Oklahoma City fishing permit changes

New fees for City of Oklahoma City fishing permits and a new three-day permit took effect Sept. 1.

Daily fishing permits are $5, three-day permits for three consecutive days are $10 and annual permits are $20. This is the first time a three-day permit has been offered to our anglers.

“The fee increases will help fund the continued operation of the City’s Fisheries Management Program,” said City Fisheries Biologist Bob Martin. “The new three-day permit will be more convenient for occasional anglers who want to fish for more than a day. This would be ideal for weekend fishing.”

Fishing in Oklahoma City waters requires a City permit, unless exempt, and a state fishing license. OKC fishing waters include the three main City lakes (Hefner, Overholser and Stanley Draper), eight Close to Home waters, the Oklahoma River and the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge.

City boating fees remain unchanged.

Oklahoma City has the only municipal fisheries program in Oklahoma and operates the H.B. Parsons Fish Hatchery.  Through its partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in fisheries management work and their Close to Home fishing program, the staff at the hatchery raises more than 500,000 walleye, striped bass hybrids, channel catfish and hybrid sunfish for stocking each year.

The staff manages about 8,000 surface acres of fish-able water by stocking fish, measuring the population, taking creel surveys, enhancing the fish habitat and conducting education programs. Permit fees help make the work possible to enhance sport fishing in Oklahoma City.

For more information the permit changes, City fishing waters and opportunities or the fisheries management program, call (405) 297-1426 .