Regulations and types of activities permitted differ between the refuge and the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). The WMU is co-managed between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Oklahome Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) and follow Oklahoma State regulations.
Fishing Regulations
Fishing regulations are designed to provide safe recreational opportunities through wise use of renewable wildlife resources. Fishing is permitted in accordance with Federal regulations governing public use on National Wildlife Refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Refuge waters include several ponds: Dicks (7 acres), Goosepen Pond, Cottonwood (5 acres), Teller (5 acres), Whiskey Creek (4 acres), Muel (5 acres), McAdams (7 acres), Reeves Ravine (15 acres), Lost (10 acres), Bobcat (5 acres), Bell (20 acres) and Rock Creek (30 acres). Lake Texoma's Cumberland Pool is 4,500 acres. The Washita River and Pennington, Big Sandy and Nida Creeks also are available.
Fishing by boat is March 1-September 30. No boating is allowed in Goose Pen Pond. The WMU is open to boating and fishing year-round. Night fishing is permitted from a boat during the boating season on the Cumberland Pool, except at Sandy Creek Peninsula and the Bird Sanctuary Zones. Bird sanctuary zones are designated by signs and buoys.
Bank and wade fishing with pole and line or rod and reel is permitted year-round in areas open for public fishing access. This also includes night fishing.
All refuge ponds are closed to fishing from October 1 through February 29, except Rock Creek and Bell Creek, which are open all year.
The WMU is open to boating and fishing year-round.
You must posses a valid State of Oklahoma, Lake Texoma, or Tribal fishing license while fishing.
taking of bait for personal use while fishing on the refuge is allowed in accordance with state law but you may not take bait fish from the refuge to sell (limit is up to 200 non-game fish).
During the boating season, trotlines are allowed in the Cumberland Pool, Rock Creek, and the Washita River (unless indicated on map) in accordance with Oklahoma State law.
Trotlines used in Cumberland Pool must not be attached to sticks, poles, trees, buoys, or other fixed objects. The owner's name and address or customer ID must be visible.
Trotlines are restricted to no more than 3 lines and 100 hooks per person. Hooks must be no less than 24 inches apart. Trotlines must be checked at least once every 24 hours.
Trotlines must be made of non-metallic materials only and are not permitted in depths less than 3 feet. Lines must be 3 feet or more below the water surface.
We allow the use of bow and arrow to take non-game fish on the Washita River, Pennington Creek, and the WMU during daylight hours in accordance with state regulations.
Tube fishing or fishing with the aid of an inner tube-type flotation as part of a pair of waders on Cumberland Pool or refuge lakes is allowed during the boating season (March 1 through September 30)
Alligator gar has a daily limit of one and must be reported to ODWC within 24 hours. Harvesting alligator gar is not allowed from May 1 to May 31st.
The following species are considered game fish by the state: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass; black and white crappie; rainbow and brown trout; sauger, saugeye and walleye; white and striped bass; and blue and channel catfish.
Download Fishing Regulations Brochure below for more information.
