Fishing License Descriptions and Fees

WHICH FISHING LICENSE DO I NEED?

If you are 16 or older, you must carry a valid Arkansas fishing license to take or attempt to take aquatic wildlife in

Arkansas, unless you are fishing in a licensed “put-and-take” pay lake.

Trout – A trout permit is required to fish

for trout in certain waters (tailwaters below Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork

Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Greeson or east of Highway 59 on Spavinaw Creek) or to keep trout from any Arkansas waters.

For more information, see Page 26.

Guides – If you guide, aid or assist

someone else in fishing for hire, you must have a guide license.

Commercial – To find out if you need a

commercial permit, call 501-441-6269 for commercial fishing regulations.

HOW DO I BUY A LICENSE?

Licenses are available over the counter at AGFC Little Rock headquarters, regional

offices and nature centers, as well as sporting goods stores, some discount

chains and boat docks. You also may buy a license by phone or online.

• Phone – Call 833-345-0325 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
• Online – Visit www.agfc.com, click “Buy Licenses,” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Telephone and online purchases must be made by credit card. Your fishing privileges become effective immediately. A valid printed license or acceptable electronic format license must be in your possession.

Lifetime and commercial licenses are not available by phone or online.

DO I QUALIFY FOR A RESIDENT LICENSE?

A resident is any person who physically inhabits a bona fide residence within Arkansas for at least 60 days and declares they are a full-time resident of Arkansas.

Ownership of Arkansas real estate by a person living outside the state does not qualify the owner as a resident.

Also, the following students (who must carry proof of full-time enrollment in schools, colleges or universities while hunting or fishing in Arkansas) are eligible to purchase annual resident licenses: resident foreign exchange students attending school outside of Arkansas; nonresident foreign exchange students attending school in Arkansas; residents of Arkansas enrolled as full-time students in colleges and universities outside of Arkansas; and nonresidents enrolled as full-time students in colleges and universities in Arkansas.

Active-duty military personnel assigned to duty stations in Arkansas are eligible to purchase annual or trip resident privileges for hunting and fishing. Active-duty servicemen and women who were Arkansas residents at the time of entering service are eligible to purchase annual or trip resident privileges for hunting and fishing, regardless of where they are stationed.

65- PLUS LIFE TIME FISHING LICENSE (PLF)

Residents 65 and older may purchase a Lifetime Fishing License for $10.50 or a Lifetime Combination Sportsman’s License (hunting and fishing) for $35.50 any time during the calendar year of their 65th birthday. Each license is valid as long as the holder resides in Arkansas. Proof of age and one year of Arkansas residency are required. These licenses are available from the AGFC Little Rock office, regional offices and nature centers.

65- PLUS LIFE TIME TROUT PERMIT (PLT)

To fish for trout in certain waters or to keep trout, a state lifetime trout permit (purchased once at 65 or older) is available to holders of 65-Plus Lifetime Licenses ($10). This permit is available from the AGFC Little Rock office, regional offices and nature centers.

RESIDENT SPORTSMAN’S LIFE TIME COMBINATION LICENSE AND PERMIT (LSP2) ($1, 000)

This entitles the holder of any age to the privileges of the Resident Sportsman’s Lifetime Combination License and Permit. Annual trout and state waterfowl permits are included. Proof of one year of Arkansas residency is required. This permit is available from the AGFC Little Rock office, regional offices and nature centers.

RESIDENT NATURAL STATE LIFE TIME COMBINATION LICENSE AND PERMIT (NSLL) ($500)

A limited number of licenses are available to Arkansas youths 10 years of age and younger for lifetime hunting and fishing privileges. This entitles the holder to the privileges of the Resident Sportsman’s Lifetime Combination License and Permit. Annual trout and state waterfowl permits are included. This permit is available at the Little Rock headquarters, regional offices and nature centers.

DISABILITY LICENSES

Resident disabled anglers may purchase a 3-year disability fishing license ($10.50) or a 3-year combination license ($35.50), which includes hunting and fishing privileges. In addition to proof of 60 days’ Arkansas residency, proof of 100 percent disability from the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs or the Railroad Retirement Board is required to apply for this license. This license expires 3 years from the date of purchase. A resident trout permit must be purchased annually to retain trout or to fish in certain waters. (See Page 26). These licenses are available from the AGFC headquarters in Little Rock.

MOBILITY-IMPAIRED ACCESS PERMIT

Licensed sportsmen who are permanently mobility impaired may be eligible for special access privileges in certain areas on WMAs, from the boardwalk and piers at Dry Run Creek, and from the piers on Collins Creek downstream of the wooden vehicle bridge in JFK Park. These privileges allow persons with certain medical conditions to receive a Mobility-Impaired Access Permit. There is no charge for the initial card. Applications are available online at www.agfc.com or by calling 833- 356-0824 during business hours.

fishing licenses and costs

LICENSE	Fee
FSH Resident Fisheries Conservation License	$10.50
Entitles a resident to fish the waters of the state with sport fishing tackle. A Resident Trout Permit also must be purchased to retain trout or to fish in certain waters.
RT3 Resident 3-Day Trip Fishing License	$6.50
Entitles a resident to fish the waters of the state with sport fishing tackle for the 3-day period specified. A Resident Trout Permit also must be purchased to retain trout or to fish in certain waters.
TPR Resident Trout Permit (TPR)	$10
Required to retain trout or to fish in certain waters (see pages 58-95). Not required for holders of the nonexpiring $1,000 Lifetime Resident Hunting and Fishing Sportsman’s Permit or for holders of the 65-Plus Lifetime License and Trout Permit.
TPN Nonresident Trout Permit (TPN)	$20
Required of a nonresident to retain trout or to fish in certain waters (see pages 58-95) in addition to a Nonresident Annual or Trip Fishing License.
NRF Nonresident Annual Fishing License (NRF)	$60
Entitles a nonresident to fish the waters of the state with sport fishing tackle. A Nonresident Trout Permit also must be purchased to retain trout or to fish in certain waters.
NT3 Nonresident 3-Day Trip Fishing License	$30
Entitles a nonresident to fish the waters of the state with sport fishing tackle for the 3-day period specified. A Nonresident Trout Permit also must be purchased to retain trout or to fish in certain waters.
GLF Resident Fishing Guide License	$25
Required of a resident who guides, aids or assists another person for pay or other consideration in the taking of fish. This license does not include fishing privileges.
GNF Nonresident Fishing Guide License	$500
Required of a nonresident who guides, aids or assists another person for pay or other consideration in the taking of fish. This license does not include fishing privileges.
WRL White River Border Lakes License	$10
Entitles Arkansas resident fishing license holders to fish in the Missouri waters of Bull Shoals, Norfork and Table Rock lakes without a nonresident fishing license from Missouri. See Page 28 for more information.
RDF Resident 3-Year Disability License	$10.50
Entitles a resident to fish the waters of the state with sport fishing tackle. A Resident Trout Permit also must be purchased to retain trout or to fish in certain waters. Holders of this license, along with another licensed individual to assist, may fish at Family and Community Fishing Program locations.

Commercial Fishing, Live Bait Trade, Aquatic Turtle and Mussel Licenses

Detailed commercial fishing, live bait trade, aquatic turtle and mussel regulations and license prices are available at www.agfc.com/guidebooks.

Alligator Gar Trophy Tag (AGT)

Free. Required to harvest one alligator gar over 36 inches per calendar year. Drawing will be held Jan. 2. Expires Dec. 31.

military lifetime licenses

Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Licenses

• Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Fishing License (MRF) − $10.50
• Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Combination License (includes hunting) (MRC) − $35.50
• Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Trout Stamp (MRT) − $10
  

Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Licenses (100% disablility)

• Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Fishing License (VLF) − $1.50
• Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Combination License (VLC) − $3
• Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Trout Stamp (VLT) − $10

Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Licenses (70% or 50% disability and have received the Purple Heart Medal)

• Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Combination License (includes hunting, fishing, trout and state waterfowl stamp privileges) (VLL) − $52.50

Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Licenses are available at any AGFC regional office.

Sportsmen must be at least 60 and show proof of one year of Arkansas residency and retirement from a branch of the U.S. Armed Services.

Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Licenses are available at the Little Rock headquarters only. There is no age requirement for this license, but sportsmen must show proof of one year of Arkansas residency and proof of service-connected military disability.

Trout and state waterfowl stamp permits, federal waterfowl stamps, resident trapping permits and HIP registration also must be obtained to hunt, trap or fish for certain game species. These permits are available at AGFC regional offices, Little Rock headquarters and nature centers.

license agreements with adjacent states

MISSISSIPPI AND ARK ANSAS

Mississippi and Arkansas recognize the resident fishing and commercial fishing licenses of the two states on flowing waters of the Mississippi River and all waters between the main levees of the Mississippi River, excluding the St. Francis, White and Arkansas rivers and oxbow lakes accessible from the mouths of the St. Francis, White or Arkansas rivers.

Licensees abide by the state regulations in which they are fishing. The agreement does not include frog hunting.

MISSOURI AND ARK ANSAS

Missouri and Arkansas recognize the sport fishing, resident commercial fishing and commercial mussel-taking licenses of the two states on the flowing waters of the St. Francis River that form a common boundary between the two states. A sport- fishing licensee or legally exempt resident of either state abides by the regulations of the state issuing the license. The agreement does not apply to tributaries, bayous and backwaters of the St. Francis River.

A White River Border Lakes License is available for a $10 annual fee. This license allows Arkansas residents who hold a valid license to fish in the Missouri waters of Bull Shoals, Norfork and Table Rock lakes without a fishing license from Missouri. The permit is valid for impounded waters (the waters between Beaver Lake Dam and Houseman Access in Arkansas are excluded). Trout may not be taken with this license. Anglers younger than 16 do not need to buy this license to fish in Missouri waters. The WRL is available to residents of Missouri or Arkansas only and may be purchased in either state.

Anglers are required to abide by the fishing regulations of the state where they are fishing. The differences in regulations are:

• On Table Rock Lake, spotted bass must be at least 12 inches long to keep (Arkansas) or at least 15 inches long to keep (Missouri).
• On Norfork Lake, anglers may take up to three stripers and hybrids and 25 white bass of any size per day in Arkansas, except for striped bass, which must be over 20 inches. In Missouri, anglers may take up to 15 stripers, hybrids, white and yellow bass, only four of which may exceed 18 inches long.

TENNESSEE AND ARK ANSAS

Tennessee and Arkansas recognize the fishing licenses of both states on the flowing waters of the Mississippi, adjacent sloughs, bayous, old river runs (if accessible by boat from the river proper) and old river chutes that form a common boundary. Not included are wildlife management areas and the Wolfe, Loosahatchie, Hatchie, Forked Deer and Obion rivers. Anglers abide by the regulations of the state in which they are fishing. Commercial anglers abide by the regulations of the state in which they are fishing. Arkansas resident commercial anglers fishing commercial tackle in Tennessee waters under the terms of this agreement shall comply with Tennessee commercial tackle tagging requirements.

Tennessee resident commercial angler’s tackle tagging requirements are legal in Arkansas under the terms of this agreement. The agreement does not apply to tributaries, bayous or backwaters except as specifically provided herein. It shall be incumbent on each individual hunter or angler to identify the state line on the Mississippi River.

Sport anglers on Iakes Chute, Hopefield Chute, Dacus Lake, Mosquito Lake, Mound City Lake, Island 40 Chute and Lake Neark shall comply with Arkansas game fish, size and daily limits. Anglers and waterfowl hunters may not attach any device or equipment to, nor trespass on, private property without the landowner’s permission.

ARKANSAS AND OKLAHOMA

Arkansas and Oklahoma do not have a reciprocal license agreement for waters along their shared border. Anglers fishing on the Arkansas side of the official state line must have an Arkansas fishing license, and anglers fishing on the Oklahoma side of the official state line must have an Oklahoma fishing license.

The state line runs from the second rock jetty downstream of the Garrison Avenue Bridge (U.S. Highway 64) on the west side of the river to approximately the third bridge support column of the same bridge from the east side (the Arkansas side) of the river. It continues from the bridge support to the mouth of the Poteau River and up the center of the Poteau River to the old Port of Fort Smith.