Oklahoma Species of Special Concern
The 30 fish ODWC limits to one a day with harvest reporting, from alligator gar to the Arkansas River speckled chub.
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Oklahoma fish species of special concern
Species of special concern, limit one (1), harvest reporting required (405) 521-3721Fish Species of Special Concern
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.
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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| Species | Scientific name | Daily limit | Harvest reporting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama shad | Alosa alabamae | 1 | required |
| Alligator gar | Atractosteus spathula | 1 | required |
| Arkansas River speckled chub | Macrhybopsis tetranema | 1 | required |
| Arkansas darter | Etheostoma cragini | 1 | required |
| Black buffalo | Ictiobus niger | 1 | required |
| Blue Sucker | Cycleptus elongatus | 1 | required |
| Bluehead shiner | Pteronotropis hubbsi | 1 | required |
| Bluntface shiner | Cyptinella camura | 1 | required |
| Brown bullhead | Ameiurus nebulosus | 1 | required |
| Chain pickeral | Esox niger | 1 | required |
| Colorless shiner | Notropis perpallidus | 1 | required |
| Crystal darter | Crystallaria asprella | 1 | required |
| Cypress minnow | Hybognathus hayi | 1 | required |
| Flathead chub | Platygobio gracilis | 1 | required |
| Goldstripe darter | Etheostoma parvipinne | 1 | required |
| Harlequin darter | Etheosoma histrio | 1 | required |
| Ironcolor shiner | Notropis chalybaeus | 1 | required |
| Kiamichi shiner | Notropis ortenburgeri | 1 | required |
| Mooneye | Hiodon tergisus | 1 | required |
| Mountain madtom | Noturus eletherus | 1 | required |
| Pallid shiner | Hybopsis amnis | 1 | required |
| Plains topminnow | Fundulus sciadicus | 1 | required |
| Ribbon shiner | Lythurusfumeus | 1 | required |
| River darter | Percina shumardi | 1 | required |
| Shorthead redhorse | Moxostoma macrolepidotum | 1 | required |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Scaphirhynchus platorynchus | 1 | required |
| Southern brook lamprey | Ichthyomyzon gagei | 1 | required |
| Spotfin shiner | Cyprinella spiloptera | 1 | required |
| Stonecat | Noturus flavus | 1 | required |
| Taillight shiner | Notropis maculatus | 1 | required |
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.
Extra rules for Oklahoma alligator gar
Alligator gar may be caught by use of rod and reel, trotline, and throwline. Alligator gar taken by bow and arrow, gigs, spears, or spearguns cannot be released. The attempt to take or harvest alligator gar is prohibited statewide May 1-31.
Reservoir and river scenes for Oklahoma Species of Special Concern
Photo: Thomas & Dianne Jones, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Serge Melki, CC BY 2.0
Species of special concern in Oklahoma: questions
What is a species of special concern in Oklahoma?
A fish ODWC limits to one a day, with the harvest reported; 30 species are on the list.
How many species of special concern does Oklahoma list?
30 on the ODWC statewide limits page.
Can I keep an alligator gar in Oklahoma?
One a day, reported through E-Check within 24 hours; taking or trying to take alligator gar is prohibited statewide from May 1 to 31.
Can I release an alligator gar shot with a bow?
No; alligator gar taken by bow and arrow, gigs, spears or spearguns cannot be released.
How do I report a special concern fish?
Alligator gar and paddlefish go through E-Check within 24 hours; ODWC gives the Fisheries Division phone for other category I and II species.
Is shovelnose sturgeon on the list?
Yes; ODWC names it, with black buffalo, as an example of a category I or II species with a limit of one.
Do these rules override area rules?
They set the statewide limit; an area rule can be stricter, so check the special regulations page.
Where are the other limits?
On the Oklahoma license and regulations page.