Island Spear Co.

Regulations Oklahoma

Spearfishing Regulations in Oklahoma

Checked against the primary source (ODWC) on July 5, 2026state

Governing agency: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC). Last verified July 5, 2026 by independent primary-source check.

Summary

Oklahoma is a landlocked state with no saltwater, so there is no marine spearfishing. In fresh water, spearfishing is legal but limited to nongame (rough) fish: gigs, spears and spearguns (no more than 3 points with 2 barbs each) may take nongame fish only, and white bass may also be taken by gig. Game fish - bass, crappie, trout, walleye/sauger/saugeye, white/hybrid/striped bass - may not be speared; the one exception is that spearguns used by SCUBA divers may also take blue and channel catfish. Gigs/spears/spearguns are lawful in rivers and streams only December 1 through March 31, but year-round in lakes and reservoirs, and anyone age 18 or older needs an Oklahoma fishing license.

License

What you need to be legal

LegalA license is required
License
Oklahoma Annual Fishing License (resident or nonresident)
Who needs it
An Oklahoma fishing license is required of all persons age 18 or older who take, attempt to take, or possess fish or other aquatic organisms by any method - including gigging, spearing, spearfishing (speargun) and bowfishing - in Oklahoma. Residents buy a resident license; nonresidents (including out-of-state landowners fishing their own Oklahoma property) buy a nonresident license. 5
Resident cost
Resident Annual Fishing $31 (valid 365 days); Lifetime Fishing $375; Senior Citizen Lifetime Fishing $30 (residents turning 65+). 6
Non-resident cost
Nonresident Annual Fishing $81 (valid 365 days); Nonresident 1-Day Fishing $26. 6
Where to buy
Online through the ODWC licensing portal at wildlifedepartment.com, via the ODWC Go Outdoors mobile app, or from licensed dealers and county clerks. 56

Exemptions

  • Residents age 17 and younger are exempt from the fishing license 7
  • Nonresidents age 17 and younger are exempt from the fishing license 7
  • Nonresidents age 65 and older who are residents of Texas are exempt from the fishing license 7
  • Resident owners/tenants and their listed immediate family fishing in private ponds on land they own or lease 57
  • Permanently disabled non-ambulatory residents; resident disabled veterans with a 60%+ disability rating 7
  • Legally blind or physically impaired persons and one accompanying companion; participants in an aquatic-education event or clinic sanctioned by the Wildlife Department 7
  • Lifetime fishing license holders (exempt from the annual license) 7

The full story

The full story

Oklahoma is landlocked, so 'spearfishing' here is entirely a freshwater question - and it tracks the familiar rough-fish-only pattern. Under OAC 800:10-3-5(c), gigs, spears and spearguns (no more than three points, no more than two barbs per point) are lawful for taking NONGAME fish only, with the single added allowance that white bass may be taken by gig. The state's popular game fish - largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, crappie, trout, walleye/sauger/saugeye, and white/hybrid/striped bass - are reserved for rod and reel and may not be speared.

There is one genuinely unusual twist worth flagging for divers: ODWC's current Method of Take guidance states that spearguns used by SCUBA divers may take not only nongame fish but also blue and channel catfish - which are otherwise classified as game fish. That makes blue and channel catfish the only game fish a diver may legally spear in Oklahoma, and only with a speargun while on SCUBA. (ODWC's posted Title 800 PDF still phrases section (c) as 'nongame fish only, white bass by gig'; the scuba-speargun catfish allowance appears in ODWC's current online Method of Take summary and its contracted eRegulations, which reflect current enforcement - a diver should confirm the current wording with ODWC.)

Timing and place matter a lot here. Gigs, spears and spearguns are open in rivers and streams ONLY from December 1 through March 31, but year-round in lakes and reservoirs. Delaware and Mayes counties are an exception where gigging in rivers and streams is open year-round. On top of the seasons, Oklahoma layers a long list of named closures - the Illinois River, Designated Trout Areas, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, multiple Grand River sections, the Poteau and Fourche Maline Rivers in LeFlore County, most reservoir tailwaters (Hudson/Markham Ferry excepted), and Lakes Hefner, Overholser and Draper among others - so a diver must check the specific water before going in.

On the license question there is no law-vs-practice gap: Oklahoma genuinely issues and enforces a fishing license, and it is required to take fish by any method, including gigging, spearing and bowfishing, for anyone age 18 or older. Residents 17 and younger are exempt, as are nonresidents 17 and younger and Texas residents 65+. So a spearfisher must carry a license just like any other angler.

Where it's legal

Saltwater & freshwater

Saltwater

Not permitted

Oklahoma is landlocked and has no marine or saltwater coastline, so saltwater spearfishing does not exist here. All spearfishing occurs in fresh water (rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs) under ODWC rules.

Freshwater

Legal

Spearfishing is legal but limited to nongame fish. Gigs, spears and spearguns containing not more than 3 points with no more than 2 barbs per point are lawful for taking NONGAME fish only, except white bass may also be taken by use of a gig. These methods are lawful in rivers and streams only from December 1 through March 31, and year-round in lakes and reservoirs (subject to many named closures). Per ODWC's current Method of Take guidance, spearguns used by SCUBA divers may additionally take blue and channel catfish. Fish taken count toward the daily bag limit and carcasses/remains must be properly disposed of. Paddlefish may NOT be taken by gig/spear/speargun from May 16 through March 14; paddlefish and alligator gar taken by these methods may not be released. 123

Gear

What you can carry

Speargun
Legal for nongame fish only, and - when used by a SCUBA diver - also for blue and channel catfish. Must contain no more than 3 points with no more than 2 barbs on each point. Lawful in rivers/streams only Dec 1-Mar 31 and year-round in lakes/reservoirs, minus named closures. Reservoir tailwaters (except Hudson/Markham Ferry) are closed to spearguns. 123
Pole spear
A pole spear falls within the generic term 'spears' in OAC 800:10-3-5(c). It is lawful for nongame fish only (white bass may be taken by gig) subject to the same 3-point/2-barb limit and the same seasons/closures. ODWC does not name 'pole spear' separately; confirm with ODWC if in doubt. 3
Hawaiian sling
A Hawaiian sling is not named separately in Oklahoma regulation. As a hand-powered spearing device it falls within 'spears/spearguns' and would be lawful for nongame fish only under the same 3-point/2-barb limit and the same seasons/closures. Confirm the specific device with ODWC before use. 3
Spearfishing on SCUBA
Yes. Oklahoma regulation expressly contemplates 'spearguns (used by scuba divers)' and, at Tenkiller Reservoir below Horseshoe Bend, allows speargunning with a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (that area is closed June 15-July 15 annually to the taking of flathead catfish only). SCUBA speargun divers may also take blue and channel catfish. 123

Gear restrictions

  • Gigs, spears and spearguns may contain no more than 3 points with no more than 2 barbs on each point 13
  • Gigs/spears/spearguns for nongame fish are lawful in rivers and streams ONLY from December 1 through March 31; year-round in lakes and reservoirs 13
  • Bowfishing arrows must have one point and two barbs and be attached to the bow with a line for retrieving fish; any bow including a crossbow is allowed 13
  • Grabhooks are prohibited in all state waters 13
  • Reservoir tailwaters other than Hudson (Markham Ferry) are closed to gigs, spears and spearguns year-round; the first 150 feet immediately below most dams is a statutory safety zone 3
  • Paddlefish taken by gig/spear/speargun (or bow/snag) may not be released; taking paddlefish by gig/spear/speargun is prohibited May 16-Mar 14 3

Do not spear

Prohibited species

  • Game fish generally may NOT be gigged or speared - this includes largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass; black and white crappie; rainbow and brown trout; sauger, saugeye and walleye; and white, hybrid and striped bass 12
  • Blue catfish and channel catfish are game fish and may NOT be gigged/speared by the general method - EXCEPT they may be taken by speargun when used by a SCUBA diver 12
  • Paddlefish may not be taken by gig, spear or speargun from May 16 through March 14; when otherwise taken they may not be released 3
  • Alligator gar taken by bow/gig/spear/speargun/snag may not be released (no culling) 3
  • Tiger muskie must be returned to the water unharmed - no harvest allowed by any method 3
  • Threatened/endangered and Special Concern species are protected (only limited, reportable harvest of certain Special Concern fish) 3

Where you can't

Area restrictions

  • Rivers and streams are open to gigs/spears/spearguns only December 1 through March 31 (lakes/reservoirs are year-round) 13
  • Reservoir tailwaters other than Hudson (Markham Ferry) are closed to gigs/spears/spearguns; a statutory 150-foot safety zone applies immediately below most dams 3
  • Illinois River and its tributaries are closed (bowfishing/snagging/noodling), with a narrow Tenkiller-above-Horseshoe-Bend seasonal exception for bow 3
  • All Designated Trout Areas are closed during the open trout season 3
  • All waters within the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge are closed (except part of Lake Elmer Thomas for gigs/spears) 3
  • Named Grand River sections below Grand River Dam / spillway and the Markham Ferry area carry closures 3
  • Poteau and Fourche Maline Rivers and tributaries within LeFlore County are closed to gigs/spears/spearguns year-round 3
  • Tenkiller Reservoir below Horseshoe Bend is closed to gigs/spears except by SCUBA speargunning (closed June 15-July 15 for flathead catfish) 3
  • Lakes Hefner, Overholser and Draper, all Department Fishing Areas, all 'Close To Home' waters, and several named lakes (Carl Albert, Sooner, Lone Chimney, Taft, Konawa) are closed to these methods; check the specific water 3
  • Rivers and streams in Delaware and Mayes counties are open to gigging year-round (an exception to the general Dec 1-Mar 31 river window) 13

Worth knowing

Notable rules, seasons & limits

  • Oklahoma has no saltwater; all spearfishing is freshwater only
  • Spearfishing is a nongame-fish-only method: gigs/spears/spearguns take nongame fish only, with white bass also allowed by gig 13
  • Unusual quirk: a speargun used by a SCUBA diver may take blue and channel catfish - the only game fish a diver may spear 12
  • Rivers and streams are open to gigs/spears/spearguns only Dec 1-Mar 31; lakes and reservoirs are year-round 13
  • Gear limit: no more than 3 points with no more than 2 barbs per point 13
  • Fish speared/gigged count toward the daily bag limit and remains must be properly disposed of; paddlefish and alligator gar taken by these methods may not be released 13
  • Many specific water bodies are closed - always check the 'Method of Take' and 'Public Fishing Areas: Special Regulations' for the exact water you plan to dive 12

What divers here typically use

Gear up for Oklahoma spearfishing

Where spearfishing is allowed in Oklahoma, this is the core kit divers assemble before their first day in the water. Our honest guide to the Beginner Spearfishing Gear List walks through what to look for — curated from published specs and community consensus, not paid placement.

If you break them

Penalties

Fishing by any method (including gigging, spearing, spearfishing or bowfishing) without a required license, taking a species or using a device/method not authorized, or taking game fish by an unlawful method violates Title 29 of the Oklahoma Statutes and ODWC rules in OAC Title 800, and is punishable by fines, court costs, restitution, and possible license revocation and seizure of equipment. Specific fine amounts are set by statute and the courts and were not enumerated on the ODWC pages consulted.

Not yet independently confirmed — verify directly

  • Whether 'pole spear' and 'Hawaiian sling' are treated as distinct devices - Oklahoma regulation uses only the generic terms 'spears' and 'spearguns' with a 3-point/2-barb limit and does not name these devices; confirm specific-device legality with ODWC.
  • Text-vs-codified lag on the scuba-speargun blue/channel-catfish allowance: the allowance IS directly stated on ODWC's primary Method of Take page (s1, independently re-fetched 2026-07-05: 'Spearguns used by scuba divers are legal for taking nongame fish, blue and channel catfish') and on eRegulations (s2), so it is confirmed by a primary agency source and is treated as governing. However, ODWC's posted Title 800 PDF (800-10-16, s3) still phrases OAC 800:10-3-5(c) as 'nongame fish only, white bass by gig' with no catfish carve-out. The discrepancy is between two ODWC-published sources; a diver should confirm current wording with ODWC before relying on the catfish allowance.
  • Exact penalty/fine dollar amounts for fishing without a license or unlawful method/species take (set by Title 29 O.S. and the courts; not enumerated on the ODWC pages consulted).
  • Whether any individual reservoir permits or restricts SCUBA diving generally (dive-flag and boating-safety rules under separate Oklahoma boating law were not reviewed).

Confirm these points directly with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) before you rely on them.

Primary sources

Sources

Every fact above is drawn from these official sources. Each was retrieved on the date shown; regulations can change after that date.

  2. Source 2: Method of Take - Oklahoma Fishing (ODWC official contracted digital regulations, eRegulations)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.eregulations.com/oklahoma/fishing/method-of-take

  3. Source 3: OAC Title 800, Ch. 10 Sport Fishing Rules - 800:10-3-5 methods of taking (ODWC-posted PDF, verbatim text)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://wildlifedepartment.com/doclink/800-10-16.pdf

  5. Source 5: ODWC - License Requirements (age 18+ requirement; who needs a fishing license)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/licensing/regs/license-requirements

  6. Source 6: ODWC - License Fees (2026 fishing license costs)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/licensing/regs/license-fees

  7. Source 7: ODWC - License Exemptions (age, senior, landowner/tenant, disability, nonresident exemptions)

    Retrieved July 5, 2026https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/licensing/regs/license-exemptions

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is spearfishing legal in Oklahoma?
Saltwater spearfishing is restricted in Oklahoma, and it is permitted in fresh water, subject to license, gear, species, and area rules. Oklahoma is landlocked and has no marine or saltwater coastline, so saltwater spearfishing does not exist here. All spearfishing occurs in fresh water (rivers, streams, lakes and…
Do you need a license to spearfish in Oklahoma?
Yes. Oklahoma requires the Oklahoma Annual Fishing License (resident or nonresident). Resident cost: Resident Annual Fishing $31 (valid 365 days); Lifetime Fishing $375; Senior Citizen Lifetime Fishing $30 (residents turning 65+). Non-resident cost: Nonresident Annual Fishing $81 (valid 365 days); Nonresident 1-Day Fishing $26.
Can you spearfish on scuba in Oklahoma?
Yes. Oklahoma regulation expressly contemplates 'spearguns (used by scuba divers)' and, at Tenkiller Reservoir below Horseshoe Bend, allows speargunning with a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (that area is closed June 15-July 15 annually to the taking of flathead…
What can't you spear in Oklahoma?
Protected or no-take species you may not spear in Oklahoma include: Game fish generally may NOT be gigged or speared, Blue catfish and channel catfish are game fish and may NOT be gigged/speared by the general method, Paddlefish may not be taken by gig, spear or speargun from May 16 through March 14; when otherwise taken they may not be released, Alligator gar taken by bow/gig/spear/speargun/snag may not be released, Tiger muskie must be returned to the water unharmed, Threatened/endangered and Special Concern species are protected. Always check the full prohibited-species list and current seasons before diving, and confirm with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC).

Stay current

Get an email when Oklahoma's size & bag limits change

Regulations shift between seasons. We re-check Oklahoma's rules against the primary source and send a short note when the limits, seasons, or licensing move — nothing else.

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Last verified July 5, 2026. Regulations change — always confirm the current rules with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) before you dive.

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