Get an Oklahoma Fishing License

OKLAHOMA FISHING LICENSES REQUIREMENTS

Before you head out on one of the state’s 200-plus lakes, it’s important to know that all Oklahoma residents and nonresidents must have a fishing license if they plan to take, attempt to take or possess fish in the state. You’re required to carry the license or written proof of an exemption while you’re fishing.

It’s important to note that in addition to an Oklahoma fishing license if you plan to fish in waters within the Honobia Creek or Three Rivers Wildlife Management Areas, you must have a valid Land Access Permit.

FISHING LICENSE EXEMPTIONS

There are many exemptions to the Oklahoma fishing license requirements for both residents and non-residents.

Residents
The following residents don’t need a license to fish in the state.

• Those under 16 years old
• Resident owners or tenants and certain family members fishing in private ponds on land they own or lease
• Veterans with 60 percent or more disability
• Anyone who fishes with pole and line, trotline or throw line in streams, natural ponds and mine pits in or forming the boundary of the county in which he is a bona fide resident, when using any bait other than commercial or artificial bait, blood, stink bait, cut fish, and shrimp
• Individuals with a proven disability rendering them no ambulatory and confined to wheelchairs

Any Oklahoma resident who on the first day of the current calendar year was younger than 18, or anyone 64 or older is also exempt from the purchase of the Land Access Permit (Honobia Creek and Three Rivers WMAs).

To claim one of these exemptions, you must qualify as a “resident,” which is an individual with an established residence in Oklahoma for 60 consecutive days before submitting a license application. However, for lifetime license applicants and senior citizen lifetime license applicants, you must have established residency for six months and intend to remain a resident.

Non-Residents
Certain categories of non-residents are also exempt from the Oklahoma fishing license requirements.

• Individuals under 14 years old
• Those under 16 years old who live in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas or Wisconsin
• Anglers 65 and older who are residents of Texas

Residents and Non-Residents
Besides the specific Oklahoma fishing license exclusions for residents and non-residents, there are general exemptions that apply to any anger. These include:

• Anyone legally blind or physically impaired who is unable to properly use fishing apparatus and one accompanying companion
• Persons under 18 who are in the legal and physical custody of the State of Oklahoma or its agencies by court order or in the custody of a childcare facility as defined by Title 10 O.S., Section 402
• Those fishing during Oklahoma’s Free Fishing Days, which, in 2021, are June 5 and 6
• A patient of a state institution in Oklahoma established for the care and treatment of mental illness or alcohol or drug dependency or any person developmentally disabled living in any group home or other institution or persons developmentally disabled when accompanied by an attendant of such institution or legal guardian or when fishing on institutional property
• Job Corps trainees of Oklahoma
• Any person taking part in an aquatic education event or clinic san

TYPES OF FISHING LICENSES

The types of fishing licenses available for purchase are based on residency, duration of your fishing trip and, sometimes, age.

Residents
The options for Oklahoma resident fishing licenses include:

• Annual
• 2-day
• 5-year
• Lifetime
• Youth annual
• Senior citizen fishing
• Disability
• Lake Texoma
• Combination fishing and hunting license

Non-residents
Residents also have several options for licenses based on how many days they plan to fish.

• Annual
• 6-day
• 1 day
• Lake Texoma

OKLAHOMA FISHING LICENSE FEES

In Oklahoma, the fees anglers pay for fishing licenses help preserve the sport for future generations. The fees are subject to change every year and are published annually in the Oklahoma fishing regulations published by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

WHERE TO BUY YOUR OKLAHOMA FISHING LICENSE

The easiest way to get your Oklahoma fishing license. You can purchase it through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website. You simply have to create an account.

If you prefer to purchase your license from an agent, the website also has a listing of options that you can search by proximity or location.