Public Use Restrictions on Department Lands
The following rules and restrictions govern public use on all
Wildlife Department Fishing Areas:
Waterfowl Refuge Portion - The Waterfowl Refuge Portion (WRP) of
the following lakes / areas is closed during October 15 -
January 31 to all public use and access: Canton, Hackberry Flat,
Hugo, McClellan-Kerr, Red Slough, and Wister. Visit
wildlifedepartment.com for a map of the WRP portion or contact
the Area Managers listed in the Oklahoma Hunting Guide.
Fishing - fishing is permitted at all times in accordance with
regulations. "Closed areas" may be designated for purposes of
safety and/or security. After 10:00 p.m. and until 5:00 a.m.,
all Wildlife Department fishing areas are restricted to fishing
and hunting (when applicable) related activities only. No person
may fish with more than two (2) poles, except during trout
seasons at Designated Trout Areas when only one (1) pole per
person is allowed. Trotlines, throwlines, limblines, juglines,
nets, seines, yo-yo’s, spearguns, noodling and taking of bait
minnows by any method is prohibited, except cast nets may be
used to take bait for personal use only at Lake Carl Etling.
Lake Dahlgren (Lexington WMA) is closed to fishing during
designated controlled hunts (check current Hunting Guide for
dates).
Hunting - always check the current Hunting Guide for season
details and restrictions. All forms of hunting are permitted on
Lakes Vincent, Hall, Jap Beaver, Burtschi, Nanih Waiya, Ozzie
Cobb, Schooler, Evans Chambers, American Horse and Vanderwork
during open hunting seasons from September 1 through spring
turkey season. Hunting is restricted to shotguns and bows only.
These lakes are closed to antlerless deer harvest, except during
archery season. See current Hunting Guide for seasons and
restrictions on lakes Vincent (Ellis County WMA) and Dahlgren
(Lexington WMA). Hunting and shooting other than provided above
is prohibited. "Closed areas" may be designated for purposes of
safety and/or security.
Camping - limited to three (3) days duration, except at the
Lower Illinois River PFHA, Kiamichi River Access Area and
Arcadia CEA where no camping is permitted, and at Lakes Watonga
and Carl Etling where camping is limited to 14 consecutive days,
and at Blue River PFHA where camping is restricted to 14 days in
a 30-consecutive-day period. Camping is permitted only in
designated camping areas. Quiet shall be maintained in camping
areas between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Operation or use of any
audio-producing device including radios, televisions and musical
instruments or motorized equipment used in such a manner as to
reasonably annoy or endanger persons at any time or exceed state
or local laws governing noise levels is prohibited.
Boats & Motors - must comply with existing state boat
regulations and boat operators must obey Oklahoma State Boat
Laws. All boats must be operated at no-wake speed (six miles per
hour or less) and may not be left on the water or at areas
longer than the limit on camping.
Water Skiing - water skiing is prohibited.
Littering - disposal of trash, refuse and debris, including
organic and inorganic material is prohibited, except in
designated trash containers.
Motor Vehicles - driving, occupying or parking any motor driven
vehicle, except on maintained roads (unless posted as "no
parking zones"), designated parking areas and camping areas is
prohibited. It is unlawful to operate any vehicle in a manner to
create a public nuisance or to park in a "no parking zone."
Motor vehicle operators must be licensed drivers.
Vandalism, Theft, & Damage to Property - vandalism, theft,
cutting or defacing of trees and vegetation, removal of soil,
rocks, water or minerals or damage to state property is
prohibited.
Fireworks / Explosive Devices - Possession or use of explosive
devices, including fireworks and firecrackers, is prohibited.
Swimming - swimming is not permitted in Wildlife Department
lakes.
Dogs - dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, except when
used to hunt during legal open seasons on those areas where
hunting is permitted.
Disorderly Conduct - no person shall use threatening, abusive or
indecent language, participate in disorderly assemblage nor
publicly appear nude or intoxicated on any lands owned and
managed by the Wildlife Department.
Glass beverage containers are prohibited at Department fishing
areas, except in designated camping and parking areas.
Alcoholic Beverages/Controlled Substances- beer and other
alcoholic beverages are not allowed (as defined in O.S. Title
37, Section 163.1), except at camping and parking areas. No
person shall use any controlled dangerous substance (as defined
in O.S. 63, Section 2-101) on any lands or waterways subject to
control of the ODWC.
Blue River Public Fishing & Hunting Area
In addition to restrictions listed above, the following
regulations apply to the Blue River PFHA:
• Wildlife Conservation Passport - All persons who enter or use
the Blue River PFHA must possess the Wildlife Conservation
Passport, unless exempt (see page 5).
• Hours- vehicular access is closed to all except emergency
traffic from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. year-round.
• Carl R. & Ruth Walker Landrum Wilderness Area & Plaster
Wildlife Management Unit - special rules pertain to these areas,
including walk-in access only (except where wheelchair access
provided), no camping, and no swimming.
• Hunting - always check current Hunting Guide for season
details and restrictions. All hunting is restricted to shotgun
and archery only. Closed to waterfowl hunting and antlerless
deer harvest during deer gun season.
• Camping - camping is restricted to 14 days in a
30-consecutive-day period. The Area Manager may grant
extensions. Extension approval will be based upon degree of area
use, anticipated weekend or holiday occupancy and recreation
season. Requests for extensions must be received by the Area
Manager a minimum of 48 hours prior to start of extension date.
Camping is permitted only in designated camping areas. No person
shall leave a vehicle, camper, tent or any personal property
unattended for more than a 48-hour period without approval of
the Area Manager. Unauthorized placement of camping equipment or
other items placed at a campsite, and/or personal attendance
without overnight occupancy at a campsite for the purpose of
reserving a campsite for future occupancy is prohibited. All
property removed from unauthorized placement at a campsite will
be at the owner’s expense and liability.
Arcadia Conservation Education Area
• Fishing - walk-in fishing is allowed year-round on the Arcadia
Lake shoreline within the conservation area from dawn until
dusk. No overnight fishing allowed. Fishing is not allowed on
the ponds or wetland areas.
• Hunting - All hunting seasons are closed except controlled
archery deer hunts, which are offered through the City of
Edmond. For more information log on to edmondok.com.
• No camping allowed.
• Closed to all nonhunting and nonfishing activities Oct. 1 -
Jan. 15.
• For additional information, contact Damon Springer, (405)
396-2223.
Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area – Simp and
Helen Watts Management Unit
No camping permitted. All hunting is restricted to shotguns with
pellets or archery equipment only. See Hunting Guide for open
hunting seasons.