Fishing is not just about landing fish; it’s also a way of eliminating life stress and catching fun with friends and family. Apart from that, fishing also offers anglers many other excellent benefits; it improves concentration and patience. Furthermore, through the funds generated from licenses and permits, fishing also contributes significantly to wildlife and conservation programs.
In the US and many other countries worldwide, one of the requirements for fishing in different states is a License. For instance, for you to be eligible to fish in California, you need to obtain a fishing license if you’re 16 years and above. Also, if you’re 16 years and above and you reside in Alabama or are interested in fishing in the state, you’ll certainly need to apply for a license.
But here’s a burning question; what will happen if you end up not obtaining a license before going out fishing? Is there any fine or jail term attached to it? In the rest of this post, I’ll be addressing the burning question above, providing relevant answers to it according to the various states in the US. So, without further ado, let’s get straight down to business.
What Is The Fine For Fishing Without A License In California?
In California, for you to be eligible to fish in any water (freshwater and saltwater), one of the many things you need is a fishing license. However, you can only apply for the pass if you’re 16 years old or older.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that there are a few exemptions for obtaining licenses and permits in California. For instance, you don’t need a fishing license to fish from a pier or fish in ponds fully contained on your property. Also, you’ll likely get a free and reduced-fee license if you’re a low-income earning senior or are physically challenged.
But what happens if you’re eligible for a fishing license but end up not getting one before embarking on a fishing trip?
According to the government of California, Saturday, July 3, and Saturday, September 4, 2021, are free days for fishing. If you end up fishing during these periods, you’re undoubtedly free from fines and all.
However, if you end up fishing without a license on other days apart from the ones listed above, you’ll indeed be penalized. If you’re found guilty of the offense, the government of Californian will likely fine you between $200 and $500.
For instance, according to the state’s Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule, failure to show a fishing license can cost you a fine of up to $480. However, if you can present proof of a valid license in court, the fine will drop to about $200. Furthermore, you may end up in jail if you fail to pay the fine at the right time.
What Is The Fine For Fishing Without A License In Iowa?
If you’re a resident of Iowa or a non-resident looking to fish in the state, you need to be 16 years and older to be eligible for a fishing license. However, there are a few exceptions to the rules and regulations. One of them is that an active US military personnel doesn’t need a fishing license to catch fish in the state.
If you’re expected to obtain a license but end up not collecting one before going out fishing, the Iowa government says there’s a punishment for you. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the fine for not fishing without a license in the state is $15 per fish and $1,000 for endangered species.
What Is The Fine For Fishing Without A License In Colorado?
In Colorado, you need to be 18 years and older to be eligible for a fishing license or permit. As a resident of the state, you only have to pay $35 to get the pass. However, if you’re a non-resident, the cost of getting a license in Colorado is $97.
Furthermore, in Colorado, the government makes it accessible for everybody to fish on the first weekend of June. With that, it means you can always fish freely on June 5 and June 6 – without having to worry about the punishment attached to not owning a license. However, on any other days apart from the free fishing days, you need to obtain a license before going out fishing.
So, here’s a burning question; what will happen if you go fishing in Colorado without a fishing license?
The short answer to the question is you’ll be punished and fined a certain amount of money.
Colorado Revised Statutes 33-6-107 empowers the Colorado Parks and Wildlife to establish check stations, where anglers have to turn over their license. Any person who fails to allow the inspection of his/her license is guilty of a misdemeanor.
If you are found guilty of fishing without a license in Colorado, the punishment is fine which costs up to $50. That’s not all; you’ll also get ten license suspension points.
What Is The Fine For Fishing Without A License In Texas?
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), it’s unlawful for you to go out fishing without a valid license or permit.
In the state, it’s a must for you to obtain a fishing license if you’re 17 years or older and interested in fishing in public waters. The cost of purchasing a fishing license varies depending on who you are, where you will be fishing, and the license type.
However, if you fail to adhere to the rules and regulations set by the Texas government for fishing, various punishments exist for you depending on the offense.
For instance, if you go to public water (saltwater and freshwater) to fish without a license, that’s a class C misdemeanor in Texas. The state will punish you by issuing you a fine, which could cost between $25 and $500.
However, it’s worth noting that there are some days when you can fish in Texas without a fishing license. The annual free fishing day in Texas falls on Saturday, June 5, 2021 – that’s the first Saturday in June of each year. On this day, you’re free to fish in public waters in the state without having to worry about fines and all.
What Is The Fine For Fishing Without A License In Alabama?
Like the rest of the states in this post, the Alabama government also frowns against fishing in its public waters without a fishing license.
In Alabama, one of the requirements for getting a fishing license is you need to be 16 years or older. The cost of the license and permits vary from person to person, depending on some factors such as:
- Who you are; resident or non-resident of the state
- The type of license you’re opting for; annual, weekly, lifetime, or one day
- Where you’ll be fishing; saltwater or freshwater
Furthermore, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has set aside “Free Fishing Day” for anglers to fish in its public waters. In 2021, the free fishing period will run from June 5 to June 13.
During the free fishing day, you’re free to fish in Alabama without having to worry about the penalties attached to going out without a license.
However, on regular days, you need to obtain a fishing license before going out to fish. Failure to do that, the state government says you’ll be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. The punishment for fishing without a license is fine that costs between seventy-five dollars ($75) and two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
What Is The Fine For Fishing Without A License In Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, it is compulsory for you (15 years and older) to obtain a fishing license before stepping out to fish on public waters. A resident freshwater fishing license costs $27.50 for a unit, while a non-resident freshwater fishing license costs $37.50.
The Massachusetts government makes the price of its various fishing licenses cheap so that every eligible angler can afford them. That said, there is no excuse for not having the pass before going out fishing.
Furthermore, if caught fishing in Massachusetts without a fishing license and permits, you’ll be guilty of a class C misdemeanor. According to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 131, Section 90, you’ll have to pay a fine of not less than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars to the state’s coffer.
However, if you fail to pay the money after 30 days or so, you might get an increment in the cost of the fine and a jail term. That’s not all; the punishment also extends to the payment of $5 for each fish species illegally caught and $2,000 each for endangered species.
What Is The Fine For Fishing Without A License In Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, you need a license to start fishing in public waters if you’re 16 years or older. That applies to most anglers, irrespective of who they are – resident or non-resident.
Only a few people are exempted from the rules and regulations. For instance, if you’re a PA Resident on leave from active military duty outside the state, you don’t need to apply for a fishing license in Pennsylvania.
Furthermore, you certainly do not need to go out with or apply for a fishing license during the “Fish For Free Days.” The Pennsylvania government sets aside Sundays before memorial day, May 30th, and Independence Day (July 4th) for every angler to fish freely. With that, it means you won’t be fined for going out to public waters to fish without a license.
However, if you’re caught fishing during regular days in Pennsylvania without a fishing license, the state government says you’re guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
The offense is punishable by a fine that costs up to $75. That’s not all; if found guilty, you may also pay about $20 for each of the fish illegally taken. The punishment also includes paying a certain amount of money that’s twice the fee for obtaining the appropriate fishing license.
What Is The Fine For Fishing Without A License In Florida?
In Florida, irrespective of who you are, be it a resident or non-resident of the state, you need to be 16 years of age or older to be eligible for a fishing license. Only a few people are exempted from the rules and regulations. First, if you’re permanently disabled, you certainly do not have to apply for the pass.
Furthermore, if you’re a senior citizen(65 years or older) or qualified military personnel, you don’t need a fishing license in Florida. Also, you don’t need to obtain a fishing pass if you’re only fishing on your property.
Interestingly, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Department says you can fish without a license only on free fishing days – the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in April and the second consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June.
On any days aside from the ones above, you’ll need to go alongside your license to your preferred fishing spots. Failure to do that, the regulatory body says you’ll be guilty of a non-criminal offense, punishable by a fine. You’ll need to pay about $50 within the next 30 days or risk an increase in fee and possibly a short jail term (after your hearing before the county clerk). That’s not all; you may be charged to pay a fine of $100 if charged more than once within the past three years.
What Is The Fine For Fishing Without A License In New York?
Like most other states in the US, the New York government also frowns against the act of fishing in its public waters without a license or permit. While that’s true, it’s also worth noting that the state has set aside a few days for every angler to fish without a license. During these days, February 13 and 14, June 26 and 27, September 25, and November 11 (Veterans Day), you won’t have to worry about getting a fine for fishing without a pass.
Furthermore, in New York, you need to be 16 years or older for you to be eligible to obtain a gushing license. The pass, depending on the one you bought, will allow you to fish on any of the state’s public waters, which include about 7,500 lakes and ponds.
However, if you fail to obtain a license and get caught while fishing in the state, the regulatory body says you’ve committed a punishable non-criminal offense.
Although the penalty varies, you’ll likely pay a fine that costs between $0 to $250. That’s not all; you may also face a jail term of about 15 days, depending on the judge’s verdict after your hearing.
What Is The Fine For Fishing Without A License In Maine?
Irrespective of who you are, be it a resident or non-resident of Maine, you need to be 16 years or older to obtain a license for fishing on public waters.
According to the Maine government, you certainly don’t need a fishing license to fish for a few days – the free fishing weekends. On these days, February 13 & 14 and June 5 & 6, 2021, you can fish as you like without having to worry about the fines attached to fishing without a pass.
However, on every other regular day, it’s unlawful for you to go out fishing without a valid license or permit. Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations, if caught, you’ll be guilty of a Class E crime. The offense is punishable under the law by a fine that can cost up to $50. That’s not all; the punishment also includes paying a certain amount of money twice the applicable license fee.
What Is The Fine For Fishing Without A License In Delaware?
In Delaware, you need to be 16 years or older to obtain a fishing license for public waters.
Furthermore, according to the state government, every angler can fish on free fishing days, which is the first week of June(June 5 and 6, 2021), without worrying about fines attached to going out without a license.
However, on regular days, the Maine government frowns against fishing on public waters without a license or permit. The state government says it’s unlawful and punishable under the law.
According to Delaware’s rules and regulations regarding fishing license violation, any angler caught fishing without a license is guilty of a class C environmental violation. The offense is punishable by a fine between $100 to $250. The regulatory body may charge you up to $500 if you’re a second-time violator.