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Ohio

Fishing

Fishing

Lincenses & Fees

LICENSE INFORMATION

FISHING LICENSES ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL AUTHORIZED LICENSE SALES AGENTS

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.


Youth

LICENSES

Persons under 16 years of age are not required to purchase a fishinglicense.

Resident Youth Lifetime License

$430.56

Resident

LICENSES

Resident 1-Day License

$14.00

Resident 1-Year Upgraded from a 1-Day License * (seebelow)

$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 mobiledevice.
  • 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 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;
  • 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-ownedlakes;
  • 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);
  • Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty while on leave or furlough;
  • On June 17 and 18, 2023, all Ohio residents may fish without a license as part of Free Fishing Days.
  • See page 16 for information on free licenses.

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.
  • 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 thelicense.
  • 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 purchaseuntil 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 wildohio.gov formore information about lifetime or multiyear licenses.