Residents and nonresidents must get a fishing license in Oklahoma. It is illegal to fish in public waters without an appropriate license. It is illegal to fish in private waters without the permission of the owner of the property, despite having a fishing license issued by the state of Oklahoma. Residents and nonresidents can apply for a fishing license online. There are other avenues as well, such as agencies, stores selling fishing equipment, and guides serving as facilitators. Before you apply for a fishing license in Oklahoma, you must be familiar with the different types, their validities and the costs involved. 

Who are Residents and Nonresidents in Oklahoma?

Anyone above the age of sixteen who has a verifiable residence in the state for at least sixty consecutive days is a resident. Anyone above the age of sixteen who does not fulfill this criterion is a nonresident. However, there are exceptions. There are other criteria for specific licenses, such as the lifetime permit. U.S. Armed Forces personnel in active duty at any of the military installations in the state of Oklahoma are considered as residents, including their partners and dependents.

Types of Fishing Licenses in Oklahoma and their Fees for Residents

Residents can get an annual fishing license for $25. There is an annual license covering both fishing and hunting that costs $42. Annual licenses are valid for a year, from the 1st of January through the 31st of December. Fiscal year licenses are valid from the 1st of July through the 30th of June of the following year. A fiscal year license, for both fishing and hunting, costs $53.

Residents can get a two-day fishing license for $15. These two days should be consecutive. A youth annual fishing license for sixteen and seventeen years’ old residents costs $5. Young residents can include hunting too for an additional $4, or opt for a fiscal combination license for a combined fee of $19.

Five-year fishing license for residents costs $88. Only those residents who have been living in the state at an established residence for a minimum period of six consecutive months are eligible for this license. Lifetime fishing license also has this criterion for eligibility. A lifetime fishing license for residents costs $225.

Residents with disability can apply for a combined license for fishing and hunting priced at $200, which has lifetime validity. Residents who have sixty percent or more disability can this combination license for a lifetime at $25. There is a lifetime fishing license specifically for Lake Texoma priced at $12.

Paddlefish permits are available for free. Senior resident citizens can get a lifetime fishing license for only $15. Senior residents can get a combination license for $25. Disability fishing license for five years costs $10. There are other licenses such as land access permit and annual wildlife conservation passport. These are not for fishing or hunting. A fishing guide license costs $90. This is discounted to only $20 if a fishing guide has Coast Guard Mariner credentials. This is an annual license.

Types of Fishing License in Oklahoma and their Fees for Nonresidents

Nonresidents do not qualify for five-year or lifetime licenses. Nonresidents can get an annual fishing license for $55. A six-day fishing license costs $35. This is for six consecutive days anytime of the year. A one-day fishing license for nonresidents costs $15. This can be any day. Lake Texoma fishing license for nonresidents is $12. This is valid for one calendar year. Nonresidents need a license for paddlefish, although the permit is available for free. Land access permits and wildlife conservation passports are available for nonresidents, but they do not permit fishing, or hunting.

Exemptions in Fishing License Regulations of Oklahoma

There are many exemptions as per the local laws and regulations of the state. Residents younger than sixteen years do not need a license. Fishing in a private pond does not require a license, as long as the owner has permitted such an activity. Disabled veterans residing in the state are exempt, subject to proof of exemption. Residents with certain disabilities that confine them to wheelchairs are exempt.

Nonresidents younger than fourteen years are exempt. Nonresidents aged fifteen and sixteen in many states are also exempt, such as Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin. Senior nonresidents, aged sixty five and above, who reside in Texas are exempt, subject to proof of identification.  

There are other types of exemptions for both residents and nonresidents. For instance, there are two free fishing days in the state of Oklahoma. Anyone can fish without a license. The next dates are June 5 and 6, 2021. People who are unable to use fishing apparatus due to any impairment can seek help of someone and fish without a license. Residents and nonresidents younger than eighteen in childcare facilities or custody of the state, and its agencies, are also exempt.

Common Fish Species in Oklahoma

The common and also popular fish species in the state of Oklahoma are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, hybrid bass, white bass, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, alligator, sauger, saugeye, bluegill sunfish, green sunfish, redear sunfish, brown trout, rainbow trout, walleye, and of course, paddlefish.

Best Fishing Spots in Oklahoma

Fishing is not just a hobby, or a pastime, for the people of Oklahoma. It is an integral part of life. Some estimates say that more than one-fourth of the populace in the state fish more often than not. This also necessitates stringent conservation, to protect many species of fish. Some water bodies are under conservation. The fisheries look after these areas. Some places are natural havens for many species. Then there are private properties.

The five best fishing spots in Oklahoma that have the involvement of the fisheries department are Vinita Lake Park, Medicine Creek, Lake Eufaula State Park, Bernice at Grand Lake State Park, and Lake Tenkiller. The other fishing havens are Lake Texoma, Flint Creek, Quanah Parker Lake, Deep Fork River, Glover River, Broken Bow Lake, Upper Mountain Fork River, and Illinois River.