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If you want to be a responsible angler, you should consider packing a fishing license in your tackle box. To protect our waterways and their inhabitants, fishing is a regulated activity, and it’s your job to get a license if necessary.
How do you get a fishing license? Acquiring a fishing license is as simple as heading to the website of your state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Service. Most states allow you to purchase them online, over the phone, or at a dedicated retail establishment.
Learning how to get a fishing license is an effortless part, and it only takes a few minutes to do. If you want to contribute to conservation efforts and ensure everyone fishes responsibly, it’s the smartest thing you can do.
Why Do You Need a Fishing License?
Most US states require a fishing license, which allows you to fund conservation efforts and keep track of the number of fish you catch.
By regulating the waterways, the Fish and Wildlife Service is able to protect the fish and ensure everyone follows the rules. Anyone over the age of 16 who plans to fish on public land in either freshwater or saltwater space in the United States will need a license.
Permanent residents or visitors can receive these licenses, which vary by state and include options such as public lake fishing, senior citizens, and wildlife heritage licenses. Even if you plan on using the catch-and-release method, you’ll still need a license in most states.
The fees charged for these licenses are there to take care of the surrounding land and water, so regardless of what you do with the fish, you’re still responsible for contributing to environmental upkeep.
Can You Get a Fishing License Online?
The easiest way to acquire a fishing license is online, and every state offers this service to residents.
Check out the State Fishing and Wildlife Service’s website to see what’s required for your local area. It only takes a few minutes to purchase a license online, and you can activate it immediately.
You can apply for and obtain a license 24 hours a day and seven days a week, so even if you wanted to partake in a spot of fishing in the middle of the night but didn’t have one, it’s an effortless fix.
Freshwater vs Saltwater Regulations
When applying for a fishing license, you’ll also need to consider where you’ll be doing the angling.
If you like to mix things up, be prepared as most states require separate licenses for freshwater and saltwater fishing due to their separate management systems. Other states will combine all types of fishing into one to make management easier.
However, once you have a saltwater license, it doesn’t mean you’re able to fish in freshwater locations, and the same goes the other way. You may need to apply for the initial license and then add a saltwater permit on top of it, but the process differs depending on the state you’re in.
Some states also have additional requirements for trout fishing and other water species, such as crustaceans, which require a different type of license. This means the angler must know what’s required in their state and stay current.
Costs and Renewals
Whether it’s for freshwater or saltwater fishing, the cost of a fishing license varies from state to state, and if you’re a resident or visiting from another state, you might need to renew it if it’s time-sensitive.
For example, in Alabama, a recreational resident license for freshwater fishing costs $14.05, whereas a non-resident can have one for just a week for $30.40.
A fishing license is incredibly affordable considering everything it does, and the fees made from these permits contribute to more than $700 million across the country for Fishing and Wildlife Services.
Fish habitats, including conservation and restoration, receive this money, contributing to a worthy cause and guaranteeing future fish stocks.
Selling fishing licenses raises millions of dollars annually for conservation efforts and ensures that people fish responsibly.
With some detailed information about how simple these permits are to get, there’s no excuse not to get yourself covered, and it’s a must-have for any angler.
FAQs
Do you require a fishing license on private property?
If you own the property and body of water that you’re fishing from, there’s technically no need for a license. However, if you’re staying on private property, you’ll need to ask the guests what’s required and be prepared to show a fishing license if they request it.
Is a fishing license valid in all states?
The state departments are in charge of issuing fishing licenses, and you’ll need a license for each state you plan on angling in. Some states share bodies of water, though, and you may be able to use the license for both, including Maryland and Virginia.
Wrap-Up
A fishing license is a must-have in most states, and regardless of the waters you like to fish in, it’s your responsibility to get one and get yourself covered.
We hope this helps you learn how to get a fishing license, be a responsible angler, protect wildlife, and enjoy your fishing experience.
