Attention Non-Residents
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission adopted new rules in 2025 that require non-residents accessing certain Oklahoma public hunting and fishing areas to check in and out of the area. By checking in and out of these areas, hunters, anglers, shooters, birdwatchers, hikers and any other users can help the Wildlife Department better understand how the area is being used. There is no additional cost associated with checking in or out of an area. There is no limit to the number of check ins for an individual in a year.
Contacts
Area Details
Any questions related to trout stocking/fishing information please call: (918) 683-1031.
The Watts Unit is 320 acres along the Illinois River below Tenkiller Reservoir in Sequoyah County in eastern Oklahoma, approximately four miles north of Gore on Hwy 100 and one miles east on County Road E0990. The river is the dividing line between the oak-hickory forest on the east bank and the pasture land with overgrown fence rows and scattered pecan trees on the west bank. The area has one pond but the focus of fishing is the 3/4 mile stretch of the lower Illinois River that runs through the property.
From Gore: 3.8 miles northeast on State Hwy 100, watch for the blue ODOT “Watts MU Trout Fishing” sign and follow the arrows approximately 1 mile east on E0990.
- Quail: Bobwhite quail may be present.
- Deer: White-tailed deer may be present.
- Turkey: Turkeys maybe present.
- Furbearers: Coyotes and bobcats are available.
- Bald Eagle: Frequent visitors to the area.
Fish management currently is trout stocking on a put and take basis. Additional habitat in the form of rock structures and logs may be added and a special management area exists in the lower part of the property. These changes are designed to improve the river to a put, grow and take trout fishery. Wildlife management practices are being formulated at this time.
The Watts Unit is walk-in only and does not allow camping.
The Illinois River is stocked weekly with rainbow trout and with brown trout when they are available, White bass, walleye and the occasional striped bass can be caught in this area. Fishing regulations differ between the upper half and the lower half. The lower portion of the area between the stream gage and the gravel plant is a special management area where harvest and terminal tackle are restricted. Harvest here is limited to trout over 20 inches long and tackle is restricted to artificial lures and flies with barbless hooks only or with live bait using a 3/0 hook or larger, Regulations for the upper portion are the same as the rest of the river.
All hunting is restricted to shotguns with pellets or archery equipment only.
Closed Seasons
Same As Statewide Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Youth Deer Gun, Deer Muzzleloader, Deer Gun, Holiday Antlerless Deer Gun
Archery equipment only. Archery equipment can be used to fill a youth deer, deer muzzleloader, deer gun or holiday antlerless deer gun license.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined.
No camping allowed.
Apprentice Designation: A Learner's Permit for Hunting
Hunter education has greatly reduced hunting accidents, but if you can’t complete a course right away, the apprentice designation allows you to hunt under supervision. It works like a learner’s permit, giving you the chance to gain real experience safely until you finish hunter education.
Exploring the New Herron Family WMA
The new Herron Family WMA is more than 17,000 acres of hunting land, it is also adventure, access, conservation, and tradition. Thanks to a unique partnership, Oklahoma residents now have a new place to chase deer, call turkeys, hear quail, and pass on the outdoors to the next generation.