Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS)

CLEAN.

Pressure wash your boat, trailer, and equipment with hot water (140º F) and remove all zebra mussels, plant fragments, and mud that are visible.

DRAIN.

Drain all water from your boat, motor, bilge, live wells, coolers, and ballast.

DRY.

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.

ANS are invasive, non-native species that threaten the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems in Oklahoma. Boaters must remove all aquatic plant species and zebra mussels from boats, trailers, and other gear prior to launching boats in state waters. If you find something you believe to be an ANS, call the fisheries biologist at (918) 200-4815. For more information on ANS, go online to ProtectYourWaters.net

No person shall transport shad from the following waters. 

If shad are collected from these listed waters for use as bait, they may only be used in the water body from which they were collected. If you encounter an invasive carp, please immediately report it to (918) 200-4815.

• The Red River below Lake Texoma to the Arkansas state line
• Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees
• The Neosho River from Grand Lake to the Kansas state line
• The Kiamichi River below Hugo Lake to the Red River

Bighead and silver carp are invading Oklahoma waters. 

If you catch either of these species, do not release the fish back into the water. Report it to Wildlife Department personnel immediately by calling (918) 200-4815. Anglers are allowed to possess dead or live bighead and silver carp when reporting them to the Wildlife Department. The Wildlife Department is collecting biological data on these species to better understand their population status and the threats they pose to state lakes and rivers. Your cooperation is appreciated.