Fishing is permitted in all refuge lakes in the public use section of the refuge. Refuge waters include 12 manmade lakes totaling approximately 500 acres. Fishing season is year-round. Available species include largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie and channel catfish.
Only an Oklahoma State fishing license is required to fish on the refuge. Fish may be taken with poles and lines or rods and reels. Since wading is permitted when fishing, fishermen may use tube type floaters, life jackets or buoyant vests. Obtaining any type of bait from refuge lands or waters is prohibited, as is taking of frogs and turtles.
Hand-powered boats, as well as electric trolling motors on boats 14 feet or less, are permitted on Jed Johnson, Rush, Quanah Parker and French Lakes. Boats of any size are permitted on Lake Elmer Thomas, but a "no wake" speed limit is enforced lake-wide. Personal water craft, such as Jet Skis, Sea-Doos, Wave-Runners and others are prohibited.
Oklahoma Fishing Regulations
Buy your hunting or fishing license online.
Surface Area of Lakes
| Name of Lake | Surface Acreage | Additional Information |
| Sunset Pool | 1.1 acres | |
| Elmer Thomas | 360 acres | 2 accessible piers, concrete boat launch, dock |
| Quanah Parker | 96 acres | Accessible fishing pier |
| Jed Johnson | 57.5 acres | boat ramp |
| Rush | 51.6 acres | boat launch area |
| French | 35 acres | boat launch area |
| Lost | 10.2 acres | oldest Refuge lake |
| Caddo | 11.4 acres | |
| Burford | 7.1 acres | second oldest lake |
| Osage | 5.5 acres | |
| Treasure | 2.9 acres | |
| Post Oak | 2.8 acres | |
| Crater | 9.3 acres |