How to Get a Fishing License in Ohio

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 22, 2021

Ohio offers many opportunities to fish recreationally. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Wildlife work together to protect the environment and the many species of fish and wildlife that call Ohio home. Whether you are a full time resident of Ohio or simply visiting, you will need a license to take any fish, frogs or turtles from Ohio waters. Get a fishing license in Ohio online, in person, by mail or over the phone.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Purchasing a Fishing License

1
Determine what kind of Ohio fishing license you will need. Anyone who wants to fish in Ohio will most likely need a fishing license. There are several options available, depending on your residency and the length of time you plan to fish.^{[1]
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- Get a Resident Fishing License if you are between the ages of 16 to 65, and you have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months. It will cost you $19. If you are 66 years old or older, and you have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months, you can obtain a Senior Resident Fishing License for $10.
- Purchase a 1-Day Fishing License if you are planning a fishing outing for just 1 day. Residents and visitors pay $11 for this license, and it can be used towards an annual license if you decide to fish again. Anyone planning a charter fishing trip on Lake Erie for 1 day can also get an $11 license.
- Get an Annual Nonresident License if you are not a resident of Ohio, but you plan to fish in the state for several days throughout the year. This will cost $40.
- Buy a 3-Day Nonresident License if you plan to do your fishing in Ohio just during one trip, but you know it will be for more than 1 day. This license is $19.
2
Purchase your Ohio fishing license online. Any license can be purchased on Ohio's Division of Wildlife secure website. You will need a credit or debit card to pay for the license, and the ability to print your license once you have paid for it.^{[2]
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- You will need the Customer ID Number from an existing license, a driver's license number, and/or your Social Security number. You can find the website at https://oh-web.s3licensing.com/Home/Info.
- The license can be printed or merely shown on the screen of a mobile device, whichever is more convenient for you.
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3
Get your license from a participating agent. Each county in Ohio has stores and vendors that sell fishing licenses. If you are unsure of where to look, check the listing on the Department of Natural Resources website, http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/pdfs/licenses%20&%20permits/ohioagents.pdf, or call 1-800-945-3543, to get a list of vendors in your area. You can pay by cash, check, or credit card.^{[3]
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- You will need to provide a Customer ID Number from an existing license, a driver's license number, and/or your Social Security number.
- The retailer will print out a copy of your license.
4
Obtain a 1-Day or a 3-Day license by phone. You will need to pay a convenience fee in addition to the cost of the license for this option. The fee is $5.50 to talk to a live person at 1-866-703-1928, or $3.50 to get the license through an automated service at 1-855-764-3474. ^{[4]
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Research source} You will need to pay by credit or debit card.
- You will need to provide a Customer ID Number from an existing license, a driver's license number, and/or your Social Security number.
- You will be given a license number, which you need to carry with you in addition to your identification. No printed license will be provided for the 1-Day or 3-Day licenses that you get by phone.
5
Mail in a License Application form to obtain your license. Call the Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-945-3543, and request a form. They will send you a form for the license you need to the address you provide. You can send in a check, credit card number, or a money order to pay.
- You will need to provide a Customer ID Number from an existing license, a driver's license number, and/or your Social Security number.
- Your license will be mailed to you once the form is processed.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting a Free Fishing License

1
See if you even need a fishing license. Depending on who you are and where you are fishing, you might not even need a license.^{[5]
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Research source} Decide whether you fit into one of the following categories:
- Children under 16 don't need licenses.
- If you are assisting a disabled fisherman who cannot cast their line or retrieve their line without assistance, you don't need a license. However, the person receiving assistance does need a license, and the two fishermen have to share a line.
- Active duty military on leave or furlough don't need licenses to fish.
- You also don't need a license to fish in a privately owned pond, a body of water which you or your parents own (as long as it doesn't border state owned land), or on a body of water where you reside if you derive your income from agricultural production.
2
Decide whether you qualify for a free license. There are several categories of people who are eligible for a free license--but they still do need to get a license.^{[6]
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Research source} These categories of people include:
- Disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, residents of state or county institutions, or disabled individuals who need assistance casting and retrieving their lines.
- People born before January 1st, 1938.
3
Print out your license application. While individuals born before January 1st, 1938 will obtain their free licenses exactly the same way a person would obtain a paid license ( by phone, mail, in person at any license outlet, or online at http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/), if you fall into one of the other categories, the procedure is a little different.
- If you are eligible for a free license for any reason other than age, you'll need to submit a formal application.The application is available at http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/fishing/fishing-regulations/licenses. Simply expand the section at the bottom that says "License Exemptions" and click the links at the bottom of the expanded section.
4
Mail in your license application. Veterans and disabled individuals will need to send in their application so it can be verified. If your eligibility is verified, your license should arrive in 12 weeks or less.
- Once completed, veterans should send their application to:
  - Eligibility Verifications, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 1240 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44199-2001
- Once completed, disabled individuals should send their applications to:
  - Ohio Division of Wildlife, Free Licenses, 2045 Morse Road, Building G, Columbus, Ohio 43229-6693

Community Q&A

Question

Do I need a license to take kids fishing?

Community Answer

You yourself will need one, but children under the age of 16 do not.
Question

Does a nonresident under the age of sixteen need a license in Ohio?

Community Answer

No
Question

How do I get a license for walleye and perch in Lake Erie as a senior citizen?

Community Answer

Follow the directions in the article and buy one.

Warnings

You will need to pay a $3 reissue fee for any license that is lost, stolen or damaged. If you request the reissue through the mail instead of online or in person, the charge is $4.

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