City Lakes To Celebrate National Fishing Week (May 17, 2004) – Lakes Hefner, Overholser and Draper will be open for free fishing on June 5 and 6 in celebration of National Fishing Week.  Anglers will be able to fish without purchasing a State Fishing Permit and City Fishing License.  The two free fishing days are being sponsored by the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

“The Free Fishing Days program is a great time to introduce families to sport fishing.  The event also allows anglers to experience good fishing opportunities on the City’s three major lakes,” said Oklahoma City Fisheries Biologist Bob Martin.

Lake Hefner, located in northwest Oklahoma City between Lake Hefner Parkway and MacArthur Blvd., provides fishing for walleye, white bass, crappie and channel catfish. It has an enclosed, heated fishing dock and two covered fishing piers.  Hefner offers sailing, boating, sail boarding and fishing.  Water-skiing, jet skiing and swimming are prohibited.

Located in the southeast portion of Oklahoma City between Midwest Blvd. and Post Road, Lake Stanley Draper is Oklahoma City’s largest surface acre lake.  It offers four covered fishing piers and provides fishing for largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, blue and channel catfish.  Water-skiing, jet skiing, boating, fishing and sailing are permitted.  Swimming is prohibited.

Lake Overholser is located in northwest Oklahoma City, between Council Road and Morgan Road, from NW 10 St. to NW 39 St. It offers one covered fishing pier and provides fishing for striped bass hybrids, white bass, crappie and channel catfish. Sailing, boating, fishing and jet skiing are permitted at Lake Overholser.  Swimming is prohibited. 

All anglers are required to follow State and City fishing regulations. Habitat maps and Fishing Regulation brochures are available at all City Lake Concessions or the H.B. Parsons Fish Hatchery. 

On days other than June 5 - 6, fishing permits are required for persons ages 16 to 62. Daily permits are $2, and annual permits are $12.50.  Annual permits expires one year after the date of issuance.

National Boating and Fishing week is scheduled from June 5 – 13.  The web site for National Boating and Fishing week http://www.nationalfishingandboatingweek.org/

The Parks and Recreation Department offer free kids fishing classes on selected Saturday mornings throughout the summer. Call the H.B. Parsons Fish Hatchery at 755-4014 for more information.