Oklahoma Fishing License Information

* A nonresident is any individual who is a resident of another state or who has resided in Oklahoma less than 60 days whether or not he or she intends to make Oklahoma their home during that period.

1A A Lake Texoma license allows anglers to fish the entire lake without having to purchase a resident or nonresident license. Oklahoma residents possessing an Oklahoma fishing license are not required to purchase this license if only fishing the Oklahoma portion of the lake.

2A Residents born on or after January 1, 1923, upon reaching age 64 (or those who turn 64 during the calendar year) may purchase a Senior Citizen License which is good for the rest of their life. Anyone born before January 1, 1923, is exempt but must carry proof of age such as a drivers license. Senior Citizen License applications are available through Department headquarters, field installations and license vendors. Purchased only through Department headquarters.

3A A Disability Fishing License shall be issued only to legal residents who have resided in this state for at least six (6) months and who are receiving Social Security disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits or both. This license is valid for five (5) years. Purchased only through Department headquarters.

Blue River Conservation Passport is a new license required of all persons who enter or use the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area, unless exempt. The following persons are exempt from the purchase of the Blue River Conservation Passport: Persons who possess a resident or nonresident annual fishing or hunting license, a resident combination fishing/hunting license, a lifetime resident or nonresident fishing, hunting or combination license, a senior citizen fishing or hunting license, or a disability fishing or hunting license; residents who are under eighteen (18) years of age on the first day of the calendar year; and students and instructors participating in bona fide educational tours or activities sponsored or organized by an educational institution or any other organized event sanctioned and approved in advance by ODWC.

Note: All annual licenses expire December 31 unless otherwise stated in the regulations.

Obtain a copy of the Oklahoma Fishing Regulations for complete details on fishing licenses, exemptions and regulations.

An Oklahoma resident or nonresident fishing license is required of all persons who take, attempt to take or possess fish or other aquatic dwelling organisms by any method in Oklahoma. A fishing license or written evidence of exemption must be carried while fishing. Persons fishing the Red River must have a valid Oklahoma fishing license unless exempt.

The following persons are exempt from the resident or nonresident fishing license:
• Residents under 16, and nonresidents under 16 who are residents of AL, AK, AR, CA, CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, Ml, NH, NY, NC, ND, OH, TX, or Wl.
• Nonresidents under 14.
• Resident owners or tenants, their spouses, parents, grandparents, children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses who fish in private ponds on land owned or leased by such owner or tenant.
• Nonresidents 64 and older who are residents of Texas.
• Resident disabled veterans with 60 percent or more disability. Call State Dept. of VA, 1-888-655-2838 for additional information.
• Any person who fishes with pole and line, trotline or throw line in streams, natural ponds and mine pits in or forming the boundary of the county in which he is a bona fide resident, when using any bait other than commercial or artificial bait, blood, stink bait, cut fish, and shrimp.
• Oklahoma citizens in the U. S. Armed Forces serving outside Oklahoma on authorized leave and with written evidence on their person.
• Any person legally blind or physically impaired who is unable to properly use fishing apparatus and one accompanying companion while the blind or physically impaired person is fishing.
• Any patient of a state institution in Oklahoma established for the care and treatment of mental illness or alcohol or drug dependency or any person developmentally disabled residing in any group home or other institution or persons developmentally disabled when accompanied by an attendant of such institution or legal guardian or when fishing on institutional property.
• Residents having a proven disability rendering them nonambulatory and confined to wheelchairs as certified by a duly qualified physician.
• Job Corps trainees of this state, having a proper identification card.
• Persons under 18 who are in legal and physical custody of the State of Oklahoma or its agencies by court order.

(Noncommercial): Taking of turtles shall be lawful in all waters throughout the year with a resident or nonresident fishing license provided that:
• no more than 6 turtles per day are taken;
• shooting of turtles on federal reservoirs is prohibited;
• terrestrial (land) turtles may not be sold;
• taking of the western chicken turtle, map turtle
and/or alligator snapping turtle is prohibited;
• the Wichita Mountains NWR is closed;
• no aquatic turtles may be sold or purchased without the proper commercial turtle harvester or buyers license.

Bullfrogs may be taken with hook and line, gig, spear, bow and arrow or other methods, except firearms, under a resident or nonresident fishing license. Bullfrogs taken with a firearm require a hunting license. Bullfrogs may be taken throughout the year provided that:
• no more than 15 bullfrogs per day are taken;
• bullfrogs may not be sold or shipped out-of-state;
• the Wichita Mountains NWR is closed.

IT IS UNLAWFUL TO:
• fish without carrying a license or written evidence that you are exempt.
• fish upon the land of another without the consent of the owner, lessee or occupant of such land.
• fish in a State Designated Trout Area or their tributaries during trout season without first purchasing a Trout License; there are no exemptions.
• release trout, paddlefish, striped bass and/or striped bass hybrids which are placed on a stringer, in a livewell or otherwise held in possession.
• use a grabhook in all state waters, except as provided for in Delaware and Mayes counties under “STATEWIDE REGULATIONS.”
• use gaff hooks to assist in landing paddlefish (spoonbill), statewide.
• catch fish from the waters of this state and such fish are dead or die as a result of such act, and not remove those fish and bury or burn them, except nothing shall prevent anglers from returning fish remains to lakes and reservoirs. No person may bury or burn any dead fish where they will become exposed thru erosion or where such land is at anytime subject to overflow.
• sell, barter or trade fish, frogs or turtles, except under commercial license.
• enter, swim, wade, operate a boat or a float or floating device in any safety zone (that water area below any dam for a distance of fifty (50) yards from base of the dam).
• use, operate or park vehicles not registered for use on public roadways under Vehicle Code 47 O.S. 1971, 15-101 thru 15-114 on lands owned or managed by the Department of Wildlife.
• possess fish, or parts thereof, taken by another person without written information which includes the taker’s name, address, license number, date taken and, number and kind of fish, plus name and address of person receiving said fish.
• use and/or place into lakes and reservoirs of this state any container, including but not limited to drums, cans, tubs, boxes or barrels which attract, entice or lure fish into an open cavity within the container.
• possess, consume or use any intoxicating beverage as defined in 37 O.S., Section 163.1 or controlled and/or dangerous substance as defined in 63 O.S., Section 2-101 on any lands or waterways subject to the control of the Department of Wildlife, except in camping and parking areas.
• use jet skis, jet boats and other similar non-propeller-driven watercraft in the upper Illinois River above the confluence with Baron Fork Creek.
• tamper with the trotline, throwline, jugline or limbline of another person without permission from that person.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
• A resident or nonresident fishing license is required of all persons who take or attempt to take fish, including trout, unless otherwise exempt.
• A trout license ($7.75) is required for all who fish in state designated trout areas or in tributaries to a state designated trout stream during trout seasons. THERE ARE NO EXEMPTIONS.
TROUT SEASONS: See map and description of each state-designated trout area on pages 19-21.
METHOD OF TAKING:
• It is unlawful to take fish from state designated trout areas during trout seasons by any means except one rod and reel (or one pole and line).
• Trout caught and placed on stringer or otherwise held in possession cannot be released.
DAILY & SIZE LIMITS:
• Daily limit is six (6) rainbow trout per person per day at all state designated trout areas except the Lower Mountain Fork River (see map and description of Lower Mountain Fork trout area on page 20).
• There is no minimum size limit for rainbow trout at any state designated trout areas except the Lower Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow dam (see page 20).
• Daily limit for brown trout is six (6) with no minimum size limit, except at the Lower Mountain Fork River and Lower Illinois River where it is one (1); size limit: 20 inches minimum, with a possession limit of two (2) after the first day.
POSSESSION LIMIT: No person shall have in their possession in the field more than one (1) daily limit of any trout species. After the first day, no person shall have more than twelve (12) rainbow trout and twelve (12) brown trout in their possession, except at the Lower Mountain Fork River and Lower Illinois River where the possession limit for brown trout is two (2). Nonresidents shall not have more than two (2) days limit of any trout species upon leaving the state.
Trout Fishing Tips: Oklahoma has two introduced species of trout - rainbows and browns, with rainbows being far more abundant. Fingerling browns are stocked when available in the Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow dam and in the Lower Illinois River while rainbows are usually stocked every two weeks at all eight of the state’s trout areas during designated trout seasons. Anglers can use the following tips to help them put trout on the stringer:

• Use an ultra-light rod and reel spooled with six pound or lighter line to produce more strikes.
• Small spinners, spoons and crappie size jigs (tube or maribou) are good artificial lures.
• Fishing with live or prepared bait such as worms, power baits and salmon eggs is very productive where legal.
• Try small hooks (size 10 to 18) and sinkers to keep bait near the bottom and prevent trout from detecting any resistance.
• Fish during the early morning and late afternoons for best action.
• Concentrate on fishing around structure such as behind large rocks, logs and below riffles. Trout also tend to congregate above and below waterfalls, in and around deep pools and undercut banks.
• Rainbows tend to occupy faster moving water while browns may be found in more slack stretches.
• Trout face upstream to wait for insects to appear above them.
• Fly fishermen should try to fish with flies that resemble the insects and crustaceans that are most seasonally abundant.
• Fishing often improves a few days after stocking when trout have adjusted to their new environment.

A small, thumbnail size mussel with a zebra-like pattern of stripes known to greatly impact the environment has been found in the state, prompting concern by state and federal officials. Zebra mussels have been found inside the locks at both Robert S. Kerr and Webbers Falls along the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System.
Due to their high reproductive rate and the limited number of natural predators, zebra mussels can significantly populate a body of water in two or three years. They can cluster together with hundreds of thousands per square meter.

Possible Impacts:
The zebra mussel’s reproductive and living habits have raised concerns that they may affect the aquatic environment. By altering the food chain and water chemistry, as well as through sheer numbers of mussels, native aquatic species may be adversely impacted. Zebra mussels may also affect manmade facilities by clogging water intake pipes and disrupt ing withdrawal operations. The mussels attach themselves to, and grow within, water intakes of both inboard and outboard motors. Subsequent restriction of water flow can cause motors to overheat.
Although some treatments have proven effective for spot control, eliminating zebra mussels once they are established is not likely.

Problems and Solutions for Boaters:
Because microscopic zebra mussel larvae can be unknowingly transported in bilges, engine cooling systems, minnow buckets, live wells and anywhere water is trapped, the following precautions should be taken to help slow their spread.
• Drain the bilge water, live wells and bait buckets before leaving.
• Inspect the boat and trailer immediately upon leaving the water.
• Scrape off any zebra mussels or aquatic vegetation found. Do not return them to the water.
• If possible, dry the boat and trailer for at least a week before entering another waterway.
• Wash boat parts and accessories that contact the water using hot water (at least 140 degrees F.), or spray with high pressure water.

• Under a cooperative fisheries management agreement between the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department and the ODWC, the following bodies of water have special fishing rules and regulations designed to improve and expand “Close to Home” fishing opportunities in the Oklahoma City metro area: Dolese Youth Park Pond, Kid’s Lake, South Lakes Park Ponds (proposed), Crystal Lake, Edwards Park Pond (proposed), all waters within the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge, Zoo Lake (east side only) and the North Canadian River extending downstream from NW 10th St. bridge (including impoundments, ponds and wetlands) to NE 10 St. in OKC. Special regulations on methods of fishing and on daily bag and size limits apply. See page 13 for details.

• At Ft. Cobb Reservoir, the size and limit has changed on walleye, sauger and saugeye to a 14-inch minimum. See page15 for details.

• At Lake Hefner, the size limit on smallmouth bass has changed to an 18-inch minimum. See page 14 for details.

• State and Oklahoma City fishing regulations on Lake Draper, Hefner and Overholser are now uniform and identical. These regulations cover special restrictions on methods of fishing and on daily bag and size limits. See ”Special Area Restrictions” for details.

• At Pine Creek Reservoir, the size and daily bag limits have changed on black bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 14-inch minimum size limit. Spotted bass have no size limit and a daily bag limit of fifteen (15). See page 15 for details.

• At the Mountain Fork River trout stream below Broken Bow dam, the 20-inch minimum size limit on rainbow trout now only applies to that portion of the trout stream from the state park dam downstream to the reregulation dam. See page 15 for details.

SPECIAL AREA REGULATIONS

AREA	Rod Reel	Trot lines/ Trow lines	limb lines	Yo- Yos	Jug lines	Bow Fishing	Gigs Spears	Spear guns	Snag- ging	Nood- ling	Note
Lakes
Adair Rec Area Lake	C	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Carl Albert Lake	K	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Kids Fish out (fountain- head SP)	K,F	K	K	K	K	K	K	K	K	K
Konawa Lake	K	J	J	J	J	K	J	J	J	K
Lone Chimney Lake	D	J	J	J	J	K	J	J	J	J
Long mire Lake	K	J	J	J	J	K	K	K	K	K	check with City of Pauls Valley for additional regulations
Pickens Lake	D,E	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Sooner Lake	H	J	J	J	J	K	J	J	J	K
Taft Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Ten killer Reservoir	K	K	K	K	K	K	J	S	K	K	applies to below Horseshoe Bend Boat ramp
Thunder bird Reservoir	K	K	K	K	K	J	J	J	J	J	applies only to the little river tributary above Franklin Road in Cleveland County
Wichita Mountains NWR	K	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
DEPT. FISHING AREAS
American Horse Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Blue River PF&HA	A	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Burtschi Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Carl Etling Lake	A	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Chambers Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Dahlgren Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Elmer Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Fugate Lake (closed)	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Hall Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Jap Beaver Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Nanih Waiya Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Ozzie Cobb Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Raymond Gary Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Schooler Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Vanderwork Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Vincent Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Watonga Lake	A	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Wayne Wallace Lake	D	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
RIVERS AND STREAMS
Arkansas River	K	K	K	K	K	K	K	K	J	K	applies to Arkansas River from Keystone Dam downstream to Zink Lake Dam
Black Fork Creek	K	K	K	K	K	M	K	K	U	K
Canadian River	K	K	K	K	K	K	J	J	J	K	applies only from Eufaula dam downstream for 1 mile
Caney River	K	K	K	K	K	J	K	J	J	K	Bow fishing is prohibited in the Caney River from Hulah Dam downstream 1,200 feet; spearguns and snagging is prohibited from Hulah Dam downstream to the confluence of old and new river channels.
Grand (Neosho) River	K	K	K	K	K	O	R	R	T	W	below Pensacola dam
Illinois River & Tributaries	K	K	K	K	K	L	P	J	J	J	excluding trout stream
Below Hugo Dam	D,G	J	K	K	K	N	Q	Q	V	J	applies to the first 1,000 feet below the dam, except trotlines, throwlines and noodling is prohibited downstream from Hugo Dam to railroad bridge.
Little River	K	J	J	J	J	K	K	K	K	K	applies only to Little River below Pine Creek dam for distance of 2000 feet
Poteau & Fourche Maline Rivers & tributaries in Leflore Co.	K	K	K	K	K	K	J	J	K	K
Poteau River	K	J	K	K	K	K	K	K	K	K	downstream from Wister Dam to 1/4 mile past confluence of old & new river channels
Tailwaters (below dam)	D,G	K	K	K	K	N	Q	Q	V	K	first 1000 feet below any Federal or GRDA dam
Webbers Falls L and D 16 (below dam)	D,G	J	J	J	J	N	Q	Q	V	K	applies to the first 1,000 feet below the dam, except throwlines, limblines, juglines,trotlines, and yo-yo's are prohibited downstream for one mile
Zink Lake Dam (Arkansas River)	G,I	I	I	I	I	I	I	I	J	I	downstream to I-44
TROUT AREAS
Lower Illinois River	C	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Lower Mountain Fork	C	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	below Broken Bow Dam downstram to Hwy 70 bridge
Quartz Mountain	B	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
Robbers Cave	B	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J
US FOREST SERVICE LAKES
Dead Indian	K	J	J	J	J	K	K	K	K	K	Check with USFS for additional regulations.
Skipout	K	J	J	J	J	K	K	K	K	K
Spring Creek	K	J	J	J	J	K	K	K	K	K
Quachita National Forest Lakes and Ponds	K	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J	J

SPECIAL AREA REGULATIONS CODES

A	only one (1) rod and reel per person during trout season (other times no more than 2 per person)
B	only one (1) rod and reel per person during trout season (other times no more than 7 per person).
C	only one (1) rod and reel per person at all times.
D	only two (2) rods and reels per person.
E	only open to residents who are under 16 yrs, or 65 yrs. or older, or 60% disabled, or legally blind and those assisting them.
F	only open to persons under 16yrs. or 64yrs. or older or 60% disabled, or legally blind, or physically impaired and one companion.
G	unlawful to keep a foul hooked fish (any fish hooked other than inside the mouth), unless taken in a tailwater open to snagging (see Tailwater - snagging).
H	bankfishing only (no floats, wading) in the buoy marked intake channel, discharge channel and spillway embank meet. Fishing prohibited from dam, fenced area below dam, and north bank of intake channel.
I	fishing prohibited (by all methods) from April 25 fom May 9, annually from Zink Lake Dam downstream to PSO.
J	PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES.
K	same as STATEWIDE REGULATIONS.
L	closed...except upstream from Horseshoe Bend boat ramp open from Dec. 1 thru Mar.31, annually.
M	only open from old Heavener Fish Hatchery dam down-stream to Poteau River from Dec. 1 thru May 15.
N	closed...except Wister, Eufaula, Ft. Gibson, Keystone, Hudson, Thunderbird which are open.
O	closed below turbine outlets downstream to State Park Bridge and below spillway outlet downstream to highline crossing. The next 1/2 mile below the highline crossing is closed only when the spillway gates are discharging water and for seven (7) days following closure of gates.
P	closed...except from Horseshoe Bend boat ramp upstream to Hwy 62-51 bridges gigging is open to taking nongame fish and white bess from Dec. 1 thm Marl, annually....fom Hwy 62-51 bridges upstream gigging is open from Dec. 1 thru Mar31, annually.
Q	closed...except Hudson which is open.
R	closed below turbine outlets downstream to State Park bridge and below the spillway outlets downstream for one (1) mile.
S	speargunning legal when used with SCUBA, except taking flathead catfish from June15 thru July 15 is prohibited.
T	closed below turbine outlets downstream to State Park bridge and below the spillway outlets downstream to highllne crossing. The next 1/2-mile below the highllne crossing is closed to snagging only when spillway gates are closed.
U	closed within Leflore County... except from April 15 thru May15.
V	closed...except Ft. Gibson tailwaters are open 24 hours while Wister and Hudson are open to snagging from sunset to sunrise only.
W	closed below turbine outlets downstream to State Park bridge and below the spillway outlets downstream to highline crossing except the day of and two (2) days following closure of spillway gates when noodling shall be legal.

+: Scuba divers with spearguns from May 1 through August31: Daily limit of three (3) (aggregate), no size limit Statewide limits apply for the remainder of the year

++: Noodlers and scuba divers from May 1 through August31: Daily limit of three (3);20"minimum, statewide limits apply remainder of year

+++: Release of paddlefish, trout, striped bass and/or striped bass hybrids caught and placed on a stringer, in a livewell, or otherwise held in possession is prohibited, statewide (no culling).

	Resident •	Fee	Valid	Lic. Code
	Fishing (Annual)	$20.00	1/1-12/31	RF
Home	2-day Resident Fishing	$10.00	1/1-12/31	R2F
	Youth Annual Resident Fishing (16-17)	$5.00	1/1-12/31	YF
Purchase a License	Combination, Fishing and Hunting	$37.00	1/1-12/31	CHF
	Youth Annual Combo Fishing and Hunting	$9.00	1/1-12/31	YC
Natural Resources	Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit	$5.00	1/1-12/31	FHL
	Lifetime Fishing	$225.00	Lifetime	N/A
Fishing	Lifetime Fishing over age 60	$55.00	Lifetime	N/A
	Lifetime Combination F&H	$775.00	Lifetime	N/A
Law Enforcement	Lifetime Combination over age 60	$240.00	Lifetime	N/A
	Trout License	10.00	1/1-12/31	TR
Hunting	Youth Trout (under 18)	$5.00	1/1-12/31	YTR
	Lake Texoma Lic. (See 1A below)	$12.00	1/1-12/31	LTF
Outdoor Calendar	Senior Citizen Fishing (Lifetime) (See 2A below)	$6.00	Lifetime	N/A
	Senior Citizen F&H (Lifetime) (See 2A below)	$10.00	Lifetime	N/A
Educational Programs	Disability Fishing License (See 3A below)	$10.00	Five (5) Years	N/A
	Blue River Passport	$21.00	1/1-12/31	BRP
About the Department	Land Access Permit (Honobia Creek & Three Rivers WMA)	$16	1/1-12/31	LAF
	• A resident is any individual who has resided in Oklahoma for a period of not less than 60 days and has the intention of making Oklahoma his or her home during this period. A driver’s license must be provided to purchase a resident licenses.



	Nonresident *	FEE	VALID	Universal Lic.Code
	Fishing (Annual)	$37.00	1/1-12/31	NAF
	Fishing (5-Day)	$18.50	5 Consecutive Days	N5F
	Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit	$5.00	1/1-12/31	FHL
	Lifetime Fishing	$275.00	Lifetime	N/A
	Trout License	$10.00	1/1-12/31	TR
	Lake Texoma License (See 1A below)	$12.00	1/1-12/31	LTF
	Land Access Permit (Honobia Creek & Three Rivers WMA)	$25	1/1-12/31	LAN
	Blue River Passport	$21.00	1/1-12/31	BRP

SPECIES	DAILY CREEL LIMIT	SIZE LIMIT
Largemouth, Small mouth and/or Spotted Bass	6 (aggregate)	None
Channel and Blue Catfish (+)	15(aggregate)	None
Flathead Catfish (++)	10	20" min.
White and/or Black Crappie	37(aggregate)	None
Trout (+++)	Refer to special trout maps and regulations
Walleye. Sauger andlor Saugeye	5(aggregate)	18" min.
Striped Bass (+++)	15	Only 5 may be 20" or longer
Striped bass hybrids andlor white bass	none	None
Paddlefish (+++) and (++++)	From Jan. 1 through March 14;One (1) per day From March 15 through May15; Three (3) per day From May16 through Dec 31; One(1) per day	None None None
Other Species	none	None

To Make Reservations
at State Parks

Daily Creel Limits
Enclosed Fishing Docks
General Regulations
General Trout Regulations
License Exemptions
License Requirements
Special Regulations
Texoma Fishing License
Turtle Regulations
Zebra Mussel Alert
What's Newt

Texoma Fishing Licenses

NONRESIDENT

MORE INFORMATION

License Requirements for Border Waters