Statewide Limits

ALSO CHECK SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS FOR SPECIAL DAILY AND ANY SIZE LIMITS.

Glossary - fishing terms defined

Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) - aquatic organisms along with all their parts that are not native to Oklahoma that have the potential to harm native organisms and their habitats. They can also affect human use of these natural resources. A few examples are the silver carp, the white perch, the rudd, the zebra mussel, eurasian watermilfoil, giant salvinia and alligator weed.

Black bass - largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted (Kentucky) bass.

“Close to Home” fishing waters - specific bodies of water designated as such under a cooperative fisheries management agreement between ODWC and a participating cooperator, usually a city or municipality.

Combined daily limit - some species of similar kind are combined into one daily limit.  The combined limit is the total number of those species that can be kept in a day. Example: unless specified otherwise, anglers may keep a combined limit of 15 (total) channel and/or blue catfish, but not 15 each.

Culling - releasing fish caught that were placed on a stringer, in a livewell, or otherwise held in possession, often to replace the fish with a larger one. Culling is legal, except paddlefish, trout, striped bass and hybrid striped bass may not be released once held in possession.

Daily limit - the maximum number of fish of a given species which an angler may legally keep in a single 24-hour period (midnight to midnight).

Gaff hook - a handheld hook or handheld pole with a hook attached and may only be used in the landing of a fish, other than paddlefish, already hooked by hook and line methods.

Game fish - largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, black and white crappie, rainbow and brown trout, sauger, saugeye, walleye, striped bass, white bass, blue and channel catfish.

Grabhook - handheld hook or handheld pole or rope with a single hook attached used in the initial taking of a fish.

“In the Field” - meaning while fishing, while in the boat, on the bank, in the immediate vicinity of any river, creek, stream, lake or pond, or while transporting or carrying the fish from the waters described above to camp or from such water to the final destination.

Minimum size limit - the smallest size of fish that may be kept.  All fish caught which are below the minimum size listed for that species must be returned (released) to the water immediately.

Nongame fish - all other species not listed as game fish.

Nonresident - any individual who is a resident of another state or who has resided in Oklahoma less than 60 days, regardless of whether or not they intend to make the state their home. Land ownership does not constitute residency.

Protected slot limit - special limit that prohibits keeping fish between certain sizes. All fish caught which are between the size range listed must be returned (released) to the water immediately. Example: a 13 to 16-inch protected slot limit on bass means angler may not keep any bass caught between 13 to 16 inches in size.

Resident - any individual who has resided in Oklahoma for 60 days or more and has the intention of making Oklahoma his or her home. 

Tailwaters - an area that covers the first 1,000 feet below a dam.

Total length - term used to describe the correct way to measure a fish.  Measure from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, with the fish laid flat on a ruler with the mouth closed and the tail lobes pressed together.

Yo-yo’s - mechanical fishing devices which automatically recoil when a fish strikes. See special regulations relating to fishing with yo-yo’s.

Last modified: December 29, 2009