If you have a disability and enjoy fishing in California, you may be eligible for a free or reduced-fee fishing license. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) offers several options for disabled anglers, including free licenses for those who are blind, mobility impaired, or developmentally disabled, as well as discounted licenses for disabled veterans. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of obtaining a disabled fishing license in California for 2024.
Eligibility Requirements for a Free or Reduced-Fee Fishing License in California
To qualify for a free or reduced-fee fishing license in California, you must meet specific eligibility criteria. Here are the categories of disabled anglers who may be eligible:
- Blind individuals: Free fishing licenses are available to those who are blind or visually impaired.
- Mobility-impaired individuals: Free fishing licenses are offered to those who are permanently unable to move from place to place without the aid of a wheelchair, walker, forearm crutches, or a comparable mobility-related device. Verification by a licensed physician or a copy of the previous year’s free fishing license is required.
- Developmentally disabled individuals: Free fishing licenses are available to those with a severe and chronic disability that is attributable to a mental or physical impairment, begins before an individual reaches adulthood (18 years of age), and is likely to continue indefinitely. These disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and disabling conditions closely related to intellectual disability or requiring similar treatment. Certification by a licensed physician or the Director of a State Regional Center is required.
- Disabled veterans: Reduced-fee licenses are available for any honorably discharged veteran of the US Armed Forces with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater. The fee for a disabled veteran license is $8.38 as of 2024.
- Recovering service members: Reduced-fee licenses are available for recovering service members who are undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy and are in an outpatient status while recovering from a serious injury or illness related to their military service. The fee for a recovering service member license is $8.38 as of 2024.
- Low-income Native Americans: Free fishing licenses are available to Native Americans who are residents of the State and are financially unable to pay the fee required for a resident sport fishing license. Certification of tribal enrollment, a copy of the Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, or a copy of an official tribal membership or identification card with membership number is required.
How to Apply for a Free or Reduced-Fee Fishing License in California
The application process for a free or reduced-fee fishing license in California varies depending on your eligibility category. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Disabled Veterans and Recovering Service Members
To prequalify for a disabled veteran or recovering service member license, you must submit the following documentation:
- A photocopy of your identification (driver’s license and GO ID number from a previously issued ALDS fishing or hunting license)
- A letter documenting your eligibility:
- For disabled veterans, a letter from the Veteran’s Administration documenting that you were honorably discharged from the US military and have a service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater.
- For recovering service members, a letter from your commanding officer or from a military medical doctor verifying your eligibility as a recovering service member, including the expected recovery date.
You can submit your documentation by mail, in person at any CDFW license sales office, by fax, or through a secure document upload. Once your eligibility has been verified, your customer record will be updated, and you will be able to purchase a low-cost disabled veteran or recovering service member sport fishing license anywhere licenses are sold.
Blind, Mobility-Impaired, and Developmentally Disabled Individuals
To apply for a free fishing license as a blind, mobility-impaired, or developmentally disabled individual, you must complete the appropriate application form and submit the required documentation:
- For blind individuals, no additional documentation is required.
- For mobility-impaired individuals, verification by a licensed physician or a copy of the previous year’s free fishing license is required.
- For developmentally disabled individuals, certification by a licensed physician or the Director of a State Regional Center is required.
You can submit your completed application and documentation by mail or in person at any CDFW license sales office. All applications will be reviewed and eligibility will be verified prior to license issuance, which can take up to 15 business days. After your first free sport fishing license has been issued, if you qualify based on disability, you may renew your license from any CDFW license agent, CDFW license sales office, or online.
Low-Income Native Americans
To apply for a free fishing license as a low-income Native American, you must submit the following documentation:
- Certification of tribal enrollment, a copy of the Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, or a copy of an official tribal membership or identification card with membership number.
Any Native American who has been issued a free low-income sport fishing license must resubmit a new application each year to renew their sport fishing license.
It’s important to note that any fees paid for a license cannot be refunded, so if your plans change, you will not be able to get your money back. Additionally, a fishing license should be in your immediate possession while fishing, with the exception of when you’re diving.
By following the eligibility requirements and application process outlined in this guide, disabled anglers in California can enjoy the sport of fishing without the financial burden of purchasing a regular fishing license. Remember to always follow the state’s fishing laws and regulations to ensure the protection of fish populations and provide enjoyable fishing experiences for generations to come.