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Trout Areas in Oklahoma
Blue River
Lake Carl Etling
Lower Illinois River
Lower Mountain Fork River
Lake Pawhuska
Quartz Mountain
Robbers Cave
Lake Watonga
General 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 ($10, adult; $5, youth) is required for all who fish in state designated trout areas or in tributaries to a state designated trout stream during trout seasons. THERE ARE NO EXEMPTIONS.
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 stringer or otherwise held in possession cannot be released.
DAILY & SIZE LIMITS:
Daily limit is six (6) rainbow trout per person at all state designated trout area except the Lower Mountain Fork River.
There is no minimum size limit for rainbow trout at any state designated trout area except the Lower Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow dam.
Daily limit for brown trout is six (6) with no minimum size limit, except at the Lower Mountain Fork River and Lower Illinois River where the daily limit is one (1); size limit: 20-inch minimum, with a possession limit of two (2) after the first day.
POSSESSION LIMIT:
No person shall have in their possession in the field more than one (1) daily limit of any trout species. After the first day, no person shall have more than 12 rainbow trout and 12 brown trout in their possession, except at the Lower Mountain Fork River and Lower Illinois River where the possession limit for brown trout is two (2). Nonresidents shall not have more than two (2) days limit of any trout species upon leaving the state.
TROUT FISHING TIPS:
Oklahoma has two introduced species of trout - rainbows and browns, with rainbows being far more abundant. Fingerling browns are stocked when available in the Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow dam and in the Lower Illinois River, 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:
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.
For more info contact
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
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