What Do You Need to Legally Fish in Oklahoma?

Whether you're a commercial fisherman, or you just enjoy a weekend on the lake trying to reel in that 20-pound bass, there's a good chance you will need to obtain a license to fish in your state. In Oklahoma, the department of Wildlife Conservation supervises wildlife and fishing, and requires you to pay a license fee and follow some other regulations to legally fish in the state's rivers, lakes and streams.

  1. License

    • To fish in Oklahoma, you must first obtain a license. The Department of Wildlife has a number of license fee categories based on age and the length of time that the license is valid. If you are between the ages of 18 to 64, you can buy an annual combination hunting and fishing license that lasts from September to December of the year. If you don't live in Oklahoma, you can purchase an annual fishing license -- if you visit the state every year during fishing season -- or a six-day fishing license, if you are an occasional visitor. If you're 16 or 17 years of age, you can purchase a youth annual fishing license, which is less expensive than the annual combination license.

    Exemptions

    • In certain cases, you may be exempt from having to buy a fishing license in Oklahoma. If you're a resident under the age of 16, you do not need a license. Also, no license is required for a nonresident under the age of 16 who lives in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas or Wisconsin.

      In addition, nonresidents under the age of 14; owners, tenants and relatives of people who own private ponds or lakes; nonresidents 65 years and older, who live in Texas; disabled veterans; the legally blind and physically impaired; individuals under the age of 18 who are wards of the state; and Job Corps trainees are also exempt.

    State Fishing Regulations

    • You can use as many as seven rods when you fish, but no more than three lines and 100 hooks for each person in your fishing party. You are permitted to use a bow and arrow to catch non-game fish in all waters, unless specifically restricted. There is no regulation restricting the kind of bow you can use, but your arrows can't have more than one point, with a maximum of four barbs on each point. You are allowed to use a net, if you are not a commercial fisherman, but you cannot take your catch across state lines and sell it. Your net must be 10 feet or less in length.

    General Regulations

    • The state of Oklahoma prohibits you from fishing without a license, or fishing on private property without the owner's permission. You cannot sell or trade fish, turtles and frogs without a commercial license, and you are not allowed to use trap containers; such as cans, drums or barrels to catch fish.

      Alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted on any property under the supervision of the Wildlife Department, and you cannot use Jet Skis in the upper section of the Illinois River, where it intersects with Baron Fork Creek. It is also illegal to stock any kind of fish in public waters without first obtaining consent from the Director of Wildlife Conservation.