Public Lakes in Oklahoma are owned and operated by either the Wildlife Department

Wildlife department Fishing Areas - PUBLIC USE RESTRICTIONS
The following rules and restrictions govern public use on all Department Fishing Areas:

FISHING - fishing is permitted at all times in accordance with regulations. Special “closed areas” may be designated for purposes of safety and/or security. After 10:00 p.m. and until 5:00 a.m., all 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 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 March 1. 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. Special “closed areas” may be designated for purposes of safety and/or security.

CAMPING - limited to three (3) days duration, except at the Kiamichi River Access Area where no overnight camping is permitted and at Lakes Watonga, Carl Etling, where camping is limited to 14 consecutive days. 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.

Wildlife department Fishing Areas Continued:

BOATS AND 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, AND 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.

SWIMMING - swimming is not permitted on 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 Department.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES/CONTROLLED SUBSTAN-CES - no person shall possess, consume or use any intoxicating beverage (as defined in O.S. Title 37, Section 163.1). except at camping and parking areas and 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 AND HUNTING AREA
In addition to restrictions listed above, the following regulations apply to the Blue River PFHA:
• BLUE RIVER CONSERVATION PASSPORT - Effective July 1, 2003, all persons who enter or use the Blue River PFHA must possess the Blue River Conservation Passport, unless exempt (see pg. 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. AND RUTH WALKER LANDRUM WILDERNESS AREA AND 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.