Fishing Regulations

Depending on the state you’re in, your age, and what you’re fishing for, there are stringent regulations you need to investigate. It might seem as if you can throw your rod and reel in the truck and head out, but many places require a fishing license, along with an additional stamp for specific species. Thankfully, most areas allow young children to forgo the license.

License requirements apply to your home state and other states as well. You’ll need an additional license for any state you want to fish in. Some states offer 1, 3, and 5-day licenses, so you’re not paying the total annual price, and many states offer a discount if you’re a resident.

Depending on where you live, in addition to the license required, there are also specific baits you aren’t allowed to use on public property. Corn is one of them, but you’ll need to visit the DNR or DNRC website to lookup local regulations. The fines associated with being unlicensed or using illegal bait are hefty to deter people from foregoing the proper channels.

Let’s look at five major fishing states and the cost of a license versus the fine.

#1: Georgia

  • Residential license costs
    • Annual: $15 (excluding trout stamp)
    • One-day: $5
    • Trout Stamp Annual: $10
    • Trout Stamp One-day: $5
    • Senior residents qualify for a $35 lifetime license or $4 annual license
  • Non-resident license costs
    • Annual: $50 (excluding trout stamp)
    • One-day: $10
    • Trout Stamp Annual: $25
    • Trout Stamp One-day: $10
  • Fines if non-licensed
    • $170

#2: Pennsylvania

  • Residential license costs
    • Annual: $22.97 (excluding trout stamp)
    • One-day: $11.97
    • Trout Stamp Annual: $9.90
    • Youth (16 and under) Annual: $2.97
    • Senior residents qualify for a $51.97 lifetime license or $11.97 annual license
  • Non-resident license costs
    • Annual: $52.97 (excluding trout stamp)
    • One-day: $26.97
    • Trout Stamp Annual: $25
    • Trout Stamp One-day: $9.97
  • Fines if non-licensed
    • $75 base fee, and $20 per illegal fish

#3: Alaska

  • Residential license costs
    • Annual: $20 (excluding king salmon stamp)
    • King Salmon Annual: $10
  • Non-resident license costs
    • Annual: $100 (excluding king salmon stamp)
    • One-day: $15
    • King Salmon Annual: $100
    • King Salmon One-day: $15
  • Fines if non-licensed
    • $100-$150

#4: Montana

  • Residential license costs
    • Seasonal: $31
    • Two-day: $15
  • Non-resident license costs
    • Seasonal: 103.50
    • Two-day: $42.50
    • Ten-day: $73.50
  • Yellowstone National Park License
    • Seasonal: $75
    • Three-day: $40
    • Ten-day: $55
  • Fines if non-licensed
    • 60-day in jail and a $500 fine

#5: Florida

  • Residential license costs
    • Annual salt/freshwater (excluding snook/lobster): $17
    • Five Year (excluding snook/lobster): $79
    • Annual Snook Stamp: $10
    • Annual Lobster Stamp: $5
  • Non-resident license costs
    • Annual salt/freshwater (excluding snook/lobster): $47
    • Three-day (excluding snook/lobster): $17
    • Seven-day (excluding snook/lobster): $30
  • Pier fishing license
    • $501.50
  • Tarpon License
    • $51.50
  • Fines if non-licensed
    • $50 first offender, plus the cost of the license
    • $250 second offender, plus the cost of the license
    • Undersized fish fine: 60-day in jail and $500 fine