Paddlefish in Oklahoma
ODWC limits, the state record and Oklahoma waters for paddlefish.
- 1 a day, permitlimit
- 164 lbsrecord
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Oklahoma paddlefish at a glance
Find "Paddlefish" on the ODWC chart and you have the paddlefish rule. It reads 1 a day and 2 a year under the odwc paddlefish rules, with no size limit for length.
The ODWC rod and line record is 164 lbs, landed by Grant Rader in 2021 at Keystone Lake. Try Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, Grand Lake O' the Cherokees and Oologah Lake, among 11 pages that list it.
The ODWC line for paddlefish
| Row as printed | Daily | Size | Footnotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paddlefish | See paddlefish regulation | no size limit | C, D |
ODWC allows 1 paddlefish a day and 2 a year, and every paddlefish angler carries a free paddlefish permit required regardless of age or exemption status. Paddlefish rules.
Limits as printed on the ODWC statewide daily and size limits page (2026-2027 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations (ODWC); PDF), read November 3, 2026.
What the ODWC footnotes add for paddlefish
- Release of paddlefish, trout, striped bass and/or striped bass hybrids caught and placed on a stringer, in a livewell, or otherwise held in possession is prohibited statewide (no culling).footnote C
- Harvest of alligator gar and paddlefish must be reported within 24 hours via E-Check at wildlifedepartment.com. For any other fish species of special concern in category I or II such as black buffalo and shovelnose sturgeon (see Title 800:25-19-6) there is a daily limit of 1 and harvest must be reported. Harvest must be reported to the Wildlife Department’s Fisheries Division at (918) 683-1031.footnote D
Limits as printed on the ODWC statewide daily and size limits page (2026-2027 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations (ODWC); PDF), read November 3, 2026.
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| Division | Weight | Length | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rod and line | 164 lbs | 81 3/4 inches | Grant Rader | Keystone Lake | June 22, 2021 |
ODWC state record fish list (keeper: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation), read November 3, 2026.
Oklahoma spots worth a trip for paddlefish
Reservoirs listing paddlefish
- Robert S. Kerr Reservoir43,800 acres
- Grand Lake O' the Cherokees41,749 acres
- Oologah Lake29,460 acres
- Kaw Lake23,610 acres
- Keystone Lake23,610 acres
- Fort Gibson Lake19,896 acres
- Webbers Falls Reservoir11,600 acres
- Lake Hudson11,029 acres
Current with paddlefish
- Arkansas RiverWagoner County
- Kiamichi RiverChoctaw County
- Lower Red RiverLove County
ODWC Where To Fish species lists, the 2024 and 2025 stocking reports and ODWC record waters; largest waters first.
What the shoreline near Paddlefish looks like
Photo: Serge Melki, CC BY 2.0
Photo: JustTulsa, CC BY 2.0
Photo: usacetulsa, CC BY 2.0
Photo: usacetulsa, Public domain
Oklahoma anglers ask about paddlefish
Which ODWC row limits paddlefish?
The row reads 1 a day and 2 a year under the odwc paddlefish rules, with no size limit.
How heavy is the Oklahoma paddlefish record?
Grant Rader: 164 lbs in 2021, at Keystone Lake.
Which Oklahoma waters are good for paddlefish?
Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, Grand Lake O' the Cherokees and Oologah Lake head a list of 11 Sooner pages.
Which Oklahoma waters change the paddlefish rule?
None of the ODWC area rules mention it by name; method rules still apply.
Do Oklahoma hatcheries raise paddlefish?
Neither the 2024 nor the 2025 ODWC stocking report lists it.
Must an out-of-state angler buy a license for Oklahoma paddlefish?
Anglers 18 and older carry an Oklahoma fishing license ($31 annual for residents, $81 for nonresidents in 2026). Every paddlefish angler also carries the free permit, no exemptions.
Can a bowfished paddlefish set an Oklahoma record?
A rod and line division and an unrestricted one; the unrestricted list takes bow, gig, spear, trotline and similar catches at or above the rod and line mark. It has 1 record row.
Which scientific name does ODWC give paddlefish?
The ODWC names are Paddlefish.