ENTER TO WIN TODAY
ON NATIONAL GO FISHING DAY, JUNE 18
Today, June 18, is National Go Fishing Day, when people are encouraged to take a break from daily routines, bait a hook, drop a line into a nearby lake, pond or river, and have some relaxing time fishing.
Also today, the Oklahoma Fishing Trail marks its first year with a special giveaway.
Anglers can go here to enter for a chance to win a prize package that includes a guided fishing trip with Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and J.D. Strong, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, along with a one-year parking pass for Oklahoma State Parks and a selection of Oklahoma Fishing Trail gear. Giveaway entries will be accepted for two weeks.
“We have been thrilled with the success of the Oklahoma Fishing Trail, and we expect things to only get better,” said Pinnell, who is also the state’s Secretary of Tourism and Branding. “Those of us who live here already know that Oklahoma is one of the country’s best fishing states, and we wanted to show the rest of the United States why they need to come fish in Oklahoma.”
A year ago today, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Oklahoma Wildlife Department launched the Oklahoma Fishing Trail, a joint initiative designed to make Oklahoma the No. 1 fishing state in the nation and increase tourism revenue. In that time, fishing license sales have increased and tourism revenues have been positive.
The Oklahoma Fishing Trail highlights 38 lakes and rivers across the state along with an additional 20 fishing destinations that are part of the Wildlife Department’s Close to Home Fishing Program. The lakes and rivers on the trail are divided into six loops, one for each region of the state.
Information about the Oklahoma Fishing Trail is available on FishinOK.com, a section of TravelOK.com that features information on each trail loop and surrounding amenities. A free Oklahoma Fishing Trail brochure may be ordered at TravelOK.com/Brochures.
A popular part of the Oklahoma Fishing Trail promotion has been the Grand Slam Challenge. Anglers can complete the challenge by catching five of the many species found in Oklahoma waterways and submitting photos of their catches at TravelOK.com/GrandSlam. So far, 40 anglers have completed the Grand Slam Challenge. Each person who completes the challenge receives a special Oklahoma Fishing Trail Grand Slam decal.
Remember, in Oklahoma, the outdoors is always open! And fishing is a great way to get outdoors to relax and enjoy nature. Here are some tips to stay healthy while fishing during the current COVID-19 outbreak:
- Try a new fishing spot. If your regular fishing location is popular and busy, try out a new one where fewer people are fishing. You can find a list of places to try out here.
- Once you find your spot, keep at least 6 feet of distance — about a fishing rod’s length — between you and other groups.
- Stick with your immediate family, but keep groups to fewer than 10 people.
- Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands often.
- Buy your fishing license online (if you haven't already) at GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com, either online using your home computer or smartphone, with the Go Outdoors Oklahoma app available for Apple or Android users, or at license vendors statewide.
The Wildlife Department is working with the Oklahoma Health Department to craft messaging that promotes responsible outdoor recreation during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Department and health authorities agree that safeguarding mental health is important and spending time outdoors is a great way to do so, while following guidelines issued by federal and state authorities.