What special fishing regulations apply at Arkansas River main stem?

Arkansas River main stem carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Oklahoma's statewide 2026 rules, covering Flathead catfish. One of them reads: "Lock-and-dam navigation chain (Kaw + Keystone + Webbers Falls + R.S. Kerr + W.D. Mayo locks); reciprocal rules with AR at the state line; largemouth + smallmouth 6 / day combined (14 in min as a river/stream, only 1 a smallmouth), spotted no limit; walleye + saugeye + sauger 16 in min + 6 / day below Keystone Dam; channel + blue catfish 15 / day combined (trophy blue catfish below dams, 1 blue over 30 in); flathead 5 / day; paddlefish (Free Permit + ODWC Paddlefish Research Center at Miami, OK)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Arkansas River main stem?

Yes. Arkansas River main stem is in Oklahoma, so a valid Oklahoma fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Arkansas River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Oklahoma rules.

Do Arkansas River main stem's special rules replace Oklahoma's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Oklahoma's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Arkansas River main stem by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Arkansas River main stem?

Flathead catfish has a water-body-specific rule on Arkansas River main stem, each linking to its full Oklahoma regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Oklahoma limits.

2026 regulation year

Arkansas River main stem 2026 — Oklahoma Fishing Regulations

Oklahoma statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Arkansas River main stem carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Oklahoma's 2026 fishing rules — covering Flathead catfish. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Lock-and-dam navigation chain (Kaw + Keystone + Webbers Falls + R.S. Kerr + W.D. Mayo locks); reciprocal rules with AR at the state line; largemouth + smallmouth 6 / day combined (14 in min as a river/stream, only 1 a smallmouth), spotted no limit; walleye + saugeye + sauger 16 in min + 6 / day below Keystone Dam; channel + blue catfish 15 / day combined (trophy blue catfish below dams, 1 blue over 30 in); flathead 5 / day; paddlefish (Free Permit + ODWC Paddlefish Research Center at Miami, OK)
Source: Oklahoma special-water list

Per-species rules on Arkansas River main stem

Flathead catfish regulations →
5 / day; trophy flatheads below MKARNS lock-and-dam structures (Kaw + Keystone + Webbers Falls + R.S. Kerr)

Official source

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) publishes the authoritative 2026 Oklahoma fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Oklahoma fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's emergency-order feed — check it before any Oklahoma trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Oklahoma

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Arkansas River main stem?: Arkansas River main stem carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Oklahoma's statewide 2026 rules, covering Flathead catfish. One of them reads: "Lock-and-dam navigation chain (Kaw + Keystone + Webbers Falls + R.S. Kerr + W.D. Mayo locks); reciprocal rules with AR at the state line; largemouth + smallmouth 6 / day combined (14 in min as a river/stream, only 1 a smallmouth), spotted no limit; walleye + saugeye + sauger 16 in min + 6 / day below Keystone Dam; channel + blue catfish 15 / day combined (trophy blue catfish below dams, 1 blue over 30 in); flathead 5 / day; paddlefish (Free Permit + ODWC Paddlefish Research Center at Miami, OK)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Arkansas River main stem?: Yes. Arkansas River main stem is in Oklahoma, so a valid Oklahoma fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Arkansas River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Oklahoma rules.
Do Arkansas River main stem's special rules replace Oklahoma's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Oklahoma's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Arkansas River main stem by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Arkansas River main stem?: Flathead catfish has a water-body-specific rule on Arkansas River main stem, each linking to its full Oklahoma regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Oklahoma limits.

← Back to Oklahoma regulations overview