How to get a fishing license
Every state sells its own license. Here's how to buy one in each state, and what to have ready.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
Four steps, in any state
- Work out if you're a resident. Each state sets its own rule, usually months of living there. Visitors pay non-resident prices.
- Choose your license. Pick the length (a day, a few days or a year) and the water (fresh, salt or both). Our trip calculator finds the cheapest option.
- Buy it from the state. Online is quickest. Many states also sell by phone, in an app, and at stores and bait shops that act as agents. Agents may add a small fee.
- Carry proof. Many states accept the license on your phone. Others want a printed copy. Check below.
Where to buy, state by state
| State | Buy online | By phone | App | License on your phone OK? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ADCNR official site | 1-888-848-6887 | Outdoor AL | Yes |
| Alaska | ADF&G official site | – | ADFG (Alaska Dept of Fish & Game) | Yes |
| Arizona | AZGFD official site | – | – | Not stated |
| Arkansas | AGFC official site | 833-345-0325 | AGFC mobile app | Yes |
| California | CDFW official site | (800) 565-1458 | CDFW License App | Yes |
| Colorado | CPW official site | 1-800-244-5613 | myColorado | Yes |
| Connecticut | CT DEEP official site | 860-424-3474 | – | Yes |
| Delaware | DNREC official site | – | – | Yes |
| Florida | FWC official site | 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356) | Fish|Hunt FL | Not stated |
| Georgia | Georgia DNR official site | 1-800-366-2661 | Go Outdoors Georgia | Not stated |
| Hawaii | DLNR DAR official site | 808-587-0109 | – | Not stated |
| Idaho | IDFG official site | 1-800-554-8685 | GoOutdoorsIdaho | Not stated |
| Illinois | IDNR official site | – | – | Not stated |
| Indiana | Indiana DNR official site | 317-232-4200 or 877-463-6367 (Mon to Fri, 8.30 am to 4 pm ET) | GoOutdoorsIN | Yes |
| Iowa | Iowa DNR official site | – | – | Not stated |
| Kansas | KDWP official site | 1-833-587-2164 | GoOutdoorsKS | Not stated |
| Kentucky | KDFWR official site | 877-598-2401 | – | Not stated |
| Louisiana | LDWF official site | 225-765-2898 | LA Wallet (Louisiana residents with a Louisiana driver's license or ID) | Yes |
| Maine | MDIFW official site | 207-287-8000 | ME Outdoors | Yes |
| Maryland | Maryland DNR official site | – | – | Not stated |
| Massachusetts | MassWildlife official site | 508-389-6300 | – | Yes |
| Michigan | Michigan DNR official site | – | Michigan DNR Hunt Fish | Yes |
| Minnesota | MN DNR official site | – | MN DNR Licensing | Yes |
| Mississippi | MDWFP official site | 1-800-546-4868 (1-800-5GOHUNT) | MDWFP HuntFish | Not stated |
| Missouri | MDC official site | 800-392-4115 | MO Fishing | Yes |
| Montana | FWP official site | (406) 444-2950 | MyFWP | Yes |
| Nebraska | Game and Parks official site | – | – | Yes |
| Nevada | NDOW official site | – | – | Not stated |
| New Hampshire | NH Fish and Game official site | (603) 271-3421 | – | Yes |
| New Jersey | NJ Fish & Wildlife official site | (609) 292-2965 (information) | – | Not stated |
| New Mexico | NMDOW official site | 1-888-248-6866 | – | Not stated |
| New York | NYSDEC official site | 1-866-933-2257 | HuntFishNY | Yes |
| North Carolina | NCWRC official site | 833-950-0575 | Go Outdoors North Carolina | Yes |
| North Dakota | NDGF official site | 701-328-6300 (department) | NDGF mobile app | Yes |
| Ohio | ODNR official site | 1-866-703-1928 (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) | HuntFish OH | Yes |
| Oklahoma | ODWC official site | (405) 521-3852 | Go Outdoors Oklahoma | Yes |
| Oregon | ODFW official site | – | MyODFW | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | PFBC official site | – | – | Yes |
| Rhode Island | RIDEM official site | – | – | Not stated |
| South Carolina | SCDNR official site | – | Go Outdoors SC (iPhone and Android) | Yes |
| South Dakota | SD GFP official site | 605-223-7660 | GFP mobile app | Not stated |
| Tennessee | TWRA official site | – | Go Outdoors TN | Not stated |
| Texas | TPWD official site | – | Outdoor Annual | Yes |
| Utah | Utah DWR official site | 800-221-0659 | Utah Hunting and Fishing app | Yes |
| Vermont | Vermont Fish & Wildlife official site | (802) 828-1190 | – | Yes |
| Virginia | DWR / VMRC official site | 804-367-1000 | Go Outdoors Virginia | Yes |
| Washington | WDFW official site | 360-902-2464 or toll-free 866-246-9453 (24/7) | MyWDFW | Yes |
| West Virginia | WVDNR official site | 304-558-2758 | – | Not stated |
| Wisconsin | WDNR official site | – | – | Yes |
| Wyoming | WGFD official site | 307-777-4600 | – | Not stated |
"–" means we didn't find that option on the state's site. Store and agent lists change often, so check the state's own agent finder for stores near you.