License Requirements/Exemptions
License Requirements
An Oklahoma resident or nonresident fishing 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. Unless exempt, anyone hunting, fishing or trapping must possess the Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit. In addition, persons fishing on waters located within the Honobia Creek or Three Rivers Wildlife Management Areas must have a valid Land Access Permit, unless exempt. All required licenses or written evidence of exemption must be carried while fishing.
License exemptions
The following persons are exempt from the resident or nonresident fishing license:
Residents under 16, and nonresidents under 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, parents, grandparents, children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses who fish in private ponds on land owned or leased by such owner or tenant. Persons residing in another state who own land in Oklahoma but do not live on that land are not exempt.
People fishing in private farm ponds must have a fishing license and a Legacy Permit, unless exempt. Size limits and daily limits are the same as the statewide regulations. Resident owners or tenants, their spouses, parents, grandparents, children and their spouses, and grandchildren and their spouses are exempt from a fishing license. Persons residing in another state who own land in Oklahoma but do not live on that land are not exempt.Regulations for private ponds:
Nonresidents 64 and older who are residents of Texas.
Resident disabled veterans with 60 percent or more disability. Call State Dept. of Veterans Affairs, 1-888-655-2838 for additional information.
Any person who fishes with pole and line, trotline or throw line in streams, natural ponds and mine pits in or forming the boundary of the county in which he is a bona fide resident, when using any bait other than commercial or artificial bait, blood, stink bait, cut fish, and shrimp.
Oklahoma citizens in the U. S. Armed Forces serving outside Oklahoma on authorized leave and with written evidence on their person.
Any person legally blind or physically Impaired who is unable to properly use fishing apparatus and one accompanying companion while the blind or physically impaired person is fishing.
Any patient of a state institution in Oklahoma established for the care and treatment of mental illness or alcohol or drug dependency or any person developmentally disabled residing in any group home or other institution or persons developmentally disabled when accompanied by an attendant of such institution or legal guardian or when fishing on institutional property.
Residents having a proven disability rendering them nonambulatory and confined to wheelchairs as certified by a duly qualified physician.
Job Corps trainees of this state, having a proper identification card.
Persons under 18 who are in legal and physical custody 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 Oklahomas Free Fishing Days.
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 Blue River Conservation Passport: Persons who possess a resident or nonresident annual fishing or hunting license, a resident combination fishing/hunting license, a lifetime resident or nonresident fishing, hunting or combination license, a senior citizen fishing, hunting or combination license, a disability fishing or hunting license or a lifetime disabled veteran combination fishing/ hunting license; residents who are under eighteen (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 Wildlife Department. NOTE: Persons possessing a nonresident 5-day or a resident 2-day fishing license are not exempt from having to purchase a Blue River Conservation Passport.
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 nonresidents are required to purchase a $25 annual Land Access Permit, no exceptions.
The following persons are exempt from the purchase of the Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit: Residents under 18 or 64 years of age or older; those who have a lifetime hunting, fishing or combination license; those who have a senior citizen lifetime fishing, hunting or combination license; residents who have a 5-year disability fishing/hunting license; those fishing on Lake Texoma with the Lake Texoma license; nonresidents under the age of 14; nonresidents under the age of 16 from states that do not require nonresident fishing licenses for youth under the age of 16; everyone fishing during Oklahomas Free Fishing Days; and those who are otherwise exempt from an annual fishing license.
Last modified: January 2, 2008