Fishing is undoubtedly a cherished activity that people love throughout the globe. However, not everyone can go fishing without meeting the legal requirements of the residing country.
Regardless of the age or experience of anglers, many states in the US require anglers to acquire a license before they start fishing pursuits.
The good news is that obtaining a fishing license is not as difficult as it may seem. There are multiple ways you can get your license without involving any complexities. To that end, most states offer online licensing services for the convenience of anglers.
However, there are some minor differences in each state for the acquisition of licenses. This blog discusses state-wise fishing license requirements to help you prepare yourself accordingly.
State-wise Distribution Of Fishing License Requirements
Note: the prices mentioned herein do not include any processing or agent’s fee.
Alabama
The state of Alabama requires a fishing license for anglers between 16 and 65 years of age. The annual charge for the freshwater fishing license is $13.85. However, the price for a saltwater fishing license is nearly double that of a freshwater. It costs $24.35 to obtain a marine water license.
You can visit www. E-regulations @Alabama Hunting and Fishing.com for further details.
Alaska
You can get a fishing license in the state of Alaska if you are 18 or older. You only require a single approval for both salt and freshwater angling. The permit costs $29 annually. However, you will need a king salmon stamp from authorities to hunt it in the state.
You can visit the official website www. adfg.alaska.gov for further details.
Arizona
Arizona requires its residents to obtain a fishing license to access any public water resource for fishing if they are ten and above. It costs $37 annually. The unique aspect of the license is that you can hunt other things, including frogs, turtles, crayfish, and water dogs.
You can check the official website www. azgfd.com for further details.
Arkansas
A fishing license in Arkansas costs $10.50. However, there are some exciting features of this license. You do not have to renew the license if you are above 65.
Disable people get the same license for three years without paying renewal fees. However, a commercial fishing license can cost you $25.
You can visit the official website www. agfc.com for further details.
California
You will have to pay an annual license fee of $51.02 to access public waters for fishing in California. The age criterion is 16 years and above for the license.
You can also get a lifetime angling license by visiting the license sales office of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
You can see the official website www. wildlife.ca.gov for further details.
Colorado
You will require a fishing license in Colorado if you are 16 or above. For both senior citizens and youth, the license cost is $9.75 annually. However, it rises to $34.75 for other anglers in the state.
You can visit the official website www. cpw.state.co.us for further details.
Connecticut
There are multiple options when it comes to obtaining a fishing permit in Connecticut. You can apply for a saltwater license for $10 if you are 18 or above.
You can also get a permit for $32 that works for both fresh and marine water. Moreover, the state offers a half-reduction of fees for all its fishing licenses if you are 16 or 17 years.
You can visit the official website www.eregulations.com/connecticut/fishing/licenses for further details.
Delaware
Licenses in Delaware renew on a calendar-year basis. You can get an annual fishing permit for $8.50 for all types of fishing in the state. The holder of this resident fishing permit can also enjoy crabbing and clamming.
You can visit the official website www.dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov for further details.
Florida
Florida offers two types of fishing licenses based on their expiry. You can apply for an annual fishing permit for $17 or a 5-year license for $79. The license obtained in either case can be used for both salt and freshwater fishing.
You can visit the official website www.myfwc.com for further details.
Georgia
The annual fishing permit in Georgia costs $15. However, a fishing permit alone is not sufficient for saltwater fishing. You must have a saltwater information permit to try marine water fishing in Georgia.
Additionally, you require a trout permit for fishing mountain trout in the state. You can visit the official website www.georgiawildlife.com for further details.
Hawaii
Hawaii offers multiple categories of fishing permits. You can get a fishing license for $4 if you are a minor. However, the annual fee for a regular license is $6. The state offers 7 and 30-day fishing permits for $11 and $21 respectively for tour fishing.
You can visit the official website www.portal.ehawaii.gov for further details.
Idaho
The state of Idaho offers fishing licenses to people aged 14 or above. The annual adult fishing license costs you $30.50 annually, while the junior fishing permit costs only $13.75 annually. The tourists can apply for a 15-day license that costs $13.50.
You can visit the official website www.idfg.idaho.gov for further details.
Illinois
The state issues fishing licenses to people aged 16 and above. The annual fishing permit costs $15 annually. However, the fee reduces to $7.75 if you are 65 and older.
A 1-day tourist fishing permit is also available for $5.50. You can visit the official website www.ifishillinois.org for further details.
Indiana
The annual angling permit in Indiana costs $17. However, there are multiple benefits for senior anglers in the state. Anyone who is 64 or above can have a lifetime fishing permit for $17.
The tourist permit that costs $9 allows for 1-day fishing in Indiana. You can visit the official website www.in.gov for further details.
Iowa
A regular fishing license in Iowa costs $22 annually. You can also apply for a 3-year permit that costs $62. Moreover, the state offers a lifetime fishing license to its citizens aged 65 or above for $61.50.
It also provides a 7-day permit for $15.50. You can visit the official website www.iowadnr.gov for further details.
Kansas
You can obtain a fishing permit in Kansas if you are 16 and above. An annual resident fishing permit in the state costs 27.50 annually. The state offers a special permit for lifetime fishing for $502.5.
However, the trout permit costs $14.50 in the state. You can visit the official website www.Ksoutdoors.com for further details.
Kentucky
You can get the trout permit in this state for $10. However, a regular fishing license in Kentucky costs $23. There are other options too for tour fishing.
If you plan to try fishing in the state for one day, you can do it after getting a one-day license that costs $7. You can visit the official website www.fw.ky.gov for further details.
Louisiana
You can practice freshwater fishing after getting the basic license which costs $9.50 annually. However, you need a combination of both basic and saltwater permit going for marine fishing.
The official website for licensing is www.wlf.louisiana.gov.
Maine
The state offers licenses to individuals aged 16 and above. An annual permit costs $25, while a 1-day tour fishing license can be bought for $11.
The official website for licensing information is www.maine.gov.
Maryland
The state offers a fishing license for $20.50 annually that works for freshwaters. You can also apply for a tour fishing license of 7 days that costs $7.50.
However, you do not require a license if you are under 16. The official website for licensing information is www.dnr.maryland.gov.
Massachusetts
You can get a regular freshwater license for $27.50 annually in Massachusetts. The license is free if your age is between 15 and 17.
However, a 3-day permit costs $12.50 for tour fishing. The official website for licensing information is www.mass.gov.
Michigan
The annual subscription for the license is $26. However, you can apply for a Senior permit if you are aged 65 or above, which only costs $11.
The official website for licensing information is www.michigan.gov.
Mississippi
A regular freshwater permit costs $25 in Mississippi. You can also apply for a sportsman’s fishing permit that costs $45 in this state.
Moreover, a lifetime fishing permit for senior citizens costs $5 only. The official website for licensing information is www.sos.ms.gov.
Missouri
You can apply for a regular fishing permit in Missouri for $12. The state also offers a 1-day license that costs $7.
You need a trout permit if you are a trout-lover that costs $12 annually. The official website for licensing information is www.huntfish.mdc.mo.gov.
Montana
You can get an all-season fishing permit for $31 in Montana. The state also offers a short-term license of two or more days for $15.
The official website for licensing information is www.fwp.mt.gov.
Nebraska
The state offers an annual fishing license for $38. However, you can get the lifetime fishing permit after paying $710 if you are aged 16-45.
The official website for licensing information is www.ngpc-permits.ne.gov.
Nevada
You can get the resident fishing permit for an annual subscription of $40. However, the same costs $15 if your age is between 12-17.
The official website for licensing information is www.ndow.org.
New Hampshire
The freshwater fishing permit in New Hampshire costs $45 annually. However, a recreational saltwater permit costs $11 annually. The official website for licensing information is www.wildlife.state.nh.us.
New Jersey
The annual resident fishing license in New Jersey costs $22.50 annually. However, you can get the same for $12.50 if you are aged 65-69 years.
The official website for licensing information is www.njfishandwildlife.com.
New Mexico
The state offers a fishing license to anyone aged 12 or above. The annual fishing permit costs $25, while a 5-day permit costs $24.
The same license costs $8 if you are a senior citizen. The official website for licensing information is www.wildlife.state.mn.us.
New York
An annual fishing permit in NY costs $25, while you can get the same for $5 if you are aged 70 or above. Similarly, a 1-day permit also costs $5.
The official website for licensing information is www.dec.ny.gov
North Carolina
The state charges $25 for an annual fishing permit, while the fee for coastal fishing is $16. You can also apply for a 10-day license for inshore fishing that costs $6.
The official website for licensing information is www.eregulations.com.
North Dakota
North Dakota offers a special married couple license that costs $22 per year. The same permit costs $5 to disabled people and senior citizens aged 65 or above.
The official website for licensing information is www.gf.nd.gov.
Ohio
Ohio State offers a lifetime fishing permit for youth for $430.50. However, an annual fishing license costs $25. You can also obtain a 3-year license for $54. 08.
The official website for licensing information is www.ohiodnr.gov.
Oklahoma
You can obtain an annual fishing permit for $25 in Oklahoma. However, the same costs $9 if you are aged 16-17. The subscription for a lifetime permit is $225.
The official website for licensing information is www.eregulations.com.
Oregon
The cost of an annual fishing permit in Oregon is $44, which is the same for senior anglers as well. The state charges $23 for a 1-day fishing permit.
The official website for licensing information is www.dfw.state.or.us.
Pennsylvania
An annual fishing permit costs $22.90 in Pennsylvania. However, senior citizens get the same for $11.90. You can also apply for the trout permit which costs $9.90.
The official website for licensing information is www.fishandboat.com.
Rhode Island
The subscription for an annual fishing permit in Rhode Island is $18. However, you need to pay a yearly fee of $5.15 to obtain a trout stamp.
The official website for licensing information is www.dem.ri.gov.
South Carolina
You can obtain an annual freshwater/saltwater fishing permit for $10 in South Carolina. The charges for a yearly public fishing pier are $150 for 100 ft.
The official website for licensing information is www.dnr.sc.gov.
South Dakota
The annual charges for a regular fishing permit are $28. The same costs $12 to senior citizens. You can also obtain a 1-day permit for $8.
The official website for licensing information is www.gfp.sd.gov.
Tennessee
The subscription for a sportsman fishing permit in the state is $166. A 1-day permit costs $6.50. However, the annual trout fishing license costs $22.
The official website for licensing information is www.tn.gov.
Texas
The annual license for freshwater pursuits costs $30 in Texas. The senior citizens can obtain a fresh and saltwater permit for $12 and $17, respectively.
The official website for licensing information is www.tpwd.texas.gov.
Utah
You can get a 1-year permit in Utah for $34 if you are 18 or above. The same costs $5 if you are aged 12-13 years. A 7-day permit costs $20 in the state.
The official website for licensing information is www.wildlife.utah.gov.
Vermont
The annual charges for a fishing permit in Vermont are $28. You can also obtain a 5-year license for $134.
The official website for licensing information is www.anrweb.vt.gov.
Virginia
Virginia issues a versatile sports permit that costs $100 annually. The price of an annual freshwater license is $16. You can also apply for 1, 2, or 3-year permits.
The official website for licensing information is www.dgif.virgina.gov.
Washington
The subscription for an annual freshwater fishing permit in Washington is $29.50. You can also apply for a shellfish permit that costs $17.40.
The official website for licensing information is www.wdfw.wa.gov.
West Virginia
You can apply for a lifetime fishing permit for $552 in West Virginia. However, a lifetime trout permit costs $230.
The official website for licensing information is www.wvdnr.gov.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin offers inexpensive fishing licenses to its citizens. The subscription for an annual fishing license costs $5 in the state.
The official website for licensing information is www.dnr.wi.gov.
Wyoming
You can obtain an annual fishing license in Wyoming for $27.the state also offers a 1-day permit that costs $6.
The official website for licensing information is www. wgfd. wyo.gov.
Conclusion
Many states in the US require different fishing permits to help you fish legally.
Not having a proper state license can land you in big trouble, including hefty fines and other related things. That is why we would advise you to have a legal fishing permit before you start casting.