Fishing and Hunting

The lake area offers excellent hunting opportunities with over 25,000 acres of land available to the hunter.  Bow hunting is permitted in and around most of the park areas.  Kiamichi Park contains an archery practice range and is now a 3,000-acre Quality Deer Management Area.  This makes Hugo Lake a “one of a kind” area, where quality archery hunting is available within walking distance of Class-A camping. 

For gun hunters who are physically challenged, we have an annual, controlled, deer hunt on the first or second weekend in December in Kiamichi Park. The park has over 2,000 acres normally open to archery only that is closed to the general public during this hunt. Participants are encouraged to camp. A quality deer camp and hunting experience can be expected. Many area volunteers are on hand to assist. We transport participants to and from hunting areas where blinds are available, usually near a food plot. Meals, deer processing and other assistance is also provided. Hunters must apply through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's controlled hunts program and bring a gun. Chances of getting selected for the controlled hunt are very good since we have not been able to fill all 16 spaces that we allow. Our third annual hunt in 1998 was the most successful with a 63 percent success rate. 

There are always fish to be caught at Hugo Lake.  From early sand bass runs and spawning slab crappie to late season fall bass frenzies, you are sure to find fishing excitement.  Hugo Lake is also excellent for catfishing, especially during the summer.   

There are some 5,000 acres of uncleared areas at the lake for fishermen to enjoy.  Boating lanes have been provided through the uncleared upper half of the lake.  The lanes are designated by a system of numbers for the east-west lanes and letters for the north-south lanes. The old river channel is marked by an RC designation followed with the appropriate lane designation where it crosses the old channel.

Camping and Picnicking

Hugo Lake has quiet campgrounds with plenty of elbowroom.  Camping sites are provided at Kiamichi Park, Virgil Point, and Rattan Landing. Kiamichi and Virgil Point also have sites that feature 50-amp electrical service. The beautiful wooded campgrounds provide the perfect setting for a relaxing visit.  The large parks and miles of paved roads are ideal for cycling, jogging, hiking or horseback riding. Raccoon Road in Kiamichi Park provides nine horse stalls for equestrian campers.

The Group Camp Area is a perfect area for large parties, youth trips or family functions.  Each of the four sites in this area have camping facilities that include a 30’ x 50’ shelter and five electric/water hook-ups and each site can accommodate up to 25 guest.  This area has a combination waterborne showers and toilets building, swimming beach access and a playground.

Reservations for campsites at Kiamichi Park can be made at the gate house. Virgil Point and Group Camp reservations can be made at the Virgil Point gate house. Reservations for all three parks can also be made through the reservation system at www.recreation.gov  or by phone at 1-877-444-6777. 

Boating

Skiers and boating enthusiasts can enjoy some 8,000 acres of open water in the lake. 

A marina is also available in the Kiamichi Park area.

Swimming

Hugo Lake has beautiful sandy swimming beaches located at Kiamichi Park, Wilson Point day use area, and Group Camp. Glass bottles are prohibited from all swimming beaches, and alcohol is prohibited from the swimming beach at Kiamichi Park.

Trails

Kiamichi Park has a wonderful horse riding trail where visitors can hike or bring their horses for a fantasic scenic ride around the boundary of the park. There are even horse stalls available at the trail head near the campsites on Racoon Road.