Lake Altus-Lugert

This lake impounds the North Fork of the Red River, which is the boundary between Greer and Kiowa Counties. This boundary was contended between Oklahoma and Texas and in 1896 the U.S. Supreme Court decreed that Greer County, which today makes up Harmon, Jackson and Greer Counties, belongs to Oklahoma. The reservoir and adjacent Quartz Mountain Lodge provide a major recreation spot in southwest Oklahoma. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, and the rugged granite hills and fascinating geologic history promise a unique experience for the hiking enthusiast. The Altus-Lugert public ...

This lake impounds the North Fork of the Red River, which is the boundary between Greer and Kiowa Counties. This boundary was contended between Oklahoma and Texas and in 1896 the U.S. Supreme Court decreed that Greer County, which today makes up Harmon, Jackson and Greer Counties, belongs to Oklahoma. The reservoir and adjacent Quartz Mountain Lodge provide a major recreation spot in southwest Oklahoma. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, and the rugged granite hills and fascinating geologic history promise a unique experience for the hiking enthusiast. The Altus-Lugert public hunting area consists of approximately 3,600 acres at the upper end of the lake. Food for the wildlife is provided by lands planted with maize, millet, and winter wheat. Quail, waterfowl, turkey, crow, and predator species are available for hunting. Fishing is available from both sides of the entire stretch of the lake with best access along the entire length of the north shore and near the dam on the south side. Camping and cabin facilities are available at the nearby Quartz Mountain Lodge. Additional facilities include boat ramps, picnic areas, designated campsites, group shelter, restrooms, swimming beach, electric outlets, playground, marina, cabins, enclosed fishing dock, and swimming pool.

View a detailed Lake Altus-Lugert map.

***NOTICE*** Reported by The Oklahoman in January 2013:  "Thousands of fish, mostly shad, have died in recent weeks on Altus-Lugert Lake because of golden algae blooms. Altus-Lugert Lake is the latest body of water in southwest Oklahoma where fish are dying as a result of golden algae blooms. The fish kill started the week before Christmas and became worse last week with several thousand fish dying in the lake, said Larry Cofer, southwest fisheries chief of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Most of the dead fish are shad but there also have been some sport fish that have been killed.  Golden algae is an aquatic plant whose blooms produce a toxin that is deadly to fish. It typically blooms in the winter when other aquatic plants are suppressed by the cold weather.  “We think that is what gives golden algae a competitive advantage in the winter,” Cofer said.  Altus City Lake had a golden algae outbreak in 2004. Last winter, trout stocked in the stream below Altus-Lugert Lake died because of the toxin and state wildlife officials confirmed the presence of golden algae in the lake.  “We have been expecting this,” Cofer said of the fish kill on Altus-Lugert. The trout kill caused state wildlife officials to move the winter trout fishery in southwest Oklahoma from Quartz Mountain to Medicine Park this year.  There is no treatment in the winter for the golden algae blooms, Cofer said. It’s unknown how long the fish kill will last on Altus-Lugert, he said. “It may be over or it may get really bad,” Cofer said. “There is no way to predict it.”  Golden algae has been slowly moving northwest from Texas lakes in recent years. State wildlife officials are asking boaters and anglers on Altus-Lugert to help reduce the chance of golden algae spreading to other lakes by making sure to thoroughly clean their boats, live wells and fishing gear.  The toxin from golden algae blooms is not a health risk to humans, wildlife or pets. Anglers may still fish at Altus-Lugert and eat fish caught from the lake, Cofer said."