Another study, over two years, showed that only one in five anglers who caught a blue catfish had one over 30 inches and that 8 percent of the blue catfish caught had more than 30 inches, he said. Bolton said the department found that blue catfish were caught at more than 30 inches at a rate 16 times higher than their numbers in lakes. Pryor fisherman Charley Jordan said catfish fishermen are looking for food and blue catfish are better to eat. The proposed rule would impose a daily limit of 30 inches or more on anglers of a blue catfish. Anglers can currently catch up to 15 blue catfish per day; There is no limit to the number of larger fish, so all 15 can legally measure 30 inches or more. Other rules adopted Monday include the formal adoption of changes made earlier this year for turkey hunting; change the catch limit in the Lower Mountain Fork River trout area to a single brown trout of 30 inches or more; the inclusion of marbled crabs as a pest species that may be illegally imported into the state; Opening of several public spaces in western Oklahoma for capture for the month of February; Reduce the parcel size to 320 acres to qualify for deer hunting as a bonus for youth from private woodless countries; near the Selman Bat Cave property open to the public; and clarify restrictions on the number of camping days allowed in wildlife management areas. Daily and size restrictions: • The daily limit is six rainbow trout in all federally designated trout areas except parts of the Blue River, Lower Illinois River, and Lower Mountain Fork River. (See maps and descriptions on pages 21 and 23 of your ODWC rulebook.) • There is no minimum size for rainbow trout in a state-designated trout area, except in parts of the Lower Illinois River and Lower Mountain Fork River. (See maps and descriptions on pages 21 and 23 of your ODWC rulebook. American alligator hunters with the appropriate permit are allowed to kill and keep two non-hatching alligators per day, and each must be larger than 18 inches (46 cm). In addition, all hunters should be aware of the legal alligator harvesting season, which typically begins on September 1 in Florida. The length of the legal season may vary depending on the official. The 2006 season lasted 11 weeks.

Oklahoma`s waters offer many non-wild fish that can be fished in addition to the wild fish featured here. They come in all shapes and sizes, including this massive smallmouth buffalo (an indigenous idiot often mistaken for a carp). Check out www.wildlifedepartment.com/outdoorok/ooj/fifty-fish-factoids for more information on Oklahoma`s many non-wild species and their valuable role in our aquatic communities. “We fish for food, not trophy catfish,” he said. Review the special “Public fishing waters” regimes for areas with additional daily and size restrictions. Some regions have different regulations. See “Public Fishing Waters” for daily and special size restrictions for certain areas. There are no daily or size restrictions for fish species caught in private ponds and lakes. A bag limit is a law imposed on hunters and anglers to limit the number of animals within a particular species or group of species they are allowed to kill and keep. Size restrictions and hunting seasons are sometimes accompanied by harvest restrictions that limit the size of these animals and the time of year when hunters are legally allowed to kill them. Those who violate these or other hunting laws are called poachers.

Sherrer questioned a department study that showed that less than 1 percent of the blue catfish population in Oklahoma`s lakes is taller than 30 inches. Barry Bolton, the department`s chief of fisheries, said biologists have collected data on 13 reservoirs in the state in five years. Blue catfish grow slowly, so it takes them about 15 years to reach 30 inches, he said. The state of Oklahoma also imposes daily and sizeable restrictions to ensure fishing activities throughout the state do not interfere with fish populations. You need to understand these limits to do your part to conserve natural resources throughout the state. Here is a summary: (All non-listed species, with the exception of shad allis and species of very high concern I and/or II(E), have no daily or minimum size restrictions) (F) • Residents and non-residents, regardless of age or exceptional status, must obtain a free paddling licence each year (licences expire December 31); The licence must be issued on one person An annual non-resident fishing licence costs $55.00. However, if you only want to fish in Oklahoma waters for a few days, you can also purchase a 6-day fishing license for $35.00 or a one-day fishing license for $15.00. Other important permits and labels are also available for non-residents. Anyone is allowed to fish in Oklahoma without a state license these days (a free paddle fishing license is always required). Another regulation approved by the Commission will change the national catch limits for large mullet and black bass. The new daily limit will be six basses of any length, with only one over 16 inches long. This rule comes with an exemption for black bass fishing tournaments, which keeps fish over 16 inches alive until weighed, after which the fish must be released.

• Kept fish must be immediately marked with the fisherman`s client identification number or E lifetime licence number. The alligator gar can be caught with a rod and reel, a trotting line and a throwing line. The gar alligator, captured with a bow and arrow, performances, spears or harpoon rifles, can not be released. Attempts to capture or harvest alligator graves are banned nationwide from May 1 to 31. Before you pack your bags for a weekend getaway to one of Oklahoma`s best fishing spots, check out the fishing rules and regulations of the area you`re visiting. The following links will help you understand the do`s and don`ts and answer all your questions. Having a copy on hand is also advisable so that you can have a stress-free holiday. Type of removal: • • It is prohibited to catch fish in state-designated trout areas during trout season by any means except with a rod and reel (or rod and rod). • Trout caught and placed on silt or otherwise held cannot be released later (no slaughter). • All owned trout must be kept on a silt marked with the fisherman`s name and their customer number or lifetime licence number. All anglers must have their own silt.

Turtles can be caught in all waters with a resident or non-resident fishing license with the provisions listed below. Turtles caught with a firearm require a hunting license. Turtles can be caught year-round, provided that: Q: Are anglers still required to keep a record of their paddle fish harvest? Most mullids do not have a tooth stain on the tongue. Where can I buy an Oklahoma fishing license? • Once a fish is kept, the angler MUST stop fishing (catching) for the big day. The harvesting of alligator and paddle fish must be reported to wildlifedepartment.com within 24 hours by electronic verification. For all other Category I or II fish species of very high concern, such as buffalo and shovel sturgeon (see Division 800:25-19-6), a daily limit of 1 applies and the harvest must be reported. The harvest must be reported to the fisheries department of the Ministère de la Faune at (918) 683-1031. After considering comments on the proposed rule changes received during the formal public comment period, the Commissioners approved all of the proposed regulatory amendments introduced by the Department`s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife this year, with one notable change. • no more than six turtles of each species are caught per day; Property Line: No person may have more than one daily limit of a trout species on the grounds. After the first day, no one is allowed to own more than 12 rainbow trout and 12 brown trout, except on the Lower Mountain Fork and Lower Illinois rivers, where the brown trout possession limit is two.