Make plans to grab your fishing pole and visit a nearby river or lake this Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5, to take advantage of Oklahoma's annual Free Fishing Days.The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is urging everyone to enjoy this opportunity to catch some fish and to introduce someone to the sport without having to buy a state fishing license.
People will likely find good fishing conditions at local ponds and municipal lakes. The Department's Close to Home Fishing waters, situated in urban areas throughout Oklahoma, are good places to go for Free Fishing Days.
"This special weekend in June lets everyone 'test the waters' to see if they enjoy the sport of fishing," said Ken Cunningham, Fisheries Division assistant chief for the Wildlife Department. "We would urge everyone to get out and wet a line. Chances are they are really going to enjoy it."
Anyone who doesn't know where to start can turn to the "Where to Fish" map found in the Wildlife Department's "Oklahoma Fishing" regulations guide, available online at wildlifedepartment.com or in print where fishing and hunting licenses are sold.
Anglers may also sign up to receive the weekly Oklahoma Fishing Report. Compiled by Wildlife Department personnel and independent reporters, the report reveals inside information on the best places to go fishing, when the fish are biting and what baits the fish are hitting the most. Anglers can have the fishing report delivered via e-mail by signing up at wildlifedepartment.com/fishing/fishrpt.htm.
Participants in Free Fishing Days should note that city or local permit requirements may still apply to specific fishing areas June 4-5. Also, free fishing applies to all of Lake Texoma on June 4, but free fishing will only apply to the Oklahoma portion of the lake on June 5. Anglers must abide by all Texas fishing license and permit requirements when fishing the Texas portion of Lake Texoma on June 5.
Anyone fishing in Oklahoma City's municipal waters will be exempt from the Oklahoma City fishing permit on June 4-5. In addition, Oklahoma City has designated the first Saturday each month for the remainder of 2016 as a free fishing day; on those Saturdays a city permit is not required, but a state fishing license is required.
Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to offer Free Fishing Days about 30 years ago and has since been followed by dozens of other states that have established similar days.
Free Fishing Days allows people to fish without having a state fishing license, but all other fishing regulations remain in effect, including daily bag limits and size restrictions.
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