Overview
We offer many exciting opportunities to fish with more than 7,500 lakes and ponds, 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, and hundreds of miles of coastline. If you are over the age of 15, you will need to purchase a fishing license to fish most of New York’s freshwaters.
Guidance
A freshwater fishing license allows you to:
- Catch freshwater fish species by angling, spearing, hooking, long bow and tip ups.
- Collect certain baitfish for personal use with specified gear types.
- Catch frogs by hand or by spear, club or hook.
Who needs a license?
- Anyone 16 years of age or older.
Who doesn’t need a license?
- Individuals fishing on a licensed fishing preserve.
- Individuals fishing during free fishing days.
- Individuals fishing at a free fishing clinic approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
- A resident landowner primarily engaged in farming (including lessees and members of their immediate families) when fishing on farm lands they are occupying and cultivating.
- A farm fish pond license holder (including members of their immediate families) fishing on waters covered by the license.
- A Native American living and fishing on reservation land.
- A patient residing at a qualifying U.S. Veterans Administration hospital or facility in New York State.
How To
Refer to this step by step process to get a fishing license online:
- Sign in or register.
- Complete the form.
- Get a screen confirmation (make sure to write down your DEC-LS confirmation number - this is also valid proof of your fishing license).
- Print the license and/or have it sent to your home by mail.
Ready? Make sure you have:
- Proof of residency (for resident fee)
- You will need your driver's license number or non-driver ID number
- Credit / debit card
- A printer to print your license
Fees
| Type | Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual valid one full year (365 days) from the date of purchase | $25 (ages 16-69) $5 (ages 70+) | $50 |
| 7-day | $12 | $28 |
| 1-day | $5 | $10 |
| Lifetime | $460 (ages 0-69) $65 (ages 70+) | NA |
Buy
OR
Call us at 1-866-933-2257 (M-F from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
OR
Find a Sporting License Issuing Location near you.
Contact
Call us Monday-Friday 8:30AM-4:30PM