Licenses & Fees
License Information
| Categories | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident Youth | For Ohio residents under age 16 at the time of purchase. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident | For Ohio residents age 16-65 at the time of purchase. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident Senior | For Ohio residents age 66 and older born on or after January 1, 1938. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonresident | For all nonresidents 16 years old and older at the time of purchase. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Category | License | Cost | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth Licenses | Persons under 16 years of age are not required to purchase a fishing license. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident Youth Lifetime License - purchased before 16th birthday | $430.56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident Licenses | Resident 1-Day License | $14.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident 1-Year Upgraded from a 1-Day License * (see below) | $12.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident 1-Year License | $25.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident 3-Year License | $72.11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident 5-Year License | $120.18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident 10-Year License | $240.36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident Lifetime License | $599.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident Senior Licenses | Resident 1-Year License | $10.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident 3-Year License | $27.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident 5-Year License | $45.07 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resident Lifetime License | $84.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonresident Licenses | Nonresident 1-Day License | $14.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonresident 1-Year License Upgraded from a 1-Day * (see below) | $37.44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonresident 3-Day License | $25.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonresident 1-Year License | $50.96 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card and Duplicate | Resident Ohio Conservation Card | $4.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duplicate License - Free reprints are available at wildohio.gov | $4.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
License Requirements
- A fishing license is required to engage in fishing in Ohio waters.
- A fishing license is required to take frogs or turtles on public and private property.
- Persons fishing in privately owned ponds, lakes, or reservoirs that are open to public fishing through an agreement or lease with the Ohio Division of Wildlife are required to have a fishing license.
- Persons must have their license in their possession while fishing and must show the license to anyone on request. Licenses may be displayed using a mobile device.
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty stationed in Ohio, but not on leave or furlough, are required to purchase a resident license.
License Purchasing
- An Ohio resident is a person who has resided in the state of Ohio for the past six consecutive months. All others are considered nonresidents and must purchase a nonresident license. Nonresident students who are actively enrolled full time in an Ohio college or university qualify for a resident license if they live in Ohio at the time of purchase.
- Licenses purchased on wildohio.gov will be emailed to the customer upon completion of the transaction. Licenses are not required to be printed as long as the image of the license may be displayed on a mobile device and presented upon request.
- Operator assistance for license sales is available by calling 1-866-703-1928 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. A $5.50 fee will be added to the cost of the license.
- One-year fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. One-year and multiyear fishing licenses are valid from the date of purchase until the expiration date printed on the license.
- Lifetime licenses and multiyear licenses may be purchased at wildohio.gov, provided an Ohio driver license or state identification is associated with the customer’s account. Lifetime license buyers may also visit an Ohio Division of Wildlife office or mail in a paper application. Proof of age and residency are required at the time of purchase. A multiyear license may also be purchased at an agent location (restrictions apply). Visit online for more information about lifetime or multiyear licenses.
License Exemptions
A Fishing License is Not Required of Persons Who Are:
- Less than 16 years of age. This includes frogs and turtles;
- Persons fishing in privately owned ponds, lakes, or reservoirs to and from which fish do not migrate are not required to have a license to take fish;
- Giving assistance to an angler who has been issued the free mobility impaired or blind fishing license, provided the two persons together are using only one line;
- On June 14 and 15, 2025, all Ohio residents may fish without a license as part of Free Fishing Days;
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty while on leave or furlough;
- Fishing, or taking frogs or turtles, on land and water which they or their parents own, except where the land is in or borders on state parks or state-owned lakes;
- Fishing, or taking frogs or turtles, on land and water where they or their parents are tenants on which they reside, and from which they derive the majority of their income from agricultural production on that land (except state-owned lakes);
