fishing license

[raylen]

How do you get fishing license when traveling, Is there a disabled license for all

states. Do COE camp grounds/lakes sell permits on site.

[trailertraveler]

Many states sell fishing licenses online. Many Walmarts sell fishing licenses. You can find out where to purchase a license and if a state has online sales at this website. I do not know if every state offers a disabled license and whether they offer it to both residents and nonresidents. As far as I know, there is no nationwide disabled license that is good in every state. I have never seen fishing licenses for sale at a COE campground or lake. However; if there is a concession marina or store, they may sell licenses.

[2gypsies]

We dealt with individual state fishing licenses by staying in one state for a good chunk of time to justify the cost. We chose one state to fish in per year even though we'd move to other states. We fly fish and catch and release so we're not getting anything (but pleasure) from fishing! Licenses are expensive.

[Bobi and Dick McKee]

Just purchased an Idaho license on line. Very easy, 36.75 for a non resident 5 day license.

[trailertraveler]

Licenses are expensive.

 

In my opinion, fishing licenses are not that expensive, in fact I consider them a bargain. As mentioned in a previous post, there are generally several choices from a day or two to a whole season. Since I have been told on this forum many times, that fulltimers don't travel much, how many licenses a year are you talking about? I think $66 for a year is the most I have paid. If you look at it from the perspective of recreation/entertainment; how much does it cost to go to a movie, download a movie, go out to dinner, have a drink or two, go to a museum or other attraction? How about a round of Golf and you can't eat a golf ball. If you can fish right at the campground, you are not burning gas going somewhere. The last time I calculated the cost/benefit of licenses for the different states I fished in it came out to less than $1.00 per entree. You can't buy fish for that price at the grocery store. My biggest problem is the size of the RV freezer, not the cost of the licenses. To me it is a matter of priorities and what value you place on the different choices for how you spend your money.

[coachmac9]

I completely agree...license are well worth the money and help support the places I love to stay and hobbies that I love dearly!! Most probably know this already but if you stay in a State Park in Texas you do not need a license to fish...great deal in my humble opinion!

[remoandiris]

Many (all?) states have short term (1 day, 3 days, etc) fishing licenses available. 2d pole is likely also available for an additional cost.

[Kirk W]

Since fishing licenses are a state function and each state has their own fish & game department and all of the jobs that go with it, I'd be very surprised to see any COE or other federal park selling them for the state. I don't even recall seeing fishing licenses for sale in any state parks that we have stayed in, which does seem to be a little bit strange since most states have the parks department in the same government department as the fish & game or wildlife department.... There is no nation wide fishing license, disabled or otherwise. Some states do offer a disabled license, but those are usually only available to residents of that state.

 

I agree with several others here that a fishing license in most states is a bargain purchase.

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Well, I am going to be the contrary old fart in this thread. I gave up fishing and hunting for one reason. The Feds.... In their infinite wisdom, they now require one to give a date of birth, SS number, name and address to have the privilege of giving them money to hunt and fish. The reason for such insanity? Dead beat dads.... If you are not up to date on your child support, you don't have the right to fish and hunt. Now I don't really have an issue with that IF the feds would allow you to get a redress number from them to use to get your license. By doing that, you would give the license issuer your drivers license and your redress number and if they match on a quick, online check with the feds, you are allowed to buy a license.

 

I REFUSE to give a bunch of minimum wage people EVERYTHING they need to steal my identity. Not only that, but every single state you want to buy a license in requires that you give them that info the first time you buy a license in that state. I might be stupid and a bit paranoid but I am not going to "go along" and agree with something that idiotic. I use my long guns on the range now, carry the pistols and gave away the rods and reels.

 

I miss my quail hunts with the dogs and a nice quiet day on the river but I sleep better at night.....

[raylen]

thanks for all the info

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

My hubby, is a total fishing nut, so I have done countless research on individual state/provincial fishing licenses as non-residents and whilst some states seem reasonable on the cost between residents and non-residents licenses others are totally out to lunch on the price differentials, especially when you consider that an RVer staying and wishing to fish for a month, having to pay a full year at some times a several multiplier over a local resident, and yet will put less strain due to time present on the systems.

 

What frustrates us is that if we go into our neighbouring province of BC we have to pay a small fortune for an annual license (anything longer than a few days fishing you often are better buying an annual), yet folks from BC can come into Alberta and pay the exact same as the residents do. There's nothing very nice and reciprocal in that don't you think? Florida on the other hand whilst more as a non-resident is still felt reasonable on that one item, and we buy both annual salt and freshwater for there for him most willingly.

 

It's a shame there wasn't a nationwide or even regional license where they divvied up the kitty to the various states/provinces. Oh well, in my perfect little world eh? I even dream about winning the lottery as well (LOL).

[sushidog]

Texas also has reasonable fishing license fees for both residents and non-residents but buy after Aug. 31st to get a full year.

 

Under 65 resident all water annual license cost is $40. Senior resident is $22. They also have a 1 yr from purchase date license for residents for $47.

 

Under 65 non-residents all water annual license is $68. They offer no discounts for non-residents. However Texas does offer reciprocity to Louisiana seniors with valid fishing licenses from Louisiana. Remember non-residents who buy a TX license today are only valid for one month and not a year from the date they purchase it.

 

This $46/yr savings for resident seniors ( $28 for resident young-uns) is another reason for anglers to choose TX as their domicile state, if one plans to visit often, as there is good fishing there.

 

I'm a catch and eat fisherman. In fact, that's the only reason I fish. I never understood why one would let one's delicious meal swim away.

 

If you are rich or allergic to fish why not give your catch to some poor person who would appreciate a good, healthy meal - say for instance, me.

 

Chip

[Mariner]

I'll tell you what frosts me. Coastal states, where you have to have a license to fish the ocean. When was the last time you saw anyone restocking the Pacific or Atlantic ocean???

[tpipkins]

I'll tell you what frosts me. Coastal states, where you have to have a license to fish the ocean. When was the last time you saw anyone restocking the Pacific or Atlantic ocean???

 

On the Pacific coast each state has fish hatcheries, many of which raise salmon to a size large enough to migrate to the ocean. Then some years later these fish return to the rivers where they were released. This provides off shore fishing for many. I guess you could call this "restocking the Pacific Ocean." I don't know what happens in the Atlantic.

[TCW]

I don't know what happens in the Atlantic.

There are programs in the Atlantic coastal states to restore Atlantic salmon, striped bass, American shad and other species. There are also costs associated with enforcement of seasons, size/creel limits, and collecting the data necessary to set the regulations.

[Bearand Moon]

My dad started and ran Huck Finn Sportfishing out of Pillar Point harbour in Half Moon Bay Ca. back when I was a kid. He's since retired, and sold it, however I do remember a few things from those days:

Any publicly accessable man made fixed point, things like Piers and docks, require no license to fish from, other than Jetties. Those for some unknown reason require a license. Any trip on a charter boat will more than likely cover your state fees in the price of your ticket.

I've pretty much given up most of my fresh water fishing due to the cost of a license. I was fortunate enough that when Dad sold the business, I got to take quite a bit of equipment as a momento of those halcyon days of my youth: All the saltwater fish and crabs I could eat, watching whales, and cleaning up after all of those folks that had never set foot on the deck of a boat before, and would most likely, never do it again.

I've gotten to the point that I actually prefer going out on a chater for the day. I have the equipment (Dads custom poles still attract a bit of attention) and there's just something about the sea... It may seem more expenseive, however, I've come away from almost every trip with three things:

Fish, new friends, and great memories...two of those are priceless

[Yarome]

I'll just throw my hat in with Kirk, traveltrailer, and the others remarks on restocking programs both in the Pacific and Atlantic. I won't go state by state, but all coastal states have active restocking programs for salt water fish. Just an excerpt: "Hatcheries have operated in Washington since 1895, where there are currently 83 state run, 51 tribal, and 12 federal in the state. California, Alaska and Oregon have similar systems."

 

Some states do charge ridiculously high prices for non residents (aka: keep off our grass states), but there are not too many of those. In any given year I will purchase anywhere from 5-10 three or five day licenses. They'll range between $12 or so on up to $25 for the most part. Some are a bit more. Like Colorado is only $21, but you also have to pay for a $10 "habitat stamp" once a year. But even the $55 states are more than worth it. Regardless of the state allowances, I never take more than 10lbs of fish at a time (well.. okay.. not counting what I ate for breakfast each morning ) Even at 55 bucks where else could you ever get freshness like that for $5 a pound? Not even considering the sheer joy of just reveling in their states beauty, I'll pay that any day of the week.

 

If anyone else can beat out a $2 1 pound catfish/bass/brook trout/walleye over the campfire with a strong cup of java and a fried egg breakfast.. I'm open to suggestions.

[jjwicklund]

Fishing is cheaper than golf.

[sushidog]

And fish are a lot tastier and more nutritious than golf balls. Plus they cook a lot faster too.

 

You can even eat some fish raw. Forget about Titleist sushi. The dimples won't even hold the soy sauce. It just runs right off.

 

Chip

[Kirk W]

I'll just throw my hat in with Kirk, traveltrailer, and the others remarks on restocking programs both in the Pacific and Atlantic. I won't go state by state, but all coastal states have active restocking programs for salt water fish. Just an excerpt: "Hatcheries have operated in Washington since 1895, where there are currently 83 state run, 51 tribal, and 12 federal in the state. California, Alaska and Oregon have similar systems."

It isn't just coastal states that have programs to restore & improve fishing. I have visited state operated hatcheries in MO, KS, NB, CO, and WY. Many states also host federal fish hatcheries and work very closely with them. In addition, we are presently volunteers at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center which is not only an educational facility but one of 5 state fish hatcheries, all aimed at improving the quality of fishing in the state as well as educating those who are interested in fishing. They even teach people how to fish! License fees are the main source of funding for these programs and facilities.

[trailertraveler]

Some states do charge ridiculously high prices for non residents (aka: keep off our grass states)

For those that think the practice of non-resident licenses in the states is unfair look North and South. How fair/friendly are non-citizen/non-resident licenses which are even more costly than a non-province/non-resident license or regulations that if one person on a boat fishes, everyone on that boat has to have a fishing license whether they fish or not. Their state, province, country; their rules. Each individual's choice whether to fish or not.

 

...I REFUSE to give a bunch of minimum wage people EVERYTHING they need to steal my identity...

If you buy online, I don't think anybody actually sees your transaction.

 

Fishing is cheaper than golf.

Maybe considerably cheaper, According to this article: "...The median cost for 18 holes of golf at a public course on the weekend is $36, including a cart, according to the survey, which noted that at a daily course -- a privately owned facility open to the public -- the median cost was $40 for a weekend round...at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, which plays host to the PGA Tour’s Buick Invitational, standard 18-hole prices as of the date of publication for the North Course ranged from $163 Monday through Thursday to $188 on weekends and holidays...The price per round at California's Pebble Beach Golf Links, home of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and numerous major championships, was $495..."

 

Many forms of recreation/entertainment involve at least some cost whether it is for equipment/specialized shoes or clothing, entrance/access fees or licenses/permits. I and I would think many other RVers pay $100/month or more for internet access. That's more for a month than any annual fishing license I have ever purchased. I have a plan that let's me suspend service. Since we were in locations with good free access for two months, suspending the Mifi saved more than I will spend on fishing licenses the whole year. Its all about priorities and how one wants to spend their disposable income. Then again, maybe I and others should keep quiet about how good a deal fishing is before the streams get too crowded.

[Mike and Claudia]

Just purchased an Idaho license on line. Very easy, 36.75 for a non resident 5 day license.

Did you catch anything, and so how much per pound died that make your fish?

 

It would be nice if there could be a "national" fishing license, but it would take some agreement among POLITICIANS for that to happen, so good luck!

[jjwicklund]

$145.00 + $2.00 for issuer for annual fishing non resident in Alaska does not include King salmon stamp.

$94.00 + fees $2.00 Non resident Florida annual good for fresh and saltwater.

Either or both cheaper than a therapist.

[Bobi and Dick McKee]

Did you catch anything, and so how much per pound died that make your fish?

 

Yes I did and it was $73.50 a pound, probably why they call it fishing not catching.......