest with cottonwood and sycamores around Fort Gibson lake.

It's likely you'll observe wildlife including white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail and cottontail rabbits throughout the wildlife area. Coyotes, bobcats and raccoons also enjoy the habitat, along with doves, prairie chickens and fox squirrels in the Fort Gibson Public Hunting Area. Grab your gear and get ready for a big catch from one of the numerous ponds in the area. Fish species at this Fort Gibson Lake include white bass, catfish, crappie and black bass and largemouth bass. Paddlefish are often snagged by anglers below the dam and along the river channel.

A 3,500-acre waterfowl refuge in the Jackson Bay area features nine wetland units and numerous fields planted to wheat, sunflower, milo and millet. Bald Eagles can often be seen during the winter on Fort Gibson Lake. There are usually good duck and goose hunting opportunities on and around the lake. While no camping is allowed in the WMA, numerous US Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds are available around Fort Gibson Lake.