Before fishing in state waters, anglers must acquire an Oklahoma fishing permit through the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Resident fishing licenses and non resident fishing licenses are the two general types of permits to fish available. Furthermore, certain groups of OK residents are eligible for lifetime fishing licenses. In addition, anglers seeking to improve their knowledge about the sport can participate in state-sponsored fishing education programs or join one of many fishing clubs and organization across Oklahoma. Learn more about how to buy a fishing license in Oklahoma and fishing education opportunities in the below sections:
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Before organizing an Oklahoma fishing trip, applicants older than 15 years of age are required to purchase a fishing permit from the ODWC. However, before obtaining your recreational fishing license, you must buy a wildlife conservation passport, which grants you the right to fish recreationally on department-owned lands.
Oklahoma fishing permits are divided into two general groups, based on the applicant's residency status:
Resident fishing permits are issued to any interested applicant who meets the state's residency requirements. To be considered a resident, you must have lived within the state for 180 days before submitting your fishing license application. In addition, non-resident military members are eligible for resident fishing licenses because of their military service. The following residential fishing licenses are available for purchase:
Additionally, the department offers the following lifetime resident fishing licenses:
Note: Lifetime fishing permits in Oklahoma can only be obtained by mailing a fishing license application to ODWC's headquarters.
State visitors who want to fish in Oklahoma are required to obtain a non resident fishing permit through the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Varying based on several factors, including length of license validity, the following non residential fishing licenses are available to out-of-state anglers:
Anglers interested in buying an OK fishing license can obtain their fishing credentials through the ODWC in one of the following ways:
The Department of Wildlife Conservation offers numerous education opportunities to both novice and experienced anglers in Oklahoma. Ranging from fishing clinics for participants of all ages to school fishing programs, applicants can take full advantage of the following state-sponsored education programs:
The AREP’s fishing clinics allow participants to learn about Oklahoma's aquatic ecosystem and the basics of fishing. The program's main objectives include the conservation of the state's fishing heritage and the facilitation of urban fishing opportunities. The fishing topics covered by the clinics include:
Sponsored by the ODWC, the Fishing in the Schools Program is part of the state's school curricula. After applying to become involved, interested institutions may send their educators to fishing trainings hosted by the department. Each school will then receive fishing gear for use during fishing outings that are organized by the teachers.
Oklahoma anglers can join various fishing clubs and organizations for a more well-rounded fishing experience. Open to fishermen of all ages and expertise levels, these associations offer everything from a fishing forum to specific fishing courses, such as fly fishing and spin fishing. Explore a few of Oklahoma's fishing clubs below:
Affiliated with the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, the North Oklahoma City Bassmasters' mission is to promote the sport of bass fishing through an assortment of activities. While also promoting conservation policies, the club offers the following benefits to potential members:
A non-profit organization affiliated with the Federation of Fly Fishers, the Green Country Flyfishers' main focus is the advancement of fly fishing, especially among OK’s youth. In accordance with angling ethics and the state's conservation guidelines, the GCF's activities include:
