Trout Regulations
License Requirements:
- A resident or nonresident fishing license is required of all persons who take or attempt to take fish, including trout, unless otherwise exempt.
- A trout license is no longer required because it is included in the resident or nonresident fishing license.
Trout Seasons:
See map and description of each state-designated trout area.
Method of Taking:
- It is unlawful to take fish from state-designated trout areas during trout season by any means except one rod and reel (or one pole and line).
- Trout caught and placed on a stringer or otherwise held in possession cannot be released (no culling.)
Daily & Size Limits:
- Daily limit is six rainbow trout in all state-designated trout areas except in portions of the Blue River, the Lower Illinois River and the Lower Mountain Fork River (See maps and descriptions below.)
- There is no minimum size limit for rainbow trout at any state-designated trout area except in portions of the Lower Illinois River and the Lower Mountain Fork River (See maps and descriptions below.)
- Daily limit for brown trout is six with no minimum size limit, except at the Lower Mountain Fork River and Lower Illinois River where the daily limit is one; size limit: 20-inch minimum, with a possession limit of two after the first day.
Possession Limit:
No person shall have in his possession in the field more than one daily limit of any trout species. After the first day, no person shall have more than 12 rainbow trout and 12 brown trout in his possession, except at the Lower Mountain Fork River and Lower Illinois River where the possession limit for brown trout is two. Nonresidents shall not have more than two day’s limit of any trout species upon leaving the state.
Trout Fishing Tips:
Oklahoma has two introduced species of trout, rainbows and browns. Of the two, rainbows are far more abundant. Brown trout are stocked in the Lower Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow dam and in the Lower Illinois River when available, while rainbows are usually stocked every two weeks at all eight of the state’s trout areas during designated trout seasons. Anglers can use the following tips to help them put trout on the stringer:
- For the trout stocking schedules of all trout areas statewide, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
- Use an ultra-light rod and reel spooled with six pound or lighter line to produce more strikes.
- Small spinners, spoons and crappie size jigs (tube or maribou) are good artificial lures.
- Fishing with live or prepared bait such as worms, power baits and salmon eggs is very productive where legal.
- Try small hooks (size 10 to 18) and sinkers to keep bait near the bottom and prevent trout from detecting any resistance.
- Fish during the early morning and late afternoons for best action.
- Concentrate on fishing around structure such as behind large rocks, logs and below riffles. Trout also tend to congregate above and below waterfalls, in and around deep pools and undercut banks.
- Rainbows tend to occupy faster moving water while browns may be found in more slack stretches.
- Trout face upstream to wait for insects to appear above them.
- Fly fishermen should try to fish with flies that resemble the insects and crustaceans that are most seasonally abundant.
- Fishing often improves a few days after stocking when trout have adjusted to their new environment.
Trout Area Information
Lake Watonga
Trout Season
Trout are stocked from Nov. 1 through March 31 of the following year.
Designated Trout Area/Size/Location
Seven miles north of Watonga in Blaine County. This 55-acre lake is within Roman Nose State Park.
Bank Access/Boat Ramps
Bank access and a boat ramp on the west side of the lake.
Notes of Interest
Camping and lodge facilities are available within Roman Nose State Park. For information, call the park at (800) 892-8690.
Lake Pawhuska
Trout Season
Trout are stocked from Nov. 1 through March 31 of the following year.
Designated Trout Area/Size/Location
96-acre lake 3 miles west of Pawhuska on U.S. 60 and 1.75 miles south on county road in Osage County.
Bank Access/Boat Ramps
Public-use facilities include a boat ramp, boat/fishing dock, parking area and restrooms – all handicap-accessible.
Notes of Interest
Camping at Lake Pawhuska is limited to primitive sites. Camp sites with electrical hook-ups available at nearby Lake Bluestem.
Special Regulations
City of Pawhuska requires a boating permit to launch a boat. For information call (918) 287-3040.
Lower Illinois River
Trout Season:
Year round.
Designated Trout Area/Size/Location:
7.75 miles of Illinois River from Tenkiller Dam to U.S. 64 bridge near Gore in Sequoyah County.
Bank Access/Boat Ramps:
The Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area – Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit offers public fishing access to almost one mile of the trout stream and 320 acres of public hunting opportunity (see map). To reach the area, travel north on State Highway 100 from Gore about four miles. Turn east onto county road E0990 and travel about one mile to the entrance. Park in the designated parking area only. The area is managed for walk-in access only.
Four other public access sites are available along the state designated trout stream, including a pool off the river located immediately below the dam which allows trout fishing even during high power generation. Another good site is located at the River Road Public Access Area about six miles downstream from the dam. The Gore Landing Public Access Area, operated by the town of Gore (918) 489-2636, offers camping and a boat launching ramp.
Special Regulations: Daily limit
Brown trout – one over 20 inches in length. Rainbow trout – six, no minimum length. From USGS stream gauge downstream to Gravel Pit County Road: one over 20 inches in length.
Trout fishing in the Lower Illinois River Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit from the USGS stream gauge downstream to Gravel Pit County Road is restricted to artificial flies and lures only and barbless hooks only. Single barbed hooks 3/0 or larger may be used only when fishing with natural bait for species other than trout.
Lower Illinois River Public Fishing and Hunting Area
Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit – all general trout fishing regulations apply (see above). No overnight camping is allowed on the area.
Trout Season:
Year round.
Designated Trout Area/Size/Location:
12 mile portion of the Lower Mountain Fork River and its tributaries from the Broken Bow Reservoir spillway downstream to the U.S. 70 bridge. About five miles of this designated trout stream lies within Beavers Bend State Park, in McCurtain County.
Bank Access/Boat Ramps:
Bank access is unlimited within the state park and downstream to the re-regulation dam. Another public access point exists at Presbyterian Falls. Boat ramps are located just upstream of and below the re-regulation dam.
Notes of Interest:
Camping and cabin facilities are available within Beavers Bend State Park and below the re-regulation dam. For information call the park at (580) 494-6300.
Trout Regulations:
- Brown trout – Daily limit: one; size limit: 20-inch minimum.
- Rainbow trout – Daily limit: six combined from Red and Blue Zones. See Zone regulations below.
Special Regulations by Zone:
Blue Zones: (From the Broken Bow Reservoir spillway downstream to the Lost Creek diversion structure; from the first State Highway 259A scenic bridge downstream to the State Park Dam; and from the mouth of Rough Branch Creek downstream to U.S. 70 bridge):
- Rainbow trout – Daily limit: six; no minimum size limit.
- Use of bait and barbed hooks is permitted.
Red Zones: (From the Lost Creek diversion structure downstream to the first State Highway 259A scenic bridge, including the Lost Creek channel; and from the State Park Dam downstream to the mouth of Rough Branch Creek):
- Rainbow trout – Daily limit: one; Size limit: 20-inch minimum.
- Possession of any trout less than 20-inches is prohibited.
- Use of bait or barbed hooks is prohibited in the Red Zone. Fishing is restricted to barbless hooks, artificial flies and artificial lures only.
Trout Season:
Trout are stocked from Nov. 1 through March 31 of the following year.
Designated Trout Area/Size/Location:
6.25 miles of Blue River flows through the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area located in Johnston County, four miles east of Tishomingo on State Highway 78 and six miles north.
Bank Access:
Bank/wading access is available throughout the area (see accompanying map).
Notes of Interest:
Camping facilities available only at the Blue River Campground area (see map). Special access is provided for handicapped persons confined to wheelchairs. For information, call (580) 443-5728. For complete public use restrictions, seeWildlife Department Fishing Areas.
Special Regulations:
From Nov. 1 to Feb. 28, the portion of the Blue River which enters the north side of the property and flows to the end of the first walk in trail is catch and release only. (See shaded area on map.) Fishing is restricted to barbless hooks, artificial flies and lures only. Starting March 1, special regulations do not apply. Also, no camping and no vehicles are allowed except in designated parking areas of the Carl R. and Ruth Walker Landrum Wilderness and the Bill and Valerie Plaster Wildlife Management Unit. Nonhunting and nonfishing visitors to the area are required to possess a Wildlife Conservation Passport, unless exempt (see Special Licenses & Permits).
Robber’s Cave
Trout Season:
Trout are stocked from Nov. 1 through March 15 of the following year.
Designated Trout Area/Size/Location:
1.5 miles of Fourche Maline River immediately below Carlton Lake Dam downstream to the southern boundary of Robber’s Cave State Park, located in Latimer County, five miles north of Wilburton on State Highway 2.
Bank Access:
Bank access is good because the entire designated trout stream lies within Robber‘s Cave State Park.
Notes of Interest:
Camping and cabin facilities are available within the state park. For information call (918) 465-2565.
Medicine Creek
Trout Season:
Trout are stocked from Jan. 1 through March 15 of the following year.
Designated Trout Area/Size/Location:
Medicine Creek from Gondola Lake dam downstream to the State Highway 49 bridge.
Bank Access:
A sidewalk along the east side of Medicine Creek in the town of Medicine Park will offer the best fishing access. Parking and fishing access also will be found along the creek’s east bank just north of the State Highway 49 bridge. The west side of the creek is mostly undeveloped but is accessible on foot. Anglers should avoid trespassing on any residential property.
Notes of Interest:
Camping facilities are available at the nearby Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. For more information, call the refuge headquarters at (580) 429-3222 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Lodging is available in and around Medicine Park.
Lake Carl Etling
Note: Fishing opportunities are limited due to prolonged drought. Call (580) 474-2663 for current information.
Trout Season:
Trout are stocked from Nov. 1 through April 30 of the following year.
Designated Trout Area/Size/Location:
Cimarron County, about 30 miles northwest of Boise City. 159-acre lake located within Black Mesa State Park.
Bank Access/Boat Ramps:
Berms extending from the south bank. Boat ramps on east and south sides of the lake.
Notes of Interest:
Camping facilities, including hookups, are available within the state park. For information, call Black Mesa State Park at (580) 426-2222.
Regulations in red are new this year.
Purple text indicates an important note.
