Birch Lake

Birch Lake is located in the eastern portion of Osage County, a region with a colorful history.  First occupied by prehistoric Indians, Osage County was later designated Cherokee Indian Territory and, in 1870, the Osage Nation was forced to move into the 500,000 acre area.  The Osage Indians retained the mineral rights to the land and, when oil was discovered, it made them the richest Indians in the United States.

Woolaroc (coined from the words woods, lakes and rocks) was formerly the retreat of Frank Phillips, and now is a scenic game preserve.  Woolaroc Museum, the former Phillips ranch home, exhibits artifacts from the area's early inhabitants.  Woolaroc is northeast of Birch Lake, 14 miles southwest of Bartlesville.

Hunting opportunities are good at Birch.  Principal species include bobwhite quail, mourning dove, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit and deer.  A fish habitat program has been established at the lake and available species include spotted bass, largemouth bass, walleye and crappie.

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