Advice Needed About Getting a Fishing License

[theowilder]

Hi everyone,

I’m preparing for a fishing trip soon and realized I’m not completely sure about the licensing rules. Is a fishing license required for every type of fishing location, or only for public lakes and rivers?

I’m also wondering if the regulations change depending on whether you’re fishing in freshwater or coastal areas.

For someone who only plans to fish a few times a year, would a short term permit be a better option than an annual license?

Lastly, where do most people usually apply for one, and what basic documents are required during the process? Any helpful advice would be appreciated.

 

[theowilder]

Hi everyone,

I’m preparing for a fishing trip soon and realized I’m not completely sure about the licensing rules. Is a fishing license required for every type of fishing location, or only for public lakes and rivers?

I’m also wondering if the regulations change depending on whether you’re fishing in freshwater or coastal areas.

For someone who only plans to fish a few times a year, would a short term permit be a better option than an annual license?

Lastly, where do most people usually apply for one, and can this resource help explain what basic documents are required during the process? Any helpful advice would be appreciated.

thanks in advance for any help

 

[Native Hunter]

Every state government will have some type of fish and wildlife division, and the requirements will vary a lot from state to state. They all likely have a brochure like the one I have linked below for KY. You would be wise to check those for the states you want to fish in to make sure you don't end up in jail.

https://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Documents/fishingguide.pdf

 

[Fishman]

I’m also wondering if the regulations change depending on whether you’re fishing in freshwater or coastal areas.

Most states require a separate saltwater license if you are fishing in coastal areas. Some states also require you to buy a freshwater license with your saltwater license. If you only have to buy a saltwater license, you need to know where the boundary is and not fish freshwater without the proper license.

As far as which license to buy, if you are fishing out of state and only for a few days, a 3-7 day license may be best. If you are fishing within your state, a full year license is probably pretty cheap.

 

[buckdeer1]

Depending on where you are fishing can make a difference also as some bodies of water have different regs than other places in same state

 

[Mennoniteman]

A lot of states have one free fishing day per year, where you can fish without a license. Also, private farm ponds usually don't need a license, otherwise, most types of fishing need a license and has specific seasons. Just buy a piece of real estate with a pond on it and you can save the cost of a fishing license.

 

[yoderjac]

Folks above have already covered it pretty well. I don't have much to add, but I just upgraded my little fishing boat and am hopping to get out crappie fishing soon. We have bad weather forecast, but once it passes thru, I hope to get back out.

I'm in Virginia. Here we need a license for inland fishing and a different one for salt water. Our fishing license covers most species except trout. You need an additional stamp for "approved trout waters". As far as regulations go, they are all over the place. There are general regulations that apply to the state when more restrictive regulations don't apply. Many bodies of water are managed individually with specific regulations and creel limits. For example, in some bodies of water, there are slot limits. For example on a particular lake, the slot limit is 16"-24". You can't keep any bass in this size range. You can keep 1 trophy bass per day over 24". You are encouraged to take bass under 12". The reason is that DWR wants to reduce the number of bass in that particular size range.

Furthermore, beyond any fishing license, some lakes that are municipal water supplies require a permit from the municipality to access the lake and there are rules that come with that. For example one lake I fish that requires a permit does not allow access after dark.

Oh yes, one more complication, what if you are fishing an the boundary of a state? You may need different licenses depending on what part of a body of water you are fishing!

So Welcome To The World of Fishing!