Fishing is one of the most enjoyable outdoor sports that people of all ages can participate in. In addition to being a great way to get outside and enjoy the wilderness if you’re lucky you might just catch some dinner. With the fun comes some responsibilities.
Obtaining Your Fishing License
In most areas you are required to obtain a fishing license once you reach the age of 12 to 16 years old. Your license will cover you for most types of noncommercial fishing but in some states there can be additional restrictions or licenses to obtain. For instance in Connecticut you need two types of licenses if you want to fish in a stream or lake vs out on the ocean. In California you normally only need a license if you’re fishing on land based lake, ponds and streams and can fish freely off shore but off shore would be from a boat not a beach or dock. Also specific species of fish, crustaceans and other things can be restricted by season and amount.
As you can see understanding the laws can be a little tricky so your best bet is to visit a good sporting goods store that sells fishing licenses and talk with someone that has been trained in the law. You should also try to find the appropriate website for your State or Local Government that can be helpful. Every location is different and some places are more or less restrictive.
Additionally there are restrictions on the type of fishing you can do. Things like Nets or Gill Nets or Hunting with a Bow are normally not allowed however there can be restrictions that only allow Fly Fishing during some parts of the season.
Fishing On Public Vs Private Land
In some areas the idea of public vs private land can get a little tricky especially for over zealous fishers. The way the law goes is on Private Land with Private Ponds you do not need a fishing license. Streams that pass through a piece of property or property that meets up with a public lake have a mixed set of rules. The same is true about public access beaches and fishing. Your state might have public access beaches but if there is a private dock then you can not fish from it without permission.
If you have to cross private land to get to public water you could be violating the owner’s rights and be arrested for trespassing. Trespassing normally includes a fine for the first offense if no damage occurs however if you drive your vehicle across their property, cut trees or disturb or destroy any private property even your first offense could put you in jail for months or more and require payment for damages.
For these reasons always respect no trespassing signs and fences. You should understand that in most areas Trespassing Signs do not need to be present for you to be in violation. Your intent is enough for prosecution in most instances unless there are laws that allow for your egress. So never violate a property owner’s rights.
How Much Does A Fishing License Cost?
The cost of a fishing license will vary depending on location and use. Residents of the State normally pay much less than visitors.
Fishing licenses can cost as little as $6 if you are a resident in Hawaii or over $150 if you are a nonresident in California.
As we said you might need a variety of licenses that cover different types of fishing. Fresh Water vs Salt Water or All Water Permits can add to your costs but some states do have discounts. If you are a resident you might want to look into Lifetime Licenses and in addition you might find that general hunting licenses also include coverage for fishing in some states.
The average cost of a general fishing license for a resident of most States is about $25 and can vary a bit. The costs of Nonresident Licenses is about $75 but can be twice that in some states
Vacation licenses can cover from 1 day to 2 weeks and for nonresidents you will save about half the cost of a yearly license. If you expect to make many trips to the same area then get a yearly license and save yourself the trouble and time. You can expect to pay about $20 for a 1 to 3 day fishing license.
Final Note
Getting Your Fishing License is an important thing. You most likely won’t come in contact with a fish and wildlife officer if you are fishing on private property in a public stream but you are highly likely to come into contact with one if you are in a vacation spot such as a public lake or resort.
And if you are trespassing on someone’s property you can 100% count that if you are fishing in a regulated area you are going to find yourself paying additional penalties for not having a permit.
Also if you are a guest of someone at a condominium complex or other multi unit HOA type property you really need to understand that havoc can ensue if you just grab your pole and throw a line in a pond or lake. Those ponds may or may not be stocked with fish and those fish might be mitigating things like algae or mosquitos and not meant to be fished so its best to just stay away from those ponds if you have any doubts.
And finally even on your own private property you could be regulated on how you stock fish, raise them for harvest and fish for them. Yes these rules can be pretty crazy especially if its a man made pond you have stocked on your own land but some states do have regulations and you need to be informed if you are in one of these states.