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
Area Details
Canton WRP covers 640 acres on the northeast portion of Canton Lake. Approximately 1/3 of the WRP is water. The area consists of 120 acres of ag fields and food plots. Black locust, cottonwoods, and post oak blackjack are the dominant species surrounding the ag fields. Phragmites dominates the area near the lake.
From Longdale: 2miles north, 3 miles west on CR E 590 (immediately west of golf course)
- Quail: Bobwhite quail are present in fair numbers.
- Deer: White-tailed deer are present in good numbers but are highly sought after.
- Turkey: Rio Grande wild turkeys are present in good numbers but are highly sought after.
- Rabbit: Cottontail rabbits are relatively common on Canton. Jackrabbits are occasionally present, but are not common.
- Furbearers: Coyote, bobcat and raccoon are available.
- Dove: Dove are present in fair numbers early in dove season.
Habitat management on Canton includes controlled burning on 1,000 to 1,500 acres annually, and prescribed grazing on 5,200 acres to manage for native grasses and forbs. In addition, approximately 1,200 acres of ag lease fields and food plots are scattered across the area and planted annually. Eighteen windmills and solar water pumps have also been installed to provide year-around water supplies for wildlife.
No camping is allowed in the WRP but 15 primitive camping areas are available on the Canton WMA.
Additional developed campgrounds with RV hookups are available around Canton lake. Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for more information on the developed campground sites (580/886-2989). Lodging and restaurants are available around Canton WMA at Canton, Seiling, Fairview, and Longdale. The Canton chamber of commerce can be reached at (580/886-2216)
A rifle range can be found on the eastern side of the area, north of Canton dam. It offers a 200 yard range and has a covered shooting pavilion.
Canton lake is well known for walleye fishing and is also an excellent crappie and sandbass fishery. Management efforts include walleye stocking, hybrid stripped bass stocking, and construction of brush piles to provide habitat. Fishing is also available at several cutoff oxbow lakes located on the western end of the area.
All shotgun hunting is restricted to federally approved nontoxic shot.
Closed Seasons
Seasons w/ Special Restrictions
- Deer Archery, Dove, Rail, Gallinule, Crow, Duck, Merganser and Coot, Sandhill Cranes, Rabbit, Squirrel, Turkey Fall Archery, Pursuit with Hounds for Furbearers, Predator/Furbearer Calling
Closed Oct. 15 - Jan. 31.
- Turkey Spring, Youth Turkey Spring
One-tom limit; seasons combined, area combined.
Closed to all nonhunting activities from Oct. 1 - Feb. 15.
No camping allowed.
Canton Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 307, Canton 73724
580-886-2216
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Post Office Box 52002
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2002
(800) 652-6552 or (405) 521-2409
www.travelok.com
Seiling Chamber of Commerce
580-922-4460
Watonga Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 537, Watonga 73772
580-623-5452
www.watongachamber.com
cwatonga@pldi.net
Okeene Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 704
Okeene, 73763
www.okeene.com
okchamber@pldi.net
Apprentice Designation: A Learner's Permit for Hunting
Hunter education has greatly reduced hunting accidents, but if you can’t complete a course right away, the apprentice designation allows you to hunt under supervision. It works like a learner’s permit, giving you the chance to gain real experience safely until you finish hunter education.
Exploring the New Herron Family WMA
The new Herron Family WMA is more than 17,000 acres of hunting land, it is also adventure, access, conservation, and tradition. Thanks to a unique partnership, Oklahoma residents now have a new place to chase deer, call turkeys, hear quail, and pass on the outdoors to the next generation.