Page 11 - May/June 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma

NO LICENSE NEEDED JUNE 4-5 FOR FREE FISHING DAYS

Would you like to try fishing but don’t have a state Oklahoma was the first state to offer Free Fishing
fishing license? Don’t worry; you’ll have a chance Days about 40 years ago and has since been followed
June 4-5, 2022, during Oklahoma's annual Free by dozens of other states that have established
Fishing Days. similar days.
“Free Fishing Days gives people a chance to just Urban areas across the state offer angling
‘test the waters’ and see if they would enjoy the opportunities through the Wildlife Department’s Close
sport,” said Ken Cunningham, Chief of Fisheries for to Home Fishing Program (www.wildlifedepartment.
the Wildlife Department. com/fishing/wheretofish/cth), which provides quality
fishing opportunities that many people can find
JIM GALLOP/RBFF right near their own neighborhood. Anglers also
have access to hundreds of public lakes, rivers, and
streams across the state.
People who just don't know where to start can turn
to the “Where to Fish” map (www.wildlifedepartment.
com/fishing/wheretofish).
While Free Fishing Days allows anyone to fish
without a state fishing license, anglers still must
abide by all other fishing regulations including daily
bag limits and size restrictions. Participants should
note that local fishing permit requirements may still
apply to specific fishing areas June 4-5.
And, if you want the latest about where they’re
biting, you can sign up to receive ODWC’s weekly
Oklahoma Fishing Report. Compiled by Wildlife
Department personnel and independent reporters,
the report reveals inside information on the best
places to go fishing, when the fish are biting, and
what baits they are hitting the most. Subscribe at
www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishing/fishingreport
to have the report sent to your inbox.
Note that all of Lake Texoma will be open for free
fishing June 4, but free fishing will only apply to the
Oklahoma portion of the lake June 5.

BUY A HUNTING OR FISHING LICENSE, SAVE A LIFE

The Wildlife Department has joined with LifeShare of comfort to your family — knowing that a part of
of Oklahoma, the nonprofit organization dedicat- you may live on if something tragic ever happened.”
ed to saving lives through organ, eye and tissue LifeShare hopes this new option to register as a
donation, to give hunters and anglers the chance to donor increases the number of people registered
register to become an organ and tissue donor when across the state. About 600 Oklahomans are waiting for
they get a hunting or fishing license. a lifesaving donation, and about 108,000 people are on
Oklahoma is one of the first states to adopt this the current organ transplant wait list across the nation.
new way to register to be an organ and tissue donor. Hunters and anglers in Oklahoma can get their
Nels Rodefeld “Many years ago, someone chose to check the licenses online and in person at license dealers
organ donor box, and their family's loss saved my across the state.
father's life through a heart transplant,” said Nels In 2020, 214 people in Oklahoma gave the gift of
Rodefeld, Chief of Communication and Education for life by becoming an organ donor, and they saved
the Wildlife Department. "Without that transplant, 508 lives, according to LifeShare. The organization
we would have never gone on another deer hunt or works closely with three transplant centers and 145
even made another fishing trip together. health care organizations in Oklahoma to facilitate
“When you check the box, you could not only be donation. For more information about LifeShare, go
giving the gift of life to someone, but also the gift to www.LifeShareOK.org.

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