In the United States, the minimum age requirement for obtaining a fishing license varies by state. While some states allow children as young as 10 to fish with a license, others have set the minimum age at 16 or 18. This article will explore the fishing license age requirements across different states and provide a comprehensive overview of the regulations in 2024.
Alabama
In Alabama, the minimum age to obtain a fishing license is 16 years old. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under the age of 16 are not required to have a fishing license when accompanied by a licensed adult angler.
Alaska
Alaska has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 18 years old. Residents and non-residents alike must be at least 18 to purchase a fishing license in the state. Children under 18 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Arizona
Arizona allows children as young as 10 years old to obtain a fishing license. This is one of the lowest minimum age requirements in the United States. Non-residents must also be at least 10 to purchase a fishing license in Arizona.
Arkansas
The minimum age for a fishing license in Arkansas is 16 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 16 to legally fish in Arkansas waters. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
California
California has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 16 years old. This applies to both California residents and non-residents. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Colorado
In Colorado, the minimum age for a fishing license is 16 years old. Residents and non-residents alike must be at least 16 to purchase a fishing license. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Connecticut
Connecticut allows children as young as 16 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Delaware
The minimum age for a fishing license in Delaware is 16 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 16 to legally fish in Delaware waters. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Florida
Florida has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 16 years old. This applies to both Florida residents and non-residents. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Georgia
In Georgia, the minimum age for a fishing license is 16 years old. Residents and non-residents alike must be at least 16 to purchase a fishing license. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Hawaii
Hawaii allows children as young as 15 years old to obtain a fishing license. This is one of the lower minimum age requirements in the United States. Non-residents must also be at least 15 to purchase a fishing license in Hawaii.
Idaho
Idaho has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 14 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 14 to legally fish in Idaho waters. Children under 14 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Illinois
In Illinois, the minimum age for a fishing license is 16 years old. This applies to both Illinois residents and non-residents. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Indiana
Indiana allows children as young as 17 years old to obtain a fishing license. This is one of the higher minimum age requirements in the United States. Non-residents must also be at least 17 to purchase a fishing license in Indiana.
Iowa
Iowa has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 16 years old. Residents and non-residents alike must be at least 16 to purchase a fishing license. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Kansas
In Kansas, the minimum age for a fishing license is 16 years old. This applies to both Kansas residents and non-residents. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Kentucky
Kentucky allows children as young as 16 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Louisiana
Louisiana has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 16 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 16 to legally fish in Louisiana waters. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Maine
In Maine, the minimum age for a fishing license is 16 years old. This applies to both Maine residents and non-residents. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Maryland
Maryland allows children as young as 16 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 15 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 15 to legally fish in Massachusetts waters. Children under 15 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Michigan
In Michigan, the minimum age for a fishing license is 17 years old. This applies to both Michigan residents and non-residents. Children under 17 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Minnesota
Minnesota allows children as young as 16 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Mississippi
Mississippi has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 16 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 16 to legally fish in Mississippi waters. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Missouri
In Missouri, the minimum age for a fishing license is 16 years old. This applies to both Missouri residents and non-residents. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Montana
Montana allows children as young as 11 years old to obtain a fishing license. This is one of the lowest minimum age requirements in the United States. Non-residents must also be at least 11 to purchase a fishing license in Montana.
Nebraska
Nebraska has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 16 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 16 to legally fish in Nebraska waters. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Nevada
In Nevada, the minimum age for a fishing license is 12 years old. This applies to both Nevada residents and non-residents. Children under 12 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire allows children as young as 16 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
New Jersey
New Jersey has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 16 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 16 to legally fish in New Jersey waters. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, the minimum age for a fishing license is 12 years old. This applies to both New Mexico residents and non-residents. Children under 12 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
New York
New York allows children as young as 16 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
North Carolina
North Carolina has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 16 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 16 to legally fish in North Carolina waters. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
North Dakota
In North Dakota, the minimum age for a fishing license is 16 years old. This applies to both North Dakota residents and non-residents. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Ohio
Ohio allows children as young as 16 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 16 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 16 to legally fish in Oklahoma waters. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Oregon
In Oregon, the minimum age for a fishing license is 12 years old. This applies to both Oregon residents and non-residents. Children under 12 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania allows children as young as 16 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 16 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 16 to legally fish in Rhode Island waters. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, the minimum age for a fishing license is 16 years old. This applies to both South Carolina residents and non-residents. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
South Dakota
South Dakota allows children as young as 16 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Tennessee
Tennessee has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 13 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 13 to legally fish in Tennessee waters. Children under 13 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Texas
In Texas, the minimum age for a fishing license is 17 years old. This applies to both Texas residents and non-residents. Children under 17 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Utah
Utah allows children as young as 12 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 12 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Vermont
Vermont has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 15 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 15 to legally fish in Vermont waters. Children under 15 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Virginia
In Virginia, the minimum age for a fishing license is 16 years old. This applies to both Virginia residents and non-residents. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Washington
Washington allows children as young as 15 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 15 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
West Virginia
West Virginia has set the minimum age for a fishing license at 15 years old. Both residents and non-residents must be at least 15 to legally fish in West Virginia waters. Children under 15 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, the minimum age for a fishing license is 16 years old. This applies to both Wisconsin residents and non-residents. Children under 16 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Wyoming
Wyoming allows children as young as 14 years old to obtain a fishing license. This applies to both residents and non-residents of the state. Children under 14 can fish without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult.