In 2024, fishing without a license is generally considered a misdemeanor rather than a felony in most states. However, the specific penalties can vary depending on the state and the circumstances of the offense.
Penalties for Fishing Without a License
The penalties for fishing without a license typically include fines and possible jail time. In Texas, for example, people caught fishing without a license are usually fined less than $500 in most cases. However, the penalties can be more severe when fishing for commercial purposes without a license or when fishing rare and protected species of fish. Class B misdemeanors in Texas can lead to up to six months in jail, Class A misdemeanors can lead to up to a year in jail, and felonies can lead to up to two years in jail.
In California, the punishment for fishing without a license is a fine of between $100 and $1,000. If it’s a second offense within the last five years, the penalty is a fine of between $250 and $1,000.
In the UK, a man was fined almost £600 for fishing without a license and removing fish from the River Trent in 2019. The penalty included a fine of £220 for fishing without a license, a fine of £220 for removing fish, costs of £127.47, and a victim surcharge of £30.
Exceptions to the Fishing License Requirement
In some cases, a fishing license may not be required. In Texas, people under the age of 17, visitors to Texas State Parks, people with intellectual disabilities, and people fishing on private land may not need a license.
In California, a person who is younger than sixteen years of age is not required to obtain a fishing license, there are “free fishing days” picked by the Fish and Game Department where no one is required to have a license, and depending on the property being fished, a license may not be needed.
Consequences of Fishing Without a License
While fishing without a license is usually a misdemeanor, it can still have serious consequences. In Colorado, pleading guilty to fishing without a license by paying a $50 fine will result in 10 points being added to your license. If you accumulate 20 points within a five-year period, you could lose your hunting and fishing privileges for up to five years.
In addition to fines and possible jail time, fishing without a license can also result in the seizure of fishing equipment and any fish caught. In the UK, the man who was fined £600 for fishing without a license and removing fish also had his fishing equipment seized.
It’s important to note that wildlife officials have the authority to establish check stations where anglers must turn over their licenses, any game they have with them, and any firearms they have with them. This means that even if you’re not caught in the act of fishing, you could still be penalized for not having a valid license if you’re stopped at a check station.