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Fishing in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Fishing at a Glance
If you’re looking for warm water fishing, Oklahoma is the place for you. The state has over 200 lakes and ponds, as well as many rivers and streams and is teeming with fish including:
smallmouth and largemouth bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, blue catfish, crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, a wide variety of sunfish, gar, stripers,pike, paddlefish, sauger and saugeye.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when fishing in Oklahoma:
A fishing license is required for all anglers over the age of 16. You can purchase a license online or at a local sporting goods store. Currently, the daily limit for bass is five fish per person. For other species, the limit is eight fish per person. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the local regulations before heading out on the water as some waters have special restrictions in place to protect the fish population (see the state links below).
Some of the best public places to fish in Oklahoma are at Arcadia Lake, Broken Bow Lake, Fort Gibson Lake, and Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.
Oklahoma ranks #10 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita and has a good number of local fishing enhtusiasts with over 17.91% of the population having fishing licenses.
Key Insights
Table of Contents
Estimated Fishing Enthusiasts
| Population: | 3,959,353 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Enthusiasts | 709,090 |
| Fishing License % | 17.91% |
| Hunters Rank | 10 |
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 43,954,600 | ||
| Public | 1,006,750 | 2.29% | 45 |
| Private | 23,947,850 | 54.48% | 43 |
| Tribal | 19,000,000 | 43.23% | 1 |
Oklahoma Fishing Licenses & Requirements
For the most accurate and updated information on fishing licenses and requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the Oklahoma DNR. We’ve provided their contact information and other helpful information for your convenience here.
Oklahoma DNR
PO BOX 53465
OKC,, OK 73152
- (405) 521-3851
Rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and cutthroat trout are all common catches here in Oklahoma. Rainbow trout are abundant in the rivers and streams, with brown trout stocked in certain areas too. Brook trout thrive in the cold, clear streams at higher elevations, and cutthroat can be found living in the clear mountain streams.
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Fishing private land in Oklahoma
Fishing on private land in Oklahoma has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Oklahoma or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.
1. The Arkansas River
2. Lake Texoma
3. Broken Bow Lake
4. Keystone Lake
5. Eufaula Lake
Fishing private land in Oklahoma
Fishing on private land in Oklahoma has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Oklahoma or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.