Do You Need a Fishing License? (2026) — When a License Is & Isn't Required

Do you need a fishing license to fish? In almost every situation in the United States — yes. But there are important exceptions. This guide covers every scenario: catch and release, private property, state parks, ocean fishing, piers, and more, so you know exactly when a license is required and when it isn’t.

The Short Answer

Yes, you need a fishing license in all 50 US states if you are age 16 or older and fishing in public waters. The specific age cutoff, exemptions, and details vary by state.

When You DON’T Need a Fishing License

Free Fishing Days

Every state except a handful designates 1–4 days per year when anyone can fish without a license:

Typically the first Saturday in June (National Fishing Day)
Some states offer winter free fishing days for ice fishing
All other regulations (catch limits, size limits) still apply
No registration needed in most states

See our complete Free Fishing Days 2026 guide for every state’s dates.

Children and Youth

Most states exempt children under 16 from needing a fishing license:

Age Exemption	States
Under 16 — no license needed	Florida, Texas, California, New York, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and most others
Under 14 — no license needed	Virginia
Under 12 — no license needed	Connecticut
All minors exempt	Varies — check your state

Children fishing without a license still must follow all catch limits and size restrictions. An adult with a valid license should accompany them in most states.

Seniors

Many states offer free or reduced-cost licenses for seniors:

Benefit	Examples
Completely free (no license needed)	Kansas (75+), Georgia (65+), Alabama (65+ free freshwater)
Reduced-rate senior license	Kansas (65-74: $15), Florida (65+: reduced), Texas (65+: reduced)
Lifetime senior license	Many states offer a one-time senior lifetime at reduced cost

See state-specific details on our state pages.

Veterans and Military

Many states provide free fishing licenses for veterans and active military:

Disabled veterans (typically 30%+ VA disability) — free license in many states
Active-duty military stationed in-state — often resident rates or free
National Guard — some states (like Kansas) provide free licenses on active duty
Always bring your military ID or VA disability card

Fishing on Licensed Piers and Charter Boats

In some states, you do not need your own license when:

Fishing from a licensed public pier — the pier’s license covers anglers (varies by state)
Fishing on a charter boat or party boat — the captain’s license often covers passengers
Always confirm with the pier or charter before assuming you’re covered

Do You Need a Fishing License for Catch and Release?

Yes — in almost every state, a fishing license is required even for catch and release. The license is required for the act of fishing (holding a rod, having a line in the water), regardless of whether you keep any fish.

State	Catch & Release License Needed?
Most states	Yes — license required
Great Smoky Mountains NP	No license needed inside the park
Free fishing days	No license needed on designated days

Bottom line: If your hook is in the water, you need a license. The only exceptions are free fishing days, exempt age groups, and a few special locations.

Do You Need a Fishing License on Private Property?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, and the answer varies significantly by state:

Rule	States
No license needed on your own private property	Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and others
License still required even on private property	California, New York, Florida, Colorado, and others
Landowner exempt, but guests need a license	Common in many states

Important distinctions:

Your own land — Many states exempt property owners fishing on their own land in their own private pond
Guest fishing on private land — Usually still requires a license
Private lake within a gated community — Check state rules; often still requires a license
Stocked pay-per-fish ponds — Some states have a “commercial fishing preserve” exemption

When in doubt, buy a license. At $5–$15 for a daily license, it’s much cheaper than the $50–$500 fine for fishing without one.

Do You Need a Fishing License at a State Park?

Yes — in nearly all cases, you need a fishing license at state parks. State parks are public waters, and standard fishing license requirements apply.

Some exceptions:

Youth fishing ponds at state parks — some states waive the license for kids at designated ponds
Free fishing days — no license needed at state parks on those dates
Some urban fishing programs — a few states offer license-free fishing at certain stocked urban ponds

Do You Need a Fishing License to Fish the Ocean?

The answer depends on the state and whether you’re on the shore or on a boat:

Scenario	License Needed?	Notes
Shore/surf fishing — most states	Yes	Saltwater license required
Shore fishing — FL residents	No	Florida residents can shore fish saltwater for FREE
Shore fishing — DE, NH, MS, MA, ME	No	These states offer free saltwater fishing
Charter/party boat	Usually no	Captain’s license covers passengers in most states
Private boat	Yes	Every angler needs their own license
Federal waters (3+ miles offshore)	Varies	Some states require a license; federal waters have their own rules

See our complete Saltwater vs Freshwater License guide for details.

Do You Need a Fishing License for Crabbing?

Usually, yes. Crabbing (using crab pots, traps, or handlines) typically requires at minimum a basic fishing license, and sometimes a separate crabbing permit:

Maryland — Crab pot license required ($5–$15)
Virginia — Recreational crabbing license required
Florida — Saltwater fishing license covers recreational crabbing
Washington — Shellfish/seaweed license ($14.45 resident)

What Happens If You Fish Without a License?

Penalties for fishing without a valid license vary by state but can be significant:

Penalty Type	Typical Range
First offense fine	$50 – $500
Court costs	$25 – $100 additional
Equipment confiscation	Possible in some states
Repeat offense	Higher fines, possible misdemeanor

It’s never worth the risk. A daily license costs $5–$15 in most states. See our penalties guides for state-specific fines.

Quick Decision Checklist

Not sure if you need a license? Run through this checklist:

✅ Are you 16 or older? → You probably need a license
✅ Is today a free fishing day? → Check here
✅ Are you fishing in public waters? → License required
✅ Are you on your own private property? → Check your state’s rules
✅ Are you catch-and-release only? → Still need a license
✅ Are you on a charter boat? → Captain usually covers you
✅ Are you a veteran/disabled vet? → You may qualify for a free license
✅ Are you a senior? → Check for free/reduced senior licenses

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a fishing license just to cast a line? Yes. The act of having a line in the water constitutes fishing in all states, even if you don’t catch anything.

Can a child fish without a license? In most states, children under 16 can fish without a license. Some states set the cutoff at 12 or 14. See our age requirements guide.

Do you need a fishing license for ice fishing? Yes. Ice fishing requires the same fishing license as open-water fishing. Some states require an additional ice fishing stamp.

Is a fishing license required for bowfishing? Yes — bowfishing requires a fishing license in almost all states. Some states also require an archery/hunting license.

Do you need a fishing license for a fishing derby or tournament? Yes — tournament participants need valid fishing licenses, just like recreational anglers.

Get your license today — it takes just minutes online. See our How to Get a Fishing License guide or buy one at Walmart.