License Information

Fishing License (Saltwater and Freshwater)

Resident: Each resident of Mississippi ages 16-64, fishing in the fresh or marine waters of Mississippi, including lakes and reservoirs but NOT to include privately owned ponds and streams, shall be required to buy a fishing license. A freshwater fishing license is required to fish all public waters north of Interstate 10. A saltwater fishing license is required to fish all public waters south of U.S. Highway 90. Either a freshwater or saltwater fishing license can be used on all public waters south of Interstate 10 and north of U.S. Highway 90. If exempt from purchasing a license see “License Exemptions”.

Non-Resident: All non-resident anglers, except for minors under 16, are required to obtain a fishing license while fishing in the fresh or marine waters of Mississippi. Louisiana residents must purchase both freshwater and saltwater licenses to fish in the marine waters of Mississippi.

Hunting License

Resident: Each resident of Mississippi ages 16-64, must obtain a hunting license, except while hunting on lands titled in his/her name. Any person 65 or older, or any person otherwise exempt from obtaining a hunting license, must have documentation with him/her at all times while hunting as described in “License Exemptions.”

Non-Resident: All non-resident hunters, except for minors under 16, are required to obtain a hunting license while hunting in the State of Mississippi.

Hunter Education Requirements

All persons born on or after January 1, 1972, must satisfactorily complete a hunter education course approved by MDWFP before purchasing a Mississippi hunting license. A child older than 12 and younger than 16 must have a certificate of satisfactory completion of a hunter education course approved by the department before hunting alone in the state. A child older than 12 and younger than 16 may hunt without having a certificate of hunter education if the child is in the presence and under the direct supervision of a Mississippi licensed or exempt hunter at least 21 years old when the child is hunting. A child younger than 12 must be in the presence and under the direct supervision of a licensed or exempt hunter at least 21 years old when the child is hunting. A resident apprentice hunting license may be issued to a resident older than 16 who does not have the required certificate of hunter education. An apprentice license may be issued only once to a resident. The apprentice hunting licensee must be accompanied by a licensed or exempt resident hunter at least 21 years old when hunting. If it is determined that the holder was not entitled to issuance or obtained the license or hunter education certificate by fraudulent means, the license will be revoked or canceled. It is unlawful to issue a hunting license to any person without proof of completion of the hunter education course, except those born before Jan. 1, 1972, or residents purchasing a one-time apprentice license.

Duplicate Hunter/Boater Education Card

If you have lost your hunter/boater education card, please go to www.mdwfp.com/education-outreach/hunter-education/ to download a certificate or to purchase a duplicate card for a $3 fee.

Residency Requirements

A person’s domicile is that person’s principal or primary home or place of abode. A “principal or primary home or place of abode” is that home or place in which a person’s habitation is fixed and to which he/she, whenever absent, has the present intention of returning after a departure of absence regardless of the duration of absence. The burden of proving the domicile shall be on the person claiming such status. A current and valid Mississippi driver’s license or Mississippi issued identification shall be proof of domicile/residency for the purpose of obtaining a Mississippi resident hunting or fishing license. The Department may prescribe and consider other means of proving domicile/residency. Please contact the License Bureau at (601) 432-2055 for further information or at mdwfp.com. In the case of minors, domicile of the parents shall be used as evidence of the minor’s domicile. Any person with a valid driver’s license from another state will not be considered for a resident hunting and/or fishing license (see exceptions). A person who obtains a license under an assumed name or makes a materially false statement to obtain a license is guilty of a felony and shall be subject to a fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000) or may be imprisoned for a term of one year or both. You may be denied a resident hunting license if you fail to provide adequate proof. If using a Mississippi driver’s license as proof of residency, please make sure license has not expired before purchasing a hunting/fishing license. Exceptions: Even if you are domiciled in another state, you may purchase a resident hunting/fishing license if you provide either a current identification card from a Mississippi college or university (in which you are enrolled as a student in good standing); or a current military ID card showing that you are an active member of the Armed Forces (excluding Reserves and the National Guard) and a copy of the orders assigning you to a Mississippi military base.

License Exemptions

Youth License Exemptions

Mississippi Residents under 16 are exempt from purchasing a hunting or fishing license. Individuals exempt based on these criteria may purchase a voluntary Youth Exempt license by providing their social security number along with a copy of their parent/legal guardian’s driver’s license to establish residency.

Disabled License Exemptions

Mississippi Residents who are blind, paraplegic, a multiple-amputee, adjudged 100% disabled by the Social Security Administration, or 100% service-connected disabled by the Veterans Administration or Railroad Retirement Board are NOT required to purchase a hunting or fishing license. Residents exempt based on these criteria are required to have proof of residency, disability status or other physical impairment in their possession while engaged in hunting and fishing activities unless an exempt license is purchased. The Disabled Exempt license is an annual privilege. Applications are available online at www.mdwfp.com.

Military Exemption

Any Mississippi resident who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Reserves and National Guard, and on active duty outside the state of Mississippi is not required to purchase or have in his/ her possession a hunting or fishing license while engaged in such activities while on leave from active duty. Such resident shall have in his/her possession an official military leave form. MDWFP Hunter Education requirements apply to residents who meet the military exemption status.

Senior License Exemption (Resident Only)

Mississippi residents 65 and older are exempt from purchasing a hunting or freshwater fishing license. Residents exempt based on these criteria are required to have proof of age and Mississippi residency in their possession while engaged in hunting and freshwater fishing activities unless a voluntary Resident Senior Exempt license is purchased. The Resident Senior Exempt license is a valid lifetime privilege as long as you are a Mississippi resident.

Senior Saltwater License (Resident Only)

Effective July 1, 2010, residents 65 and older are required to purchase a saltwater fishing license if fishing South of U.S. Highway 90. The Senior Saltwater License is a valid lifetime privilege as long as you are a Mississippi resident.

Waterfowl Stamp

A state waterfowl stamp and federal duck stamp is required for any person 16 or older when hunting any waterfowl species, including Lifetime license holders. Physical or electronic proof of purchase is sufficient. However, if a physical stamp is in possession, it must be signed by the hunter across the face of the stamp. The electronic federal duck stamp is good for 45 days from date of purchase. The actual stamp will be mailed within 45 days.

Small Game/Fishing License

Any resident purchasing the combination small game hunting/freshwater fishing license for the use of freshwater fishing will not be required to provide a hunter education number. Any resident purchasing the combination small game hunting/freshwater fishing license for the use of hunting small game will be required to provide a hunter education number.

Trapping

A trapping license is required of anyone 16 and older who traps furbearers (bobcat, mink, muskrat, opossum, otter, raccoon, and weasel) and/ or nuisance animals (beaver, coyote, fox, skunk, nutria, and wild hogs). An All Game Hunting License is also an acceptable license when trapping wild hogs. A trapping license is not required for persons trapping on lands titled in their name. This license shall be required of each assistant or helper 16 or older employed or used by a trapper. A trapping license is required to sell skins or carcasses of any fur-bearing animal (see additional information in General Hunting Regulations and Information-Trapping).

Commercial Fishing/Slat Basket

Persons who possess a valid Freshwater Commercial Fishing License are allowed to fish gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets, trotlines, slat baskets (with slat basket license), crawfish traps and shrimp traps, and/or sell non-game gross fish, minnows and non-native fish taken from the freshwaters of Mississippi. See the Commercial Fishing brochure for information or go to www.mdwfp.com.

Any person using a slat basket in Mississippi waters must have a valid slat basket license for each slat basket. You cannot purchase a slat-basket license unless you have a Freshwater Commercial Fishing License.

Freshwater Fishing Guide License

A Freshwater Guide License is required for anyone that provides fishing guide services on public waters in Mississippi north of I-10. CPR Training, First-Aid Training from an American Red Cross- or American Heart Association-certified trainer or course, and Boater Education is required to purchase a freshwater Guide License. A U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License may be substituted for CPR, First Aid, and Boater Education. Mississippi Residents are required to have a valid Sportsman License on file and proof of residency/domicile in the state of Mississippi for 12 consecutive months before the issuance of license. Non-Residents are required to have a valid annual Freshwater Fishing license on file.

Freshwater Guide Boat License

An annual boat license must be purchased for any vessel being used for fishing guide services. A valid boat registration, driver’s license, and proof of liability insurance (not less than $100,000) are required to purchase a Freshwater Guide Boat License. Freshwater Guide Boat decal will be included with the Freshwater Guide Boat License, mailed to the address provided at the time of purchase.

Deer and Turkey Permit

Non-Residents are required to have a deer or turkey permit for hunting during all deer seasons and spring turkey season, unless individuals possess a Non-Resident Native Lifetime License. These permits must be purchased in addition to All Game, 7-Day All Game, or 3-Day All Game Hunting.

Non-Resident Public Lands Turkey Permit

In addition to relevant All Game licenses and general Turkey Permit above; non-residents must additionally acquire a Non-resident Public Lands Turkey Permit before hunting turkey on open public lands during the first 14 days of the spring season. Open public lands include National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, Corps of Engineers lands., etc., that have statewide seasons without special regulations. Allocation of Non-resident Public Lands Turkey Permits are conducted via a special drawing and is not available for purchase on demand. See www.mdwfp.com for application dates and information.

Wildlife Management Area User Permit

Residents and Non-Residents using any state-operated Wildlife Management Area except those exempt from purchasing an annual hunting or fishing license, must purchase a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) User Permit. However, WMA User permits are required only for hunting, fishing, and trapping on U.S. Forest Service WMAs.

Armed Forces 14-Day Hunting/Fishing License

Non-Residents who are active members of the United States Armed Forces (excluding Reserves and the National Guard) may purchase a special Armed Forces 14-Day Hunting/Fishing license. Only two Armed Forces 14-Day Hunting/Fishing licenses may be purchased per license year. Proof of active military status is required. This license is processed at the Jackson Office only. Applications are available online at www.mdwfp.com. MDWFP Hunter Education requirements apply to all non-residents who purchase the Armed Forces 14-day Hunting/Fishing License.

Mississippi Lifetime License

Resident Lifetime license applicants must provide proof that they have been domiciled in the state of Mississippi for a minimum of 18 consecutive months before issuance of such license. All resident applicants’ birth through age 12 must include a certified copy of their birth certificate. All non-resident Mississippi native applicants must include an original or notarized copy of the long-form birth certificate showing the applicant was born in Mississippi and their parent’s address was in Mississippi at the time of birth OR for an applicant not born in Mississippi, the parents’ address was in Mississippi at the time of applicants’ birth.

All non-resident Mississippi native MIL applicants must include a certified copy of an original birth certificate of parent showing that parent was born in Mississippi and additional office documents indicating parent was on active military services at the time of the applicant’s birth. Lifetime applications are processed at the Jackson office only. Applications are available at www.mdwfp.com. Any address change by license holders should be reported to the License Department. MDWFP Hunter Education requirements apply to all Lifetime License Applicants.