The Best Way to Get a Lifetime Fishing License

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Stop Paying Every Year - Here’s the Best Way to Get Your Lifetime Fishing License

If you're an avid angler, you either look forward to the season-opening every year or fish year-round! But you could do without the fees. Depending on your state of residence, you might be able to make this the last year you have to pay for a license. Many states offer a , saving you from annual payments. If you'd like to get a lifetime fishing license, DoNotPay can simplify the whole process in 3 easy steps.

States that Offer Lifetime Fishing Licenses

All lifetime licenses require proof of residence. If you are applying for a discounted license, you will also need proof of age or disability.

Alabama Lifetime Fishing LicenseAlabama offers three types of lifetime fishing licenses:
  1. Wildlife Heritage License
  2. Freshwater fishing
  3. Saltwater fishing

The Wildlife Heritage License is a limited combination hunting and fishing license that currently costs $240.90. Alabama's lifetime freshwater fishing license includes the Wildlife Heritage License and gives you access to all state lakes for a fee of $300.95. If you purchase a saltwater license, currently priced at $420.95, you must buy an angler registration.

Alaska Lifetime Fishing LicenseAlaska offers a permanent card to residents over 60 that lets them hunt, fish and trap for free. The license will be voided under certain residency conditions, including
  • Having a resident fishing license in another state
  • Receiving a homestead exemption in another state
  • Being registered to vote in another state
Arizona Lifetime Fishing LicenseArizona offers lifetime fishing licenses to every resident, with fees varying by age. Licenses are most expensive for residents under 30, with children under 14 paying $629 and everyone over 14 paying $666. Prices decline from there, stopping at $296 for residents 62 and over.
Arkansas Lifetime Fishing LicenseArkansas offers lifetime fishing licenses for fishermen 65 and older and for disabled military veterans:
  1. Lifetime Fishing License
  2. Lifetime Combination License
  3. Lifetime Trout Permit
  4. Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Fishing License

For $45.50, the combination license and trout permit give access to hunting and fishing privileges in most waters. Residents under 65 can get the Nonexpiring Lifetime Resident Hunting and Fishing Sportsman's Permit for $1000.

California Lifetime Fishing LicenseCalifornia offers a lifetime fishing license to all residents based on age. If you are under 10 or over 62, you will pay $594.75. The largest fee is $972.50 for the 10-39 age group.
Colorado Lifetime Fishing LicenseColorado only offers lifetime fishing licenses to residents with disabilities. Applications must include a Colorado Parks and Wildlife physician's affidavit or a Workers' Compensation Final Admission of Liability form.
Connecticut Lifetime Fishing LicenseConnecticut offers a free lifetime fishing license to anyone over 65. You must renew your license annually.
Florida Lifetime Fishing LicenseFlorida offers freshwater, saltwater, and combination lifetime licenses to residents of all ages. The Lifetime Gold Sportsman's License is $1,001.50 for any resident 13 or older and includes freshwater, saltwater, and hunting privileges.
Georgia Lifetime Fishing LicenseGeorgia offers the combination fishing and hunting Lifetime Sportsman's License to any resident who has lived in the state three months or longer for a maximum fee of $750. If you are under 65, you cannot purchase the license online. If you were born before July 1st, 1952, you are eligible for a free license.

If you are over 65, you have access to separate fishing and hunting lifetime licenses at a discounted price. The license remains valid if you later become a resident of another state.

Idaho Lifetime Fishing LicenseAll Idaho residents are eligible for a lifetime fishing license at $841.75. Adults over 50 get a discounted price.
Illinois Lifetime Fishing LicenseIllinois lifetime license prices are based on the annual price. A lifetime fishing license will cost you 30 times the resident fishing license fee. If you purchase a lifetime license and later cease to be a resident of the state, you waive your eligibility for resident deer and turkey hunting permits.
Indiana Lifetime Fishing LicenseIndiana's lifetime fishing license is available to residents over 65. Seniors can apply for the Fish-for-Life license, which includes trout and salmon privileges. Residents born before April 1st, 1943 are exempt from license requirements.
Iowa Lifetime Fishing LicenseResidents 65 and older can get lifetime licenses in Iowa for $61.50. License applications can be completed online.
Kansas Lifetime Fishing LicenseLifetime fishing licenses are available to all Kansas residents. Combination hunting and fishing licenses are available, but if you are only interested in fishing, your license will cost $502.50. There are discounted rates for seniors.
Louisiana Lifetime Fishing LicenseLouisiana offers lifetime licenses to both residents and nonresidents. Residents over the age of 13 can get a license for $300. Nonresidents must purchase a combination hunting and fishing license for $3,000 to get lifetime privileges. Resident licenses remain valid if you become a resident of another state.
Maine Lifetime Fishing LicenseMaine lifetime fishing licenses are only available to residents under 15 or over 65 for a maximum fee of $300. Residents 70 and older can pay a fee of $8 to get lifetime fishing, hunting, trapping, and archery privileges.
Maryland Lifetime Fishing LicenseMaryland offers free lifetime fishing licenses to 100% service-connected disabled veterans and former prisoners of war. Applicants must provide a letter of disability or a letter of certification from the Veterans Administration.
Minnesota Lifetime Fishing LicenseLifetime fishing licenses are available to residents and non-residents in Minnesota. Residents 16-50 years of age will pay $574. To get the resident price, applicants must have lived in the state for a year. Nonresidents of the same age group must pay $1,191 for a lifetime fishing license.
Mississippi Lifetime Fishing LicensePeople born in Mississippi and residents of the state for at least 18 months prior can apply for a Lifetime Sportsman's License. Residents 13 and over must pay $1000. People born in the state who are not residents will have to pay $1500.
Missouri Lifetime Fishing LicenseMissouri offers lifetime fishing and combination fishing and hunting licenses to all residents. Lifetime fishing licenses cost as little as $35 for residents 60 and older to as much as $400 for the 16-29 age band.
Nebraska Lifetime Fishing LicenseNebraska lifetime fishing permits are available to everyone with prices varying by state of residence. Residents between the ages of 16 and 45 pay $710 for a license and lifetime Aquatic Habitat stamp. Nonresidents over the age of 17 must pay $1,306 for lifetime fishing privileges.
New Hampshire Lifetime Fishing LicenseNew Hampshire offers lifetime licenses to all residents 16 and older. Lifetime fishing licenses start at $1,246.64 for residents 16 years of age. Prices drop every year after that.
New York Lifetime Fishing LicenseLifetime freshwater fishing and combination licenses are available to New York residents of all ages. Combination licenses cost $765, while fishing licenses cost $460. Residents 70 and older will pay only $65. New tags will be mailed to you annually.
North Carolina Lifetime Fishing LicenseNorth Carolina offers lifetime fishing licenses to everyone. Residents 12 and older could pay up to $530 for both inland and coastal fishing rights. Nonresidents are only eligible for coastal fishing licenses.
Ohio Lifetime Fishing LicenseAll Ohio residents are eligible for lifetime fishing licenses. Residents 16-64 years of age can purchase licenses for $599.04. Seniors can get discounted licenses for $84.24.
Oklahoma Lifetime Fishing LicenseOklahoma lifetime licenses are limited to residents. Fishing licenses are $225 for all residents under 65. Senior lifetime fishing licenses are $15.
Pennsylvania Lifetime Fishing LicensePennsylvania offers lifetime fishing licenses to residents 65 and older for $51.97. This does not include trout or Lake Erie fishing permissions. There is an additional lifetime Lake Erie license for $9.97. Trout permits can be purchased for periods up to 10 years.
South Carolina Lifetime Fishing LicenseSouth Carolina lifetime fishing licenses are open to residents only. Residents between the ages of 16 and 64 could pay up to $600 to get both saltwater and freshwater privileges. Residents over $65 can get the same licenses for $9 or less.
Tennessee Lifetime Fishing LicenseTennessee requires that all applicants for the combination hunting and fishing Lifetime Sportsman License be residents of the state for at least 12 months. The license is priciest for residents between 13 and 50 years of age at $1,976.
Texas Lifetime Fishing LicenseTexas offers lifetime licenses only to its residents. Combination hunting and fishing licenses are available. A lifetime fishing-only license costs $1,000.
Utah Lifetime Fishing LicenseUtah no longer offers lifetime licenses to most residents. Free licenses are available to physically and intellectually disabled residents.
Vermont Lifetime Fishing LicenseVermont lifetime licenses vary by state of residence and age at a multiplier of the annual license fee. The 16-24 age bracket is the most expensive at 31 times the annual fishing license fee. Nonresidents will find themselves paying almost twice the resident price at all tiers.
Virginia Lifetime Fishing LicenseLicenses are available to all fishermen in Virginia. Residents could pay up to $806 for freshwater, saltwater, and trout licenses. Licenses are valid even if you move out of state. Prices drop for residents 45 and older. Nonresidents could pay over twice that at $1,660. Nonresident freshwater and trout licenses stay the same at every age group, but saltwater prices decrease.
West Virginia Lifetime Fishing LicenseWest Virginia lifetime licenses are only available to residents and full-time students of any West Virginia college or university. Lifetime fishing licenses are $552, with an additional $230 for trout fishing permissions.
Wyoming Lifetime Fishing LicenseApplicants for Wyoming's lifetime fishing licenses must have been residents of the state for at least 10 years. Licenses cost $311 or $496.50 with a lifetime conservation stamp. If a lifetime conservation stamp is not purchased, conservation stamps must be purchased annually.

How to Get a Fishing License On Your Own

Getting a fishing license on your own can be frustrating and time-consuming, depending on the state you want a license in. Generally, obtaining a fishing license can be done in one or more of the following ways:

  • At a retail establishment
  • At your county or state office
  • By phone
  • Online

Get Your Lifetime Fishing License 3 Three Quick Steps with DoNotPay

Avoid the hassle and get a the fast and easy way. DoNotPay can get you any fishing license in 3 easy steps:

  1. Search "fishing license" on DoNotPay and select the state you would like a fishing license for.

  2. Indicate whether you are a resident or non-resident, and choose the type of license you want. For example, saltwater vs. freshwater license, three-day only pass, and more.

  3. Provide your contact information, a copy of your government-issued ID, and pay the fee required by the state.

And that's it! DoNotPay will get the fishing license on your behalf, which will be valid immediately. Just download the file and print it as a temporary license, while a physical copy gets processed and sent to you by mail. You’ll probably never have to buy a fishing license again!

What Else Can DoNotPay Do for You?

Obtaining a lifetime fishing license is only one of the many licenses that DoNotPay can help you get. If you’re not ready to commit to a lifetime of angling, here are just a few of the many fishing licenses we can get for you:

Simplify Your Life By Delegating a Lifetime of Annual Payments to DoNotPay

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