A commercial fishing license, contract or helper's permit for the removal of undesirable or nongame fish from public waters in this state may be issued in accordance with 29 O.S., Sections 4-103, 4-104, 4-105 and 6-202 and the following provisions:
- (1) Only persons possessing a currently valid Oklahoma fishing license can apply.
- (2) Prior to issuance of a commercial fishing contract, the applicant shall file with the Department a good and sufficient surety bond, by a surety company licensed to do business in this state, in the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) which will be subject to forfeiture upon conviction for the violation of any provisions of this Section.
- (3) Contracts will be issued only as part of Commission approved management program.
(4) Contracts may be issued according to the following:
- (A) Contract fishermen must possess a current, valid commercial fishing license.
- (B) Contracts to be on a competitive bid basis where two or more persons apply for the same contract area.
- (C) A maximum of two percent (2%) of the total catch value will be paid to the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
- (D) Contracts to specify waters, or any area thereof, to be fished commercially.
- (E) Contracts to specify species and sizes of fish to be removed.
- (F) Contracts to specify types of equipment (nets, traps, seines, etc.) and mesh sizes of each type.
- (G) Contracts to specify dates of beginning and ending of fishing operations in any waters or areas thereof.
- (H) Helper's permits will be issued only under a contract operation.