Arkansas Game and Fish is compliments of
Vision Realty, The Real Estate Professionals.

Which License do I need to fish for game fish in Arkansas?

If you are 16 years or older, a fishing license is required to take or attempt to take game fish, turtles or frog in Arkansas, unless you are fishing in a licensed "put and take pay lake."

The license must be carried with you.  You may not possess a license that belongs to someone else or one that has been altered, backdated, or counterfeited.  If you are a nonresident, you may not possess a resident license.  If you guide, aid or assist someone else in fishing for hire, you must have a guide license.

To find out if you need a commercial license, call 501-223-6386 for commercial fishing regulations.

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How do I get the licenses I need?

24 hours a day - 7 days a week
1-800-364-4263

In Little Rock from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm
501-223-6349

Buy Over-the-Counter
in most sporting goods stores, hunting and fishing supplies stores, some discount chains, boat docks.

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Do I qualify for a Resident License?

A resident is any person who has established a bona fide or actual residence for at least sixty days prior to applying for a license, and who declares intentions of becoming a citizen of Arkansas.

Also, the following students (who must carry proof of full-time enrollment in schools, colleges or universities while hunting or fishing in Arkansas) are eligible to purchase a resident licenses;  Resident foreign exchange students attending school outside of Arkansas; nonresident foreign exchange students attending school in Arkansas; residents of Arkansas enrolled as full-time students in colleges and universities outside of Arkansas; and nonresidents enrolled as full-time students in colleges and universities in Arkansas.

Ownership of Arkansas real estate by a person living outside the state does not qualify the owner as a resident.

Active duty servicemen and women permanently assigned in Arkansas are granted resident privileges for hunting and fishing.  Active duty servicemen and women who were Arkansas residents at the time of entering service are also granted resident privileges for hunting and fishing, regardless of where they are currently stationed.  Residency requirements for commercial fishing licenses are more stringent.

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For how long is my license valid?

One year from the date of purchase unless it is athree, seven, or 14-day license.

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Lifetime License

The following licenses are available from the Commission's Little Rock Office.  To apply in person, bring proof of your age, such as a driver's license, birth certificate, or military record.  in addition, bring proof of Arkansas residency of at least one year's duration.  If you would rather apply by mail or need more information, call 1-800-364-4263 (or 501-223-6388 in the Little Rock area) during office hours.

Non-Expiring Lifetime Resident Hunting and Fishing Sportsman's Permit ($1,000) entitles purchasers of any age to the privileges of the Resident Sportsman's License (hunting) and the resident Fisheries Conservation License (fishing).  Annual trout and state waterfowl permits are included.

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Resident 65-Plus Lifetime License

This license is sold only to residents of Arkansas. You must be 65 years of age or older. The license may be purchased any time during the calendar year of the applicant’s 65th birthday or after.

Proof of age and proof of residency for 60 days must be furnished. Failure to provide acceptable documentation will result in a delay in processing.

$35.50 for 65-Plus Lifetime Combination License (Hunt & Fish)
$10.50 for 65- Plus Lifetime Fishing License (Fish Only)
$25.00 for 65- Plus Lifetime Sportsman’s License (Hunt Only)
$5.00 for 65-Plus Lifetime Trout Privilege
$7.00 for 65- Plus Lifetime Waterfowl Privilege
(Federal Duck Stamp and HIP Registration not Included)

Please note: Any attempt at falsification in the proof of the person’s age or their Arkansas residency will be dealt with according to law and will be cause for revocation of the license. The license is valid in Arkansas as long as the licensee is a bona fide resident of Arkansas.

Commission Code 01.00-C defines a “Resident” for the below purposes as a person who:

65 Plus Lifetime Licenses: Any person who has established a bona fide or actual residence of at least 60 days prior to applying for a license, and has declared citizenship in Arkansas.

Possession of Arkansas real estate by persons living outside the state does not qualify the owner as a resident.

Please Note: A photocopy of your Arkansas driver’s license or Arkansas I.D. card with an issue date of 60 days or older will satisfy both the proof of age and the proof of residency requirement.

Other Examples/Options Include:

The following additional documents may be used for the proof of age requirement:

   a.  Birth Certificate or
   b.  Military Record or
   c.  Marriage License or
   d.  Voter Registration or
   e.  Insurance Or Burial Policy that shows date of birth or age or
   f.   State of Arkansas issued Medicaid card with birth date or
   g. Any other Legal Document that shows date of birth.

We cannot guarantee the return of original documents. A photocopy of the methods of proof (both age and residency) should be enclosed with payment and a long self-addressed stamped Envelope. Questions concerning this form can be answered Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 1-800-364-4263 or (501) 223-6388.

MAIL TO:

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3-Year Disability License

Resident 3-Year Disability Fishing License ($10.50) entitles all totally and permanently disabled persons privileges of the Resident Fisheries Conservation License. A trout permit must also be purchased to retain trout or to fish in certain waters. Certification will be accepted from Social Security, Veteran's Affairs or Railroad Retirement. Proof of one year Arkansas residency is required. Valid for three years from date of purchase, recertification is required for license renewal.

Resident 3-Year Disability Combination License ($35.50) entitles all totally and permanently disabled persons privileges of the Resident Sportsman's License (hunting) and the Resident Fisheries Conservation License (fishing). HIP registration is required to hunt migratory game birds. To hunt waterfowl, state and federal waterfowl stamps are required in addition to HIP. A trout permit must also be purchased to fish in certain waters. Certification will be accepted from Social Security, Veteran's Affairs or Railroad Retirement. Proof of one year Arkansas residency is required. Valid for three years from date of purchase, recertification is required for license renewal.

These two licenses are available from the Commission's Little Rock office or by mail.  Applications and information are available by calling 1-800-364-4263 or (501) 223-6388 in the Little Rock area Monday-Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Cost of Fishing Licenses
 

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General Fishing Regulations

You may not legally:

• Refuse an officer's lawful request to see or inspect your wildlife, tackle, weapon or license.

• Interfere with an officer performing his or her duties.

• Flee from an officer.

• Aid, accompany or abet someone else in a violation.

• Hunt or fish after your license has been revoked or suspended.

• Import, transport, possess or take endangered species.

• Transport illegally taken fish or wildlife across state lines.

• Waste the edible portion of fish or wildlife.

• Take wildlife for scientific studies without a permit from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission director.

• Buy or sell game fish unless they were raised by a licensed fish farmer or unless they are bream four inches or short.  In either case, a fish dealer's license may be required.

• Litter.

• Take bait and other insects, freshwater shrimp, worms, frogs, minnows, shad, mussels, crayfish and bream under four-inches long from public waters and sell or offer to sell it.  A fish dealer's license may be required.

• Release any fish into public waters without written permission from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

• Feed or lure alligators in the wild.

• Possess fish or wildlife taken by someone else, without a signed statement from the taker, stating name, address, species, date taken and license number.  This requirement also applied to commercial storage facilities.

• Water ski or use personal watercraft.
• Create a hazardous wake.
• Obstruct an access area, parking area, launching ramp or access road.
• Build a structure on Commission-owned (or controlled) lakes unless it complies with Commission policy.  Further information is available by calling 501-223-6371.
• Possess firearms except while legally hunting waterfowl.  During open hunting seasons, firearms may be transported by boat, if unloaded and cased.

Transferring fish or wildlife to another person?

Stay legal.  Make sure you provide this information.
I, ________________________________ License # _______________________
give possession to _________________________________________________
the following wildlife (quantity and type) _____________________________
taken on (date) ______________________.  Today's date: ________________
Signature of giver _________________________________________________
Address of giver ___________________________________________________
 

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Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs

is a school-based program that provides students with a positive alternative to drug use and other harmful behaviors.  It stresses healthy life skills such as developing respect for oneself, the community, and the environment in the context of aquatic education.

Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs is targeted toward students in the 5th through 8th grades in Arkansas.  Teachers, school administrators or others interested in learning more about the program may contact the program coordinator at

501-223-6313.

Gordon Bagby, Program Coordinator
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR  72205
e-mail:  gkbagby@afgc.state.ar.us

Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs is a national program of the Future Fisherman Foundation.  In Arkansas, it is a joint effort of Governor Huckabee's office, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Arkansas Department of Education.

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