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Public Fishing Areas: Special Regulations

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In addition to general fishing regulations, statewide species regulations and Department fishing area rules, this section addresses special regulations that apply to public fishing waters.  If a species or body of water is not listed, refer to statewide regulations.

  = Conservation Passport Area

Lower Red River

Daily/Size Limits:

For all of the Lower Red River:

Alligator gar harvest must be reported within 24 hours via E-Check at wildlifedepartment.com. Transport of shad from the Lower Red River is prohibited. If shad are collected from the Lower Red River for use as bait, they may only be used in the Lower Red River.

Methods:

For all of the Lower Red River:

Prohibited methods: bowfishing for paddlefish, year-round. (Also see "Tailwaters" regulations; and shad restrictions on Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS)).

Additional Restrictions:

Denison Dam downstream to the mouth of the Shawnee Creek: Anglers are advised to meet all fishing license requirements for both Oklahoma and Texas. See map below.

Image
Lower Red River below Lake Texoma map.

If fishing in Oklahoma waters, an Oklahoma fishing license is required, unless exempt. If fishing in Texas waters, you need a Texas fishing license, unless exempt. A Lake Texoma fishing license is not valid below Denison Dam.

Mouth of Shawnee Creek downstream (east): If fishing in the Red River, anglers must possess an Oklahoma fishing license, unless exempt.

Medicine Creek Trout Area

Comanche
Methods:

(Gondola Lake dam south to State Highway 49 bridge)

Allowed methods: only one rod and reel per person during trout season, bowfishing.

Note: For more trout regulations, see Trout Regulations. For Close to Home regulations, see "Close to Home" Fishing.

Nanih Waiya 

Pushmataha
Daily/Size Limits:

Channel and/or blue catfish: six combined per day.

Methods:

Allowed methods: up to two rods and reels per person, bowfishing.

Oklahoma River

Oklahoma
Methods:

Allowed methods: up to three rods and reels per person, with no more than three hooks per line (treble hooks count as one hook; restriction does not apply to artificial lures with more than three hooks). Noodling is only allowed from the NW 10th Street bridge to the MacArthur Street bridge.

Ouachita WMA

Le Flore, McCurtain
Daily/Size Limits:

Channel and/or blue catfish: six combined per day.

Methods:

Allowed methods: rod and reel only.

Overholser

Oklahoma
Methods:

Allowed methods: up to three rods and reels per person, with no more than three hooks per line (treble hooks are considered one hook). Bowfishing during daylight hours only. For all special regulations visit okc.gov.

Ozzie Cobb 

Pushmataha
Daily/Size Limits:

Channel and/or blue catfish: six combined per day.

Methods:

Allowed methods: up to two rods and reels per person, bowfishing.

Ponca, Lake

Kay
Daily/Size Limits:

Walleye, sauger and saugeye: six combined per day/18-inch minimum.

Methods:

Allowed methods: rod and reel only.

Ponds (WMAs)

Daily/Size Limits:

Channel and/or blue catfish: six combined per day.

Methods:

up to two rods and reels per person, bowfishing

Additional Restrictions:

Note: Ponds and creeks within Honobia Creek and Three Rivers Wildlife Management Areas require special permits. All resident anglers, except those under 18 years of age on the first day of the current calendar year or are 64 years old or older, and all nonresident anglers regardless of age must possess a Land Access Permit to fish and/or hunt on either the Honobia Creek or Three Rivers Wildlife Management Areas.

Fishing Contact: (405) 521-3721
Game Warden: (405) 522-0871

Purcell Lake

McClain
Daily/Size Limits:

All crappie: no limit.