Oklahoma’s Free Fishing Days Slated

By Oklahoma Dept of Wildlife Conservation

First posted on 05-27-2010

Anglers can fish for free June 5-6 during Oklahoma’s Free Fishing Days, when people can fish without state fishing licenses, which are normally required of most anglers.

“Oklahoma’s Free Fishing Days provide a great opportunity for our veteran anglers to take someone fishing who has never been before, since they don’t have to buy a license or permit to go,” said Damon Springer, Aquatic Resource Education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Anglers have an opportunity to introduce someone to the sport who otherwise wouldn’t know what fun they are missing.”

Families in Oklahoma City wanting to get in on the free fishing fun can attend Family Fishing Day at Edwards Park Pond June 5, where a free fishing clinic will be taught by volunteers through the Wildlife Department and the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department. Participants should bring their own fishing equipment and bait, and prizes will be awarded to anglers who land specially-tagged fish that have been stocked in the lake for the event. To pre-register, call (405) 755-4014.

Oklahoma offers fishing in lakes and rivers, but also in urban waters designated by the Wildlife Department as “Close to Home Fishing” locations. Anglers who don’t know where to start can turn to the Wildlife Department’s weekly state fishing report to find just the right place to go. Every week the fishing report provides a listing of lakes and the current state of angling success at that location. The reports are compiled by Wildlife Department employees and volunteers and cover lakes and waters throughout every region in the state. Information such as lake levels, water temperatures, species being caught, locations of best angling activity and successful baits is included in the reports. Anglers can receive the fishing report by subscribing to the Department’s weekly news release at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wl_news.htm .

Although state fishing licenses are not required during Free Fishing Days, anglers should note that certain city permits may still apply to specific fishing areas.

Anglers fishing Lake Texoma should be aware that Free Fishing Days applies for all of the lake on June 5 but only on Oklahoma portions of the lake on June 6.

Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to offer free fishing days over 25 years ago and has since been followed by dozens of other states that have established similar days.