Attention Non-Residents
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission adopted new rules in 2025 that require non-residents accessing certain Oklahoma public hunting and fishing areas to check in and out of the area. By checking in and out of these areas, hunters, anglers, shooters, birdwatchers, hikers and any other users can help the Wildlife Department better understand how the area is being used. There is no additional cost associated with checking in or out of an area. There is no limit to the number of check ins for an individual in a year.
Contacts
Echota Fishing Area:
A Conservation Passport is required.
Species of interest: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish
Note: Echota does not really provide access to the Illinois river.
Stunkard Fishing Area:
A Conservation Passport is required.
Species of interest: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish
Note: Stunkard provides limited bank access to the Illinois river.
Bait & Tackle shops are displayed by distance, starting with the closest.
- Walmart Supercenter (Tahlequah)(2020 Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, OK 74464)- (918) 456-8804
- Gibson Bait & Tackle(305 N Wyandotte St, Locust Grove, OK 74352)- (918) 479-1970
- Jimmy Houston Outdoors Store(25148 OK-82, Park Hill, OK 74451)- (918) 456-1156
- Pokey's Trading Post Bait & Tackle Shop(854 Spring Creek Ct, Locust Grove, OK 74352)- (918) 386-2738
- Big Daddys Lures(7339 S 437, Locust Grove, OK 74352)- (918) 479-4665
- Blue Water Bait & Tackle(235 W MAIN ST DISNEY 528, Disney, OK 74340)- (918) 435-4623
- Benge Creek Outfitters(291 West W Broadway Ave, Langley, OK 74350)- (918) 782-6525
- Blue Moon Bait & Tackle(448820 East, OK-85, Ketchum, OK 74349)- (918) 782-4009
- Walmart Supercenter (Pryor)(4901 S Mill St, Pryor, OK 74361)- (918) 825-6000
- Walmart Supercenter (Grove)(2115 S Main St, Grove, OK 74344)- (918) 786-8561
Illinois River upstream from Horseshoe Bend boat ramp, Barren Fork Creek and Flint Creek; black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted): six combined per day, only one of which may be a smallmouth bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass must be 14 inches or longer. No size limit on spotted bass.
Prohibited methods: snagging and noodling. Bowfishing, speargunning, and gigging are prohibited, except for the following methods/seasons:
Upstream from the Horseshoe Bend boat ramp to State Highway 51/U.S. 62 bridge: Gigging is permitted from Dec. 1 to March 1. Speargunning is permitted from Dec. 1 to March 31. Bowfishing is permitted from June 1 to March 31 in the Upper Illinois River only.
Upstream from State Highway 51/U.S. 62 bridge: Gigging, bowfishing and speargunning are permitted from Dec. 1 to March 31.
Possession or use of cast nets prohibited.
Additional Resources
Upload Your Catch
Ayden J
- Caught at: Upper Illinois River & Tributaries
E M
- Caught at: Upper Illinois River & Tributaries
Dustin W
- Caught at: Upper Illinois River & Tributaries
Tommy Trott
- Caught at: Upper Illinois River & Tributaries
Copper Garrett
- Caught at: Upper Illinois River & Tributaries
Dustin Wiley
- Caught at: Upper Illinois River & Tributaries
