Looking for a nearby lake or pond to fish in? Through agreements between Oklahoma municipalities and the Wildlife Department, these areas offer excellent "Close to Home" fishing opportunities in metro areas.

Close-to-Home Fishing waters have the following additional restrictions:

• Fishing is limited to no more than three (3) rods and reels per person, with no more than three (3) hooks per line (treble hooks are considered one hook). No other fishing methods are allowed, except noodling is allowed in the North Canadian River from the NW 10th Street bridge downstream to the MacArthur Street bridge in OKC.

• All largemouth and smallmouth bass caught must be released (returned to the water) immediately after being taken; no harvest is allowed.

• Channel catfish and blue catfish have a combined daily limit of six (6); no size limits apply.

For all other species, consult the statewide regulations.

• Crystal Lake Outdoor Heritage Complex (6625 SW 15th) Special Use Area: Fishing pier may be reserved for youth-related Aquatic Resources Education Program events. For more information call (405) 650-2425.

• Dolese Youth Park Pond (NW 50th and Meridian)

• Edwards Fishing Lake (1515 N Bryant)

• Kids Lake (3200 W Wilshire Boulevard)

• Oklahoma River from NW 10th Street bridge to NE 10th Street Bridge; Wetland Ponds at Walker, Pennsylvania, and Western Avenues.

• Route 66 Park Ponds (NW 23rd and W Overholser Drive)

• South Lakes Regional Park Ponds (4302 SW 119th) Note- Fishing access of west pond may be restricted due to low water conditions.

• Waters of the Stinchomb Wildlife Refuge (5101 N Stinchomb Avenue)

• Zoo Lake (east side only, 2101 NE 50th)

• Eagle Lake (3405 E Reno)

• Hafer Park Pond (1700 E 9th, one blk. east of Bryant)

• Mitch Park Amphitheater Pond (2733 Marilyn Williams Drive)

• Bickham-Rudkin Park Pond (450 E 33rd Street)

Harrah (405) 454-2951:  

• Heritage Park Pond (1374 N Church Avenue)

• Lake Helen (I-44 and Cache Road)

• Little River Park, North and South Ponds (700 SW 4th)

*Note: these ponds will open in spring 2008.

• Wildhorse Park Pond (1/2 mi. west of Mustang Rd. on SW 59th)

• Sutton Wilderness Area Pond (1/3 mi. south of Rock Creek Rd. on west side of 12th Avenue NE)

• Willow Pond (in Northeast Lions Park, north of Robinson on Northcliff Avenue)

• Mulvey’s (City Park) Pond (2200 S Holly Street)

• Welch Park Pond (615 Annawood Rd.)

• Senior Center Pond (1200 Lakeshore Drive)