Page 23 - 2021 2022 Oklahoma Fishing & Hunting Regulations

PADDLEFISH RESEARCH CENTER

Location: 61091 E. 120 Road, Miami, OK 74354. (Four miles north Fish pick-up: Wildlife Department personnel will pick up live
of Twin Bridges State Park.) paddlefish from bank and boat anglers at Grand Lake. Call the
PRC to arrange for a pick-up.
Hours: 9am-6pm Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday and
Wednesday). Opening March 1 and closing April 30. Purpose: Wildlife Department biologists collect important
biological data for paddlefish management, process paddlefish
Contacts: Call Paddlefish/Caviar Coordinator at (918) 686-3673 meat for anglers and salvage paddlefish eggs. The PRC also
or the Paddlefish Research Center at (918) 542-9422.
serves as the hub for statewide paddlefish management and
research activities.
Q: Why can I only keep two fish? Q: Why is it prohibited to snag for paddlefish with more
than one rod and reel?
A: After years of data collection and consideration of numerous
alternatives, Wildlife Department biologists have concluded that an A: In recent years, snagging for paddlefish has transitioned from
individual annual harvest limit is the best solution for long-term har- primarily a bank fishery to a boat fishery due to improvements in
vest management in Oklahoma. The primary goals are to conserve sonar technology, access, and information on staging areas. Groups
the resource and reduce total harvest while preserving opportunity of paddlefish staging to spawn are highly vulnerable to boats with
for as many anglers as possible. Catch-and-release angling for pad- multiple rods per angler, and this scenario provides for higher inci-
dlefish remains available statewide, year-round with few restrictions. dence of take violations, additional fish stress, and gives boating
anglers a distinct advantage over bank anglers.
Q: I have a permit, so what do I need to do to harvest a fish?
Q: What do I do if I catch a banded paddlefish?
A: Once an angler catches and decides to keep a fish, the fish
should be labeled with the angler’s customer ID number. One option A: If you harvested the fish, there will be an opportunity to report the
is to put duct tape around the bill and write the angler’s customer band during the E-Check process at wildlifedepartment.com. If you
ID number in permanent marker. Within 24 hours of harvest, the released the fish, please report your band at PaddlefishBands.com
paddlefish must be reported. Go to wildlifedepartment.com or or call the Paddlefish Research Center at (918) 542-9422.
visit the Paddlefish Research Center during business hours to report
your harvest. Once reported, the angler will receive a confirmation
number. Retain the number for your records.

IMPORTANT PADDLEFISH
REGULATIONS The most up-to-date

• Barbless Hooks ONLY regulations online.
• One (1) rod and reel (pole and line) per angler.
• Daily Limit: One (1) fish.
• Annual Limit: Two (2) fish.
• MUST E-Check all harvested fish within 24 hours (E-Check at
wildlifedepartment.com).
• Residents and nonresidents, regardless of age or exemption status, must obtain a
free paddlefish permit, annually (permits expire on Dec. 31); permit must be carried
on person (electronic or hardcopy).
• Fish kept must be tagged immediately with angler’s customer ID number.
• Once a fish is kept, it CANNOT
be released (no culling).
• Once a fish is kept, angler
MUST stop fishing (snagging)
for the day.
• Snagging prohibited from 10
p.m. to 6 a.m. east of I-35 and
north of I-40, except the Miami
City Park.
Nels Rodefeld

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