Page 21 - 2020 - 2021 Oklahoma Hunting & Fishing Regulations

PADDLEFISH RESEARCH CENTER

Location: 61091 E. 120 Road, Miami, OK 74354. (Four miles north Fish pick-up: Wildlife Department personnel will pick up live
of Twin Bridges State Park.) paddlefish from bank and boat anglers at Grand Lake. Call the
PRC to arrange for a pick-up.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays,
Saturdays and Sundays, opening March 1 and closing April 30. Purpose: Wildlife Department biologists collect important
Contacts: Call Paddlefish/Caviar Coordinator at (918) 686-3673 biological data for paddlefish management, process paddlefish
or the Paddlefish Research Center at (918) 542-9422. meat for anglers and salvage paddlefish eggs. The PRC also
serves as the hub for statewide paddlefish management and
research activities.
Q: Why can I only keep two fish? Q: Why is it prohibited to snag for paddlefish with more
than one rod and reel?
A: After years of data collection and consideration of numerous
alternatives, Wildlife Department biologists have concluded that an A: In recent years, snagging for paddlefish has transitioned from
individual annual harvest limit is the best solution for long-term har- primarily a bank fishery to a boat fishery due to improvements in
vest management in Oklahoma. The primary goals are to conserve sonar technology, access, and information on staging areas. Groups
the resource and reduce total harvest while preserving opportunity of paddlefish staging to spawn are highly vulnerable to boats with
for as many anglers as possible. Catch-and-release angling for pad- multiple rods per angler, and this scenario provides for higher inci-
dlefish remains available statewide, year-round with few restrictions. dence of take violations, additional fish stress, and gives boating
anglers a distinct advantage over bank anglers.
Q: I have a permit, so what do I need to do to harvest a fish
on a legal harvest day? Q: What do I do if I catch a banded paddlefish?
A: Once an angler catches and decides to keep a fish, the fish A: If you harvested the fish, there will be an opportunity to report the
should be labeled with the angler’s customer ID number or lifetime band during the E-Check process at wildlifedepartment.com. If you
license number. One option is to put duct tape around the bill and released the fish, please report your band at PaddlefishBands.com
write the angler’s customer ID number or lifetime license number in or call the Paddlefish Research Center at (918) 542-9422.
permanent marker. Within 24 hours of harvest, the paddlefish must
be reported. Go to wildlifedepartment.com or visit the Paddlefish
Research Center during business hours to report your harvest. Once
reported, the angler will receive a confirmation number. Retain the
number for your records.

IMPORTANT PADDLEFISH
REGULATIONS

• Barbless Hooks ONLY
• One (1) rod and reel (pole and line) per angler
• Daily Limit: One (1) fish Showcase
• Annual Limit: Two (2) fish
• Mondays and Fridays: Catch-and-release ONLY your business!
• MUST E-Check all harvested fish within 24 hours (E-Check at
wildlifedepartment.com)
• Residents and nonresidents, regardless of age or exemption status, must obtain a
free paddlefish permit, annually (permits expire on Dec. 31); permit must be carried
on person
• Fish kept must be tagged
immediately with angler’s
customer ID number or lifetime
license number
• Once a fish is kept, it CANNOT
be released (no culling)
• Once a fish is kept, angler
MUST stop fishing (snagging)
for the day
• Snagging prohibited from 10
p.m. to 6 a.m. east of I-35 and
north of I-40, except the Miami For advertising inquiries, please call
City Park Nels Rodefeld (413) 884-1001

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