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FREE OFFICIAL 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING REGULATIONS
wildlifedepartment.com
General Information
Everything you need to know
for fishing in Oklahoma.
Black Bass ID 101
Become an expert: learn about
largemouth, smallmouth and spotted
bass identification, page 10.
Weird Fish of Oklahoma
See if you can reel in one of these
unique species, page 22.
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Kristen Gillman
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
Mary Fallin
Governor
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
Mike Bloodworth, Hugo
Chairman
M. David Riggs, Sand Springs
Vice Chairman
John Zelbst, Meers
Secretary
Ed Abel, Oklahoma City
John D. Groendyke, Enid
Bruce Mabrey, Okmulgee
Dan Robbins, Altus
Harland Stonecipher, Centrahoma
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT
OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Richard Hatcher
Director
Melinda Sturgess-Streich
Assistant Director of
Administration & Finance
Wade Free
Assistant Director of Operations
Alan Peoples
Chief, Wildlife Division
Barry Bolton
Chief, Fisheries Division
Nels Rodefeld
Chief, Information & Education Division
Robert Fleenor
Chief, Law Enforcement Division
Ben Davis
Editor
Bill Wentroth
Regional Supervisor & Co-Editor
CONTRIBUTING STAFF
Micah Holmes, Gene Gilliland,
Andrea Crews, Wade Farrar,
Michael Chrisman and Rich Fuller
GENERAL INFORMATION
& REGULATIONS
Fisheries Contact Information ......... 2
Frequently Asked Questions .......... 39
Game Warden Phone Numbers ..... 40
General Fishing Regulations ............ 8
Bullfrog Regulations ......................... 7
Method of Take Regulations ............ 8
Turtle Regulations ............................. 7
Lake Record Fish Program ............. 24
Licenses
License Costs ................................... 4
License Exemptions ......................... 6
License Requirements ..................... 6
Partners in Conservation ................ 33
State Record Fish ............................ 26
Weird Fish of Oklahoma .................. 22
DAY & SIZE LIMITS /
FISH SPECIES INFO
Aquatic Nuisance Species .............. 14
Paddlefish Regulations ................... 25
Special Area Regulations ............... 16
Lakes / Tailwaters ............................16
Rivers & Creeks .............................. 20
Other Areas ..................................... 21
Statewide Daily & Size Limits ......... 10
Alligator Gar .....................................13
Black Bass .......................................10
Catfish ..............................................11
Crappie.............................................11
Paddlefish ........................................13
Striped Bass / Hybrids ....................12
Trout .................................................12
Walleye / Sauger / Saugeye ............13
Trout Regulations & Area Maps ..... 28
FISHING AREAS
Close to Home Fishing Areas ......... 32
Department Fishing Areas .............. 34
Docks, Pads & Accessible
Fishing Locations. . .............................37
Municipal Fishing Areas .................. 36
HIGHLIGHTS OF CHANGES
• These lakes now have a 14-inch minimum length limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass:
Broken Bow, Hall, Nanih Waiya, Raymond Gary, Vanderwork.
• The daily limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass for Lake Hefner is six combined, with a
14-inch minimum length limit.
• There is a new statewide daily limit for walleye, sauger and saugeye. Anglers can keep a
total of six walleye, sauger and / or saugeye combined per day.
• All of Sooner Lake (including the discharge area) has a daily limit of 20 striped bass, striped
bass hybrids and / or white bass combined, of which only five can be 20 inches or longer.
• Lake Arcadia has a daily limit of five striped bass and / or striped bass hybrids combined,
of which only two may be 20 inches or longer.
• Bowfishing for paddlefish in the lower Red River is prohibited year-round.
• The use of gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets, or haul seines is prohibited statewide.
• Persons must remove all aquatic plants and clean zebra mussels and / or quagga mussels
off of boats or trailers and other gear prior to launching boats into Oklahoma waters.
On the cover:
Three anglers
enjoy a late fall
fishing trip on
Kaw Lake.
Photo by:
Ben Davis
PUBLISHED BY THE
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT
OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 1
This high-quality regulation guide is offered to
you by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation through its unique partnership with
J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC.
J.F. Griffin is an award winning publishing house
that specializes in producing state fish & wildlife
regulation books. J.F. Griffin supports ODWC’s staff
in the design, layout and editing of the guides. They
also manage the marketing and sales of advertising
to appropriate businesses within the book.
The revenue generated through ad sales signifi-cantly
lowers production costs and generates sav-ings.
These savings translate into additional funds
for other important fisheries and habitat programs!
If you have any feedback or are interested in adver-tising,
please contact us at 413.884.1001 or online
at www.JFGriffin.com
About this Guide
Fully searchable
Live hyperlinks to
expanded content
Email pages
One-click printing
430 Main St. Suite 5 | Williamstown, MA 01267
Senior Designer: Jon Gulley
Associate Designer: Evelyn Haddad
available online
in a new Digital Edition!
OKLAHOMA
FREE OFFICIAL 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING REGULATIONS
wildlifedepartment.com
General Information
Everything you need to know
for fishing in Oklahoma.
Black Bass ID 101
Become an expert: learn about
largemouth, smallmouth and spotted
bass identification, page 10.
Weird Fish of Oklahoma
See if you can reel in one of these
unique species, page 22.
This is not a legal document. This booklet is an interpretive summary of the Titles 29 and 800 of
Oklahoma Statutes governing fish and wildlife laws as established by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation
Commission. For a complete listing of official regulations, you can obtain copies of current Oklahoma
Statutes through your local library.
The mission of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is to manage Oklahoma’s wildlife
resources and habitat to provide scientific, educational, aesthetic, economic and recreational benefits
for present and future generations of hunters, anglers and others who appreciate wildlife. The Wildlife
Department receives no general state tax revenues and is proud to be funded entirely by sportsmen. For
general information on licenses, regulations and the current fishing report, log on to wildlifedepartment.com
or call (405) 521-3721. Effective dates of this publication: January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012.
8. LAKE MAINTENANCE OFFICE,
LAKE BURTSCHI
4055 State Hwy. 92, Cement, 73017-9223
(405) 224-2513. odwclm@swbell.net
(Call for hours of operation, located 10 mi.
south of Chickasha)
Supervisor - Todd Waters
9. OKLAHOMA FISHERY
RESEARCH LABORATORY
500 E. Constellation, Norman, 73072-7900
(405) 325-7288, sdensow@odwc.state.ok.us
Supervisor - Greg Summers
10. HOLDENVILLE STATE
FISH HATCHERY
3733 Hwy. 48, Holdenville, 74848-6009
(405) 379-5408, odwc@plainsnet.net
(Below Holdenville Dam)
Hatchery Manager - John Davenport
Fisheries Biologist- Danny Bowen
11. CADDO OFFICE & DURANT STATE
FISH HATCHERY
2021 Caddo Hwy., Caddo, 74729-3807
(580) 924-4087; (580) 924-4085,
odwcdfh@simplynet.net
(6 mi. north of Durant on Old Caddo Hwy.)
Hatchery Manager - Gordon Schomer
South Central Region Supervisor -
Matt Mauck
12. HIGGINS OFFICE
6733 SW Hwy 1, Wilburton, 74578-7634
(918) 297-0150, odwcse@hughes.net
(Call for hours of operation; located near
Higgins, on Hwy. 1)
Southeast Region Supervisor - Don Groom
ODWC FISHERIES CONTACT INFO.
It is the anglers' responsibility to know what regulations
apply to the body of water they are fishing.
ODWC
Fisheries
Offices
1. BYRON STATE
FISH HATCHERY
Rt. 1, Box 535, Byron, 73722-9528
(580) 474-2663, byronfsh@sctelcom.net
(2 mi. north and 1 mi. west of Hwys. 38 & 11)
Hatchery Supervisor - Steve Spade
Northwest Region Supervisor - John Stahl
2. PONCA CITY OFFICE
417 S. Silverdale Lane, Ponca City, 74604-7315
(580) 762-2248, odwc@cableone.net
(Call for hours of operation, located on the west
end of Kaw dam)
North Central Region Supervisor - Bill Wentroth
3. JENKS OFFICE
300 Aquarium Drive, Jenks,74037-9998
(918) 299-2334,
moneal02@sbcglobal.net
(Adjacent to the Oklahoma Aquarium)
Northeast Region Supervisor - Brent Gordon
4. PORTER OFFICE
9097 N. 34th St. W., Porter, 74454-2743
(918) 683-1031, odwc@hughes.net
(1 1/2 mi. north of Muskogee Tnpk. on Hwy. 69)
East Central Region Supervisor - Jim Burroughs
5. WOODWARD OFFICE
3014 Lakeview, Woodward, 73801
(580) 254-9173
(Call for hours of operation)
6. DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS
P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, 73152
1801 N. Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, 73105
(405) 521-3721, info@odwc.state.ok.us
(1 block south of State Capitol at the corner of
18th & Lincoln Blvd.)
Fisheries Division Chief - Barry Bolton
Fisheries Division Assistant Chief - Gene Gilliland
7. LAWTON OFFICE & J.A. MANNING STATE
FISH HATCHERY
19333 State Hwy. 49, Lawton, 73507-6015
(580) 529-2795, jamodwc@mptelco.com
(West of I-44 on Hwy. 49 in Medicine Park)
Hatchery Manager - Tyler Wright
Southwest Region Supervisor - Larry Cofer
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, OFFICE HOURS ARE
8:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
2 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
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LICENSE COSTS
Residency definitions
A “resident” is any individual who has an established residence in Oklahoma for 60 consecutive days prior to submitting a license applica-tion,
except for lifetime license applicants and senior citizen lifetime license applicants who must have established residency for a period of
six months. Any person holding a valid driver license is considered a resident of the state that issued the permit. For a valid Oklahoma driver
license to be used as the sole source of proof of residency, it must be at least 60 days from the date the license was issued, except for lifetime
license applicants, whose license must have been issued for six months or longer. If a person does not hold a valid Oklahoma driver license, the
Department may consider other reliable documentation, such as resident income tax returns, voter registration, motor vehicle or vessel regis-trations,
and other public records documenting residence. Residency for children under 18 years of age is presumed to be that of the custodial
parent or legal guardian unless otherwise documented. Persons who own land in Oklahoma but do not live here are considered nonresidents.
A person cannot claim multiple states of residence, with the following exception:
• Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and any dependents, qualify as residents for the purpose of obtaining an annual license if
the person presents valid military documentation.
• The residency status of any person, except active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces and any dependents of the member, shall terminate
if the person obtains any resident hunting, fishing, trapping license or permit or valid driver license issued by another state.
A nonresident is any individual who is a resident of another state or who has resided in Oklahoma for a period of less than 60 days whether
or not he or she intends to make Oklahoma his or her home.
Resident Cost Valid
Annual Fishing $25 January 1 - December 31
Annual Combination, Fishing & Hunting $42 January 1 - December 31
Fiscal Year Combination, Fishing & Hunting $53 July 1 - June 30
2-Day Fishing $15 Two consecutive days
Youth Annual Fishing (16 & 17 years old) $5 January 1 - December 31
Youth Annual Combination, Fishing & Hunting (16 & 17 years old) $9 January 1 - December 31
Youth Fiscal Year Combination, Fishing & Hunting (16 & 17 years old) $19 July 1 - June 30
5-Year Fishing $88 Five years from date of purchase
5-Year Combination Fishing & Hunting $148 Five years from date of purchase
Lifetime Fishing $225 Lifetime
Lifetime Combination Fishing & Hunting $775 Lifetime
Lifetime Disabled Veteran Combination Hunting & Fishing
(under 60 percent disability) $200 Lifetime
Lifetime Disabled Veteran Combination Hunting & Fishing
(60 percent or more disability) $25 Lifetime
Lake Texoma (see 1A below) $12 January 1 - December 31
Paddlefish Free January 1 - December 31
Senior Citizen Fishing (see 2A below) $15 Lifetime
Senior Citizen Combination Fishing & Hunting (see 2A below) $25 Lifetime
Disability Fishing (see 3A below) $10 Five years from date of purchase
Land Access Permit (Honobia Creek & Three Rivers WMAs) $40 January 1 - December 31
3-Day Land Access Permit (not valid for fishing or hunting)
(Honobia Creek & Three Rivers WMAs) $10 Three Consecutive Days
Wildlife Conservation Passport (permit does not provide fishing privileges) $26 January 1 - December 31
Fishing Guide License (Cost reduced to $20 with Coast Guard Mariner credentials) $90 January 1 - December 31
Nonresident Cost Valid
Annual Fishing $55 January 1 - December 31
6-Day Fishing $35 Six consecutive days
Lake Texoma (see 1A below) $12 January 1 - December 31
Land Access Permit (Honobia Creek and Three Rivers WMAs) $85 January 1 - December 31
Paddlefish Free January 1 - December 31
Wildlife Conservation Passport (permit does not provide fishing privileges) $26 January 1 - December 31
Fishing Guide License (Cost reduced to $20 with Coast Guard Mariner credentials) $90 January 1 - December 31
1A) Allows anglers to fish the entire lake without having to purchase a resident or non res i dent license. Okla ho ma residents with a valid fishing license are not
required to purchase this license if only fishing the Oklahoma portion of the lake.
2A) Residents who reach 65 years-of-age (or those who turn 65 during the calendar year) are eligible to purchase a Senior Citizen License which is good for the
rest of their lives. Anyone born before January 1, 1923, is exempt from the license but must carry proof of age such as a driver’s license. Senior Citizen License
ap pli ca tions are available through wildlifedepartment.com, Department headquarters, field installations and license vendors, but the license is purchased only
through Department headquarters.
3A) For legal residents who have resided in this state for at least six months and who are receiving Social Security disability, Sup ple men tal Security Income
benefits, disability benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act, 45 U.S.C.A., Sect. 231a, postal employees receiving disability benefits under 5, U.S.C., Section 8451
(1998), or disability benefits through the Multiple Injury Trust Fund. This license is valid for five years. Can be purchased only through Department headquarters.
4 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS & EXEMPTIONS
License Requirements
An Oklahoma resident or nonresident fish-ing
license is required of all persons who
take, attempt to take or possess fish or other
aquatic dwelling organisms by any method
in Oklahoma. Persons fishing the Red River
must have a valid Oklahoma fishing license
unless exempt.
In addition, persons fishing on waters lo-cated
within the Honobia Creek or Three Riv-ers
Wildlife Management Areas must have a
valid Land Access Permit, unless exempt.
Persons residing in another state who own
land in Oklahoma but do not live on that land,
and are fishing on that land, must purchase a
nonresident fishing license.
All required licenses or written evidence of
exemption and identification must be carried
while fishing.
Fishing Guide License:
Fishing guides must possess an Oklahoma
fishing guide license. This license costs
$90 unless the guide provides Coast Guard
Mariner credentials, in which case the license
costs $20. For a complete list of licensed guides,
visit wildlifedepartment.com.
License Exemptions
The following persons are exempt from the
resi dent or non resi dent fishing license:
• Residents under 16, and nonresidents un-der
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,
par ents, grandparents, children and their
spouses, grand chil dren and their spouses
who fish in pri vate ponds on land owned or
leased by such own er or tenant.
• Nonresidents 65 and older who are resi-dents
of Texas.
• Resident disabled veterans with 60 per-cent
or more disability. Call State Dept. of
Veterans Affairs, (888) 655-2838 to acquire
proof of exemption.
• Any person who fishes with pole and line,
trotline or throw line in streams, natu-ral
ponds and mine pits in or forming the
bound ary of the county in which he is a
bona fide resident, when using any bait oth-er
than com mer cial or artificial bait, blood,
stink bait, cut fish, and shrimp.
• Any person legally blind or physically
im paired who is unable to properly use
fishing ap pa ra tus and one ac compa ny ing
companion while the blind or phys i cal ly
impaired per son is fish ing.
• Persons under 18 who are in legal and
phys i cal cus to dy of the State of Oklahoma
or its agencies by court order.
• Persons under 18 who are in the custody of
a child care facility as defined by Title 10
O.S., Section 402.
• Persons fishing during Oklahoma’s Free
Fishing Days.
• Any patient of a state institution in Okla ho-ma
es tab lished for the care and treatment
of mental ill ness or alcohol or drug de pen-den
cy or any person de velop mental ly dis-abled
residing in any group home or oth-er
in sti tu tion or persons developmentally
disabled when accompanied by an at ten-dant
of such in sti tu tion or le gal guardian
or when fishing on in sti tu tion al prop er ty.
• Residents having a proven disability
render ing them nonambulatory and con-fined
to wheel chairs as cer ti fied by a duly
qualified physician.
• Job Corps trainees of this state, having a
prop er iden ti fi ca tion card.
• Any person participating in an aquatic
education event or clinic sanctioned by the
Wildlife Department.
• The following persons are exempt from
the purchase of the Land Access Permit
(Honobia Creek and Three Rivers WMAs):
Oklahoma residents under 18 years-of-age
on the first day of the current calendar year
or those 64 years-of-age or older. All non-residents
are required to purchase an $85
annual Land Access Permit, no exemptions.
This program operates free from discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinion or affiliation,
race, creed, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status or disability. A person who feels he or she
may have been discriminated against or would like further information should write: Director, Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152, or Office for Human
Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203.
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PASSPORT
The Wildlife Conservation Passport is required of all persons who enter or use the areas
listed below for nonhunting and nonfishing related activities, unless exempt.
Individuals who possess any current hunting or fishing license issued by the ODWC
(except the 2-day fishing, 6-day fishing or the 5-day hunting license) are exempt from
this passport. Also exempt are residents who are under 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 the Department.
• American Horse
• Atoka
• Beaver River
• Blue River Public
Fishing and
Hunting Area
• Burtschi
• Candy Creek
• Carl Etling
• Cherokee
• Cimarron Bluff
• Cimarron Hills
• Cookson
• Cooper
• Cross Timbers
• Deep Fork
• Dewey County
• Drummond Flats
• Ellis County
(including Vincent Lake)
• Elmer
• Evans Chambers
• Gary Sherrer
• Gist
• Grady County
• Grassy Slough
• Hackberry Flat
• Hall
• Hickory Creek
• James Collins
• Jap Beaver
• John Dahl
• Lexington
(including Dahlgren Lake)
• Lower Illinois River
Public Fishing &
Hunting Area -
Watts Unit
• Major County
• McCurtain County
Wilderness Area
• Nanih Waiya
• Okmulgee
• Osage
• Ozark Plateau
• Ozzie Cobb
• Packsaddle
• Pushmataha
• Robbers Cave
• Sandy Sanders
• Schooler
• Schultz
• Sparrow Hawk
• Spavinaw
• Stringtown
• Vanderwork
• Washita County
• Watonga
• Whitegrass Flats
• Yourman
Wildlife Management Areas and Fishing Areas:
6 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
Bullfrog Regulations
Bullfrogs may be taken with hook and line,
gig, spear, bow and arrow or other methods,
except firearms, under a res i dent or nonresi-dent
fishing license. Bull frogs taken with a
firearm require a hunting license. Bullfrogs
may be taken year-round provided that:
• no more than 15 bull frogs per day
are taken;
• bullfrogs may not be sold or
shipped out-of-state;
• the Wichita Mountains
NWR is closed to
bullfrog harvest.
Turtle Regulations
Turtles may be taken in all waters with a
resident or nonresident fishing license with the
provisions listed below. Turtles taken with a
firearm require a hunting license. Turtles may
be taken year round provided that:
• no more than six tur tles per day are taken;
• shooting of tur tles on federal reservoirs is
pro hibit ed;
• terrestrial (land) turtles may not be sold;
• taking of the western chicken turtle, map
turtle, painted and razorback musk turtles
and / or al li ga tor snapping turtle is pro hib-ited;
• the Wichita Moun tains NWR is closed to
turtle harvest;
• no aquatic turtles may be sold or purchased
without the proper commercial turtle har-vester
or buyer’s license.
iStockphoto.com/Sir_Eagle
TURTLE & BULLFROG REGULATIONS
Glossary – Fishing Terms Defined
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) - aquatic organisms that are not
native to Oklahoma and have the potential to harm native organisms,
their habitats, human health, or the economy. A few examples are the
bighead carp, white perch, rudd, zebra mussel, Eurasian watermilfoil,
giant salvinia and alligator weed. See page 14 for more information.
Artificial flies - are objects that are constructed to resemble native
insects and crustaceans for a body of water. Artificial flies may not be
made with soft plastic fish eggs, worms, grubs and larvae; any natural
fish food; any human food; any dough bait; any substance to attract
fish by taste or smell.
Barbless hooks - a hook manufactured without a barb; hooks having
manufactured barbs that have been removed or pinched down that
renders the barb ineffective.
Black bass - largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted (Kentucky) bass.
Combined daily limit - some species of similar kind are combined
into one daily limit. The combined limit is the total number of those
species that can be kept in a day. Example: unless specified otherwise,
anglers may keep a combined limit of 15 (total) channel and/or blue
catfish, but not 15 each.
Culling - releasing fish caught that were placed on a stringer, in a
livewell, or otherwise held in possession, often to replace the fish with
a larger one. Culling is legal, except paddlefish, trout, striped bass and
hybrid striped bass may not be released once held in possession.
Daily limit - the maximum number of fish of a given species which an
angler may legally keep in a single 24-hour period (midnight to midnight).
Gaff hook - a handheld hook or handheld pole with a hook attached
that may only be used in the landing of a fish, other than paddlefish,
already hooked by hook and line methods.
Game fish - largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, black and
white crappie, rainbow and brown trout, sauger, saugeye, walleye,
striped bass, white bass, blue and channel catfish.
“In the Field” - meaning while fishing, while in the boat, on the
bank, in the immediate vicinity of any river, creek, stream, lake or pond,
or while transporting or carrying the fish from the waters described
above to camp or from such water to the final destination.
Minimum size limit - the smallest size of fish that may be kept. All
fish caught which are below the minimum size listed for that species
must be returned (released) to the water immediately.
Nongame fish - all other species not listed as game fish.
Protected slot limit - special limit that prohibits keeping fish
between certain sizes. All fish caught which are between the size range
listed must be returned (released) to the water immediately. Example:
a 13 to 16-inch protected slot limit on bass means anglers may not keep
any bass caught between 13 to 16 inches in size.
Tailwaters - an area that covers the first 1,000 feet below a dam.
Total length - term used to describe the correct way to measure a
fish. Measure from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, with the
fish laid flat on a ruler with the mouth closed and the tail lobes pressed
together.
v
2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 7
GENERAL REGULATIONS
General Regulations
It is unlawful to:
• fish without carrying a license or written
evidence that you are exempt.
• fish upon the land of another without con-sent
of the owner, lessee or occupant of that
land. Anglers must obtain permission to
enter any posted or occupied land or land
primarily devoted to farming, ranching or
forestry purposes. Nothing in this guide
shall be interpreted as permitting fishing
or allowing access into any area, public or
private, without permission from the own-ers
or custodian as required by law. Consent
is not valid for more than one year, unless
the owner, lessee, or occupant specifically
grants consent for a specified period of time.
• catch fish from the waters of this state
which are dead or die as a result of angling,
and not remove those fish and bury or burn
them, except nothing will prevent anglers
from returning fish remains to lakes and
reservoirs. No person may bury or burn
any dead fish where it will become exposed
through erosion or where that land is at
anytime subject to overflow.
• sell, barter or trade fish, frogs or turtles, ex-cept
with a commercial license.
• enter, swim, wade, operate a boat or a float
or floating device in any safety zone (the
water area below any dam for a distance of
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 through 15-114 on
lands owned or managed by the Wildlife
Department.
• possess fish, or parts thereof, taken by an-other
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 those 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 alcoholic bev-erage
as defined in 37 O.S., Section 163.1 on
any lands or waterways subject to the con-trol
of the Wildlife Department, except in
designated parking or camping areas.
• use or posses any controlled and/or danger-ous
substance as defined in 63 O.S., Section
2-101 on any lands or waterways subject to
the control of the Wildlife Department.
• 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 per-mission
from that person.
• stock fish in any public waters including
streams and rivers without written consent
from the Wildlife Conservation Director.
Method of Take
Regulations
These methods are legal for taking both
game and nongame fish through out the
year, state wide, unless re strict ed un der
“Special Area Regulations” starting on
page 16.
Rod and Reel: A person may use up to seven
rods while fishing unless restricted further
under “Special Area Regulations.”
Trotline / Throwlines: Trotlines/ throw-lines
are restricted to no more than three lines
and 100 hooks per person.
A legal trotline/throwline has:
• no glass or metallic floating device on the line;
• no metallic posts in water for attachment;
• lines made of nonmetallic material only;
• hooks at least 24 inches apart;
• owner’s name and address attached to each
line;
• been attended at least once every 24 hours;
• not been set within three feet of surface
of water at any point beyond six feet from
either point of attachment, except at Great
Salt Plains and Ft. Supply reservoirs where
water is less than three feet deep.
Jugline: Juglines are restricted to no more
than five hooks per line and 20 juglines per
person. A legal jugline is a vertical line sus-pended
from a nonmetallic or nonglass floating
device, drifting free or anchored and has:
• owner’s name and address attached;
• been attended at least once every 24 hours.
Limbline: Limblines are restricted to no
more than two hooks per line and 20 limblines
per person. A legal limbline is a line attached
to a limb, branch, other natural object, or non-metallic
manmade material and has:
• the owner’s name and address attached;
• been attended at least once every 24 hours.
Yo-Yo: Yo-yos are restricted to no more than
20 per person and shall:
• have the owner’s name and address attached;
• not be left unattended for more than six
hours;
• not be strung or suspended from any hori-zontal
line across any channel or navigable
waterway;
• have no more than 10 yo-yo’s attached from
any one line or support;
• not have metallic material in lines used for
attachment;
• have lines no greater than 50 feet in length
and must be placed or suspended without re-stricting
or impeding boat traffic. Lines must
be visible to boats at all times, day or night.
These methods are legal for taking
nongame fish according to the following
provisions unless restricted under “Special
Area Regulations” starting on page 16.
Bow and Arrow: Bowfishing may be used to
take nongame fish only, throughout the year in
all waters unless restricted under “Special Area
Regulations.” Legal bowfishing is restricted to:
• any bow (including a crossbow);
• arrows having no more than one point with
no more than four barbs on each point;
• devices that permit a bow to be held me-chanically
at full or partial draw are per-mitted;
Gig, Grabhook, Spear and Speargun: Gigs
and spears are legal for taking nongame fish
and white bass only. Grabhooks (handheld
hook, handheld pole of natural or man-made
material, or rope with a single hook attached
used in the initial taking of a fish) are prohib-ited
in all state waters. Note: SCUBA divers
in Delaware and Mayes counties are no
longer exempt from the grabhook restriction.
Spearguns used by SCUBA divers are legal for
taking nongame fish, blue and channel catfish.
Gigs, spears and spearguns shall:
• not contain more than three points with no
more than two barbs on each point;
• be lawful in all rivers and streams from Dec.
1 through Mar. 31, and year-round in all
reservoirs, unless restricted under “Special
Area Regulations.”
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• Gigs shall be lawful year-round in riv-ers
and streams in Delaware and Mayes
Counties, unless restricted under “Special
Area Regulations.”
Snagging: Snagging, the dragging of one
single hook or one treble hook attached to a
fishing line through the water to impale fish,
shall be lawful in all waters year-round for
nongame fish only unless restricted under
“Special Area Regulations.”
Noodling: Noodling is the taking of non-game
fish by use of hands only. Possession of
hooks, gaff hooks, spears, poles or ropes with
hooks attached while in the act of noodling
shall be proof of violation of the “hands only”
noodling law. Noodling shall be lawful year-round
in all waters unless restricted under
“Special Area Regulations.”
Netting (Noncommercial): The use of gill
nets, trammel nets, hoop nets, or haul seines
is prohibited statewide.
Seines, Cast Nets, Trawls and Dip Nets
(Noncommercial): Seining, cast netting, trawl-ing
and dip netting bait for personal use is
lawful in all waters year-round except Lakes
Taft, Lone Chimney, Overholser (including
tailwaters and downstream to NW 10th St.
bridge), Hefner, Draper, Close to Home Fishing
Waters (see page 32), the Wichita Mountains
NWR, and in Wildlife Department Fishing
Areas (see page 34), however cast nets may be
used to take bait for personal use at Lake Carl
Etling and on the Illinois River from the south
boundary of the MarVal trout camp down-stream
to the Highway 64 Bridge.
Any person may seine, trap or transport
non-game fish commonly used for personal
bait, provided the seine does not exceed 20
feet in length and 1/2 inch mesh; unless sein-ing
for minnows, then the mesh shall not
exceed 1/4 inch. Minnow traps shall have a
mesh size no greater than 1/2 inch, shall not
be longer than three feet, shall not exceed 18
inches in diameter on round traps or 18 inch-es
on a side on square or rectangular traps.
The trap entrance (throat) cannot exceed two
inches across the opening. No person shall
fish with more than three minnow traps. All
minnow traps must have the owner’s name
and address attached and the traps must be
attended once every 24 hours. All game fish
and non-game fish not commonly used for
bait must be released immediately. No per-son
may possess with intent to transport or
transport via land-based transportation more
than 200 non-game fish, including shad, for
personal use as bait. The sale, offer for sale,
transport from Oklahoma with intent to sell
or offer to sell shad taken from Oklahoma
waters is prohibited. Minnow traps cannot be
made with glass. Cast nets shall have a mesh
size no greater than 3/8 inch square. Trawl
nets pulled by motor driven boats may not
exceed three feet in diameter and 3/8 inch
square mesh. Cast nets, trawls and handheld
dip nets are lawful for taking nongame fish
only as bait for personal use. A resident or
nonresident fishing license is required of each
person using these methods, unless exempt.
FREE FISHING
DAYS
June 2-3, 2012
No state fishing licenses or permits
required. Some city permits may still apply.
All other methods for taking both game and nongame fish are illegal.
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9
Tongue Patch: Another way to distinguish black
bass is the presence or absence of a tongue patch.
The majority of largemouth bass have no patch on
their tongue, while smallmouth and spotted bass do
have a tongue patch.
Most largemouth bass have
no patch on the tongue.
Smallmouth and spotted
bass display a patch on the
tongue.
Largemouth Bass
• Mouth hinge well behind eye
• State record: 14 lbs., 11 oz.
Smallmouth Bass
• Mouth hinge in front of eye
• State record: 8 lbs., 3 oz
Spotted Bass
• Mouth hinge even with
back edge of eye
• State record: 8 lbs., 2 oz.
BLACK BASS (LARGEMOUTH, SMALLMOUTH, & SPOTTED BASS)
Statewide Daily Limit:
• Largemouth & Smallmouth – 6 (combined)
• Spotted – None
Statewide Minimum Size Limit:
• Largemouth, Smallmouth & Spotted – None
Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits
Black bass is a general term referring to largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass and their hybrids. The three species are similar, but can
be easily identified. Since water clarity can affect the color of a fish, color is not a reliable way to tell the basses apart.
An easy way to tell these species apart is by the relationship of the eye and the mouth hinge. On a spotted bass, the mouth hinge lines up
vertically with the back edge of the eye; on a smallmouth bass, the mouth hinge vertically lines up with the front edge of the eye; and on a
largemouth bass, the mouth hinge vertically lines up well behind the back edge of the eye.
Some areas have different regulations. See Pages 16 – 21,
“Special Area Regulations” for daily and size limits on specific areas.
SPECIES DAILY LIMIT
(for areas without special regulations)
SIZE LIMIT
(for areas without special regulations)
Largemouth and / or Smallmouth Bass 6 (combined) None
Spotted Bass None None
Channel and / or Blue Catfish (A) 15 (combined) Only one Blue Catfish over 30"
Flathead Catfish (B) 10 20" minimum
White and / or Black Crappie 37 (combined) None
Striped Bass (C) 15 Only 5 may be 20" or longer
Striped bass hybrids and / or white bass (C) None None
Trout (C) See trout regulations on pages 28-31
Walleye, Sauger and / or Saugeye 6 (combined) 18" minimum
Paddlefish (C) See paddlefish regulations on page 25 None
Alligator Gar (D) 1 None
(All species not listed have no daily or minimum size limits)
A. SCUBA divers with spearguns from May 1 through August 31: Daily limit of three combined, no size limit. Statewide limits apply remainder of the year.
B. Noodlers and scuba divers from May 1 through August 31: Daily limit of three, 20-inch minimum. Statewide limits apply remainder of year.
C. 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).
D. Alligator gar may be caught by use of rod and reel, trotline, and throwline. Alligator gar taken by bow and arrow, gigs, spears, or spearguns cannot be
released. Alligator gar caught and placed on a stringer cannot be released (no culling).
10 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
STATEWIDE DAILY & SIZE LIMITS
CATFISH
Statewide Daily Limit:
• Channel and / or Blue Catfish combined – 15
• Flathead Catfish – 10
Statewide Size Limit:
• Channel Catfish – None
• Blue Catfish – Only one over 30"
• Flathead Catfish – 20" minimum
Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits
Oklahoma’s three most popular catfish species can be identified by either the shape of the anal fin or the shape of the tail. A channel catfish
will have a curved anal fin, but the same fin on the blue catfish will be straight across the bottom. Both of these species have a forked tail. In
contrast, a flathead catfish’s tail will not be forked.
CRAPPIE
Statewide Daily Limit:
• 37 (combined white and / or black crappie)
Statewide Minimum Size Limit:
• None
Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits
Size and daily limits are the same for the small but tasty black and white crappie. Both types of crappie can appear very similar, so one way
anglers can know the difference between the two species is to identify marking patterns or spots / bands on the side of the fish. A white crappie,
the most abundant crappie in the state, will have distinct vertical bands of blue/gray spots, whereas a black crappie will have only a sporadic,
unrecognizable pattern to its black spots. There is also a difference in the number of bony spines in the dorsal fin: white crappie will have 5 to
6, whereas, black crappie will have 7 to 8.
Channel Catfish
• Curved anal fin
• State record: 35 lbs., 15 oz.
Blue Catfish
• Straight anal fin
• State record: 98 lbs.
Flathead Catfish
• Tail not forked
• State record: 78 lbs., 8 oz.
Black Crappie
• No true pattern to black spots
• 7-8 bony spines in dorsal fin
• State record: 4 lbs., 10 oz.
White Crappie
• Distinct vertical bands of blue/gray spots
• 5-6 bony spines in dorsal fin
• State record: 4 lbs., 15 oz.
DAILY LIMITS & MEASURING FISH
Daily limits are for 24-hour periods (midnight to midnight). No
person can have in their possession while in the field more
than one daily limit of any fish species. Nonresidents cannot
have more than two days limit in their possession at any time,
except for paddlefish (see page 25).
When mea sur ing fish, total length is mea sured from the tip
of the snout to the end of the tail, with fish laid flat on a ruler,
mouth closed and tail fins pressed together.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 11
STATEWIDE DAILY & SIZE LIMITS
White Bass
• Arched back
• State record: 5 lbs., 4 oz.
Striped Bass
• Back not arched
• State record: 47 lbs., 8 oz.
Striped Bass Hybrid
• Back slightly arched
• State record: 23 lbs., 4 oz.
• Strong, unbroken dark lines • Some broken lines • Faint lines, usually unbroken
STRIPED BASS, HYBRIDS, & WHITE BASS
Statewide Daily Limit:
• Striped Bass - 15
• Striped Bass Hybrids and / or White Bass - None
Statewide Size Limit:
• Striped Bass - Only 5 may be 20" or longer
• Striped Bass Hybrids and / or White Bass - None
Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits
White bass, striped bass and striped bass hybrids offer great fishing opportunities around the state. The white bass can be identified by the
distinctive arched back just behind its head. It also has only one tongue patch. The striped bass is not arched at the back and has two distinct
tongue patches. It is also identified by the dark, usually unbroken lines on each side. The striped bass hybrid, which is a cross between the white
bass and the striped bass, has a slightly arched back and has two tongue patches. The lines on a hybrid are usually broken.
Rainbow Trout
• State record: 10 lbs., 4 oz.
• Black spots on tail
• Iridescence on sides
Brown Trout
• State record: 17 lbs., 4.6 oz.
• Few or no black spots on tail
• Orange and red spots on side
TROUT (RAINBOW & BROWN TROUT)
Statewide Daily Limit:
• Rainbow Trout - 6
• Brown Trout - 6
Statewide Minimum Size Limit:
• None
Check pages 28 - 31 for areas with additional daily and size limits
Oklahoma’s two trout species can be easily identified. First look at the side of the fish. A rainbow will be iridescent, but the brown trout will
have orange and red spots. The rainbow will also have black spots on its tail and a white belly. In comparison, the brown will have few or no
black spots on its tail and a cream belly.
DISTINGUISHING WHITE BASS
White bass are also distinguished from striped
bass and striped bass hybrids by the tongue
patch. White bass have a single tongue patch,
striped bass and striped bass hybrids have two
tongue patches.
Striped bass and striped bass hybrids White Bass
Two long patches
on tongue
DOWNWARD VIEWS INSIDE MOUTH OF
LOWER JAW AND TONGUE.
One round or
heart-shaped
patch on tongue
12 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
• Tan body with distinct
brown blotches
• Body gold with distinct
brown blotches
Walleye
• State Record: 12 lbs., 13 oz.
• No spots on spiny dorsal fin
Sauger
• State Record: 5 lbs., 5 oz.
• Distinct spots on spiny dorsal fin
Saugeye
• State Record: 10 lbs., 10 oz.
• Spiny dorsal fin with distinct
spots and bars in webbing
• Few or no cheek scales • Cheek covered
with scales
• Cheek covered
with scales
WALLEYE, SAUGER, SAUGEYE
Statewide Daily Limit:
• 6 (combined)
Statewide Minimum Size Limit:
• 18" minimum
Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits
Oklahoma is fortunate to have these unique species of the perch family in many of its lakes. To identify them, first look at the spiny dorsal fin.
The walleye will have no spots on this fin; the sauger will have distinct spots; and the hybrid of the two species, the saugeye, will have spots and
bars in the webbing of its spiny dorsal fin. The color of the fish and the presence or absence of cheek scales may also help identify the difference.
• State Record: 192 lbs., 1 oz.
PADDLEFISH
Statewide Daily Limit:
• 1
Statewide Minimum Size Limit:
• None
Check page 25 for areas with additional daily and size limits
Oklahoma has a thriving population of paddlefish, also known as spoonbills because of their
long, rounded noses. Many paddlefish grow to weigh more than 50 lbs. Read page 25 for all the
information you’ll need to fish for Oklahoma’s prehistoric creatures!
ALLIGATOR GAR
Statewide Daily Limit:
• 1
Statewide Minimum Size Limit:
• None
Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits
The alligator gar is uncommon in most of Oklahoma, but can be found in the Red River
watershed. It has large, diamond-shaped scales and two distinct rows of teeth, and can reach
a weight of over 100 pounds.
• Distinctive rounded,
protruding nose.
• State Record: 125 lbs., 7 oz.
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2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 13
What are ANS?
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are invasive, non-native species that threaten the
ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems in Oklahoma. ANS are brought into the state
unknowingly by anglers and boaters who move their boats and equipment from one body
of water to another without cleaning them. The species often have no natural predators and
can expand their range and population size unchecked, damaging native species and harming
lakes, streams, and rivers.
ANS can cause harm to fish populations and other aquatic organisms and can cause dam-water
intake structures and clog up waterways. Hydrilla plants can grow thickly in an area, to
the point that recreation is limited. Anglers and boaters are vital partners in preventing ANS
from spreading.
As soon as you pull your boat out of the water, follow these steps:
Check:
Inspect your boat, trailer and equipment for
zebra mussels, mud, plant fragments, seeds,
and any other organisms from the water.
Remove them.
Drain:
Drain water from your boat, motor, bilge, live
wells, bait containers, coolers, and ballast.
Clean or Dry:
Pressure wash the boat, trailer and equipment
with hot water (140º F). If pressure wash is not
available, allow the boat, trailer and equipment
to dry thoroughly for at least five days before
visiting a new water body.
“Hi, I’m Kevin Van Dam and I make a living fishing all over the country.
Unfortunately, zebra mussels are affecting a lot of our fisheries. The best
way to stop the spread of them is to power wash your boat and trailer
every time you leave a lake. Make sure you do it. I always do mine.”
Todd Craighead
TYPES OF ANS
Zebra Mussels
Zebra mussels are the most widespread ANS in Oklahoma.
Quagga mussels are another species of invasive mussels that
cause great harm to aquatic ecosystems. They are a close
relative of the zebra mussel and are similar in appearance.
Even though these mussels have not been found in our state, they have
infested neighboring states to our west.
Asian Carp
Bighead and Silver Carp, shown above with bighead on the left and silver carp
on the right, are competing for food with native species. Bighead Carp are
found in the Neosho and Grand Rivers, Grand Lake, the Red River, and both
species have inhabited the Kiamichi River below Hugo Reservoir.
White Perch
White Perch were accidentally introduced
into Kansas, and have moved downstream
into Kaw, Keystone and Sooner reservoirs.
Anglers must be careful not to transplant these fish,
because they can appear similar to native species such as
white bass or shad.
Didymo
Didymo is an invasive algae that attaches to
plants and rocks in stream beds. It is in the Lower
Mountain Fork River. Didymo, also known as rock
snot, can foul streams and rivers, so anglers are
encouraged to take precautions after fishing.
Golden Alga
Golden alga is a micro-scopic
organism that
under certain conditions
releases a toxin that can
kill fish. Golden alga has
caused relatively minor
fish kills at Lake Texoma
and Altus City Lake.
n Z
Z
Q
c
It's the law: Persons must remove all aquatic plants and clean zebra mussels
and / or quagga mussels off of boats or trailers and other gear prior
to launching boats into Oklahoma waters.
Hydrilla
Hydrilla plants are present in Arbuckle Lake, Lake Murray,
and Sooner Lake. Hydrilla is possibly the most damaging
aquatic plant in the United States. Even a fragment of the
plant can start a widespread infestation.
14 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES (ANS)
Want more info? Visit ProtectYourWaters.net.
Think you found ANS?
Contact biologist Curtis Tackett at (405) 521-3721.
Distinguishing between
White Perch and White Bass
White bass
• Has 6 to 10 horizontal, black
lines on its back and side.
• The deepest part of the body is
from the back of the spiny dor-sal
fin to the belly.
• When the spiny dorsal fin is
pulled upright (erect), the soft
dorsal fin behind it does not be-come
erect.
• The anal fin has three short
spiny rays, with the second spine distinctly shorter than the third
spine. Behind the spiny rays are 11 to 12 soft rays.
White perch
• Has no horizontal, black lines
along back or side.
• The deepest part of the body is
from the front of the spiny dorsal
fin to the belly.
• When the spiny dorsal fin is pulled
upright (erect), the soft dorsal fin
behind it also becomes erect.
• The anal fin has three short spiny rays, with the second and third
spines equal in length and much longer than the first spine. Behind
the spiny rays are eight to ten soft rays.
What your Wildlife Department is
doing about the ANS threat
The Wildlife Department’s ANS program takes several steps to keep
the waters clean in Oklahoma. ODWC proposes and enforces regula-tions
which inhibit the transport and possession of aquatic nuisance
species. The department works cooperatively with other state and fed-eral
agencies on early detection programs for invasive mussels and
fish. The ANS program also secures federal funding for universities to
research invasive species and the risk they pose to our state’s resources.
Outreach and education make up the forefront of the ANS program.
ODWC uses publications such as brochures, species watch cards, and
this fishing guide to educate Oklahoma’s boaters and anglers about
aquatic nuisance species. The fisheries division has also posted “Stop
Aquatic Hitchhikers” signs at boats ramps throughout the state. These
signs create awareness about how to properly clean your boat and
equipment to ensure invasive species don’t hitch a ride to another lake.
ZEBRA MUSSELS
INVADE OKLAHOMA
Zebra mussels are a serious
threat to Oklahoma sport fish
populations. Zebra mussels
accumulate on the shells of
native mussels and crayfish,
smothering their hosts.
Zebra mussels potentially
pose a multi-billion-dollar
threat to industrial and
public water supplies.
Through both downstream
movement and transport by
uninformed boaters, zebra
mussels have infested sever-al
lakes in Oklahoma. Zebra
mussels compete with forage fish like minnows and shad for
nutrients, and the Wildlife Department has already observed
a decline in forage fish in affected waters. Zebra mussels can
also be transported in their larval form through the movement
of water from one lake to another. It is vital that each boater
takes responsibility to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.
They can be found at Sooner Lake, Kaw Lake, Keystone
Lake, Oologah Lake, Skiatook Lake, Ft. Gibson Lake, Eufaula
Lake, Texoma Lake, Hudson Lake, Grand Lake, W.R. Holway
Lake, Ponca City Lake, Lake Carl Blackwell, Robert S. Kerr
Reservoir, Red River, McClellan - Kerr Navigation System,
Bluestem Lake, Eucha Lake, Claremore Lake, Arkansas River
system and Webbers Falls.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
����
15
SPECIAL AREA REGULATIONS
LAKES
Adair Recreation Area
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only one rod
and reel per person. No other method of fish-ing
allowed.
Altus-Lugert
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Walleye and / or saugeye;
six per day / 14-inch minimum. (This regula-tion
applies to the tailwater also.) Striped bass
hybrids and / or white bass; 20 combined per
day, of which only five may be 20 inches or
longer.
American Horse
Attention Anglers- American Horse Lake is
undergoing repairs. The lake level will be lowered
during the renovations.
Daily / Size Limits: Channel and/or blue
catfish; six combined per day / only one blue
catfish over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Arbuckle
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 13-
to 16-inch protected slot limit. All crappie; 15
combined per day / 10-inch minimum.
ANS ALERT: Hydrilla
Arcadia
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Striped bass and / or
striped bass hybrids; five combined per day,
of which only two may be 20 inches or longer.
Birch
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids and/
or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which
only five may be 20 inches or longer.
Black Kettle National
Grasslands Lakes
(Black Kettle, Skipout, Spring Creek)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Prohibited methods of fish-ing:
trotlines, throwlines, limblines, yo-yo’s,
juglines.
Broken Bow (from the slab at the
Narrows downstream to the dam)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and/
or smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Burtschi
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Canton
(includes the lake, upstream to SH 281
and the tailwaters below the dam)
Daily / Size Limits: Striped bass hybrids
and/or white bass; 20 combined per day, of
which only five may be 20 inches or longer.
Carl Albert
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel
only. No other method of fishing allowed.
Carl Blackwell
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids and/
or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which
only five may be 20 inches or longer.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels
Carl Etling
Attention Anglers- Fishing opportunities are
limited due to prolonged drought.
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches. Striped bass hybrids; five
per day / no size limit.
Methods: One rod and reel per person
during trout season (other times no more than
two rods and reels per person). Fishing lim-ited
to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other
method of fishing allowed.
Note: For additional trout regulations see
page 28.
Chimney Rock / W.R. Holway
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 13-
to 16-inch protected slot limit.
The following water bodies have regulations that differ from statewide regulations for one or more species of fish. Anglers should
keep in mind that municipalities, national wildlife refuges and the Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Lake Arbuckle) have the authority
to set fishing regulations on waters in their jurisdiction that may differ from either the statewide regulations listed beginning on page 8 or the
individual lake regulations listed below. If an Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) ALERT is listed, please see page 14 for precautions.
It is the anglers' responsibility to know what regulations apply to the body of water they are fishing.
TAILWATERS
First 1,000 ft. below any Federal or GRDA dam
Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Unlawful to keep a foul-hooked fish (any fish hooked other than inside the
mouth), unless taken in a tailwater open to snagging. Bowfishing prohibited, except Wister, Eufaula, Ft. Gibson, Keystone, and
Hudson which are open. Bowfishing is open on Thunderbird past the first 75 feet from the dam. Gigs, spears and spearguns
prohibited, except Hudson which is open. Snagging prohibited, except Ft. Gibson tailwaters are open 24 hours; Wister is open
to snagging from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., year-round. Snagging of paddlefish or any fish is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. year round
on the Grand River from the Hwy. 412 bridge upstream to the Markham Ferry (Lake Hudson) dam.
Salt Fork of the Arkansas River from the spillway of Great Salt Plains Lake downstream to SH 38 bridge
Prohibited method of fishing: bowfishing (see Tailwaters above), trotline, throwline, limbline, jugline and yo-yo.
Fishing Restrictions for Bureau of Reclamation Tailwaters
The following restrictions apply to these Bureau of Reclamation tailwaters. Closed, year-round: Arbuckle, Ft. Cobb and Foss.
First 75 ft. from dam closed: Altus-Lugert, McGee Creek, Tom Steed, and Thunderbird.
16 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
Chouteau
(includes oxbows and cutoffs)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels
Copan
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Crowder (Washita County)
Attention Anglers- This lake is scheduled for
renovation. Additional regulations may be posted
at the lake. Fishing opportunities may be limited.
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day. There
is a 16- to 22-inch protected slot limit, of which
only one may be 22 inches or longer. Channel
and/or blue catfish; six combined per day /
only one blue catfish over 30 inches.
Dahlgren
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Draper
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Methods: Fishing limited to no more than
three rods and reels per person, with no more
than three hooks per line (treble hooks are
considered one hook). Bowfishing is permit-ted
year-round during daylight hours only. No
other method of fishing allowed, including no
castnetting.
Dripping Springs
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day. There
is a 16- to 22-inch protected slot limit, of which
only one may be 22 inches or longer.
Ellsworth
Daily / Size Limits: Walleye, sauger and
saugeye; six combined per day / 14-inch mini-mum.
(This regulation applies to the tailwaters
also.)
Elmer
Attention Anglers- Elmer Lake is currently
undergoing renovations and, the lake level will
be lowered throughout this process.
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Elmer Thomas (Wichita Mtns. NWR)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and/or
smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 13- to
16-inch protected slot limit. Channel and/or
blue catfish; six combined per day / only one
blue catfish over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel
only. No other method of fishing allowed.
Eufaula
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Methods: Lake Eufaula State Park:
• Pickens Lake - Fishing open only to resi-dents
under 16 or 65 and older, or those 60
percent or more disabled, or legally blind
and those accompanying. Fishing limited
to only two rods and reels per person. No
other fishing methods allowed.
• Kid’s Fish Out Lake - Fishing open only to
persons under 16 or 64 and older, or those
60 percent or more disabled, or legally
blind or physically impaired and one com-panion.
Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. No other method of
fishing allowed.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels
• Land fish quickly.
• Handle fish as little as possible and avoid holding with
dry hands, cloths, or gloves to prevent removal of
protective slime coating.
• Don’t let fish bounce on boat deck, carpet or on
shoreline rocks and gravel.
• When using a landing net, soft knotless nylon or rubber
nets are better than hard, knotted nylon.
• Grasp most species of fish by the lower jaw and keep
fish in the water if possible. Hold them vertically and
support large fish with a hand under the belly.
• Remove hooks quickly.
• Return fish back to the water as quickly as you can.
• Use long-nosed pliers or a de-hooking tool to remove
deeply embedded hooks. Plans for a hook remover are
available free-of-charge at www.wildlifedepartment.
com/fishing/hookout.htm. If the hook cannot be easily
removed, cut the line a few inches above the hook and
leave it in the fish.
• If you are using bait or lures that are frequently
swallowed and deep hooking is likely to be a problem,
use barbless hooks or circle hooks. Unhooking your
catch with barbless hooks is faster, easier and healthier
for the fish.
CATCH & RELEASE TIPS
Ben Davis
2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 17
SPECIAL AREA REGULATIONS
LAKES (Continued)
Evans Chambers
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Foss
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Walleye and/or saugeye; six
combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Striped
bass hybrids and/or white bass; 20 combined
per day, of which only five may be 20 inches
or longer.
Ft. Cobb
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Walleye, sauger or saug-eye;
six combined per day / 14-inch mini-mum.
Striped bass hybrids and/or white bass;
20 combined per day, of which only five may
be 20 inches or longer.
Ft. Gibson
(includes all tributaries and upstream to
Markham Ferry dam)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. All crappie; 15 combined
per day / 10-inch minimum. Paddlefish; see
regulations on page 25.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels
Grand
(applies to all tributaries and
upstream to state line, and to the area
below Pensacola dam downstream to
SH 82 bridge)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. All crappie; 15 combined
per day / 10-inch minimum. Striped bass
hybrids and/or white bass; 20 combined per
day, of which only five may be 20 inches or
longer. Paddlefish; see regulations on page 25.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels, Bighead
Carp
Great Salt Plains
(including lake and tailwaters)
Daily / Size Limits: Walleye, sauger or
saugeye; six combined per day / no size limit.
Greenleaf
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Hall
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Hefner
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Methods: Fishing limited to no more than
three rods and reels per person, with no more
than three hooks per line (treble hooks are
considered one hook). Bowfishing is permit-ted
year-round but during daylight hours only.
No other method of fishing allowed, including
no castnetting.
Heyburn
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Hudson
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. All crappie; 15 combined
per day / 10-inch minimum. Tailwater regula-tions:
see section on page 16. Paddlefish regula-tions:
see page 25.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels
Hugo
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Jap Beaver
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Kaw
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels; White Perch
Keystone
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels; White Perch
Konawa
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day of
which only one may be 22-inches or longer.
Striped bass, striped bass hybrids and / or
white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only
five may be 20 inches or longer.
Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel,
bowfishing and noodling. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Lawtonka
Daily / Size Limits: Walleye, sauger or
saugeye; six combined per day / 14-inch mini-mum.
(This regulation applies to the tailwater
also.) Additional city regulations apply.
Lone Chimney
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person and bowfishing. No other
method of fishing allowed.
Longmire
Daily / Size Limits: City regulations apply.
Methods: Fishing limited to only rod and
reel. No other method of fishing allowed.
McGee Creek
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day. There
is a 16- to 22-inch protected slot limit, of which
only one may be 22 inches or longer.
Murray
Daily / Size Limits: Walleye and / or saug-eye;
six combined per day / 14-inch minimum.
(This regulation applies to the tailwater also.)
ANS ALERT: Hydrilla
Nanih Waiya
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Newt Graham
(includes oxbows and cutoffs)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Okmulgee
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 13-
to 16-inch protected slot limit.
Oologah
(including all tributaries to state line and
downstream below dam to mouth of
Caney River)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Striped bass, striped bass
hybrids or white bass; 20 combined per day,
of which only five may be 20 inches or longer.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels
18 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
Ouachita National Forest ponds
and lakes
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and small-mouth
bass; six combined per day / 14-inch
minimum. Channel and/or blue catfish; six
combined per day / only one blue catfish over
30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel
only. No other method of fishing allowed.
Overholser
(including tailwaters and downstream
to NW 10th St. bridge)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Methods: Fishing limited to no more than
three rods and reels per person, with no more
than three hooks per line (treble hooks are
considered one hook). Bowfishing is permit-ted
year-round but during daylight hours only.
No other methods of fishing allowed, including
no castnetting.
Ozzie Cobb
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Pawhuska
Methods: Fishing limited to only one rod and
reel per person during trout season (other times,
consult City of Pawhuska for fishing regulations).
Note: For additional trout regulations see
page 28.
Pine Creek
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and/
or smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Raymond Gary
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Robert S. Kerr
(includes oxbows and cutoffs)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Sauger; six per day / 16-inch
minimum.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels
Sardis
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Schooler
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Skiatook
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and/
or smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids (does
not include white bass); five per day, of which
only two may be 20 inches or longer.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels
Sooner
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Striped bass, striped bass
hybrids or white bass; 20 combined per day,
of which only five may be 20 inches or longer.
Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel,
bowfishing and noodling. No other method
of fishing allowed. Fishing is prohibited from
dam, fenced area below dam, and north bank
of intake channel. Fishing in the buoy-marked
intake channel, discharge channel and spill-way
embankment is bank fishing only (no float
tubes or wading).
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels; White
Perch; Hydrilla
Taft
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel. No other method of fishing allowed.
Tenkiller (downstream from Horseshoe
Bend boat ramp to dam)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and/or
smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 13-
to 16-inch protected slot limit. All crappie; 15
combined per day / 10-inch minimum.
Methods: Prohibited methods of fishing:
gigs and spears downstream from Horseshoe
Bend boat ramp; speargunning legal when
used with SCUBA, except taking flathead cat-fish
from June 15 through July 15 is prohibited.
Texoma
Note: Some methods of fishing on the
Oklahoma portion of Lake Texoma do not
apply to the Texas portion. Check the Texas
Fishing Guide for details.)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth, small-mouth
and spotted bass; five combined per
day / 14-inch minimum for largemouth and
smallmouth bass. Striped bass and/or striped
bass hybrids; ten combined per day, of which
only two may be 20 inches or longer. White bass;
25 per day / no size limit. Channel and/or blue
catfish; 15 combined per day/ 12-inch minimum.
Only one blue catfish over 30 inches. All crap-pie;
37 combined per day / 10-inch minimum.
Flathead catfish; five per day / 20-inch mini-mum.
Alligator gar; from May 1 through May
31, angling for alligator gar by any method is
prohibited between the State Hwy 99 / US Hwy
377 bridge upstream to the I-35 bridge.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels, Golden Alga
Thunderbird
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
Methods: Within the Little River above
Franklin Road in Cleveland Co. the following
methods of fishing are prohibited: bowfish-ing,
gigs and spears, spearguns, snagging, and
noodling.
Tom Steed
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids and/
or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which
only five may be 20 inches or longer.
Vanderwork
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
Vincent
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
LAKE RECORDS
Bobby Myers of Jenks
was fishing on his
birthday when
he pulled
in this
unexpected
gift - a 3.2 lb.
lake record
spotted bass
caught at
Grand Lake.
Read about the
Lake Record
Fish Program on
page 24.
2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 19
SPECIAL AREA REGULATIONS
LAKES (Continued)
Watonga (Roman Nose State Park)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to one rod and
reel per person during trout season (other times
no more than two rods and reels per person).
Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing.
No other method of fishing allowed.
Note: For additional trout regulations see
page 28.
Waurika
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids and/
or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which
only five may be 20 inches or longer.
Wayne Wallace
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods
and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod
and reel and bowfishing. No other method of
fishing allowed.
W.D. Mayo (includes oxbows, cutoffs,
and below dam to state line)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Sauger; six per day / 16-inch
minimum.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels
Webbers Falls (includes oxbows and
cutoffs)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Sauger; six per day / 16-inch
minimum.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels, White Perch
Wister (from the dam upstream to US
Hwy. 271 on Fourche Maline River, to
US Hwy. 59 on the Poteau River and to
the low water dam, ½ mile above coun-ty
road # 156 on Holson Creek)
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum.
For tailwater restrictions, see page 16.
RIVERS AND CREEKS
Arkansas River (Keystone dam down-stream
to the OK - AR state line)
Daily / Size Limits: Sauger; six per day /
16-inch minimum.
Methods:
• From Keystone Dam downstream to I-44
bridge in Tulsa; snagging is prohibited, and
keeping a foul-hooked fish (any fish hooked
other than inside the mouth) is prohibited.
• In the tailwaters area immediately below
Webbers Falls Lock and Dam; bowfish-ing,
gigs, spears, spearguns and snagging
is prohibited in the first 1,000 ft. Trotlines,
throwlines, limblines, juglines and yo-yo’s
are prohibited below Webbers Falls Lock
and Dam for a distance of one mile.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels, White Perch
Baron Fork Creek (see restrictions on
fishing methods on Upper Illinois River
and Tributaries)
Blue River Public Fishing and
Hunting Area
Daily / Size Limits: All species of black
bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum.
Channel and/or blue catfish; six combined per
day / only one blue catfish over 30 inches. All
crappie; six combined per day / no size limit.
Possession limit is twelve (12) of all species of
game fish after the first day.
Methods: Fishing limited to one rod and
reel per person during trout season (other
times no more than two rods and reels per
person). No other method of fishing allowed.
Note: For more trout regulations see pages
28 and 30.
Lower Canadian River (downstream
from Eufaula dam for one mile)
Methods: Gigs and spears, spearguns, and
snagging prohibited. (Also see “Tailwaters”
regulations.)
Caney River (Below Hulah Lake dam)
Methods: Bowfishing prohibited from
Hulah dam downstream 1,200 ft. to the re-regulation
dam. Gigs, spears, spearguns and
snagging prohibited from Hulah dam down-stream
to the confluence of old and new river
channels. (Also see “Tailwaters” regulations.)
Flint Creek - (see regulations on fish-ing
methods on Upper Illinois River and
Tributaries)
Glover River from confluence with
Little River upstream to the “Forks
of the Glover”
Daily / Size Limits: All species of black
bass; six combined per day / no size limit on
largemouth or spotted bass, however, small-mouth
bass have a 12-inch minimum of which
only three smallmouth greater than 12 inches
may be included in the daily limit of six black
bass.
Grand (Neosho) River (below Grand
Lake-Pensacola dam)
Methods: (Also see “Tailwaters” regula-tions.)
• Bowfishing prohibited below turbine out-lets
downstream to State Park and below
spillway outlet downstream to highline
crossing. The next ½ mile below the high-line
crossing is closed only when the spill-way
gates are discharging water and for
seven days following closure of the gates.
• Gigs, spears and spearguns are prohibited
below turbine outlets downstream to State
Park bridge and below spillway outlets
downstream for one mile.
• Snagging is prohibited below turbine out-lets
downstream to State Park bridge and
below spillway outlets downstream to
highline crossing. The next ½ mile below
the highline crossing is closed to snagging
only when spillway gates are closed.
• Noodling is prohibited below turbine out-lets
downstream to State Park bridge and
below the spillway outlets downstream to
highline crossing, except noodling shall be
legal the day of and two days following clo-sure
of spillway.
ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels, Bighead
carp
Lower Illinois River (From Tenkiller
dam downstream to the confluence of
the Arkansas River)
Daily / Size Limits: Sauger; six per day
/ 16-inch minimum. Largemouth and small-mouth
bass; six combined per day / 14-inch
minimum.
Methods: From Tenkiller Dam downstream
to the Hwy. 64 bridge; fishing limited to one rod
and reel per person. No other method of fishing
allowed. (Also see “Tailwaters” regulations.)
Note: For more trout regulations see page 28.
Upper Illinois River and tributaries
(includes Baron Fork Creek and Flint
Creek)
Daily / Size Limits: Illinois River upstream
from Horseshoe Bend boat ramp, Baron Fork
Creek and Flint Creek; all species of black bass;
six combined per day/ no size limit on large-mouth
or spotted bass, however, smallmouth
bass have a 9- to 12-inch protected slot limit of
which only one smallmouth greater than 12
inches may be included in the daily limit of
six black bass.
Methods: Snagging and noodling are pro-hibited
at all times. Bowfishing, speargunning,
and gigging are prohibited, except for the fol-lowing
methods/seasons:
• Upstream from Horseshoe Bend boat ramp;
bowfishing and speargunning are permit-ted
from Dec. 1 through Mar. 31. Gigging is
permitted from Dec. 1 through Mar. 1.
• Upstream from Hwy. 51/62 bridge; gigging
is permitted from Dec. 1 through Mar. 31.
Kiamichi River (below Hugo Lake dam)
Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and noo-dling
are prohibited from Hugo dam down-stream
to first railroad bridge. (Also see
“Tailwaters” regulations.)
ANS ALERT: Bighead carp, Silver carp
Lee Creek (including Little Lee Creek)
Daily / Size Limits: All species of black
bass; six combined per day / no size limit on
largemouth or spotted bass, however, small-mouth
bass have a 9- to 12-inch protected slot
limit of which only one smallmouth greater
than 12 inches may be included in the daily
limit of six black bass.
20 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
Little River below Pine Creek
Lake dam
Methods: Trotlines, throwlines, limblines,
yo-yo’s and juglines are prohibited from the
dam downstream for a distance of 2,000 ft.
(Also see “Tailwaters” regulations.)
Lower Mountain Fork River trout
area (below Broken Bow dam)
Methods: Fishing limited to one rod and
reel per person. No other method of fishing
allowed. (Also see “Tailwaters” regulations.)
Note: For more trout regulations see page 28.
ANS ALERT: Didymo
Upper Poteau River and Fourche
Maline River and tributaries in Le
Flore Co.
Methods: Prohibited methods of fishing:
gigs, spears, and spearguns.
Lower Poteau River (downstream
from Wister dam to ¼ mile past conflu-ence
of old and new river channels)
Methods: Prohibited methods of fishing:
trotlines and throwlines. (Also see “Tailwaters”
regulations)
Quartz Mountain trout area (North
Fork of the Red River below Altus-
Lugert Lake dam)
Methods: Fishing limited to one rod and
reel per person during trout season (other times
no more than two rods and reels per person).
Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing.
No other method of fishing allowed.
Note: For more trout regulations see page 28.
Lower Red River (below Lake Texoma)
Denison Dam downstream to the mouth
of the Shawnee Creek: We advise anglers to
meet all fishing license requirements for both
Oklahoma and Texas. See map below. If you are
fishing in Oklahoma waters, an Oklahoma fish-ing
license is required, unless exempt. If you
are fishing in Texas waters, you need a Texas
fishing license. A Lake Texoma fishing license
is not valid below Denison Dam.
Oklahoma
Texas
Denison Dam
Red River
mouth of
: OK/TX state line Shawnee Creek
��
75A
2
1
1
2
Mouth of Shawnee Creek downstream
(east): If fishing in the Red River, anglers must
possess an Oklahoma fishing license, unless
exempt.
For all of the Lower Red River:
Daily / Size Limits: Striped bass and/or
striped bass hybrids; five combined per day
/ no size limit.
Methods: Bowfishing for paddlefish is pro-hibited
year-round. See “Tailwaters” regulations
for other daily, size, and fishing method regula-tions.
ANS ALERT: Bighead carp
Robber’s Cave (From Carlton Lake
dam downstream 1.5 miles to the State
Park boundary)
Methods: Fishing limited to one rod and
reel per person during trout season (other
times no more than two rods and reels per
person). No other method of fishing allowed.
Note: For more trout regulations see page 28.
OTHER AREAS
Camp Gruber JMTC
For information on fishing opportunities,
open dates and areas, as well as other regu-lations
pertaining to Camp Gruber JMTC,
contact OKARNG online at ok.ngb.army.mil/
CGTS/ or call the voice phone system at (918)
487-6240.
Ponds and creeks within the
following Dept. of Wildlife
Management Areas:
Atoka, Beaver River, Gary Sherrer, Cherokee,
Cookson, Ellis Co., Ft. Gibson, James Collins,
Robert S Kerr WMA, Lexington, Okmulgee
(except in Deep Fork River), Pushmataha,
Robbers Cave, Sandy Sanders and Stringtown
Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and
smallmouth bass; six combined per day /
14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish;
six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish
over 30 inches.
Ponds and creeks within either
the Honobia Creek or Three Rivers
Wildlife Management Areas
Special Permits: All resident anglers age 18
(by December 31 of the previous calendar year)
to 63, and all non-resident anglers regardless
of age must possess the Land Access Permit to
either fish and/or hunt on either the Honobia
Creek or Three Rivers Wildlife Management
Areas. For additional Honobia/Three Rivers
WMA regulations see the Oklahoma Hunting
Guide (Regulations).
Ponds and creeks within other Dept.
of Wildlife Management Areas not
listed above
Daily / Size Limits: Channel and/or blue
catfish; six combined per day / only one blue
catfish over 30 inches.
Oklahoma State Park Ponds
Daily / Size Limits: Channel and/or blue
catfish; six combined per day / only one blue
catfish over 30 inches.
Wichita Mtns. NWR lakes
(except Elmer Thomas)
Daily / Size Limits: Channel and/or blue
catfish; six combined per day / only one blue
catfish over 30 inches.
Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel
only. No other method of fishing allowed.
A message from the E.P.A.
Good Fishing Depends
on Clean Water
Many of our rivers, lakes, and coastal
areas are experiencing algae blooms
that cover our favorite fishing spots with
green slime and cause fish kills and
“dead zones” where no aquatic life can
survive. The cause is usually nitrogen
and phosphorus pollution that comes
from farm and lawn fertilizers, septic
systems, animal waste, and sewage
treatment plants. Everyone can do
their part for clean water by reducing
fertilizer use, preserving plants along
shorelines, and picking up pet waste.
Supporting water quality protection
supports great fishing! Learn more at:
www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/.
Full 6 Hours of Fishing on Every Trip!
Rods, Reels, Bait and Tackle Provided
Fish Cleaned, Red Meat Removed and Bagged
Ray Farrior, Guide · Lake Texoma
580.924.5238 home
580.916.2814 cell
7 Perch Drive · Mead, OK
SnowGooseTexoma.com
2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 21
Mooneye Goldeye
WEIRD FISH
OF OKLAHOMA!
BLUE SUCKER
The blue sucker is an elegantly-streamlined fish, well-suited for life
in moving water. It can be identified by its long sloping forehead,
a long, sail-shaped dorsal fin and “bumply” lips. In Oklahoma
the blue suckers’ range is restricted to the Grand and Red Rivers.
Catches are rare, but are most likely to occur in the lower Red River,
particularly near its confluence with the Blue and Kiamichi Rivers.
Fish Fact: Huge schools of blue suckers once roamed our nation’s
rivers, but their numbers have declined throughout their range. In
Oklahoma they are listed as a species of special concern and all
catches should be reported to the nearest fisheries office.
SHOVELNOSE STURGEON
Shovelnose sturgeon are among our most ancient and primitive
fishes. Like sharks, sturgeon lack bones and their skeletal system
consists entirely of cartilage. Shovelnose sturgeon are well-adapted
for life in turbid moving water and can be identified by their spade-shaped
heads, bony scutes along the body and a row of four barbels
in front of their mouths. Once fairly common and widespread, they
are now rarely encountered in the Arkansas and Red Rivers and
their tailwaters. The shovelnose sturgeon is occasionally caught by
rod and reel fishermen and on trot lines.
Fish Fact: Reaching only about four pounds, shovelnose can live
up to 30 years, but don’t reach maturity until five- to seven-years-old.
In Oklahoma they are listed as a species of special concern
and all catches should be reported to the nearest fisheries office.
ROCK BASS
Rock bass are an Ozark stream species with an appearance similar
to other sunfish, but with a large bass-like mouth, cheeks without
visible barring and a black gill flap without an orange border. Rock
bass are often found in dense cover and are especially fond of root-wads
and undercut banks. They readily strike artificial lures, but
seldom venture far from cover. Rock bass are also called goggle eye
and shadow bass.
Fish Fact: Rock bass can readily change their color and pattern
to match surrounding backgrounds. They are also intolerant of
turbidity and poor water quality, and require cool clear water to
survive.
MOONEYE & GOLDEYE
Mooneye (above) and Goldeye (inset) are both attractive, bright,
silvery fish which at first glance resemble shad, but lack a black
spot behind their gill flap and have a much wider gape with their
mouth situated at the end of their snout. Both species have well-defined
teeth on their tongues and jaws. The two species closely
resemble each other, but mooneye have a much smaller range in
Oklahoma and are encountered less frequently. Both species read-ily
take small jigs and spinners and are often caught in the spring
and early summer.
Fish Fact: Goldeye and mooneye belong to the Genus Hiodon
meaning “toothed tongue.” The mooneye prefers clearer water and
in Oklahoma is restricted to the Little and Mountain Fork Rivers of
McCurtain County.
Jim Negus
Josh Bailey / OWRB
Tim Churchill
Jim Negus & Nate Tessler
22 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
BANDED SCULPIN
The banded sculpin is a small fish with a big mouth and an even big-ger
attitude. Although they seldom exceed five inches in length, band-ed
sculpin readily eat any prey that will fit in their oversized mouths.
They are sometimes caught by bottom fishermen. Banded sculpins are
found in cool clear Ozark streams of northeast Oklahoma.
Fish Fact: Although banded sculpins appear very hardy, they are
actually one of our most fragile fish species and can only live in
cool Ozark streams with high water quality. They are sometimes
seen with green or gold eyes due to retractable lenses that act like
sunglasses to shield their eyes from UV light.
BOWFIN
Bowfin have a long, thick, eel-like appearance with a rounded tail
and a long undulating dorsal (often folded down) that reaches
nearly to its tail. The head is blunt and snake-like, with two small
appendages (called nares) on its upper jaw near its nostrils. Bowfin
have very strong jaws lined with sharp teeth and should be han-dled
with caution. Bowfin are found in swampy areas with heavy
vegetation. Bowfin are aggressive feeders and readily hit lures. In
Oklahoma they mainly occur in southern portions of Choctaw and
McCurtain counties.
Fish Fact: Bowfin are sometimes called living fossils and are the
sole survivors of a family of fish dating to the Jurassic period. They
literally outlived the dinosaurs and are capable of gulping air and
burrowing in the mud to survive brief periods of drought. They feed
mainly on fish and crayfish.
LOGPERCH
Logperch are one of Oklahoma’s most widespread, but little-known
fish species. They live primarily in streams but have adapted well to
reservoir life and can be found in many lakes throughout the state.
Logperch are a very active fish, and live and forage among small
rocks and cobble. They often use their noses to flip surprisingly
large stones while looking for insects and larvae and are occasion-ally
caught on hook and line.
Fish Fact: Logperch are true perch and the largest of Oklahoma’s
29 darter species. Most Oklahoma species commonly referred to as
“perch” are actually sunfish and in the same family as largemouth
bass. Disjunct populations are found in the Wichita Mountains and
Fort Cobb area of southwest Oklahoma.
SKIPJACK HERRING
Skipjack herring are fairly large (up to 18 inches) members of the
herring family with large mouths and toothed jaws and tongues.
They can be distinguished from mooneye and goldeye by their
longer and more-slender body shapes, a protruding lower jaw and
sharp saw-tooth-like scales along the keel of the belly. Skipjacks
have a clear protective eyelid that covers the front and backs of
their eyes. Skipjacks are found in the eastern portions of the Red
and Arkansas river systems and are most common below dams
where they are sometimes caught on artificial lures such as jigs and
small spinners.
Fish Fact: Skipjack herring get their name from their tendency to
jump when caught on hook and line. In some states they serve as
the sole host for endangered mussel species.
Most fishermen are aware that our state is home to
one of the most diverse and productive fisheries in
the nation, but few anglers can name more than a small
fraction of the 180 or so fish species swimming in Okla-homa
waters. Some of these species are small and rela-tively
ordinary looking, while others have strange body
shapes, bizarre appendages or dazzling coloration.
Anglers who hook one of these memorable fish can keep
it. Wildlife Department biologists are collecting data on
the distribution of these species and would appreciate a
call or e-mail whenever a "weird fish" is caught. Here’s a
brief introduction to some of the lesser known fish spe-cies
occasionally caught by Oklahoma anglers. Perhaps
you will hook one this year!
Brandon Brown
Nate Tessler
Jim Negus
Jim Negus
2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 23
LAKE RECORDS PROGRAM
What is the biggest fish you’ve ever caught? A seven-pound largemouth, a two-pound
crappie or a 45-pound blue catfish? While your fish may not have broken a state record, it could
very possibly be the biggest fish ever caught out of your favorite lake. The Lake Record fish
program was established to recognize big fish and the lakes where they are caught.
FEATURED
ANGLER
Maysa and her twin sister, Myka were
practicing for an upcoming kid’s
fishing tournament. The girls and
their family were trolling crankbaits
in the Carson Creek area of Broken
Bow Lake. The girls had already
caught several nice fish including
walleye, crappie and sand bass when
the big one hit. At first they thought
they snagged a good-sized sand
bass because the fish was fighting
pretty well. When Maysa finally got
the fish to the boat and in the net,
everyone was amazed at the size
of it. Her father told her, “That’s the
biggest sunfish I’ve ever seen!”
He placed the fish in the livewell and
they continued fishing. The girls went
on to catch more fish, including some
nice bass. When leaving the lake it
occurred to Maysa’s Dad that this
fish might be a lake record. The family
stopped at Frontier General Store to
check the current record for sunfish
and found out there had never been
one checked in. The workers at the
store were very excited and eager
to help. Since the fish was a record,
Maysa’s parents decided to have it
mounted for her.
Her father said, “The lake record
program is a great way to acknowl-edge
anglers’ accomplishments and
to promote tourism and recreation
and I would like to thank the ODWC
for starting it.”
Been to the lake lately?
You might have caught a lake record!
The Lake Record Program continues to grow, as more and more anglers find themselves
holding a fish that qualifies for a lake record. From lakes large and small, from one side of
the state to the other, the Lake Records program recognizes anglers who land a fish that is
a record for their lake.
Once an angler catches a fish that might qualify as a lake record, he or she must have their
catch certified at a Lake Record Keeper location. For a full list of record keepers, visit our
web site, wildlifedepartment.com/fishing.htm
The minimum weights to qualify your catch in the lake record program must be larger
than a 6 lb. largemouth bass; 4 lb. smallmouth bass; 2 lb. spotted bass; 2 lb. crappie; 15
lb. channel catfish; 40 lb. blue or flathead catfish; 3 lb. white bass; 20 lb. striped bass; 8 lb.
hybrid; 5 lb. walleye/saugeye; 1 lb. sunfish or a 40 lb. paddlefish.
Lakes participating in the program include:
• Altus Lugert
• Arbuckle
• Arcadia
• Birch
• Broken Bow
• Canton
• Choteau
• Comanche
• Cushing
• Dripping Springs
• El Reno
• Eufaula
• Foss
• Ft. Cobb
• Ft. Gibson
• Ft. Supply
• Grand
• Hefner
• Holdenville
• Hudson
• Hugo
• Kaw
• Keystone
• Konawa
• Lawtonka
• Longmire
• McGee Creek
• Murray
• Okemah
• Okmulgee
• Oologah
• Overholser
• Pine Creek
• Purcell
• R. S. Kerr
• Sardis
• Shawnee Twin
• Skiatook
• Sooner
• Stanley Draper
• Tecumseh
• Tenkiller
• Texoma
• Thunderbird
• Tom Steed
• W.D. Mayo
• Waurika
• Webbers Falls
��� Wetumka
• Wes Watkins
• Wister
On the left, this 3.4 lb.
lake record spotted
bass was caught at
Lake Eufaula on July 30,
2011, by Dusty Keener
of McAlester, OK. On
the right, this 12.7 lb.
lake record largemouth
bass was caught at
Lawtonka Lake on June
4, 2011, by Noel Reeves
of Duncan, OK.
1.2 lb. lake record sunfish caught at Broken
Bow Lake on July 11, 2011, by Maysa Weeks
of Rufe, OK. The sunfish had a length of 11.5
inches and a girth of 11 inches.
24 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
PADDLEFISH REGULATIONS
Paddlefish Regulations
Paddlefish daily limits are one per day on
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
and Saturday, statewide; catch and release
of paddlefish only on Mondays and Fridays,
statewide. Anglers cannot possess a paddle-fish
while in the field on Mondays or Fridays.
Once you keep a fish, you must stop paddle-fish
fishing (snagging) for the day.
The following restrictions apply to paddle-fish
harvest at all times.
1. Paddlefish angling by all methods is
closed on the Spring River from the
Highway 60 bridge upstream to the
Kansas state line. Snagging of paddle-fish
or any fish is closed from 10 p.m. to
6 a.m. year round on the Grand River
from the Hwy. 412 bridge upstream to
the Markham Ferry (Lake Hudson) dam.
2. Residents and nonresidents must obtain
a free paddlefish permit in addition to
a fishing license before fishing for pad-dlefish.
Paddlefish anglers can obtain
their free permit online at wildlifede-partment.
com or by contacting fishing
license dealers or any Department of
Wildlife office in the state (see Fisheries
Contacts, page 2).
3. Residents and nonresidents may only
have one paddlefish in their possession
in the field. Nonresidents may not have
more than four paddlefish in possession
at any other time.
4. Catch and release of paddlefish by use of
rod and reel, trotlines and throwlines is
allowed, year-round. Paddlefish must be
released immediately after being caught,
unless kept for the daily limit. Anglers
fishing trotlines or throwlines must re-lease
all paddlefish before leaving their
lines (unless keeping one for a daily limit).
5. Paddlefish taken by bowfishing, gigs,
spears and spearguns cannot be re-leased.
These methods cannot be used
on Mondays and Fridays.
6. Paddlefish not immediately released are
considered kept, and must be tagged im-mediately
with the angler’s paddlefish
permit number. Additionally, the date
and time of harvest must be recorded on
the paddlefish permit. Under no circum-stances
can any paddlefish be caught,
kept, then later released (no culling).
7. Each cleaned paddlefish and its parts
(carcass, meat, or eggs) must also be
tagged and kept separate from all other
cleaned paddlefish or paddlefish parts.
Each person must keep their own pad-dlefish
distinctly separate from paddle-fish
taken by others.
8. Paddlefish and paddlefish parts must
remain tagged until the person in pos-session
of the paddlefish and/or parts
reaches their residence.
9. When snagging for paddlefish, anglers are
allowed only one hook (one single hook or
one treble hook) and all hooks must have
the barbs removed or completely closed.
Anglers must stop snagging when a daily
limit of one fish is kept.
10. When landing a paddlefish, it is illegal to
use “Gaff hooks” or any other techniques
or devices that injure the fish, unless the
angler is bowfishing.
11. No person can possess the eggs of more
than one paddlefish that are still attached
to the egg membrane. In addition, no per-son
can possess more than three pounds of
either processed paddlefish eggs or fresh
paddlefish eggs removed from the mem-brane.
“Processed eggs” are any eggs taken
from a paddlefish that have gone through
a process which makes the eggs into the
product caviar or into a caviar-like product.
12. No person can ship into or out of, trans-port
into or out of, have in possession with
the intent to so transport, or cause to be
removed from this state raw unprocessed,
processed, or frozen paddlefish eggs.
13. All paddlefish must have all viscera (in-ternal
organs) removed before leaving the
state.
Note: For information on fishing below dams
for paddlefish, see “Tailwaters” on page 16.
PADDLEFISH RESEARCH & PROCESSING CENTER
Where is the Paddlefish Research
and Processing Center (RPC)?
The Paddlefish RPC is located off OK Hwy 137, about
two miles south of OK Hwy 10. Wildlife Department
employees will pick up fish from bank and boat anglers.
To arrange for a pick up, contact the center at (918)
542-9422. For other questions, contact the Paddlefish
Program Coordinator at (918) 533-7113 or NE Region
Supervisor Brent Gordon at (918) 686-3673.
What is the Paddlefish RPC?
• The primary functions of the RPC are to collect
important biological data for the Department’s
paddlefish management plan, process
paddlefish meat for anglers and salvage
paddlefish eggs.
• The center is open March 1 to April 30, except
closed Mondays and Fridays. Anglers are able
to bring their catch to the RPC for cleaning
and processing. They take home meat from
their own fish that has been safely cleaned and
packaged.
= RESEARCH &
PROCESSING CENTER
= BOAT RAMP
LEGEND
= NO PADDLEFISHING
YEAR ROUND
(To Kansas Line)
44
60
69
10
137
125
Miami Park
Turnpike Hole
Mud Eaters Bend
Conner’s Bridge
Fishing improvements
coming soon!
Ogoochee Flats
Twin Bridges
State Park
Hwy 10
Gravel Ramp
Miami Park Boat Ramp
Twin Bridges
Boat Ramp
Fishing improvements
coming soon!
Hwy 10 Boat Ramp
Paddlefish Research &
Processing Center
NEW
Spring River
Boat Ramp
Miami
Fairland
Wyandotte
Commerce
Quapaw NEW LOCATION!
2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 25
OKLAHOMA RECORD FISH
Rod and Reel Record Fish
Common Name Lbs. Ozs. Length Girth Where When Angler
Bass, Largemouth 14 11 28 22 3/4 Broken Bow 3-14-99 William Cross
Bass, Smallmouth 8 3 23 1/2 19 Eufaula Lake 3-4-06 Steve McLarty
Bass, Spotted 8 2 23 1/2 17 1/2 Pittsburg Co. Pond 6-27-58 O. J. Stone
Bass, Striped 47 8 48 30 Lower Illinois River 6-10-96 Louis Parker
Bass, White 5 4 21 15 Lake Eufaula 10-26-84 Paul Grace
Bass, Hybrid Black 8 5.6 22 3/4 16 1/2 Veterans Lake 3-27-06 Dru Kinslow
Bass, Hybrid Striped 23 4 33 1/2 27 Altus-Lugert Lake 4-1-97 Paul Hollister
Bass, Hybrid Yellow 2 5 15 3/4 12 5/8 Kiamichi River 3-26-91 George R. Edwards
Buffalo, Bigmouth 59 15 43 3/4 33 1/2 Greenleaf 11-12-88 Leroy Broaddrick
Buffalo, Black 22 4 35 23 1/4 Fort Gibson Lake 4-2-10 Dale Dampf
Buffalo, Smallmouth 44 2 35 31 Konawa Reservoir 8-15-07 Marvin Williams
Bullhead, Black 6 13 18 5/8 17 3/4 Jackson Co. Pond 5-24-84 Gary Cole
Carp, Common 39 10.4 39 1/4 30 3/4 Grady Co. Pond 4-23-02 Brandon Hughes
Carp, Grass 68 15.2 49 34 Chelsea City Lake 4-5-08 Jereme Budgick
Carpsucker, River 7 11 24 17 Canadian Co. Pond 4-18-90 W.C. “Bill” Kenyon
Catfish, Blue 98 54 1/2 39 1/2 Lake Texoma 11-11-04 Billy Nabors
Catfish, Channel 35 15 39 1/4 26 1/4 Taft Lake 9-11-05 Gary Doak, Jr.
Catfish, Flathead 78 8 51 36 1/2 El Reno City Lake 5-11-10 Richard Williams
Crappie, Black 4 10 20 1/4 17 3/4 Ottawa Co. Pond 6-16-74 Rollie Williams
Crappie, White 4 15 19 16 1/4 Kingfisher Co. Pond 5-4-91 Frank Robinson
Drum, Freshwater 38 41 3/4 28 3/4 Tenkiller Lake 5-23-76 Harold Phillips
Eel, American 5 7 39 1/2 9 7/8 Lower Illinois River 6-3-95 Dolores Munsell
Gar, Alligator 192 1 91 1/2 39 Red River 1-27-11 James Tucker
Gar, Longnose 41 62 21 1/2 Red River 1-3-88 Dean Pittman
Gar, Shortnose 5 9.6 32 1/2 10 1/2 Pittsburg Co. Pond 8-16-03 Robert Byrd
Goldeye 2 8 18 5/8 10 3/4 Arkansas River 4-27-96 James R. Smith
Grass Pickerel 7 13 5 1/8 Beaver Creek 3-17-95 Barry Bryant
Herring, Skipjack 3 6 19 13 3/8 Eufaula Tailwaters 4-3-92 Bobby Moore
Paddlefish 125 7 55 41 1/4 Arkansas River 4-10-11 Aaron Stone
Pickerel, Chain 2 10 22 1/2 9 1/2 Lower Mt. Fork River 4-22-82 Eric Lowe
Pike, Northern 36 8 44 Lake Carl Etling 6-13-76 Raymond Fernandez
Redhorse, River 8 5 28 1/2 17 1/8 Illinois River 2-11-77 Willis Pippin
Sauger 5 5 23 14 Kerr Res er voir 1-18-81 Chet Munds
Saugeye 10 10 28 1/4 19 Fort Cobb Lake 2-24-06 Curt Wilkerson
Sunfish, Blue gill 2 6 12 3/4 14 1/2 Kay Co. Pond 5-8-87 Tom Shorter
Sunfish, Green 2 7 13 14 1/4 Pontotoc Co. Pond 10-16-72 Eddie Shulanberger
Sunfish, Hybrid 1 14 12 3/8 13 7/8 Bryan Co. Pond 5-24-97 Hal Smith
Sunfish, Redear 2 1 12 3/4 13 Logan Co. Pond 11-15-73 Ruby Lee Farmer
Trout, Brown 17 4.6 32 3/4 20 Lower Mtn. Fork River 4-10-05 Jason Archie
Trout, Rain bow 10 4 27 16 Lower Il li nois Riv er 7-3-66 Billy Payne
Walleye 12 13 30 3/8 19 1/2 Robert S. Kerr 5-8-04 Kerry Carter
Unrestricted Division Record Fish
Common Name Lbs. Ozs. Length Girth Where When Angler / Method
Buffalo, Black 57 12 43 1/4 31 Tenkiller Lake 6-30-84 Chester Penn / trotline
Buffalo, Smallmouth 50 4 39 1/2 33 1/2 Broken Bow Lake 5-20-10 Rickey Smith / trotline
Carp, Common 48 13 40 32 Broken Bow Lake 5-16-10 Scotty Littles / bow & arrow
Carp, Grass 77 53 36 1/4 Arbuckle Lake 7-30-02 Brandon Taber/bow & ar row
Carpsucker, River 8 11.8 24 3/4 18 Ft. Cobb Lake 4-25-10 Jeffrey Ray / bow & arrow
Catfish, Blue 118 8 57 41 3/4 Lake Texoma 5-4-88 Dan Grider / jugline
Catfish, Flathead 106 60 39 1/2 Wister Lake 4-5-77 C. Clubb / trotline
Eel, American 5 8.7 40 9 3/4 Webbers Falls 8-15-02 Billy Davison / trotline
Gar, Shortnose 9 11.5 43 1/4 13 3/8 Kaw Dam Tailwaters 9-2-07 Dwayne Carter/bow & arrow
Gar, Spotted 9 12.8 37 1/4 13.5 Arbuckle Lake 4-19-08 Jimmy Nelson / bow & arrow
Hogsucker, Northern 2 1 15 5/8 9 1/4 Illinois River 3-15-10 Clint Williams / gigging
Paddlefish 134 55 44 Grand Lake 8-13-92 Charles Ham / trotline
Redhorse, Black 5 11 25 3/4 12 3/4 Illinois River 12-6-09 Brandon Taber/bow & arrow
Redhorse, Golden 8 12 29 16 1/4 Illinois River 3-16-08 Everett Noblin, Jr. / gigging
Redhorse, River 10 19 28 1/2 15 Illinois River 3-17-10 Carl Williams / gigging
Sturgeon, Shovelnose 2 15 29 8 1/2 Arkansas River 10-12-97 Paul R. Forman / throw line
* New Records in blue
26 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
2012
FREE ADMISSION
SEPTEMBER 29 & 30, 2012
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for the whole family to enjoy!
Located at Lazy E Arena in Guthrie. Open 8 AM to 6 PM each day.
27
��
How to Certify a State Record
1. 1. Fish must be caught on rod and line and must be hooked and
played by only one person. (Except for unrestricted division, which rec-ognizes
fish species taken by legal means other than rod and reel (such as
bow and arrow, gig, spear, trotline, jugline, limbline, etc.) These records
must tie or exceed the weight of the existing rod and reel record.)
2. Fish must be caught in accordance with Oklahoma fishing regula-tions.
3. No fish caught from any hatchery or com mer cial put-and-take lake
is eligible.
4. Accredited or certified weight scales must be used to weigh the fish.
Ac cred it ed steel mea sur ing tapes must be used to measure the fish.
The fish should be measured from tip of the snout to the end of the
tail, with fish laid flat on a ruler, mouth closed and tail lobes pressed
together, giving length of fish in inch es. Measure the girth of the
fish in inches around its widest point. Three witnesses, one of which
must be an employee of the Wildlife Department, must witness the
weighing and measuring of the fish and sign the af fi da vit.
5. The fish may be frozen, but must be in a thawed, natural, live-weight
condition when approved by a Wildlife Department biologist or
tech ni cian. Preserve the fish until you receive an official letter of
verification from the Director of the Wildlife Department.
6. A clear photograph showing a close-up side view of the fish must ac-company
the completed fish affidavit form. All pho to graphs become
the property of the Wildlife Department.
7. The Wildlife Department reserves the right to collect fish scale, tis-sue
or spine sam ples to check fish identification and to refuse any
questionable fish affidavit submitted. The affidavit must be sub mit-ted
within 30 days of the date the fish is caught.
8. With the exception of grass carp, no restricted exotic species will be
eligible for state record fish recognition.
Matt Mauck
James Tucker with his
enormous catch:
a state-record-setting
alligator gar that weighed
192 lbs. and 1 oz.
TROUT REGULATIONS
General Trout Regulations
License Requirements:
• A resident or nonresident fishing license is re quired of all persons
who take or attempt to take fish, including trout, un less otherwise
exempt.
• A trout license is no longer required because it is included in the
resident or nonresident fishing license.
Trout Seasons:
See map and description of each state-designated trout area.
Method of Taking:
• It is unlawful to take fish from state designated trout areas dur ing
trout season by any means except one rod and reel (or one pole
and line).
• Trout caught and placed on a stringer or otherwise held in pos ses-sion
cannot be released (no culling.)
Daily & Size Limits:
• Daily limit is six rainbow trout in all state designated trout areas ex-cept
in portions of the Blue River, the Lower Illinois River and the
Lower Mt. Fork River (See maps and descriptions on pages 28-31)
• There is no minimum size limit for rainbow trout at any state desig-nated
trout area except in portions of the Lower Illinois River and the
Lower Mt. Fork River (See maps and descriptions on pages 29 and 30.)
• Daily limit for brown trout is six with no minimum size limit, except
at the Low er Moun tain Fork River and Lower Illinois River where
the daily limit is one; size lim it: 20-inch min i mum, with a pos ses sion
limit of two af ter the first day.
Possession Limit:
No person shall have in their possession in the field more than one
daily limit of any trout species. After the first day, no person shall have
more than 12 rainbow trout and 12 brown trout in their possession, except
at the Low er Moun tain Fork River and Lower Illinois River where the
possession limit for brown trout is two. Non res i dents shall not have
more than two day’s limit of any trout species upon leaving the state.
Trout Fishing Tips:
Oklahoma has two in tro duced species of trout, rain bows and browns.
Of the two, rainbows are far more abundant. Brown trout are stocked
in the Lower Mountain Fork Riv er be low Broken Bow dam and in the
Lower Illinois River when available, while rain bows are usu al ly stocked
ev ery two weeks at all eight of the state’s trout areas dur ing designated
trout sea sons. An glers can use the follow ing tips to help them put trout
on the stringer:
• For the trout stocking schedules of all trout areas statewide, log on
to wildlifedepartment.com.
• Use an ultra-light rod and reel spooled with six pound or light er
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
salm on eggs is very productive where le gal.
• Try small hooks (size 10 to 18) and sink ers to keep bait near the bot-tom
and prevent trout from de tect ing any re sis tance.
• Fish during the early morning and late af ter noons for best ac tion.
• Concentrate on fish ing around struc ture such as behind large rocks,
logs and below riffles. Trout also tend to con gre gate above and be-low
wa ter falls, in and around deep pools and undercut banks.
• Rainbows tend to occupy faster moving water while browns may be
found in more slack stretch es.
• Trout face upstream to wait for insects to appear above them.
• Fly fishermen should try to fish with flies that re sem ble the insects
and crustaceans that are most seasonally abundant.
• Fishing of ten im proves a few days after stocking when trout have
ad just ed to their new environment.
ersons
rwise
uring
e 35
INTERSTATE
40
INTERSTATE 40
INTERSTATE
44
INTERSTATE
44
INTERSTATE
35
INTERSTATE
QUARTZ
MOUNTAIN
LAKE
PAWHUSKA
LAKE
WATONGA
ROBBER’S
CAVE
LOWER
ILLINOIS
RIVER
BLUE
RIVER
LOWER
MOUNTAIN
FORK
LAKE CARL ETLING
Lake Pawhuska
Trout Season
Trout are stocked from November 1 through March 31 of the fol low-ing
year.
Designated Trout Area / Size / Location
96-acre lake located 3 miles west of Pawhuska on U.S. Hwy. 60 and
1.75 miles south on county road in Osage County.
Bank Access / Boat Ramps
Public-use facilities include a boat ramp, boat/fishing dock, parking
area and restrooms – all handicap-accessible.
Notes of Interest
Camping at Lake Pawhuska is limited to primitive sites. Camp sites
with electrical hook-ups available at nearby Lake Bluestem.
Special Regulations
City of Pawhuska requires a boating permit to launch a boat. For
information call: (918) 287-3040.
Lake Watonga
Trout Season
Trout are stocked from Nov. 1 through March 31 of the following year.
Designated Trout Area / Size / Location
Seven miles north of Watonga in Blaine County. 55-acre lake located
within Roman Nose State Park.
Bank Access/Boat Ramps
Bank access and a boat ramp on the west side of the lake.
Notes of Interest
Camping and lodge facilities are available within Roman Nose state
park. For information, call the park at (580) 623-4215.
TROUT AREA INFORMATION
28 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE
Lower Illinois River
Trout Season:
Year round.
Designated Trout Area / Size / Location:
7.75 miles of Il li nois River from Tenkiller Dam to Hwy. 64 bridge near Gore in
Sequoyah Coun ty.
Bank Access / Boat Ramps:
The Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area – Simp and Helen
Watts Management Unit offers public fishing access to almost one mile of the
trout stream and 320 acres of public hunting opportunity (see map). To reach the
area, travel north on SH 100 from Gore approximately four miles. Turn east onto
county road E0990 and travel approximately one mile to the entrance. Park in the
designated parking area only. The area is managed for walk-in access only.
Four other public access sites are available along the state designated trout
stream, including a pool off the river located immediately below the dam which allows
trout fishing even during high power generation. Another good site is located at the River
Road Public Access Area about six miles downstream from the dam. The Gore Landing
Public Access Area, operated by the city of Gore (918) 489-2636, offers camping and a boat
launching ramp.
Special Regulations: Daily limit
Brown trout – one over 20 inches in length. Rainbow trout – six, no minimum length. From
USGS stream gauge downstream to Gravel Pit County Road: one over 20 inches in length.
Fishing in the Lower Illinois River Simp & Helen Watts Management Unit from the
USGS stream gauge downstream to Gravel Pit County Road is restricted to artificial flies
and lures only and barbless hooks only, except that single barbed hooks 3/0 or larger, may
be used only when fishing with natural bait.
Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area
Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit – all general trout fishing regulations apply
(see page 28). No overnight camping is allowed on the area. U.S. 64 ROBERT S. KERR RESERVOIR
(BELOW)
TENKILLER LAKE
SH 10-A
SH 100
PARK AND
PUBLIC ACCESS
(NO CAMPING)
PUBLIC USE AREA
BELOW TENKILLER DAM
(NO CAMPING)
LOWER ILLINOIS RIVER PUBLIC
FISHING & HUNTING AREA-SIMP
& HELEN WATTS
MANAGEMENT UNIT
MOONSHINE ROAD
TROUT CAMP
FREE FISHING
ACCESS
RIVER ROAD
PUBLIC ACCESS
AREA
(NO CAMPING) PUBLIC ACCESS
(NO CAMPING)
GRAVEL PIT AREA
(NO CAMPING)
HIGHWAY 64 BRIDGE
PUBLIC USE AREA
(NO CAMPING)
DESIGNATED
TROUT AREA
GORE
SH 10
SH 100
U.S. 64
N
GORE
LANDING
PUBLIC USE
AREA
(CAMPING,
BOAT RAMP)
GRAVEL PIT
COUNTY RD
U.S.G.S.
STREAM
GAUGE
RAINBOW TROUT
RESTRICTED
HARVEST AREA
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29
TROUT AREA INFORMATION
Lower Mountain Fork River
Trout Season:
Year round.
Designated Trout Area / Size / Location:
12 mile portion of the Lower Mountain Fork River and its tributaries from the Broken
Bow Reservoir spillway downstream to the U.S. Hwy 70 bridge. About five miles of
this designated trout stream lies within Beaver’s Bend State Park, in McCurtain County.
Bank Access / Boat Ramps:
Bank access is unlimited within the state park and downstream to the Re-regulation
Dam. Another public access point exists at Presbyterian Falls. Boat ramps are located just
upstream of and below the Re-regulation Dam.
Notes of Interest:
Camping and cabin facilities are available within Beaver’s Bend State Park and below
the Re-regulation Dam. For information call the park at (580) 494-6300.
Trout Regulations:
• Brown trout - Daily limit: one; size limit: 20-inch minimum.
• Rainbow trout - Daily limit: six combined from Red and Blue Zones. See Zone
regulations below.
Special Regulations by Zone:
Blue Zones: (From the Broken Bow Reservoir spillway downstream to the Lost Creek
diversion structure; from the first Hwy 259A scenic bridge downstream to the State Park
Dam; and from the mouth of Rough Branch Creek downstream to Hwy.
70 bridge):
• Rainbow trout - Daily limit: six; no minimum size limit.
• Use of bait and barbed hooks is permitted.
Red Zones: (From the Lost Creek diversion structure downstream to the first Hwy.
259A scenic bridge, including the Lost Creek channel; and from the State Park Dam
downstream to the mouth of Rough Branch Creek):
• Rainbow trout - Daily limit: one; Size limit:
20-inch minimum.
• Possession of any trout less than 20-inches is prohibited.
• Use of bait or barbed hooks is prohibited in the Red Zone. Fishing is restricted to
barbless hooks, artificial flies and artificial lures only.
DESIGNATED TROUT AREAS
N
U.S. HWY. 70
PRESBYTERIAN FALLS
BROKEN BOW DAM
BROKEN BOW RESERVOIR
SH 259A
SH 259A
SPILLWAY
CREEK
LOST CREEK &
FIRST HWY. 259A EVENING HOLE
SCENIC BRIDGE
POWERHOUSE
STATE PARK DAM
BEAVER’S BEND
STATE PARK
BOAT RAMPS
AND CAMPING
RE-REGULATION DAM
ROUGH BRANCH CREEK
LOST CREEK
DIVERSION STRUCTURE
BROKEN BOW SPILLWAY
ANS Alert - Didymo, an aquatic nuisance species commonly referred to as “rock snot,” has been identified in the Lower Mountain Fork River. To prevent spreading
this undesirable organism, please clean and dry waders and other fishing equipment after use in the Lower Mountain Fork River.
Blue River
Trout Season:
Trout are stocked from November 1 through March 31 of the following
Object Description
Description
| Title | 2012 Fishing |
| OkDocs Class# | W2800.4 H948 2012 |
| Digital Format | PDF, Adobe Reader required |
| ODL electronic copy | Downloaded from agency website: http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/laws_regs/2012_fishing_guide.pdf |
| Rights and Permissions | This Oklahoma state government publication is provided for educational purposes under U.S. copyright law. Other usage requires permission of copyright holders. |
| Language | English |
| Full text | FREE OFFICIAL 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING REGULATIONS wildlifedepartment.com General Information Everything you need to know for fishing in Oklahoma. Black Bass ID 101 Become an expert: learn about largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass identification, page 10. Weird Fish of Oklahoma See if you can reel in one of these unique species, page 22. PASSIONATE ABOUT POWERSPORTS AND SAVING YOU MONEY. BASSMASTER SERIES / ANGLER CHRISTIANA | BRADLEY Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. Boat and PWC coverages are written through non-affi liated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2012 GEICO Get a free quote. 1-800-442-9253 Did you know that when you buy licenses, hunting and fi shing, or fuel up your boat, you’re conserving fi sh and wildlife? GEICO proudly celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration programs in 2012, America’s most successful partnership to conserve fi sh and wildlife. Take pride in your nature at www.wsfr75.com. Kristen Gillman STATE OF OKLAHOMA Mary Fallin Governor WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Mike Bloodworth, Hugo Chairman M. David Riggs, Sand Springs Vice Chairman John Zelbst, Meers Secretary Ed Abel, Oklahoma City John D. Groendyke, Enid Bruce Mabrey, Okmulgee Dan Robbins, Altus Harland Stonecipher, Centrahoma OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Richard Hatcher Director Melinda Sturgess-Streich Assistant Director of Administration & Finance Wade Free Assistant Director of Operations Alan Peoples Chief, Wildlife Division Barry Bolton Chief, Fisheries Division Nels Rodefeld Chief, Information & Education Division Robert Fleenor Chief, Law Enforcement Division Ben Davis Editor Bill Wentroth Regional Supervisor & Co-Editor CONTRIBUTING STAFF Micah Holmes, Gene Gilliland, Andrea Crews, Wade Farrar, Michael Chrisman and Rich Fuller GENERAL INFORMATION & REGULATIONS Fisheries Contact Information ......... 2 Frequently Asked Questions .......... 39 Game Warden Phone Numbers ..... 40 General Fishing Regulations ............ 8 Bullfrog Regulations ......................... 7 Method of Take Regulations ............ 8 Turtle Regulations ............................. 7 Lake Record Fish Program ............. 24 Licenses License Costs ................................... 4 License Exemptions ......................... 6 License Requirements ..................... 6 Partners in Conservation ................ 33 State Record Fish ............................ 26 Weird Fish of Oklahoma .................. 22 DAY & SIZE LIMITS / FISH SPECIES INFO Aquatic Nuisance Species .............. 14 Paddlefish Regulations ................... 25 Special Area Regulations ............... 16 Lakes / Tailwaters ............................16 Rivers & Creeks .............................. 20 Other Areas ..................................... 21 Statewide Daily & Size Limits ......... 10 Alligator Gar .....................................13 Black Bass .......................................10 Catfish ..............................................11 Crappie.............................................11 Paddlefish ........................................13 Striped Bass / Hybrids ....................12 Trout .................................................12 Walleye / Sauger / Saugeye ............13 Trout Regulations & Area Maps ..... 28 FISHING AREAS Close to Home Fishing Areas ......... 32 Department Fishing Areas .............. 34 Docks, Pads & Accessible Fishing Locations. . .............................37 Municipal Fishing Areas .................. 36 HIGHLIGHTS OF CHANGES • These lakes now have a 14-inch minimum length limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass: Broken Bow, Hall, Nanih Waiya, Raymond Gary, Vanderwork. • The daily limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass for Lake Hefner is six combined, with a 14-inch minimum length limit. • There is a new statewide daily limit for walleye, sauger and saugeye. Anglers can keep a total of six walleye, sauger and / or saugeye combined per day. • All of Sooner Lake (including the discharge area) has a daily limit of 20 striped bass, striped bass hybrids and / or white bass combined, of which only five can be 20 inches or longer. • Lake Arcadia has a daily limit of five striped bass and / or striped bass hybrids combined, of which only two may be 20 inches or longer. • Bowfishing for paddlefish in the lower Red River is prohibited year-round. • The use of gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets, or haul seines is prohibited statewide. • Persons must remove all aquatic plants and clean zebra mussels and / or quagga mussels off of boats or trailers and other gear prior to launching boats into Oklahoma waters. On the cover: Three anglers enjoy a late fall fishing trip on Kaw Lake. Photo by: Ben Davis PUBLISHED BY THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 1 This high-quality regulation guide is offered to you by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation through its unique partnership with J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC. J.F. Griffin is an award winning publishing house that specializes in producing state fish & wildlife regulation books. J.F. Griffin supports ODWC’s staff in the design, layout and editing of the guides. They also manage the marketing and sales of advertising to appropriate businesses within the book. The revenue generated through ad sales signifi-cantly lowers production costs and generates sav-ings. These savings translate into additional funds for other important fisheries and habitat programs! If you have any feedback or are interested in adver-tising, please contact us at 413.884.1001 or online at www.JFGriffin.com About this Guide Fully searchable Live hyperlinks to expanded content Email pages One-click printing 430 Main St. Suite 5 | Williamstown, MA 01267 Senior Designer: Jon Gulley Associate Designer: Evelyn Haddad available online in a new Digital Edition! OKLAHOMA FREE OFFICIAL 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING REGULATIONS wildlifedepartment.com General Information Everything you need to know for fishing in Oklahoma. Black Bass ID 101 Become an expert: learn about largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass identification, page 10. Weird Fish of Oklahoma See if you can reel in one of these unique species, page 22. This is not a legal document. This booklet is an interpretive summary of the Titles 29 and 800 of Oklahoma Statutes governing fish and wildlife laws as established by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. For a complete listing of official regulations, you can obtain copies of current Oklahoma Statutes through your local library. The mission of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is to manage Oklahoma’s wildlife resources and habitat to provide scientific, educational, aesthetic, economic and recreational benefits for present and future generations of hunters, anglers and others who appreciate wildlife. The Wildlife Department receives no general state tax revenues and is proud to be funded entirely by sportsmen. For general information on licenses, regulations and the current fishing report, log on to wildlifedepartment.com or call (405) 521-3721. Effective dates of this publication: January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012. 8. LAKE MAINTENANCE OFFICE, LAKE BURTSCHI 4055 State Hwy. 92, Cement, 73017-9223 (405) 224-2513. odwclm@swbell.net (Call for hours of operation, located 10 mi. south of Chickasha) Supervisor - Todd Waters 9. OKLAHOMA FISHERY RESEARCH LABORATORY 500 E. Constellation, Norman, 73072-7900 (405) 325-7288, sdensow@odwc.state.ok.us Supervisor - Greg Summers 10. HOLDENVILLE STATE FISH HATCHERY 3733 Hwy. 48, Holdenville, 74848-6009 (405) 379-5408, odwc@plainsnet.net (Below Holdenville Dam) Hatchery Manager - John Davenport Fisheries Biologist- Danny Bowen 11. CADDO OFFICE & DURANT STATE FISH HATCHERY 2021 Caddo Hwy., Caddo, 74729-3807 (580) 924-4087; (580) 924-4085, odwcdfh@simplynet.net (6 mi. north of Durant on Old Caddo Hwy.) Hatchery Manager - Gordon Schomer South Central Region Supervisor - Matt Mauck 12. HIGGINS OFFICE 6733 SW Hwy 1, Wilburton, 74578-7634 (918) 297-0150, odwcse@hughes.net (Call for hours of operation; located near Higgins, on Hwy. 1) Southeast Region Supervisor - Don Groom ODWC FISHERIES CONTACT INFO. It is the anglers' responsibility to know what regulations apply to the body of water they are fishing. ODWC Fisheries Offices 1. BYRON STATE FISH HATCHERY Rt. 1, Box 535, Byron, 73722-9528 (580) 474-2663, byronfsh@sctelcom.net (2 mi. north and 1 mi. west of Hwys. 38 & 11) Hatchery Supervisor - Steve Spade Northwest Region Supervisor - John Stahl 2. PONCA CITY OFFICE 417 S. Silverdale Lane, Ponca City, 74604-7315 (580) 762-2248, odwc@cableone.net (Call for hours of operation, located on the west end of Kaw dam) North Central Region Supervisor - Bill Wentroth 3. JENKS OFFICE 300 Aquarium Drive, Jenks,74037-9998 (918) 299-2334, moneal02@sbcglobal.net (Adjacent to the Oklahoma Aquarium) Northeast Region Supervisor - Brent Gordon 4. PORTER OFFICE 9097 N. 34th St. W., Porter, 74454-2743 (918) 683-1031, odwc@hughes.net (1 1/2 mi. north of Muskogee Tnpk. on Hwy. 69) East Central Region Supervisor - Jim Burroughs 5. WOODWARD OFFICE 3014 Lakeview, Woodward, 73801 (580) 254-9173 (Call for hours of operation) 6. DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, 73152 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, 73105 (405) 521-3721, info@odwc.state.ok.us (1 block south of State Capitol at the corner of 18th & Lincoln Blvd.) Fisheries Division Chief - Barry Bolton Fisheries Division Assistant Chief - Gene Gilliland 7. LAWTON OFFICE & J.A. MANNING STATE FISH HATCHERY 19333 State Hwy. 49, Lawton, 73507-6015 (580) 529-2795, jamodwc@mptelco.com (West of I-44 on Hwy. 49 in Medicine Park) Hatchery Manager - Tyler Wright Southwest Region Supervisor - Larry Cofer UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, OFFICE HOURS ARE 8:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. 2 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE †See Honda.com for full warranty details. *The Honda Power Equipment Visa® credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank. Special terms apply to purchases charged with approved credit at participating merchants. Regular minimum monthly payments are required during the promotional period. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date at the regular APR if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period or if you make a late payment. For newly opened accounts, the regular APR is 27.99%. The APR may vary. The APR is given as of 06/01/2011. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. If you use the card for cash advances, the cash advance fee is 5% of the amount of the cash advance, but not less than $10.00. Offer expires 12/31/2012. **Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. ***Minimum Advertised Price. Please read the owner’s manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment and never use in a closed or partly enclosed area where you could be exposed to carbon monoxide. ©2012 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. if paid in full within with regular payments! Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period o r if you make a late payment*. NO INTEREST MONTHS O’CONNOR’S LAWN & GARDEN 2244 NORTHWEST 140 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73134 (405) 751-3222 PROFESSIONAL POWER EQUIPMENT 7405 SOUTH MAY OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73159 (405) 634-7313 HONDA OF TULSA 4926 EAST 21ST STREET TULSA, OK 74114 (918) 744-5551 SMITH FARM & GARDEN 3733 N.W. 10TH STREET OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73107 (405) 946-9828 SMITH FARM & GARDEN 8804 EAST 41ST STREET TULSA, OK 74145 (918) 665-3364 SAWGRASS EQUIPMENT 8712 WEST 6TH STILLWATER, OK 74074 (405) 533-1992 METRO TURF OUTDOOR POWER 5500 HUETTNER DRIVE NORMAN, OK 73069 (405) 360-5045 SHAWNEE HONDA MOTORSPORTS 99 INTERSTATE PARKWAY SHAWNEE, OK 74804 (405) 273-1400 BRANDT FLEET DISTRIBUTORS 1617 SOUTH 4TH STREET CHICKASHA, OK 73018 (405) 222-8042 CENTRAL POWER EQUIPMENT 4121 NORTH MAC ARTHUR OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73122 (405) 495-3732 Make Camping A Power Trip. Take a lightweight, portable Honda Generator on your next outdoor sporting trip and you’ll have power for just about anything. Like a coffee maker, electric lights, TV or even a grill for all the fi sh you’ll reel in. The EU Series features generators that are easy to start, produce fewer emissions and are remarkably quiet. Plus, they’re covered by our 3-Year Warranty.† They’re the catch of the day. And that’s no fi sh story. Your Authorized Honda Power Equipment Dealer Honda Handi® EU3000i gen.honda.com Super Quiet Series EU3000is Super Quiet Series EU1000i Super Quiet Series EU2000i Super Quiet Series $2,599.95 $2,299.00 MSRP YOUR PRICE! ** *** $2,329.95 $1,999.00 MSRP YOUR PRICE! ** *** $1,149.95 $999.00 MSRP YOUR PRICE! ** *** $949.95 $799.00 MSRP YOUR PRICE! ** *** LICENSE COSTS Residency definitions A “resident” is any individual who has an established residence in Oklahoma for 60 consecutive days prior to submitting a license applica-tion, except for lifetime license applicants and senior citizen lifetime license applicants who must have established residency for a period of six months. Any person holding a valid driver license is considered a resident of the state that issued the permit. For a valid Oklahoma driver license to be used as the sole source of proof of residency, it must be at least 60 days from the date the license was issued, except for lifetime license applicants, whose license must have been issued for six months or longer. If a person does not hold a valid Oklahoma driver license, the Department may consider other reliable documentation, such as resident income tax returns, voter registration, motor vehicle or vessel regis-trations, and other public records documenting residence. Residency for children under 18 years of age is presumed to be that of the custodial parent or legal guardian unless otherwise documented. Persons who own land in Oklahoma but do not live here are considered nonresidents. A person cannot claim multiple states of residence, with the following exception: • Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and any dependents, qualify as residents for the purpose of obtaining an annual license if the person presents valid military documentation. • The residency status of any person, except active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces and any dependents of the member, shall terminate if the person obtains any resident hunting, fishing, trapping license or permit or valid driver license issued by another state. A nonresident is any individual who is a resident of another state or who has resided in Oklahoma for a period of less than 60 days whether or not he or she intends to make Oklahoma his or her home. Resident Cost Valid Annual Fishing $25 January 1 - December 31 Annual Combination, Fishing & Hunting $42 January 1 - December 31 Fiscal Year Combination, Fishing & Hunting $53 July 1 - June 30 2-Day Fishing $15 Two consecutive days Youth Annual Fishing (16 & 17 years old) $5 January 1 - December 31 Youth Annual Combination, Fishing & Hunting (16 & 17 years old) $9 January 1 - December 31 Youth Fiscal Year Combination, Fishing & Hunting (16 & 17 years old) $19 July 1 - June 30 5-Year Fishing $88 Five years from date of purchase 5-Year Combination Fishing & Hunting $148 Five years from date of purchase Lifetime Fishing $225 Lifetime Lifetime Combination Fishing & Hunting $775 Lifetime Lifetime Disabled Veteran Combination Hunting & Fishing (under 60 percent disability) $200 Lifetime Lifetime Disabled Veteran Combination Hunting & Fishing (60 percent or more disability) $25 Lifetime Lake Texoma (see 1A below) $12 January 1 - December 31 Paddlefish Free January 1 - December 31 Senior Citizen Fishing (see 2A below) $15 Lifetime Senior Citizen Combination Fishing & Hunting (see 2A below) $25 Lifetime Disability Fishing (see 3A below) $10 Five years from date of purchase Land Access Permit (Honobia Creek & Three Rivers WMAs) $40 January 1 - December 31 3-Day Land Access Permit (not valid for fishing or hunting) (Honobia Creek & Three Rivers WMAs) $10 Three Consecutive Days Wildlife Conservation Passport (permit does not provide fishing privileges) $26 January 1 - December 31 Fishing Guide License (Cost reduced to $20 with Coast Guard Mariner credentials) $90 January 1 - December 31 Nonresident Cost Valid Annual Fishing $55 January 1 - December 31 6-Day Fishing $35 Six consecutive days Lake Texoma (see 1A below) $12 January 1 - December 31 Land Access Permit (Honobia Creek and Three Rivers WMAs) $85 January 1 - December 31 Paddlefish Free January 1 - December 31 Wildlife Conservation Passport (permit does not provide fishing privileges) $26 January 1 - December 31 Fishing Guide License (Cost reduced to $20 with Coast Guard Mariner credentials) $90 January 1 - December 31 1A) Allows anglers to fish the entire lake without having to purchase a resident or non res i dent license. Okla ho ma residents with a valid fishing license are not required to purchase this license if only fishing the Oklahoma portion of the lake. 2A) Residents who reach 65 years-of-age (or those who turn 65 during the calendar year) are eligible to purchase a Senior Citizen License which is good for the rest of their lives. Anyone born before January 1, 1923, is exempt from the license but must carry proof of age such as a driver’s license. Senior Citizen License ap pli ca tions are available through wildlifedepartment.com, Department headquarters, field installations and license vendors, but the license is purchased only through Department headquarters. 3A) For legal residents who have resided in this state for at least six months and who are receiving Social Security disability, Sup ple men tal Security Income benefits, disability benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act, 45 U.S.C.A., Sect. 231a, postal employees receiving disability benefits under 5, U.S.C., Section 8451 (1998), or disability benefits through the Multiple Injury Trust Fund. This license is valid for five years. Can be purchased only through Department headquarters. 4 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS & EXEMPTIONS License Requirements An Oklahoma resident or nonresident fish-ing license is required of all persons who take, attempt to take or possess fish or other aquatic dwelling organisms by any method in Oklahoma. Persons fishing the Red River must have a valid Oklahoma fishing license unless exempt. In addition, persons fishing on waters lo-cated within the Honobia Creek or Three Riv-ers Wildlife Management Areas must have a valid Land Access Permit, unless exempt. Persons residing in another state who own land in Oklahoma but do not live on that land, and are fishing on that land, must purchase a nonresident fishing license. All required licenses or written evidence of exemption and identification must be carried while fishing. Fishing Guide License: Fishing guides must possess an Oklahoma fishing guide license. This license costs $90 unless the guide provides Coast Guard Mariner credentials, in which case the license costs $20. For a complete list of licensed guides, visit wildlifedepartment.com. License Exemptions The following persons are exempt from the resi dent or non resi dent fishing license: • Residents under 16, and nonresidents un-der 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, par ents, grandparents, children and their spouses, grand chil dren and their spouses who fish in pri vate ponds on land owned or leased by such own er or tenant. • Nonresidents 65 and older who are resi-dents of Texas. • Resident disabled veterans with 60 per-cent or more disability. Call State Dept. of Veterans Affairs, (888) 655-2838 to acquire proof of exemption. • Any person who fishes with pole and line, trotline or throw line in streams, natu-ral ponds and mine pits in or forming the bound ary of the county in which he is a bona fide resident, when using any bait oth-er than com mer cial or artificial bait, blood, stink bait, cut fish, and shrimp. • Any person legally blind or physically im paired who is unable to properly use fishing ap pa ra tus and one ac compa ny ing companion while the blind or phys i cal ly impaired per son is fish ing. • Persons under 18 who are in legal and phys i cal cus to dy of the State of Oklahoma or its agencies by court order. • Persons under 18 who are in the custody of a child care facility as defined by Title 10 O.S., Section 402. • Persons fishing during Oklahoma’s Free Fishing Days. • Any patient of a state institution in Okla ho-ma es tab lished for the care and treatment of mental ill ness or alcohol or drug de pen-den cy or any person de velop mental ly dis-abled residing in any group home or oth-er in sti tu tion or persons developmentally disabled when accompanied by an at ten-dant of such in sti tu tion or le gal guardian or when fishing on in sti tu tion al prop er ty. • Residents having a proven disability render ing them nonambulatory and con-fined to wheel chairs as cer ti fied by a duly qualified physician. • Job Corps trainees of this state, having a prop er iden ti fi ca tion card. • Any person participating in an aquatic education event or clinic sanctioned by the Wildlife Department. • The following persons are exempt from the purchase of the Land Access Permit (Honobia Creek and Three Rivers WMAs): Oklahoma residents under 18 years-of-age on the first day of the current calendar year or those 64 years-of-age or older. All non-residents are required to purchase an $85 annual Land Access Permit, no exemptions. This program operates free from discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinion or affiliation, race, creed, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status or disability. A person who feels he or she may have been discriminated against or would like further information should write: Director, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152, or Office for Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PASSPORT The Wildlife Conservation Passport is required of all persons who enter or use the areas listed below for nonhunting and nonfishing related activities, unless exempt. Individuals who possess any current hunting or fishing license issued by the ODWC (except the 2-day fishing, 6-day fishing or the 5-day hunting license) are exempt from this passport. Also exempt are residents who are under 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 the Department. • American Horse • Atoka • Beaver River • Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area • Burtschi • Candy Creek • Carl Etling • Cherokee • Cimarron Bluff • Cimarron Hills • Cookson • Cooper • Cross Timbers • Deep Fork • Dewey County • Drummond Flats • Ellis County (including Vincent Lake) • Elmer • Evans Chambers • Gary Sherrer • Gist • Grady County • Grassy Slough • Hackberry Flat • Hall • Hickory Creek • James Collins • Jap Beaver • John Dahl • Lexington (including Dahlgren Lake) • Lower Illinois River Public Fishing & Hunting Area - Watts Unit • Major County • McCurtain County Wilderness Area • Nanih Waiya • Okmulgee • Osage • Ozark Plateau • Ozzie Cobb • Packsaddle • Pushmataha • Robbers Cave • Sandy Sanders • Schooler • Schultz • Sparrow Hawk • Spavinaw • Stringtown • Vanderwork • Washita County • Watonga • Whitegrass Flats • Yourman Wildlife Management Areas and Fishing Areas: 6 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE Bullfrog Regulations Bullfrogs may be taken with hook and line, gig, spear, bow and arrow or other methods, except firearms, under a res i dent or nonresi-dent fishing license. Bull frogs taken with a firearm require a hunting license. Bullfrogs may be taken year-round provided that: • no more than 15 bull frogs per day are taken; • bullfrogs may not be sold or shipped out-of-state; • the Wichita Mountains NWR is closed to bullfrog harvest. Turtle Regulations Turtles may be taken in all waters with a resident or nonresident fishing license with the provisions listed below. Turtles taken with a firearm require a hunting license. Turtles may be taken year round provided that: • no more than six tur tles per day are taken; • shooting of tur tles on federal reservoirs is pro hibit ed; • terrestrial (land) turtles may not be sold; • taking of the western chicken turtle, map turtle, painted and razorback musk turtles and / or al li ga tor snapping turtle is pro hib-ited; • the Wichita Moun tains NWR is closed to turtle harvest; • no aquatic turtles may be sold or purchased without the proper commercial turtle har-vester or buyer’s license. iStockphoto.com/Sir_Eagle TURTLE & BULLFROG REGULATIONS Glossary – Fishing Terms Defined Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) - aquatic organisms that are not native to Oklahoma and have the potential to harm native organisms, their habitats, human health, or the economy. A few examples are the bighead carp, white perch, rudd, zebra mussel, Eurasian watermilfoil, giant salvinia and alligator weed. See page 14 for more information. Artificial flies - are objects that are constructed to resemble native insects and crustaceans for a body of water. Artificial flies may not be made with soft plastic fish eggs, worms, grubs and larvae; any natural fish food; any human food; any dough bait; any substance to attract fish by taste or smell. Barbless hooks - a hook manufactured without a barb; hooks having manufactured barbs that have been removed or pinched down that renders the barb ineffective. Black bass - largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted (Kentucky) bass. Combined daily limit - some species of similar kind are combined into one daily limit. The combined limit is the total number of those species that can be kept in a day. Example: unless specified otherwise, anglers may keep a combined limit of 15 (total) channel and/or blue catfish, but not 15 each. Culling - releasing fish caught that were placed on a stringer, in a livewell, or otherwise held in possession, often to replace the fish with a larger one. Culling is legal, except paddlefish, trout, striped bass and hybrid striped bass may not be released once held in possession. Daily limit - the maximum number of fish of a given species which an angler may legally keep in a single 24-hour period (midnight to midnight). Gaff hook - a handheld hook or handheld pole with a hook attached that may only be used in the landing of a fish, other than paddlefish, already hooked by hook and line methods. Game fish - largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, black and white crappie, rainbow and brown trout, sauger, saugeye, walleye, striped bass, white bass, blue and channel catfish. “In the Field” - meaning while fishing, while in the boat, on the bank, in the immediate vicinity of any river, creek, stream, lake or pond, or while transporting or carrying the fish from the waters described above to camp or from such water to the final destination. Minimum size limit - the smallest size of fish that may be kept. All fish caught which are below the minimum size listed for that species must be returned (released) to the water immediately. Nongame fish - all other species not listed as game fish. Protected slot limit - special limit that prohibits keeping fish between certain sizes. All fish caught which are between the size range listed must be returned (released) to the water immediately. Example: a 13 to 16-inch protected slot limit on bass means anglers may not keep any bass caught between 13 to 16 inches in size. Tailwaters - an area that covers the first 1,000 feet below a dam. Total length - term used to describe the correct way to measure a fish. Measure from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, with the fish laid flat on a ruler with the mouth closed and the tail lobes pressed together. v 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 7 GENERAL REGULATIONS General Regulations It is unlawful to: • fish without carrying a license or written evidence that you are exempt. • fish upon the land of another without con-sent of the owner, lessee or occupant of that land. Anglers must obtain permission to enter any posted or occupied land or land primarily devoted to farming, ranching or forestry purposes. Nothing in this guide shall be interpreted as permitting fishing or allowing access into any area, public or private, without permission from the own-ers or custodian as required by law. Consent is not valid for more than one year, unless the owner, lessee, or occupant specifically grants consent for a specified period of time. • catch fish from the waters of this state which are dead or die as a result of angling, and not remove those fish and bury or burn them, except nothing will prevent anglers from returning fish remains to lakes and reservoirs. No person may bury or burn any dead fish where it will become exposed through erosion or where that land is at anytime subject to overflow. • sell, barter or trade fish, frogs or turtles, ex-cept with a commercial license. • enter, swim, wade, operate a boat or a float or floating device in any safety zone (the water area below any dam for a distance of 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 through 15-114 on lands owned or managed by the Wildlife Department. • possess fish, or parts thereof, taken by an-other 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 those 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 alcoholic bev-erage as defined in 37 O.S., Section 163.1 on any lands or waterways subject to the con-trol of the Wildlife Department, except in designated parking or camping areas. • use or posses any controlled and/or danger-ous substance as defined in 63 O.S., Section 2-101 on any lands or waterways subject to the control of the Wildlife Department. • 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 per-mission from that person. • stock fish in any public waters including streams and rivers without written consent from the Wildlife Conservation Director. Method of Take Regulations These methods are legal for taking both game and nongame fish through out the year, state wide, unless re strict ed un der “Special Area Regulations” starting on page 16. Rod and Reel: A person may use up to seven rods while fishing unless restricted further under “Special Area Regulations.” Trotline / Throwlines: Trotlines/ throw-lines are restricted to no more than three lines and 100 hooks per person. A legal trotline/throwline has: • no glass or metallic floating device on the line; • no metallic posts in water for attachment; • lines made of nonmetallic material only; • hooks at least 24 inches apart; • owner’s name and address attached to each line; • been attended at least once every 24 hours; • not been set within three feet of surface of water at any point beyond six feet from either point of attachment, except at Great Salt Plains and Ft. Supply reservoirs where water is less than three feet deep. Jugline: Juglines are restricted to no more than five hooks per line and 20 juglines per person. A legal jugline is a vertical line sus-pended from a nonmetallic or nonglass floating device, drifting free or anchored and has: • owner’s name and address attached; • been attended at least once every 24 hours. Limbline: Limblines are restricted to no more than two hooks per line and 20 limblines per person. A legal limbline is a line attached to a limb, branch, other natural object, or non-metallic manmade material and has: • the owner’s name and address attached; • been attended at least once every 24 hours. Yo-Yo: Yo-yos are restricted to no more than 20 per person and shall: • have the owner’s name and address attached; • not be left unattended for more than six hours; • not be strung or suspended from any hori-zontal line across any channel or navigable waterway; • have no more than 10 yo-yo’s attached from any one line or support; • not have metallic material in lines used for attachment; • have lines no greater than 50 feet in length and must be placed or suspended without re-stricting or impeding boat traffic. Lines must be visible to boats at all times, day or night. These methods are legal for taking nongame fish according to the following provisions unless restricted under “Special Area Regulations” starting on page 16. Bow and Arrow: Bowfishing may be used to take nongame fish only, throughout the year in all waters unless restricted under “Special Area Regulations.” Legal bowfishing is restricted to: • any bow (including a crossbow); • arrows having no more than one point with no more than four barbs on each point; • devices that permit a bow to be held me-chanically at full or partial draw are per-mitted; Gig, Grabhook, Spear and Speargun: Gigs and spears are legal for taking nongame fish and white bass only. Grabhooks (handheld hook, handheld pole of natural or man-made material, or rope with a single hook attached used in the initial taking of a fish) are prohib-ited in all state waters. Note: SCUBA divers in Delaware and Mayes counties are no longer exempt from the grabhook restriction. Spearguns used by SCUBA divers are legal for taking nongame fish, blue and channel catfish. Gigs, spears and spearguns shall: • not contain more than three points with no more than two barbs on each point; • be lawful in all rivers and streams from Dec. 1 through Mar. 31, and year-round in all reservoirs, unless restricted under “Special Area Regulations.” Northern Plains Outfitters, Inc. is nestled in the rolling prairies and vast corn fields of beautiful Northeast South Dakota. We offer some of the finest Pheasant Hunting, Archery Whitetail Hunting and South Dakota Bison Hunting to be found anywhere in the World! 605-380-9971 8 www.NorthernPlainsOutfitters.com 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE • Gigs shall be lawful year-round in riv-ers and streams in Delaware and Mayes Counties, unless restricted under “Special Area Regulations.” Snagging: Snagging, the dragging of one single hook or one treble hook attached to a fishing line through the water to impale fish, shall be lawful in all waters year-round for nongame fish only unless restricted under “Special Area Regulations.” Noodling: Noodling is the taking of non-game fish by use of hands only. Possession of hooks, gaff hooks, spears, poles or ropes with hooks attached while in the act of noodling shall be proof of violation of the “hands only” noodling law. Noodling shall be lawful year-round in all waters unless restricted under “Special Area Regulations.” Netting (Noncommercial): The use of gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets, or haul seines is prohibited statewide. Seines, Cast Nets, Trawls and Dip Nets (Noncommercial): Seining, cast netting, trawl-ing and dip netting bait for personal use is lawful in all waters year-round except Lakes Taft, Lone Chimney, Overholser (including tailwaters and downstream to NW 10th St. bridge), Hefner, Draper, Close to Home Fishing Waters (see page 32), the Wichita Mountains NWR, and in Wildlife Department Fishing Areas (see page 34), however cast nets may be used to take bait for personal use at Lake Carl Etling and on the Illinois River from the south boundary of the MarVal trout camp down-stream to the Highway 64 Bridge. Any person may seine, trap or transport non-game fish commonly used for personal bait, provided the seine does not exceed 20 feet in length and 1/2 inch mesh; unless sein-ing for minnows, then the mesh shall not exceed 1/4 inch. Minnow traps shall have a mesh size no greater than 1/2 inch, shall not be longer than three feet, shall not exceed 18 inches in diameter on round traps or 18 inch-es on a side on square or rectangular traps. The trap entrance (throat) cannot exceed two inches across the opening. No person shall fish with more than three minnow traps. All minnow traps must have the owner’s name and address attached and the traps must be attended once every 24 hours. All game fish and non-game fish not commonly used for bait must be released immediately. No per-son may possess with intent to transport or transport via land-based transportation more than 200 non-game fish, including shad, for personal use as bait. The sale, offer for sale, transport from Oklahoma with intent to sell or offer to sell shad taken from Oklahoma waters is prohibited. Minnow traps cannot be made with glass. Cast nets shall have a mesh size no greater than 3/8 inch square. Trawl nets pulled by motor driven boats may not exceed three feet in diameter and 3/8 inch square mesh. Cast nets, trawls and handheld dip nets are lawful for taking nongame fish only as bait for personal use. A resident or nonresident fishing license is required of each person using these methods, unless exempt. FREE FISHING DAYS June 2-3, 2012 No state fishing licenses or permits required. Some city permits may still apply. All other methods for taking both game and nongame fish are illegal. Rhonda Hurst I-35 & Grand Blvd OKC | 405.677.4868 Join our Window Sticker Program and Save 10% Store Hours: Monday–Saturday 10AM–6PM ORDER ONLINE at www.OklahomaArchery.com Email: oac@oklahomaarchery.com 9 Tongue Patch: Another way to distinguish black bass is the presence or absence of a tongue patch. The majority of largemouth bass have no patch on their tongue, while smallmouth and spotted bass do have a tongue patch. Most largemouth bass have no patch on the tongue. Smallmouth and spotted bass display a patch on the tongue. Largemouth Bass • Mouth hinge well behind eye • State record: 14 lbs., 11 oz. Smallmouth Bass • Mouth hinge in front of eye • State record: 8 lbs., 3 oz Spotted Bass • Mouth hinge even with back edge of eye • State record: 8 lbs., 2 oz. BLACK BASS (LARGEMOUTH, SMALLMOUTH, & SPOTTED BASS) Statewide Daily Limit: • Largemouth & Smallmouth – 6 (combined) • Spotted – None Statewide Minimum Size Limit: • Largemouth, Smallmouth & Spotted – None Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits Black bass is a general term referring to largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass and their hybrids. The three species are similar, but can be easily identified. Since water clarity can affect the color of a fish, color is not a reliable way to tell the basses apart. An easy way to tell these species apart is by the relationship of the eye and the mouth hinge. On a spotted bass, the mouth hinge lines up vertically with the back edge of the eye; on a smallmouth bass, the mouth hinge vertically lines up with the front edge of the eye; and on a largemouth bass, the mouth hinge vertically lines up well behind the back edge of the eye. Some areas have different regulations. See Pages 16 – 21, “Special Area Regulations” for daily and size limits on specific areas. SPECIES DAILY LIMIT (for areas without special regulations) SIZE LIMIT (for areas without special regulations) Largemouth and / or Smallmouth Bass 6 (combined) None Spotted Bass None None Channel and / or Blue Catfish (A) 15 (combined) Only one Blue Catfish over 30" Flathead Catfish (B) 10 20" minimum White and / or Black Crappie 37 (combined) None Striped Bass (C) 15 Only 5 may be 20" or longer Striped bass hybrids and / or white bass (C) None None Trout (C) See trout regulations on pages 28-31 Walleye, Sauger and / or Saugeye 6 (combined) 18" minimum Paddlefish (C) See paddlefish regulations on page 25 None Alligator Gar (D) 1 None (All species not listed have no daily or minimum size limits) A. SCUBA divers with spearguns from May 1 through August 31: Daily limit of three combined, no size limit. Statewide limits apply remainder of the year. B. Noodlers and scuba divers from May 1 through August 31: Daily limit of three, 20-inch minimum. Statewide limits apply remainder of year. C. 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). D. Alligator gar may be caught by use of rod and reel, trotline, and throwline. Alligator gar taken by bow and arrow, gigs, spears, or spearguns cannot be released. Alligator gar caught and placed on a stringer cannot be released (no culling). 10 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE STATEWIDE DAILY & SIZE LIMITS CATFISH Statewide Daily Limit: • Channel and / or Blue Catfish combined – 15 • Flathead Catfish – 10 Statewide Size Limit: • Channel Catfish – None • Blue Catfish – Only one over 30" • Flathead Catfish – 20" minimum Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits Oklahoma’s three most popular catfish species can be identified by either the shape of the anal fin or the shape of the tail. A channel catfish will have a curved anal fin, but the same fin on the blue catfish will be straight across the bottom. Both of these species have a forked tail. In contrast, a flathead catfish’s tail will not be forked. CRAPPIE Statewide Daily Limit: • 37 (combined white and / or black crappie) Statewide Minimum Size Limit: • None Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits Size and daily limits are the same for the small but tasty black and white crappie. Both types of crappie can appear very similar, so one way anglers can know the difference between the two species is to identify marking patterns or spots / bands on the side of the fish. A white crappie, the most abundant crappie in the state, will have distinct vertical bands of blue/gray spots, whereas a black crappie will have only a sporadic, unrecognizable pattern to its black spots. There is also a difference in the number of bony spines in the dorsal fin: white crappie will have 5 to 6, whereas, black crappie will have 7 to 8. Channel Catfish • Curved anal fin • State record: 35 lbs., 15 oz. Blue Catfish • Straight anal fin • State record: 98 lbs. Flathead Catfish • Tail not forked • State record: 78 lbs., 8 oz. Black Crappie • No true pattern to black spots • 7-8 bony spines in dorsal fin • State record: 4 lbs., 10 oz. White Crappie • Distinct vertical bands of blue/gray spots • 5-6 bony spines in dorsal fin • State record: 4 lbs., 15 oz. DAILY LIMITS & MEASURING FISH Daily limits are for 24-hour periods (midnight to midnight). No person can have in their possession while in the field more than one daily limit of any fish species. Nonresidents cannot have more than two days limit in their possession at any time, except for paddlefish (see page 25). When mea sur ing fish, total length is mea sured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, with fish laid flat on a ruler, mouth closed and tail fins pressed together. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 11 STATEWIDE DAILY & SIZE LIMITS White Bass • Arched back • State record: 5 lbs., 4 oz. Striped Bass • Back not arched • State record: 47 lbs., 8 oz. Striped Bass Hybrid • Back slightly arched • State record: 23 lbs., 4 oz. • Strong, unbroken dark lines • Some broken lines • Faint lines, usually unbroken STRIPED BASS, HYBRIDS, & WHITE BASS Statewide Daily Limit: • Striped Bass - 15 • Striped Bass Hybrids and / or White Bass - None Statewide Size Limit: • Striped Bass - Only 5 may be 20" or longer • Striped Bass Hybrids and / or White Bass - None Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits White bass, striped bass and striped bass hybrids offer great fishing opportunities around the state. The white bass can be identified by the distinctive arched back just behind its head. It also has only one tongue patch. The striped bass is not arched at the back and has two distinct tongue patches. It is also identified by the dark, usually unbroken lines on each side. The striped bass hybrid, which is a cross between the white bass and the striped bass, has a slightly arched back and has two tongue patches. The lines on a hybrid are usually broken. Rainbow Trout • State record: 10 lbs., 4 oz. • Black spots on tail • Iridescence on sides Brown Trout • State record: 17 lbs., 4.6 oz. • Few or no black spots on tail • Orange and red spots on side TROUT (RAINBOW & BROWN TROUT) Statewide Daily Limit: • Rainbow Trout - 6 • Brown Trout - 6 Statewide Minimum Size Limit: • None Check pages 28 - 31 for areas with additional daily and size limits Oklahoma’s two trout species can be easily identified. First look at the side of the fish. A rainbow will be iridescent, but the brown trout will have orange and red spots. The rainbow will also have black spots on its tail and a white belly. In comparison, the brown will have few or no black spots on its tail and a cream belly. DISTINGUISHING WHITE BASS White bass are also distinguished from striped bass and striped bass hybrids by the tongue patch. White bass have a single tongue patch, striped bass and striped bass hybrids have two tongue patches. Striped bass and striped bass hybrids White Bass Two long patches on tongue DOWNWARD VIEWS INSIDE MOUTH OF LOWER JAW AND TONGUE. One round or heart-shaped patch on tongue 12 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE • Tan body with distinct brown blotches • Body gold with distinct brown blotches Walleye • State Record: 12 lbs., 13 oz. • No spots on spiny dorsal fin Sauger • State Record: 5 lbs., 5 oz. • Distinct spots on spiny dorsal fin Saugeye • State Record: 10 lbs., 10 oz. • Spiny dorsal fin with distinct spots and bars in webbing • Few or no cheek scales • Cheek covered with scales • Cheek covered with scales WALLEYE, SAUGER, SAUGEYE Statewide Daily Limit: • 6 (combined) Statewide Minimum Size Limit: • 18" minimum Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits Oklahoma is fortunate to have these unique species of the perch family in many of its lakes. To identify them, first look at the spiny dorsal fin. The walleye will have no spots on this fin; the sauger will have distinct spots; and the hybrid of the two species, the saugeye, will have spots and bars in the webbing of its spiny dorsal fin. The color of the fish and the presence or absence of cheek scales may also help identify the difference. • State Record: 192 lbs., 1 oz. PADDLEFISH Statewide Daily Limit: • 1 Statewide Minimum Size Limit: • None Check page 25 for areas with additional daily and size limits Oklahoma has a thriving population of paddlefish, also known as spoonbills because of their long, rounded noses. Many paddlefish grow to weigh more than 50 lbs. Read page 25 for all the information you’ll need to fish for Oklahoma’s prehistoric creatures! ALLIGATOR GAR Statewide Daily Limit: • 1 Statewide Minimum Size Limit: • None Check pages 16 - 21 for areas with additional daily and size limits The alligator gar is uncommon in most of Oklahoma, but can be found in the Red River watershed. It has large, diamond-shaped scales and two distinct rows of teeth, and can reach a weight of over 100 pounds. • Distinctive rounded, protruding nose. • State Record: 125 lbs., 7 oz. Miami PADDLEFISH CAPITAL OF OKLAHOMA REGISTER your fi shing group with the CVB for SPECIAL DISCOUNTS! 15 Minutes North of Grand Lake Minutes from the State Paddlefi sh Cleaning Station 8 Hotels | 14 Area Casinos | 15 Attractions Miami OK CVB | 918.542.4435 www.VisitMiamiOK.com Making Hunting & Fishing Dreams Come True for YOUNGSTERS, 21 & UNDER, with LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES Toll Free: 866-345-4455 www.HuntofaLifetime.org T ww 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 13 What are ANS? Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are invasive, non-native species that threaten the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems in Oklahoma. ANS are brought into the state unknowingly by anglers and boaters who move their boats and equipment from one body of water to another without cleaning them. The species often have no natural predators and can expand their range and population size unchecked, damaging native species and harming lakes, streams, and rivers. ANS can cause harm to fish populations and other aquatic organisms and can cause dam-water intake structures and clog up waterways. Hydrilla plants can grow thickly in an area, to the point that recreation is limited. Anglers and boaters are vital partners in preventing ANS from spreading. As soon as you pull your boat out of the water, follow these steps: Check: Inspect your boat, trailer and equipment for zebra mussels, mud, plant fragments, seeds, and any other organisms from the water. Remove them. Drain: Drain water from your boat, motor, bilge, live wells, bait containers, coolers, and ballast. Clean or Dry: Pressure wash the boat, trailer and equipment with hot water (140º F). If pressure wash is not available, allow the boat, trailer and equipment to dry thoroughly for at least five days before visiting a new water body. “Hi, I’m Kevin Van Dam and I make a living fishing all over the country. Unfortunately, zebra mussels are affecting a lot of our fisheries. The best way to stop the spread of them is to power wash your boat and trailer every time you leave a lake. Make sure you do it. I always do mine.” Todd Craighead TYPES OF ANS Zebra Mussels Zebra mussels are the most widespread ANS in Oklahoma. Quagga mussels are another species of invasive mussels that cause great harm to aquatic ecosystems. They are a close relative of the zebra mussel and are similar in appearance. Even though these mussels have not been found in our state, they have infested neighboring states to our west. Asian Carp Bighead and Silver Carp, shown above with bighead on the left and silver carp on the right, are competing for food with native species. Bighead Carp are found in the Neosho and Grand Rivers, Grand Lake, the Red River, and both species have inhabited the Kiamichi River below Hugo Reservoir. White Perch White Perch were accidentally introduced into Kansas, and have moved downstream into Kaw, Keystone and Sooner reservoirs. Anglers must be careful not to transplant these fish, because they can appear similar to native species such as white bass or shad. Didymo Didymo is an invasive algae that attaches to plants and rocks in stream beds. It is in the Lower Mountain Fork River. Didymo, also known as rock snot, can foul streams and rivers, so anglers are encouraged to take precautions after fishing. Golden Alga Golden alga is a micro-scopic organism that under certain conditions releases a toxin that can kill fish. Golden alga has caused relatively minor fish kills at Lake Texoma and Altus City Lake. n Z Z Q c It's the law: Persons must remove all aquatic plants and clean zebra mussels and / or quagga mussels off of boats or trailers and other gear prior to launching boats into Oklahoma waters. Hydrilla Hydrilla plants are present in Arbuckle Lake, Lake Murray, and Sooner Lake. Hydrilla is possibly the most damaging aquatic plant in the United States. Even a fragment of the plant can start a widespread infestation. 14 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES (ANS) Want more info? Visit ProtectYourWaters.net. Think you found ANS? Contact biologist Curtis Tackett at (405) 521-3721. Distinguishing between White Perch and White Bass White bass • Has 6 to 10 horizontal, black lines on its back and side. • The deepest part of the body is from the back of the spiny dor-sal fin to the belly. • When the spiny dorsal fin is pulled upright (erect), the soft dorsal fin behind it does not be-come erect. • The anal fin has three short spiny rays, with the second spine distinctly shorter than the third spine. Behind the spiny rays are 11 to 12 soft rays. White perch • Has no horizontal, black lines along back or side. • The deepest part of the body is from the front of the spiny dorsal fin to the belly. • When the spiny dorsal fin is pulled upright (erect), the soft dorsal fin behind it also becomes erect. • The anal fin has three short spiny rays, with the second and third spines equal in length and much longer than the first spine. Behind the spiny rays are eight to ten soft rays. What your Wildlife Department is doing about the ANS threat The Wildlife Department’s ANS program takes several steps to keep the waters clean in Oklahoma. ODWC proposes and enforces regula-tions which inhibit the transport and possession of aquatic nuisance species. The department works cooperatively with other state and fed-eral agencies on early detection programs for invasive mussels and fish. The ANS program also secures federal funding for universities to research invasive species and the risk they pose to our state’s resources. Outreach and education make up the forefront of the ANS program. ODWC uses publications such as brochures, species watch cards, and this fishing guide to educate Oklahoma’s boaters and anglers about aquatic nuisance species. The fisheries division has also posted “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers” signs at boats ramps throughout the state. These signs create awareness about how to properly clean your boat and equipment to ensure invasive species don’t hitch a ride to another lake. ZEBRA MUSSELS INVADE OKLAHOMA Zebra mussels are a serious threat to Oklahoma sport fish populations. Zebra mussels accumulate on the shells of native mussels and crayfish, smothering their hosts. Zebra mussels potentially pose a multi-billion-dollar threat to industrial and public water supplies. Through both downstream movement and transport by uninformed boaters, zebra mussels have infested sever-al lakes in Oklahoma. Zebra mussels compete with forage fish like minnows and shad for nutrients, and the Wildlife Department has already observed a decline in forage fish in affected waters. Zebra mussels can also be transported in their larval form through the movement of water from one lake to another. It is vital that each boater takes responsibility to prevent the spread of zebra mussels. They can be found at Sooner Lake, Kaw Lake, Keystone Lake, Oologah Lake, Skiatook Lake, Ft. Gibson Lake, Eufaula Lake, Texoma Lake, Hudson Lake, Grand Lake, W.R. Holway Lake, Ponca City Lake, Lake Carl Blackwell, Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, Red River, McClellan - Kerr Navigation System, Bluestem Lake, Eucha Lake, Claremore Lake, Arkansas River system and Webbers Falls. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ���� 15 SPECIAL AREA REGULATIONS LAKES Adair Recreation Area Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only one rod and reel per person. No other method of fish-ing allowed. Altus-Lugert Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Walleye and / or saugeye; six per day / 14-inch minimum. (This regula-tion applies to the tailwater also.) Striped bass hybrids and / or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. American Horse Attention Anglers- American Horse Lake is undergoing repairs. The lake level will be lowered during the renovations. Daily / Size Limits: Channel and/or blue catfish; six combined per day / only one blue catfish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Arbuckle Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 13- to 16-inch protected slot limit. All crappie; 15 combined per day / 10-inch minimum. ANS ALERT: Hydrilla Arcadia Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Striped bass and / or striped bass hybrids; five combined per day, of which only two may be 20 inches or longer. Birch Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids and/ or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. Black Kettle National Grasslands Lakes (Black Kettle, Skipout, Spring Creek) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Prohibited methods of fish-ing: trotlines, throwlines, limblines, yo-yo’s, juglines. Broken Bow (from the slab at the Narrows downstream to the dam) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and/ or smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Burtschi Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Canton (includes the lake, upstream to SH 281 and the tailwaters below the dam) Daily / Size Limits: Striped bass hybrids and/or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. Carl Albert Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel only. No other method of fishing allowed. Carl Blackwell Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids and/ or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels Carl Etling Attention Anglers- Fishing opportunities are limited due to prolonged drought. Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Striped bass hybrids; five per day / no size limit. Methods: One rod and reel per person during trout season (other times no more than two rods and reels per person). Fishing lim-ited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Note: For additional trout regulations see page 28. Chimney Rock / W.R. Holway Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 13- to 16-inch protected slot limit. The following water bodies have regulations that differ from statewide regulations for one or more species of fish. Anglers should keep in mind that municipalities, national wildlife refuges and the Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Lake Arbuckle) have the authority to set fishing regulations on waters in their jurisdiction that may differ from either the statewide regulations listed beginning on page 8 or the individual lake regulations listed below. If an Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) ALERT is listed, please see page 14 for precautions. It is the anglers' responsibility to know what regulations apply to the body of water they are fishing. TAILWATERS First 1,000 ft. below any Federal or GRDA dam Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Unlawful to keep a foul-hooked fish (any fish hooked other than inside the mouth), unless taken in a tailwater open to snagging. Bowfishing prohibited, except Wister, Eufaula, Ft. Gibson, Keystone, and Hudson which are open. Bowfishing is open on Thunderbird past the first 75 feet from the dam. Gigs, spears and spearguns prohibited, except Hudson which is open. Snagging prohibited, except Ft. Gibson tailwaters are open 24 hours; Wister is open to snagging from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., year-round. Snagging of paddlefish or any fish is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. year round on the Grand River from the Hwy. 412 bridge upstream to the Markham Ferry (Lake Hudson) dam. Salt Fork of the Arkansas River from the spillway of Great Salt Plains Lake downstream to SH 38 bridge Prohibited method of fishing: bowfishing (see Tailwaters above), trotline, throwline, limbline, jugline and yo-yo. Fishing Restrictions for Bureau of Reclamation Tailwaters The following restrictions apply to these Bureau of Reclamation tailwaters. Closed, year-round: Arbuckle, Ft. Cobb and Foss. First 75 ft. from dam closed: Altus-Lugert, McGee Creek, Tom Steed, and Thunderbird. 16 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE Chouteau (includes oxbows and cutoffs) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels Copan Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Crowder (Washita County) Attention Anglers- This lake is scheduled for renovation. Additional regulations may be posted at the lake. Fishing opportunities may be limited. Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day. There is a 16- to 22-inch protected slot limit, of which only one may be 22 inches or longer. Channel and/or blue catfish; six combined per day / only one blue catfish over 30 inches. Dahlgren Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Draper Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Methods: Fishing limited to no more than three rods and reels per person, with no more than three hooks per line (treble hooks are considered one hook). Bowfishing is permit-ted year-round during daylight hours only. No other method of fishing allowed, including no castnetting. Dripping Springs Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day. There is a 16- to 22-inch protected slot limit, of which only one may be 22 inches or longer. Ellsworth Daily / Size Limits: Walleye, sauger and saugeye; six combined per day / 14-inch mini-mum. (This regulation applies to the tailwaters also.) Elmer Attention Anglers- Elmer Lake is currently undergoing renovations and, the lake level will be lowered throughout this process. Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Elmer Thomas (Wichita Mtns. NWR) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and/or smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 13- to 16-inch protected slot limit. Channel and/or blue catfish; six combined per day / only one blue catfish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel only. No other method of fishing allowed. Eufaula Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Methods: Lake Eufaula State Park: • Pickens Lake - Fishing open only to resi-dents under 16 or 65 and older, or those 60 percent or more disabled, or legally blind and those accompanying. Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. No other fishing methods allowed. • Kid’s Fish Out Lake - Fishing open only to persons under 16 or 64 and older, or those 60 percent or more disabled, or legally blind or physically impaired and one com-panion. Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. No other method of fishing allowed. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels • Land fish quickly. • Handle fish as little as possible and avoid holding with dry hands, cloths, or gloves to prevent removal of protective slime coating. • Don’t let fish bounce on boat deck, carpet or on shoreline rocks and gravel. • When using a landing net, soft knotless nylon or rubber nets are better than hard, knotted nylon. • Grasp most species of fish by the lower jaw and keep fish in the water if possible. Hold them vertically and support large fish with a hand under the belly. • Remove hooks quickly. • Return fish back to the water as quickly as you can. • Use long-nosed pliers or a de-hooking tool to remove deeply embedded hooks. Plans for a hook remover are available free-of-charge at www.wildlifedepartment. com/fishing/hookout.htm. If the hook cannot be easily removed, cut the line a few inches above the hook and leave it in the fish. • If you are using bait or lures that are frequently swallowed and deep hooking is likely to be a problem, use barbless hooks or circle hooks. Unhooking your catch with barbless hooks is faster, easier and healthier for the fish. CATCH & RELEASE TIPS Ben Davis 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 17 SPECIAL AREA REGULATIONS LAKES (Continued) Evans Chambers Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Foss Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Walleye and/or saugeye; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids and/or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. Ft. Cobb Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Walleye, sauger or saug-eye; six combined per day / 14-inch mini-mum. Striped bass hybrids and/or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. Ft. Gibson (includes all tributaries and upstream to Markham Ferry dam) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. All crappie; 15 combined per day / 10-inch minimum. Paddlefish; see regulations on page 25. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels Grand (applies to all tributaries and upstream to state line, and to the area below Pensacola dam downstream to SH 82 bridge) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. All crappie; 15 combined per day / 10-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids and/or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. Paddlefish; see regulations on page 25. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels, Bighead Carp Great Salt Plains (including lake and tailwaters) Daily / Size Limits: Walleye, sauger or saugeye; six combined per day / no size limit. Greenleaf Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Hall Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Hefner Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Methods: Fishing limited to no more than three rods and reels per person, with no more than three hooks per line (treble hooks are considered one hook). Bowfishing is permit-ted year-round but during daylight hours only. No other method of fishing allowed, including no castnetting. Heyburn Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Hudson Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. All crappie; 15 combined per day / 10-inch minimum. Tailwater regula-tions: see section on page 16. Paddlefish regula-tions: see page 25. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels Hugo Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Jap Beaver Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Kaw Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels; White Perch Keystone Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels; White Perch Konawa Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day of which only one may be 22-inches or longer. Striped bass, striped bass hybrids and / or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel, bowfishing and noodling. No other method of fishing allowed. Lawtonka Daily / Size Limits: Walleye, sauger or saugeye; six combined per day / 14-inch mini-mum. (This regulation applies to the tailwater also.) Additional city regulations apply. Lone Chimney Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Longmire Daily / Size Limits: City regulations apply. Methods: Fishing limited to only rod and reel. No other method of fishing allowed. McGee Creek Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day. There is a 16- to 22-inch protected slot limit, of which only one may be 22 inches or longer. Murray Daily / Size Limits: Walleye and / or saug-eye; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. (This regulation applies to the tailwater also.) ANS ALERT: Hydrilla Nanih Waiya Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Newt Graham (includes oxbows and cutoffs) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Okmulgee Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 13- to 16-inch protected slot limit. Oologah (including all tributaries to state line and downstream below dam to mouth of Caney River) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Striped bass, striped bass hybrids or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels 18 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE Ouachita National Forest ponds and lakes Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and small-mouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue catfish; six combined per day / only one blue catfish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel only. No other method of fishing allowed. Overholser (including tailwaters and downstream to NW 10th St. bridge) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Methods: Fishing limited to no more than three rods and reels per person, with no more than three hooks per line (treble hooks are considered one hook). Bowfishing is permit-ted year-round but during daylight hours only. No other methods of fishing allowed, including no castnetting. Ozzie Cobb Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Pawhuska Methods: Fishing limited to only one rod and reel per person during trout season (other times, consult City of Pawhuska for fishing regulations). Note: For additional trout regulations see page 28. Pine Creek Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and/ or smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Raymond Gary Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Robert S. Kerr (includes oxbows and cutoffs) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Sauger; six per day / 16-inch minimum. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels Sardis Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Schooler Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Skiatook Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and/ or smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids (does not include white bass); five per day, of which only two may be 20 inches or longer. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels Sooner Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Striped bass, striped bass hybrids or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel, bowfishing and noodling. No other method of fishing allowed. Fishing is prohibited from dam, fenced area below dam, and north bank of intake channel. Fishing in the buoy-marked intake channel, discharge channel and spill-way embankment is bank fishing only (no float tubes or wading). ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels; White Perch; Hydrilla Taft Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel. No other method of fishing allowed. Tenkiller (downstream from Horseshoe Bend boat ramp to dam) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and/or smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 13- to 16-inch protected slot limit. All crappie; 15 combined per day / 10-inch minimum. Methods: Prohibited methods of fishing: gigs and spears downstream from Horseshoe Bend boat ramp; speargunning legal when used with SCUBA, except taking flathead cat-fish from June 15 through July 15 is prohibited. Texoma Note: Some methods of fishing on the Oklahoma portion of Lake Texoma do not apply to the Texas portion. Check the Texas Fishing Guide for details.) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth, small-mouth and spotted bass; five combined per day / 14-inch minimum for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Striped bass and/or striped bass hybrids; ten combined per day, of which only two may be 20 inches or longer. White bass; 25 per day / no size limit. Channel and/or blue catfish; 15 combined per day/ 12-inch minimum. Only one blue catfish over 30 inches. All crap-pie; 37 combined per day / 10-inch minimum. Flathead catfish; five per day / 20-inch mini-mum. Alligator gar; from May 1 through May 31, angling for alligator gar by any method is prohibited between the State Hwy 99 / US Hwy 377 bridge upstream to the I-35 bridge. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels, Golden Alga Thunderbird Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Methods: Within the Little River above Franklin Road in Cleveland Co. the following methods of fishing are prohibited: bowfish-ing, gigs and spears, spearguns, snagging, and noodling. Tom Steed Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids and/ or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. Vanderwork Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Vincent Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. LAKE RECORDS Bobby Myers of Jenks was fishing on his birthday when he pulled in this unexpected gift - a 3.2 lb. lake record spotted bass caught at Grand Lake. Read about the Lake Record Fish Program on page 24. 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 19 SPECIAL AREA REGULATIONS LAKES (Continued) Watonga (Roman Nose State Park) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to one rod and reel per person during trout season (other times no more than two rods and reels per person). Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Note: For additional trout regulations see page 28. Waurika Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Striped bass hybrids and/ or white bass; 20 combined per day, of which only five may be 20 inches or longer. Wayne Wallace Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to only two rods and reels per person. Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. W.D. Mayo (includes oxbows, cutoffs, and below dam to state line) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Sauger; six per day / 16-inch minimum. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels Webbers Falls (includes oxbows and cutoffs) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Sauger; six per day / 16-inch minimum. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels, White Perch Wister (from the dam upstream to US Hwy. 271 on Fourche Maline River, to US Hwy. 59 on the Poteau River and to the low water dam, ½ mile above coun-ty road # 156 on Holson Creek) Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. For tailwater restrictions, see page 16. RIVERS AND CREEKS Arkansas River (Keystone dam down-stream to the OK - AR state line) Daily / Size Limits: Sauger; six per day / 16-inch minimum. Methods: • From Keystone Dam downstream to I-44 bridge in Tulsa; snagging is prohibited, and keeping a foul-hooked fish (any fish hooked other than inside the mouth) is prohibited. • In the tailwaters area immediately below Webbers Falls Lock and Dam; bowfish-ing, gigs, spears, spearguns and snagging is prohibited in the first 1,000 ft. Trotlines, throwlines, limblines, juglines and yo-yo’s are prohibited below Webbers Falls Lock and Dam for a distance of one mile. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels, White Perch Baron Fork Creek (see restrictions on fishing methods on Upper Illinois River and Tributaries) Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area Daily / Size Limits: All species of black bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue catfish; six combined per day / only one blue catfish over 30 inches. All crappie; six combined per day / no size limit. Possession limit is twelve (12) of all species of game fish after the first day. Methods: Fishing limited to one rod and reel per person during trout season (other times no more than two rods and reels per person). No other method of fishing allowed. Note: For more trout regulations see pages 28 and 30. Lower Canadian River (downstream from Eufaula dam for one mile) Methods: Gigs and spears, spearguns, and snagging prohibited. (Also see “Tailwaters” regulations.) Caney River (Below Hulah Lake dam) Methods: Bowfishing prohibited from Hulah dam downstream 1,200 ft. to the re-regulation dam. Gigs, spears, spearguns and snagging prohibited from Hulah dam down-stream to the confluence of old and new river channels. (Also see “Tailwaters” regulations.) Flint Creek - (see regulations on fish-ing methods on Upper Illinois River and Tributaries) Glover River from confluence with Little River upstream to the “Forks of the Glover” Daily / Size Limits: All species of black bass; six combined per day / no size limit on largemouth or spotted bass, however, small-mouth bass have a 12-inch minimum of which only three smallmouth greater than 12 inches may be included in the daily limit of six black bass. Grand (Neosho) River (below Grand Lake-Pensacola dam) Methods: (Also see “Tailwaters” regula-tions.) • Bowfishing prohibited below turbine out-lets downstream to State Park and below spillway outlet downstream to highline crossing. The next ½ mile below the high-line crossing is closed only when the spill-way gates are discharging water and for seven days following closure of the gates. • Gigs, spears and spearguns are prohibited below turbine outlets downstream to State Park bridge and below spillway outlets downstream for one mile. • Snagging is prohibited below turbine out-lets downstream to State Park bridge and below spillway outlets downstream to highline crossing. The next ½ mile below the highline crossing is closed to snagging only when spillway gates are closed. • Noodling is prohibited below turbine out-lets downstream to State Park bridge and below the spillway outlets downstream to highline crossing, except noodling shall be legal the day of and two days following clo-sure of spillway. ANS ALERT: Zebra Mussels, Bighead carp Lower Illinois River (From Tenkiller dam downstream to the confluence of the Arkansas River) Daily / Size Limits: Sauger; six per day / 16-inch minimum. Largemouth and small-mouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Methods: From Tenkiller Dam downstream to the Hwy. 64 bridge; fishing limited to one rod and reel per person. No other method of fishing allowed. (Also see “Tailwaters” regulations.) Note: For more trout regulations see page 28. Upper Illinois River and tributaries (includes Baron Fork Creek and Flint Creek) Daily / Size Limits: Illinois River upstream from Horseshoe Bend boat ramp, Baron Fork Creek and Flint Creek; all species of black bass; six combined per day/ no size limit on large-mouth or spotted bass, however, smallmouth bass have a 9- to 12-inch protected slot limit of which only one smallmouth greater than 12 inches may be included in the daily limit of six black bass. Methods: Snagging and noodling are pro-hibited at all times. Bowfishing, speargunning, and gigging are prohibited, except for the fol-lowing methods/seasons: • Upstream from Horseshoe Bend boat ramp; bowfishing and speargunning are permit-ted from Dec. 1 through Mar. 31. Gigging is permitted from Dec. 1 through Mar. 1. • Upstream from Hwy. 51/62 bridge; gigging is permitted from Dec. 1 through Mar. 31. Kiamichi River (below Hugo Lake dam) Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and noo-dling are prohibited from Hugo dam down-stream to first railroad bridge. (Also see “Tailwaters” regulations.) ANS ALERT: Bighead carp, Silver carp Lee Creek (including Little Lee Creek) Daily / Size Limits: All species of black bass; six combined per day / no size limit on largemouth or spotted bass, however, small-mouth bass have a 9- to 12-inch protected slot limit of which only one smallmouth greater than 12 inches may be included in the daily limit of six black bass. 20 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE Little River below Pine Creek Lake dam Methods: Trotlines, throwlines, limblines, yo-yo’s and juglines are prohibited from the dam downstream for a distance of 2,000 ft. (Also see “Tailwaters” regulations.) Lower Mountain Fork River trout area (below Broken Bow dam) Methods: Fishing limited to one rod and reel per person. No other method of fishing allowed. (Also see “Tailwaters” regulations.) Note: For more trout regulations see page 28. ANS ALERT: Didymo Upper Poteau River and Fourche Maline River and tributaries in Le Flore Co. Methods: Prohibited methods of fishing: gigs, spears, and spearguns. Lower Poteau River (downstream from Wister dam to ¼ mile past conflu-ence of old and new river channels) Methods: Prohibited methods of fishing: trotlines and throwlines. (Also see “Tailwaters” regulations) Quartz Mountain trout area (North Fork of the Red River below Altus- Lugert Lake dam) Methods: Fishing limited to one rod and reel per person during trout season (other times no more than two rods and reels per person). Fishing limited to rod and reel and bowfishing. No other method of fishing allowed. Note: For more trout regulations see page 28. Lower Red River (below Lake Texoma) Denison Dam downstream to the mouth of the Shawnee Creek: We advise anglers to meet all fishing license requirements for both Oklahoma and Texas. See map below. If you are fishing in Oklahoma waters, an Oklahoma fish-ing license is required, unless exempt. If you are fishing in Texas waters, you need a Texas fishing license. A Lake Texoma fishing license is not valid below Denison Dam. Oklahoma Texas Denison Dam Red River mouth of : OK/TX state line Shawnee Creek �� 75A 2 1 1 2 Mouth of Shawnee Creek downstream (east): If fishing in the Red River, anglers must possess an Oklahoma fishing license, unless exempt. For all of the Lower Red River: Daily / Size Limits: Striped bass and/or striped bass hybrids; five combined per day / no size limit. Methods: Bowfishing for paddlefish is pro-hibited year-round. See “Tailwaters” regulations for other daily, size, and fishing method regula-tions. ANS ALERT: Bighead carp Robber’s Cave (From Carlton Lake dam downstream 1.5 miles to the State Park boundary) Methods: Fishing limited to one rod and reel per person during trout season (other times no more than two rods and reels per person). No other method of fishing allowed. Note: For more trout regulations see page 28. OTHER AREAS Camp Gruber JMTC For information on fishing opportunities, open dates and areas, as well as other regu-lations pertaining to Camp Gruber JMTC, contact OKARNG online at ok.ngb.army.mil/ CGTS/ or call the voice phone system at (918) 487-6240. Ponds and creeks within the following Dept. of Wildlife Management Areas: Atoka, Beaver River, Gary Sherrer, Cherokee, Cookson, Ellis Co., Ft. Gibson, James Collins, Robert S Kerr WMA, Lexington, Okmulgee (except in Deep Fork River), Pushmataha, Robbers Cave, Sandy Sanders and Stringtown Daily / Size Limits: Largemouth and smallmouth bass; six combined per day / 14-inch minimum. Channel and/or blue cat-fish; six combined per day / only one blue cat-fish over 30 inches. Ponds and creeks within either the Honobia Creek or Three Rivers Wildlife Management Areas Special Permits: All resident anglers age 18 (by December 31 of the previous calendar year) to 63, and all non-resident anglers regardless of age must possess the Land Access Permit to either fish and/or hunt on either the Honobia Creek or Three Rivers Wildlife Management Areas. For additional Honobia/Three Rivers WMA regulations see the Oklahoma Hunting Guide (Regulations). Ponds and creeks within other Dept. of Wildlife Management Areas not listed above Daily / Size Limits: Channel and/or blue catfish; six combined per day / only one blue catfish over 30 inches. Oklahoma State Park Ponds Daily / Size Limits: Channel and/or blue catfish; six combined per day / only one blue catfish over 30 inches. Wichita Mtns. NWR lakes (except Elmer Thomas) Daily / Size Limits: Channel and/or blue catfish; six combined per day / only one blue catfish over 30 inches. Methods: Fishing limited to rod and reel only. No other method of fishing allowed. A message from the E.P.A. Good Fishing Depends on Clean Water Many of our rivers, lakes, and coastal areas are experiencing algae blooms that cover our favorite fishing spots with green slime and cause fish kills and “dead zones” where no aquatic life can survive. The cause is usually nitrogen and phosphorus pollution that comes from farm and lawn fertilizers, septic systems, animal waste, and sewage treatment plants. Everyone can do their part for clean water by reducing fertilizer use, preserving plants along shorelines, and picking up pet waste. Supporting water quality protection supports great fishing! Learn more at: www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/. Full 6 Hours of Fishing on Every Trip! Rods, Reels, Bait and Tackle Provided Fish Cleaned, Red Meat Removed and Bagged Ray Farrior, Guide · Lake Texoma 580.924.5238 home 580.916.2814 cell 7 Perch Drive · Mead, OK SnowGooseTexoma.com 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 21 Mooneye Goldeye WEIRD FISH OF OKLAHOMA! BLUE SUCKER The blue sucker is an elegantly-streamlined fish, well-suited for life in moving water. It can be identified by its long sloping forehead, a long, sail-shaped dorsal fin and “bumply” lips. In Oklahoma the blue suckers’ range is restricted to the Grand and Red Rivers. Catches are rare, but are most likely to occur in the lower Red River, particularly near its confluence with the Blue and Kiamichi Rivers. Fish Fact: Huge schools of blue suckers once roamed our nation’s rivers, but their numbers have declined throughout their range. In Oklahoma they are listed as a species of special concern and all catches should be reported to the nearest fisheries office. SHOVELNOSE STURGEON Shovelnose sturgeon are among our most ancient and primitive fishes. Like sharks, sturgeon lack bones and their skeletal system consists entirely of cartilage. Shovelnose sturgeon are well-adapted for life in turbid moving water and can be identified by their spade-shaped heads, bony scutes along the body and a row of four barbels in front of their mouths. Once fairly common and widespread, they are now rarely encountered in the Arkansas and Red Rivers and their tailwaters. The shovelnose sturgeon is occasionally caught by rod and reel fishermen and on trot lines. Fish Fact: Reaching only about four pounds, shovelnose can live up to 30 years, but don’t reach maturity until five- to seven-years-old. In Oklahoma they are listed as a species of special concern and all catches should be reported to the nearest fisheries office. ROCK BASS Rock bass are an Ozark stream species with an appearance similar to other sunfish, but with a large bass-like mouth, cheeks without visible barring and a black gill flap without an orange border. Rock bass are often found in dense cover and are especially fond of root-wads and undercut banks. They readily strike artificial lures, but seldom venture far from cover. Rock bass are also called goggle eye and shadow bass. Fish Fact: Rock bass can readily change their color and pattern to match surrounding backgrounds. They are also intolerant of turbidity and poor water quality, and require cool clear water to survive. MOONEYE & GOLDEYE Mooneye (above) and Goldeye (inset) are both attractive, bright, silvery fish which at first glance resemble shad, but lack a black spot behind their gill flap and have a much wider gape with their mouth situated at the end of their snout. Both species have well-defined teeth on their tongues and jaws. The two species closely resemble each other, but mooneye have a much smaller range in Oklahoma and are encountered less frequently. Both species read-ily take small jigs and spinners and are often caught in the spring and early summer. Fish Fact: Goldeye and mooneye belong to the Genus Hiodon meaning “toothed tongue.” The mooneye prefers clearer water and in Oklahoma is restricted to the Little and Mountain Fork Rivers of McCurtain County. Jim Negus Josh Bailey / OWRB Tim Churchill Jim Negus & Nate Tessler 22 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE BANDED SCULPIN The banded sculpin is a small fish with a big mouth and an even big-ger attitude. Although they seldom exceed five inches in length, band-ed sculpin readily eat any prey that will fit in their oversized mouths. They are sometimes caught by bottom fishermen. Banded sculpins are found in cool clear Ozark streams of northeast Oklahoma. Fish Fact: Although banded sculpins appear very hardy, they are actually one of our most fragile fish species and can only live in cool Ozark streams with high water quality. They are sometimes seen with green or gold eyes due to retractable lenses that act like sunglasses to shield their eyes from UV light. BOWFIN Bowfin have a long, thick, eel-like appearance with a rounded tail and a long undulating dorsal (often folded down) that reaches nearly to its tail. The head is blunt and snake-like, with two small appendages (called nares) on its upper jaw near its nostrils. Bowfin have very strong jaws lined with sharp teeth and should be han-dled with caution. Bowfin are found in swampy areas with heavy vegetation. Bowfin are aggressive feeders and readily hit lures. In Oklahoma they mainly occur in southern portions of Choctaw and McCurtain counties. Fish Fact: Bowfin are sometimes called living fossils and are the sole survivors of a family of fish dating to the Jurassic period. They literally outlived the dinosaurs and are capable of gulping air and burrowing in the mud to survive brief periods of drought. They feed mainly on fish and crayfish. LOGPERCH Logperch are one of Oklahoma’s most widespread, but little-known fish species. They live primarily in streams but have adapted well to reservoir life and can be found in many lakes throughout the state. Logperch are a very active fish, and live and forage among small rocks and cobble. They often use their noses to flip surprisingly large stones while looking for insects and larvae and are occasion-ally caught on hook and line. Fish Fact: Logperch are true perch and the largest of Oklahoma’s 29 darter species. Most Oklahoma species commonly referred to as “perch” are actually sunfish and in the same family as largemouth bass. Disjunct populations are found in the Wichita Mountains and Fort Cobb area of southwest Oklahoma. SKIPJACK HERRING Skipjack herring are fairly large (up to 18 inches) members of the herring family with large mouths and toothed jaws and tongues. They can be distinguished from mooneye and goldeye by their longer and more-slender body shapes, a protruding lower jaw and sharp saw-tooth-like scales along the keel of the belly. Skipjacks have a clear protective eyelid that covers the front and backs of their eyes. Skipjacks are found in the eastern portions of the Red and Arkansas river systems and are most common below dams where they are sometimes caught on artificial lures such as jigs and small spinners. Fish Fact: Skipjack herring get their name from their tendency to jump when caught on hook and line. In some states they serve as the sole host for endangered mussel species. Most fishermen are aware that our state is home to one of the most diverse and productive fisheries in the nation, but few anglers can name more than a small fraction of the 180 or so fish species swimming in Okla-homa waters. Some of these species are small and rela-tively ordinary looking, while others have strange body shapes, bizarre appendages or dazzling coloration. Anglers who hook one of these memorable fish can keep it. Wildlife Department biologists are collecting data on the distribution of these species and would appreciate a call or e-mail whenever a "weird fish" is caught. Here’s a brief introduction to some of the lesser known fish spe-cies occasionally caught by Oklahoma anglers. Perhaps you will hook one this year! Brandon Brown Nate Tessler Jim Negus Jim Negus 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 23 LAKE RECORDS PROGRAM What is the biggest fish you’ve ever caught? A seven-pound largemouth, a two-pound crappie or a 45-pound blue catfish? While your fish may not have broken a state record, it could very possibly be the biggest fish ever caught out of your favorite lake. The Lake Record fish program was established to recognize big fish and the lakes where they are caught. FEATURED ANGLER Maysa and her twin sister, Myka were practicing for an upcoming kid’s fishing tournament. The girls and their family were trolling crankbaits in the Carson Creek area of Broken Bow Lake. The girls had already caught several nice fish including walleye, crappie and sand bass when the big one hit. At first they thought they snagged a good-sized sand bass because the fish was fighting pretty well. When Maysa finally got the fish to the boat and in the net, everyone was amazed at the size of it. Her father told her, “That’s the biggest sunfish I’ve ever seen!” He placed the fish in the livewell and they continued fishing. The girls went on to catch more fish, including some nice bass. When leaving the lake it occurred to Maysa’s Dad that this fish might be a lake record. The family stopped at Frontier General Store to check the current record for sunfish and found out there had never been one checked in. The workers at the store were very excited and eager to help. Since the fish was a record, Maysa’s parents decided to have it mounted for her. Her father said, “The lake record program is a great way to acknowl-edge anglers’ accomplishments and to promote tourism and recreation and I would like to thank the ODWC for starting it.” Been to the lake lately? You might have caught a lake record! The Lake Record Program continues to grow, as more and more anglers find themselves holding a fish that qualifies for a lake record. From lakes large and small, from one side of the state to the other, the Lake Records program recognizes anglers who land a fish that is a record for their lake. Once an angler catches a fish that might qualify as a lake record, he or she must have their catch certified at a Lake Record Keeper location. For a full list of record keepers, visit our web site, wildlifedepartment.com/fishing.htm The minimum weights to qualify your catch in the lake record program must be larger than a 6 lb. largemouth bass; 4 lb. smallmouth bass; 2 lb. spotted bass; 2 lb. crappie; 15 lb. channel catfish; 40 lb. blue or flathead catfish; 3 lb. white bass; 20 lb. striped bass; 8 lb. hybrid; 5 lb. walleye/saugeye; 1 lb. sunfish or a 40 lb. paddlefish. Lakes participating in the program include: • Altus Lugert • Arbuckle • Arcadia • Birch • Broken Bow • Canton • Choteau • Comanche • Cushing • Dripping Springs • El Reno • Eufaula • Foss • Ft. Cobb • Ft. Gibson • Ft. Supply • Grand • Hefner • Holdenville • Hudson • Hugo • Kaw • Keystone • Konawa • Lawtonka • Longmire • McGee Creek • Murray • Okemah • Okmulgee • Oologah • Overholser • Pine Creek • Purcell • R. S. Kerr • Sardis • Shawnee Twin • Skiatook • Sooner • Stanley Draper • Tecumseh • Tenkiller • Texoma • Thunderbird • Tom Steed • W.D. Mayo • Waurika • Webbers Falls ��� Wetumka • Wes Watkins • Wister On the left, this 3.4 lb. lake record spotted bass was caught at Lake Eufaula on July 30, 2011, by Dusty Keener of McAlester, OK. On the right, this 12.7 lb. lake record largemouth bass was caught at Lawtonka Lake on June 4, 2011, by Noel Reeves of Duncan, OK. 1.2 lb. lake record sunfish caught at Broken Bow Lake on July 11, 2011, by Maysa Weeks of Rufe, OK. The sunfish had a length of 11.5 inches and a girth of 11 inches. 24 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE PADDLEFISH REGULATIONS Paddlefish Regulations Paddlefish daily limits are one per day on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, statewide; catch and release of paddlefish only on Mondays and Fridays, statewide. Anglers cannot possess a paddle-fish while in the field on Mondays or Fridays. Once you keep a fish, you must stop paddle-fish fishing (snagging) for the day. The following restrictions apply to paddle-fish harvest at all times. 1. Paddlefish angling by all methods is closed on the Spring River from the Highway 60 bridge upstream to the Kansas state line. Snagging of paddle-fish or any fish is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. year round on the Grand River from the Hwy. 412 bridge upstream to the Markham Ferry (Lake Hudson) dam. 2. Residents and nonresidents must obtain a free paddlefish permit in addition to a fishing license before fishing for pad-dlefish. Paddlefish anglers can obtain their free permit online at wildlifede-partment. com or by contacting fishing license dealers or any Department of Wildlife office in the state (see Fisheries Contacts, page 2). 3. Residents and nonresidents may only have one paddlefish in their possession in the field. Nonresidents may not have more than four paddlefish in possession at any other time. 4. Catch and release of paddlefish by use of rod and reel, trotlines and throwlines is allowed, year-round. Paddlefish must be released immediately after being caught, unless kept for the daily limit. Anglers fishing trotlines or throwlines must re-lease all paddlefish before leaving their lines (unless keeping one for a daily limit). 5. Paddlefish taken by bowfishing, gigs, spears and spearguns cannot be re-leased. These methods cannot be used on Mondays and Fridays. 6. Paddlefish not immediately released are considered kept, and must be tagged im-mediately with the angler’s paddlefish permit number. Additionally, the date and time of harvest must be recorded on the paddlefish permit. Under no circum-stances can any paddlefish be caught, kept, then later released (no culling). 7. Each cleaned paddlefish and its parts (carcass, meat, or eggs) must also be tagged and kept separate from all other cleaned paddlefish or paddlefish parts. Each person must keep their own pad-dlefish distinctly separate from paddle-fish taken by others. 8. Paddlefish and paddlefish parts must remain tagged until the person in pos-session of the paddlefish and/or parts reaches their residence. 9. When snagging for paddlefish, anglers are allowed only one hook (one single hook or one treble hook) and all hooks must have the barbs removed or completely closed. Anglers must stop snagging when a daily limit of one fish is kept. 10. When landing a paddlefish, it is illegal to use “Gaff hooks” or any other techniques or devices that injure the fish, unless the angler is bowfishing. 11. No person can possess the eggs of more than one paddlefish that are still attached to the egg membrane. In addition, no per-son can possess more than three pounds of either processed paddlefish eggs or fresh paddlefish eggs removed from the mem-brane. “Processed eggs” are any eggs taken from a paddlefish that have gone through a process which makes the eggs into the product caviar or into a caviar-like product. 12. No person can ship into or out of, trans-port into or out of, have in possession with the intent to so transport, or cause to be removed from this state raw unprocessed, processed, or frozen paddlefish eggs. 13. All paddlefish must have all viscera (in-ternal organs) removed before leaving the state. Note: For information on fishing below dams for paddlefish, see “Tailwaters” on page 16. PADDLEFISH RESEARCH & PROCESSING CENTER Where is the Paddlefish Research and Processing Center (RPC)? The Paddlefish RPC is located off OK Hwy 137, about two miles south of OK Hwy 10. Wildlife Department employees will pick up fish from bank and boat anglers. To arrange for a pick up, contact the center at (918) 542-9422. For other questions, contact the Paddlefish Program Coordinator at (918) 533-7113 or NE Region Supervisor Brent Gordon at (918) 686-3673. What is the Paddlefish RPC? • The primary functions of the RPC are to collect important biological data for the Department’s paddlefish management plan, process paddlefish meat for anglers and salvage paddlefish eggs. • The center is open March 1 to April 30, except closed Mondays and Fridays. Anglers are able to bring their catch to the RPC for cleaning and processing. They take home meat from their own fish that has been safely cleaned and packaged. = RESEARCH & PROCESSING CENTER = BOAT RAMP LEGEND = NO PADDLEFISHING YEAR ROUND (To Kansas Line) 44 60 69 10 137 125 Miami Park Turnpike Hole Mud Eaters Bend Conner’s Bridge Fishing improvements coming soon! Ogoochee Flats Twin Bridges State Park Hwy 10 Gravel Ramp Miami Park Boat Ramp Twin Bridges Boat Ramp Fishing improvements coming soon! Hwy 10 Boat Ramp Paddlefish Research & Processing Center NEW Spring River Boat Ramp Miami Fairland Wyandotte Commerce Quapaw NEW LOCATION! 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 25 OKLAHOMA RECORD FISH Rod and Reel Record Fish Common Name Lbs. Ozs. Length Girth Where When Angler Bass, Largemouth 14 11 28 22 3/4 Broken Bow 3-14-99 William Cross Bass, Smallmouth 8 3 23 1/2 19 Eufaula Lake 3-4-06 Steve McLarty Bass, Spotted 8 2 23 1/2 17 1/2 Pittsburg Co. Pond 6-27-58 O. J. Stone Bass, Striped 47 8 48 30 Lower Illinois River 6-10-96 Louis Parker Bass, White 5 4 21 15 Lake Eufaula 10-26-84 Paul Grace Bass, Hybrid Black 8 5.6 22 3/4 16 1/2 Veterans Lake 3-27-06 Dru Kinslow Bass, Hybrid Striped 23 4 33 1/2 27 Altus-Lugert Lake 4-1-97 Paul Hollister Bass, Hybrid Yellow 2 5 15 3/4 12 5/8 Kiamichi River 3-26-91 George R. Edwards Buffalo, Bigmouth 59 15 43 3/4 33 1/2 Greenleaf 11-12-88 Leroy Broaddrick Buffalo, Black 22 4 35 23 1/4 Fort Gibson Lake 4-2-10 Dale Dampf Buffalo, Smallmouth 44 2 35 31 Konawa Reservoir 8-15-07 Marvin Williams Bullhead, Black 6 13 18 5/8 17 3/4 Jackson Co. Pond 5-24-84 Gary Cole Carp, Common 39 10.4 39 1/4 30 3/4 Grady Co. Pond 4-23-02 Brandon Hughes Carp, Grass 68 15.2 49 34 Chelsea City Lake 4-5-08 Jereme Budgick Carpsucker, River 7 11 24 17 Canadian Co. Pond 4-18-90 W.C. “Bill” Kenyon Catfish, Blue 98 54 1/2 39 1/2 Lake Texoma 11-11-04 Billy Nabors Catfish, Channel 35 15 39 1/4 26 1/4 Taft Lake 9-11-05 Gary Doak, Jr. Catfish, Flathead 78 8 51 36 1/2 El Reno City Lake 5-11-10 Richard Williams Crappie, Black 4 10 20 1/4 17 3/4 Ottawa Co. Pond 6-16-74 Rollie Williams Crappie, White 4 15 19 16 1/4 Kingfisher Co. Pond 5-4-91 Frank Robinson Drum, Freshwater 38 41 3/4 28 3/4 Tenkiller Lake 5-23-76 Harold Phillips Eel, American 5 7 39 1/2 9 7/8 Lower Illinois River 6-3-95 Dolores Munsell Gar, Alligator 192 1 91 1/2 39 Red River 1-27-11 James Tucker Gar, Longnose 41 62 21 1/2 Red River 1-3-88 Dean Pittman Gar, Shortnose 5 9.6 32 1/2 10 1/2 Pittsburg Co. Pond 8-16-03 Robert Byrd Goldeye 2 8 18 5/8 10 3/4 Arkansas River 4-27-96 James R. Smith Grass Pickerel 7 13 5 1/8 Beaver Creek 3-17-95 Barry Bryant Herring, Skipjack 3 6 19 13 3/8 Eufaula Tailwaters 4-3-92 Bobby Moore Paddlefish 125 7 55 41 1/4 Arkansas River 4-10-11 Aaron Stone Pickerel, Chain 2 10 22 1/2 9 1/2 Lower Mt. Fork River 4-22-82 Eric Lowe Pike, Northern 36 8 44 Lake Carl Etling 6-13-76 Raymond Fernandez Redhorse, River 8 5 28 1/2 17 1/8 Illinois River 2-11-77 Willis Pippin Sauger 5 5 23 14 Kerr Res er voir 1-18-81 Chet Munds Saugeye 10 10 28 1/4 19 Fort Cobb Lake 2-24-06 Curt Wilkerson Sunfish, Blue gill 2 6 12 3/4 14 1/2 Kay Co. Pond 5-8-87 Tom Shorter Sunfish, Green 2 7 13 14 1/4 Pontotoc Co. Pond 10-16-72 Eddie Shulanberger Sunfish, Hybrid 1 14 12 3/8 13 7/8 Bryan Co. Pond 5-24-97 Hal Smith Sunfish, Redear 2 1 12 3/4 13 Logan Co. Pond 11-15-73 Ruby Lee Farmer Trout, Brown 17 4.6 32 3/4 20 Lower Mtn. Fork River 4-10-05 Jason Archie Trout, Rain bow 10 4 27 16 Lower Il li nois Riv er 7-3-66 Billy Payne Walleye 12 13 30 3/8 19 1/2 Robert S. Kerr 5-8-04 Kerry Carter Unrestricted Division Record Fish Common Name Lbs. Ozs. Length Girth Where When Angler / Method Buffalo, Black 57 12 43 1/4 31 Tenkiller Lake 6-30-84 Chester Penn / trotline Buffalo, Smallmouth 50 4 39 1/2 33 1/2 Broken Bow Lake 5-20-10 Rickey Smith / trotline Carp, Common 48 13 40 32 Broken Bow Lake 5-16-10 Scotty Littles / bow & arrow Carp, Grass 77 53 36 1/4 Arbuckle Lake 7-30-02 Brandon Taber/bow & ar row Carpsucker, River 8 11.8 24 3/4 18 Ft. Cobb Lake 4-25-10 Jeffrey Ray / bow & arrow Catfish, Blue 118 8 57 41 3/4 Lake Texoma 5-4-88 Dan Grider / jugline Catfish, Flathead 106 60 39 1/2 Wister Lake 4-5-77 C. Clubb / trotline Eel, American 5 8.7 40 9 3/4 Webbers Falls 8-15-02 Billy Davison / trotline Gar, Shortnose 9 11.5 43 1/4 13 3/8 Kaw Dam Tailwaters 9-2-07 Dwayne Carter/bow & arrow Gar, Spotted 9 12.8 37 1/4 13.5 Arbuckle Lake 4-19-08 Jimmy Nelson / bow & arrow Hogsucker, Northern 2 1 15 5/8 9 1/4 Illinois River 3-15-10 Clint Williams / gigging Paddlefish 134 55 44 Grand Lake 8-13-92 Charles Ham / trotline Redhorse, Black 5 11 25 3/4 12 3/4 Illinois River 12-6-09 Brandon Taber/bow & arrow Redhorse, Golden 8 12 29 16 1/4 Illinois River 3-16-08 Everett Noblin, Jr. / gigging Redhorse, River 10 19 28 1/2 15 Illinois River 3-17-10 Carl Williams / gigging Sturgeon, Shovelnose 2 15 29 8 1/2 Arkansas River 10-12-97 Paul R. Forman / throw line * New Records in blue 26 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE 2012 FREE ADMISSION SEPTEMBER 29 & 30, 2012 More than 100 hands-on outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy! Located at Lazy E Arena in Guthrie. Open 8 AM to 6 PM each day. 27 �� How to Certify a State Record 1. 1. Fish must be caught on rod and line and must be hooked and played by only one person. (Except for unrestricted division, which rec-ognizes fish species taken by legal means other than rod and reel (such as bow and arrow, gig, spear, trotline, jugline, limbline, etc.) These records must tie or exceed the weight of the existing rod and reel record.) 2. Fish must be caught in accordance with Oklahoma fishing regula-tions. 3. No fish caught from any hatchery or com mer cial put-and-take lake is eligible. 4. Accredited or certified weight scales must be used to weigh the fish. Ac cred it ed steel mea sur ing tapes must be used to measure the fish. The fish should be measured from tip of the snout to the end of the tail, with fish laid flat on a ruler, mouth closed and tail lobes pressed together, giving length of fish in inch es. Measure the girth of the fish in inches around its widest point. Three witnesses, one of which must be an employee of the Wildlife Department, must witness the weighing and measuring of the fish and sign the af fi da vit. 5. The fish may be frozen, but must be in a thawed, natural, live-weight condition when approved by a Wildlife Department biologist or tech ni cian. Preserve the fish until you receive an official letter of verification from the Director of the Wildlife Department. 6. A clear photograph showing a close-up side view of the fish must ac-company the completed fish affidavit form. All pho to graphs become the property of the Wildlife Department. 7. The Wildlife Department reserves the right to collect fish scale, tis-sue or spine sam ples to check fish identification and to refuse any questionable fish affidavit submitted. The affidavit must be sub mit-ted within 30 days of the date the fish is caught. 8. With the exception of grass carp, no restricted exotic species will be eligible for state record fish recognition. Matt Mauck James Tucker with his enormous catch: a state-record-setting alligator gar that weighed 192 lbs. and 1 oz. TROUT REGULATIONS General Trout Regulations License Requirements: • A resident or nonresident fishing license is re quired of all persons who take or attempt to take fish, including trout, un less otherwise exempt. • A trout license is no longer required because it is included in the resident or nonresident fishing license. Trout Seasons: See map and description of each state-designated trout area. Method of Taking: • It is unlawful to take fish from state designated trout areas dur ing trout season by any means except one rod and reel (or one pole and line). • Trout caught and placed on a stringer or otherwise held in pos ses-sion cannot be released (no culling.) Daily & Size Limits: • Daily limit is six rainbow trout in all state designated trout areas ex-cept in portions of the Blue River, the Lower Illinois River and the Lower Mt. Fork River (See maps and descriptions on pages 28-31) • There is no minimum size limit for rainbow trout at any state desig-nated trout area except in portions of the Lower Illinois River and the Lower Mt. Fork River (See maps and descriptions on pages 29 and 30.) • Daily limit for brown trout is six with no minimum size limit, except at the Low er Moun tain Fork River and Lower Illinois River where the daily limit is one; size lim it: 20-inch min i mum, with a pos ses sion limit of two af ter the first day. Possession Limit: No person shall have in their possession in the field more than one daily limit of any trout species. After the first day, no person shall have more than 12 rainbow trout and 12 brown trout in their possession, except at the Low er Moun tain Fork River and Lower Illinois River where the possession limit for brown trout is two. Non res i dents shall not have more than two day’s limit of any trout species upon leaving the state. Trout Fishing Tips: Oklahoma has two in tro duced species of trout, rain bows and browns. Of the two, rainbows are far more abundant. Brown trout are stocked in the Lower Mountain Fork Riv er be low Broken Bow dam and in the Lower Illinois River when available, while rain bows are usu al ly stocked ev ery two weeks at all eight of the state’s trout areas dur ing designated trout sea sons. An glers can use the follow ing tips to help them put trout on the stringer: • For the trout stocking schedules of all trout areas statewide, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. • Use an ultra-light rod and reel spooled with six pound or light er 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 salm on eggs is very productive where le gal. • Try small hooks (size 10 to 18) and sink ers to keep bait near the bot-tom and prevent trout from de tect ing any re sis tance. • Fish during the early morning and late af ter noons for best ac tion. • Concentrate on fish ing around struc ture such as behind large rocks, logs and below riffles. Trout also tend to con gre gate above and be-low wa ter falls, in and around deep pools and undercut banks. • Rainbows tend to occupy faster moving water while browns may be found in more slack stretch es. • Trout face upstream to wait for insects to appear above them. • Fly fishermen should try to fish with flies that re sem ble the insects and crustaceans that are most seasonally abundant. • Fishing of ten im proves a few days after stocking when trout have ad just ed to their new environment. ersons rwise uring e 35 INTERSTATE 40 INTERSTATE 40 INTERSTATE 44 INTERSTATE 44 INTERSTATE 35 INTERSTATE QUARTZ MOUNTAIN LAKE PAWHUSKA LAKE WATONGA ROBBER’S CAVE LOWER ILLINOIS RIVER BLUE RIVER LOWER MOUNTAIN FORK LAKE CARL ETLING Lake Pawhuska Trout Season Trout are stocked from November 1 through March 31 of the fol low-ing year. Designated Trout Area / Size / Location 96-acre lake located 3 miles west of Pawhuska on U.S. Hwy. 60 and 1.75 miles south on county road in Osage County. Bank Access / Boat Ramps Public-use facilities include a boat ramp, boat/fishing dock, parking area and restrooms – all handicap-accessible. Notes of Interest Camping at Lake Pawhuska is limited to primitive sites. Camp sites with electrical hook-ups available at nearby Lake Bluestem. Special Regulations City of Pawhuska requires a boating permit to launch a boat. For information call: (918) 287-3040. Lake Watonga Trout Season Trout are stocked from Nov. 1 through March 31 of the following year. Designated Trout Area / Size / Location Seven miles north of Watonga in Blaine County. 55-acre lake located within Roman Nose State Park. Bank Access/Boat Ramps Bank access and a boat ramp on the west side of the lake. Notes of Interest Camping and lodge facilities are available within Roman Nose state park. For information, call the park at (580) 623-4215. TROUT AREA INFORMATION 28 2012 OKLAHOMA FISHING GUIDE Lower Illinois River Trout Season: Year round. Designated Trout Area / Size / Location: 7.75 miles of Il li nois River from Tenkiller Dam to Hwy. 64 bridge near Gore in Sequoyah Coun ty. Bank Access / Boat Ramps: The Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area – Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit offers public fishing access to almost one mile of the trout stream and 320 acres of public hunting opportunity (see map). To reach the area, travel north on SH 100 from Gore approximately four miles. Turn east onto county road E0990 and travel approximately one mile to the entrance. Park in the designated parking area only. The area is managed for walk-in access only. Four other public access sites are available along the state designated trout stream, including a pool off the river located immediately below the dam which allows trout fishing even during high power generation. Another good site is located at the River Road Public Access Area about six miles downstream from the dam. The Gore Landing Public Access Area, operated by the city of Gore (918) 489-2636, offers camping and a boat launching ramp. Special Regulations: Daily limit Brown trout – one over 20 inches in length. Rainbow trout – six, no minimum length. From USGS stream gauge downstream to Gravel Pit County Road: one over 20 inches in length. Fishing in the Lower Illinois River Simp & Helen Watts Management Unit from the USGS stream gauge downstream to Gravel Pit County Road is restricted to artificial flies and lures only and barbless hooks only, except that single barbed hooks 3/0 or larger, may be used only when fishing with natural bait. Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit – all general trout fishing regulations apply (see page 28). No overnight camping is allowed on the area. U.S. 64 ROBERT S. KERR RESERVOIR (BELOW) TENKILLER LAKE SH 10-A SH 100 PARK AND PUBLIC ACCESS (NO CAMPING) PUBLIC USE AREA BELOW TENKILLER DAM (NO CAMPING) LOWER ILLINOIS RIVER PUBLIC FISHING & HUNTING AREA-SIMP & HELEN WATTS MANAGEMENT UNIT MOONSHINE ROAD TROUT CAMP FREE FISHING ACCESS RIVER ROAD PUBLIC ACCESS AREA (NO CAMPING) PUBLIC ACCESS (NO CAMPING) GRAVEL PIT AREA (NO CAMPING) HIGHWAY 64 BRIDGE PUBLIC USE AREA (NO CAMPING) DESIGNATED TROUT AREA GORE SH 10 SH 100 U.S. 64 N GORE LANDING PUBLIC USE AREA (CAMPING, BOAT RAMP) GRAVEL PIT COUNTY RD U.S.G.S. STREAM GAUGE RAINBOW TROUT RESTRICTED HARVEST AREA Full-featured website iPad, iPhone and smartphone accessible Share with friends on View it online today at: The Oklahoma Fishing regulations guide is now available online! Beavers Bend Fly Shop Full-Service Fly Shop Sid Ingram, Owner 580.494.6071 · BeaversBendFlyShop.com And be entered to win a $100 gift certifi cate to your sporting good retailer of choice. Your anonymous participation advances fi sh and wildlife conservation, helps protect your right to hunt, fi sh and shoot, and guides companies in developing better outdoor products. Win a $100 Gift Card! Take the monthly 29 TROUT AREA INFORMATION Lower Mountain Fork River Trout Season: Year round. Designated Trout Area / Size / Location: 12 mile portion of the Lower Mountain Fork River and its tributaries from the Broken Bow Reservoir spillway downstream to the U.S. Hwy 70 bridge. About five miles of this designated trout stream lies within Beaver’s Bend State Park, in McCurtain County. Bank Access / Boat Ramps: Bank access is unlimited within the state park and downstream to the Re-regulation Dam. Another public access point exists at Presbyterian Falls. Boat ramps are located just upstream of and below the Re-regulation Dam. Notes of Interest: Camping and cabin facilities are available within Beaver’s Bend State Park and below the Re-regulation Dam. For information call the park at (580) 494-6300. Trout Regulations: • Brown trout - Daily limit: one; size limit: 20-inch minimum. • Rainbow trout - Daily limit: six combined from Red and Blue Zones. See Zone regulations below. Special Regulations by Zone: Blue Zones: (From the Broken Bow Reservoir spillway downstream to the Lost Creek diversion structure; from the first Hwy 259A scenic bridge downstream to the State Park Dam; and from the mouth of Rough Branch Creek downstream to Hwy. 70 bridge): • Rainbow trout - Daily limit: six; no minimum size limit. • Use of bait and barbed hooks is permitted. Red Zones: (From the Lost Creek diversion structure downstream to the first Hwy. 259A scenic bridge, including the Lost Creek channel; and from the State Park Dam downstream to the mouth of Rough Branch Creek): • Rainbow trout - Daily limit: one; Size limit: 20-inch minimum. • Possession of any trout less than 20-inches is prohibited. • Use of bait or barbed hooks is prohibited in the Red Zone. Fishing is restricted to barbless hooks, artificial flies and artificial lures only. DESIGNATED TROUT AREAS N U.S. HWY. 70 PRESBYTERIAN FALLS BROKEN BOW DAM BROKEN BOW RESERVOIR SH 259A SH 259A SPILLWAY CREEK LOST CREEK & FIRST HWY. 259A EVENING HOLE SCENIC BRIDGE POWERHOUSE STATE PARK DAM BEAVER’S BEND STATE PARK BOAT RAMPS AND CAMPING RE-REGULATION DAM ROUGH BRANCH CREEK LOST CREEK DIVERSION STRUCTURE BROKEN BOW SPILLWAY ANS Alert - Didymo, an aquatic nuisance species commonly referred to as “rock snot,” has been identified in the Lower Mountain Fork River. To prevent spreading this undesirable organism, please clean and dry waders and other fishing equipment after use in the Lower Mountain Fork River. Blue River Trout Season: Trout are stocked from November 1 through March 31 of the following |
| Date created | 2012-01-10 |
| Date modified | 2012-01-10 |
