Paddlefish

Paddlefish are a unique fish native to Oklahoma. The species can live up to 60 years and range throughout the greater Mississippi/Missouri River watershed. In Oklahoma, paddlefish are found mainly in the Arkansas and Red River systems, including the Grand/Neosho, Verdigris, Canadian, and Kiamichi rivers, among other tributaries.

The Wildlife Department's paddlefish research and management program involves an extensive process of netting, weighing, measuring, and marking paddlefish with metal bands on the lower jaw.

In 1992, fisheries biologists began an effort to re-introduce paddlefish to Oklahoma waters where they had become locally eradicated. Dams on several rivers had blocked the annual movements of paddlefish in several river systems. In a cooperative effort between ODWC and US Fish and Wildlife Service, hatchery professionals raised young paddlefish and released them in Kaw, Oologah, Texoma, and Eufaula lakes.

During their early spring spawning run, this prehistoric fish can be caught by snagging with a stout surf rod, heavy test line, and a large barbless treble hook. Anglers are required to obtain a free paddlefish permit before fishing for paddlefish in Oklahoma. The permit can be obtained by going to the online license system and selecting the purchase a new license or the "Get a Paddlefish Permit" option. Paddlefish not immediately released are considered kept and must be tagged immediately with the angler's paddlefish permit number (Customer ID). See the Fishing Guide for a full description of paddlefish regulations.

For 15 years, the Paddlefish Research Center (PRC)was integral to the research of Oklahoma's paddlefish with a unique research funding model that used the revenue generated from caviar production at the PRC. However, ODWC has decided to transition to the typical federal grant funding model, the Sport Fish Restoration Program, which necessitates the end of caviar production and sales. For more information on this decision to close the PRC, see our Outdoor News release here: ODWC ENDING CAVIAR PROGRAM; PADDLEFISH RESEARCH TO CONTINUE

Biologists will continue research and management of the Grand/Neosho paddlefish stock, expand staffing, enhance efforts on other paddlefish populations in the Arkansas, Canadian, Verdigris, and Red River watersheds, and broaden our research and management focus on under-studied nongame fishes (such as buffalofishes, shovelnose sturgeon, and American eels).

If you catch a jaw-banded paddlefish: You can keep the band if you harvest the fish. Please report the band when you e-check your harvest. Please do not remove bands from released fish, but you can report the catch and release of banded paddlefish here. Thanks for supporting our paddlefish conservation efforts.

Why? Biologists use bands to estimate population abundance and annual harvest. Click here to learn more about banded paddlefish and the conservation effort.

Paddlefish Regulations Paddlefish Bio

Additional Paddlefish Resources

Where To Paddlefish

Grand, Hudson and Fort Gibson lakes are all part of the Grand River system that has provided Oklahoma and non-resident anglers with some of the best paddlefishing in the world.  Please be sure to read all the regulations regarding paddlefishing in the Oklahoma Fishing Guide.

These maps provide the location of boat ramps. Please be sure to read all the regulations regarding paddlefishing in the Oklahoma Fishing Guide.

• Grand
• Hudson
• Ft. Gibson

In addition to the Neosho River paddlefish can be caught in the Kaw Lake tailwaters, Keystone, and Oologah Lake.

Paddlefish Videos

Paddlefish Data

Since the Paddlefish Research Center (PRC: formally known as the Paddlefish Research and Processing Center, or RPC) officially opened in spring 2008, a significant amount of never before available data have been collected.  Biologists continue to collect data via traditional methods, however, angler-caught fish information is now being collected, to better evaluate the Grand Lake paddlefish population.  Below are three forms of data now being used by ODWC to make paddlefish management decisions.

PRC Fish Data

Since opening in 2008, approximately 22,000 paddlefish have been examined and ODWC has amassed a considerable database on biology, physiology, and demographics of this southern plains stock.

Jawbones removed from all processed fish revealed that the spawning population of Grand Lake paddlefish for the past five years has been dominated by fish spawned in 1999. the outstanding recruitment resulting from this massive spawn is still not completely understood, but it has provided many years of excellent fishing as a result.

Weather and Netting Data

Weather is a significant factor in the spawning success of paddlefish. During the 1999 spring spawn (Feb. – May), there were 16 days of high flow in the Neosho River.

By combining the known factor that spawning conditions were good in 1999 with the subsequent increases in paddlefish caught during netting, biologists knew that anglers would be experiencing some great snagging when these fish reached sexual maturity. The angler-caught fish brought into the PRC for processing the past five years helps confirm that the spawn of 1999 resulted in a great year class of fish.

Netting data show that the number of paddlefish in the Grand River system has increased since the mid-1990s. Although the population has grown, netting data also indicate that subsequent year classes are not as strong as the class of 1999.

The good flow year of 1999 was followed by several less-than-optimal years of streamflow (2000–2007). All had nine or fewer days where water levels reached the optimum flow for paddlefish.

Netting data collected at the PRC and weather data are all being used by biologists to make paddlefish management decisions.

Weak year classes subsequent to that of 1999 and data on increasing angler numbers are the key reasons for ODWC making changes to the 2010 paddlefish regulations.

Paddlefish Permit Data

Anglers who snag for paddlefish must obtain a free paddlefish permit. This is vital as well to the overall decision-making process in regard to current and future regulations. Biologists use paddlefish permit data to determine angler use, motives, and satisfaction.

Based on the number of paddlefish permits issued and the results of postseason angler surveys, ODWC recognizes that tens of thousands of resident and nonresident anglers fish for paddlefish during the spring run. Since 2008, the popularity of this fishery has grown.

Results from the post-season angler survey indicate that nearly 65 percent of anglers had their kept paddlefish processed by the PRC.  Nearly half of the anglers using the PRC are non-residents, indicating that the fishery is valued as a regional resource, not simply to Oklahomans.  Given various choices about their paddlefish experience, anglers indicated that the fun and excitement of paddlefishing combined with the chance of catching a big fish were the most important aspects of their experience.

What the Future Holds

Due to the PRC, biologists know more than they ever have about the paddlefish in the Grand River system.  The fishing is great and the fishery has grown in popularity.  Netting shows that the paddlefish population is still very good and with proper management, anglers can look forward to years of good snagging.

Although conditions were similar to 1999, it is a little early to accurately predict the future in regards to recent flow years such as 2008 and 2009. Over the next few years of netting, biologists will determine if the optimal spawning conditions did in fact produce one or two back-to-back strong year classes similar to 1999.

As an agency, ODWC is responsible for the management of this resource. Our goal is to actively monitor and manage the angler pressure on the population to ensure that the resource will be enjoyed by future generations.  Recreational anglers can do their part in helping manage and enhance the fishery by 1) knowing the regulations, 2) practicing catch-and-release, 3) not targeting spawning females, 4) reporting banded paddlefish, and 5) using the services of the PRC for kept fish.