In Georgia, residents age 16-64 must have a fishing license to fish in fresh and salt waters. Non-residents age 16 and older also need a license. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources manages all fishing licenses and permits in the state. Youth under 16 and seniors born before July 1, 1952 may qualify for exemptions or discounted rates. Annual licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, and short-term options are available for those wanting to try fishing for just a day or several consecutive days.
Quick Reference: Georgia Fishing License
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Resident Annual | $15.00 |
| Non-Resident Annual | $50.00 |
| License Required Age | 16 and older |
| Youth Exempt | Under 16 |
| Senior Discount | 65+ ($4.00 annual) |
| Senior Free License | Born before July 1, 1952 |
| License Expiration | 365 days from date of purchase |
| Buy Online | Go Outdoors Georgia |
Who Needs a Georgia Fishing License?
Resident Requirements
Georgia residents age 16-64 must have a fishing license to fish in fresh and salt waters throughout the state. For license purposes, a Georgia resident is defined as a person who has been domiciled within the state for at least three consecutive months before license purchase, as shown by a Georgia driver’s license or official Georgia ID card with a Georgia address. Domiciled means a person’s fixed, permanent, and principal home for legal purposes.
Residents 15 years of age or younger are exempt from needing a fishing license. Seniors age 65 and older can purchase a discounted annual fishing license for $4.00, which includes trout fishing privileges. Seniors born before July 1, 1952 are eligible for a free lifetime license.
Non-Resident Requirements
Non-residents age 16 and older must have a fishing license to fish in Georgia’s fresh and salt waters. Non-residents 15 years of age or younger do not need a fishing license to fish in Georgia.
Certain non-residents may purchase resident licenses. Full-time military personnel on active duty stationed in Georgia and their dependents may purchase resident licenses with a military ID. Non-resident full-time college students living in Georgia and attending a Georgia college may also purchase resident licenses by providing a current Georgia student ID.
Saltwater Information Program Permit
A free Saltwater Information Program permit (SIP permit) is required for persons 16 years of age or older to fish in saltwater, even if they have a full-privilege license or are otherwise not required to have a fishing license. The SIP permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance, and anglers must obtain a new SIP permit each year. This requirement applies to both residents and non-residents age 16 and older.
Georgia Fishing License Types and Prices
Resident Licenses
| License Type | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fishing License (age 16-64) | $15.00 | 365 days from purchase |
| One-Day Fishing License | $5.00 | 1 day |
| Additional Consecutive Days | $1.00 per day | Up to 10 additional days |
| Optional Youth Fishing License (age 15 and under) | $10.00 | Until 17th birthday |
| Senior Fishing License (age 65+) | $4.00 | Annual |
| Sportsman’s License (includes fishing) | $65.00 | 365 days from purchase |
| One-Day Sportsman’s License | $25.00 | 1 day |
| Additional Days Sportsman’s | $3.00 per day | Up to 10 additional days |
| Combo Hunting & Fishing License | $30.00 | 365 days from purchase |
| One-Day Combo License | $5.00 | 1 day |
| Additional Days Combo | $1.00 per day | Up to 10 additional days |
| Senior Sportsman’s License (born on or after July 1, 1952) | $7.00 | Annual |
Non-Resident Licenses
| License Type | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fishing License (age 16+) | $50.00 | 365 days from purchase |
| One-Day Fishing License | $10.00 | 1 day |
| Additional Consecutive Days | $3.50 per day | Up to 10 additional days |
| Sportsman’s License (includes fishing) | $400.00 | 365 days from purchase |
| One-Day Sportsman’s License | $170.00 | 1 day |
| Additional Days Sportsman’s | $20.00 per day | Up to 10 additional days |
| Combo Hunting & Fishing License | $150.00 | 365 days from purchase |
| One-Day Combo License | $30.00 | 1 day |
| Additional Days Combo | $10.00 per day | Up to 10 additional days |
Youth Licenses
Resident youth age 15 and under can purchase an Optional Youth Fishing License for $10.00. This multiyear license is effective until the youth’s 17th birthday and includes mountain trout privileges. While youth under 16 are not required to have a fishing license, purchasing this optional license provides trout fishing privileges without needing a separate trout license.
Non-resident youth age 15 and under do not need a fishing license to fish in Georgia and do not need a trout license for mountain trout fishing. However, once they turn 16, they must obtain the appropriate non-resident fishing license.
Lifetime Licenses
Georgia offers lifetime fishing licenses for residents who have a current Georgia driver’s license or official Georgia identification card issued by the Department of Driver Services three months prior (except for short-term driver’s licenses). Senior residents born on or after July 1, 1952 can purchase a lifetime Sportsman’s License for $70.00, which includes all fishing privileges. Seniors born before July 1, 1952 are eligible for a free lifetime license.
Who Is Exempt from Needing a Fishing License?
Age Exemptions
Resident youth age 15 and under are exempt from needing a fishing license in Georgia. However, they may choose to purchase an Optional Youth Fishing License for $10.00, which is valid until their 17th birthday and includes mountain trout privileges.
Non-resident youth age 15 and under are also exempt from needing a fishing license. At age 16, both residents and non-residents must obtain the appropriate fishing license for their residency status.
Seniors born before July 1, 1952 are eligible for a free lifetime license that covers all fishing privileges. Seniors born on or after July 1, 1952 can purchase discounted annual licenses or lifetime licenses at reduced rates.
Landowner Exemptions
Georgia resident landowners who are fishing on their own land or on land owned by their immediate family (blood relatives living in the same household or those who claim them as dependents) are exempt from Georgia fishing license requirements. To qualify for this exemption, landowners must be Georgia residents as defined by having declared Georgia their only state of legal residence as shown by a Georgia driver’s license or official Georgia ID card with a Georgia address.
Non-resident landowners owning land in Georgia must obtain a non-resident license to fish. Non-resident family members of a resident landowner must also obtain a non-resident license to fish, except that non-residents 15 years of age or younger may fish without a Georgia license.
Saltwater Information Program Exemption
While most anglers age 16 and older need a free SIP permit for saltwater fishing, youth age 15 and under are exempt from this requirement regardless of residency status.
Special Permits and Endorsements
Trout License
A Trout License is required for persons 16 years of age or older to fish for or possess mountain trout in Georgia. A license that covers basic fishing privileges is a prerequisite to obtaining the trout license. The trout license is included in certain comprehensive licenses such as the Sportsman’s License, Optional Youth Fishing License, and Senior Fishing License.
Residents and non-residents who have only a basic fishing license must purchase an additional trout license to fish for mountain trout. The Sportsman’s License includes trout privileges at no additional cost.
How to Buy Your Georgia Fishing License
Online Purchase
The easiest way to purchase a Georgia fishing license is through Go Outdoors Georgia, the approved and authorized provider of online fishing and hunting licenses for the state. The website allows you to purchase licenses, obtain free permits like the Saltwater Information Program permit, and get unlimited free license reprints 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can also download the free Go Outdoors GA mobile app to renew, purchase, and store your licenses on your smartphone or tablet. The app provides convenient access to your licenses while on the water and allows you to manage your account from anywhere.
By Phone
You can purchase a fishing license by calling 1-800-366-2661. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone representatives can help you determine which license type you need and process your purchase.
In-Person Purchase
Georgia fishing licenses are available at authorized license agents throughout the state. You can search for a license agent near you through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website. Many sporting goods stores, bait shops, and outdoor retailers serve as authorized agents.
Transaction Fees
Transaction fees apply for all licenses that have a cost. As of August 16, 2022, the online recreational license transaction fee is $3.00. An optional hard card is available for $6.00. There is a $3.00 state transactional discount available for renewing certain licenses before expiration.
License Validity and Expiration
Annual fishing licenses in Georgia are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. This means your license expires exactly one year after you buy it, not at the end of a calendar year. For example, if you purchase an annual fishing license on March 15, 2026, it will be valid through March 14, 2027.
Short-term licenses cover one day, which may be a future date you specify at purchase. You can add up to 10 additional consecutive days at a reduced per-day rate, as long as the license has not expired. This allows for a maximum of 11 consecutive days total. If you need to reschedule a one-day license and consecutive dates before they start, you must call 1-800-366-2661.
The Optional Youth Fishing License is valid until the youth’s 17th birthday, making it a multiyear license that provides excellent value for young anglers. The free Saltwater Information Program permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance, and anglers must obtain a new SIP permit each year.
You can get unlimited free license reprints through the Go Outdoors Georgia website or mobile app at any time. This is helpful if you lose your physical license or need to print a copy before a fishing trip.
Combination Licenses and Sportsman’s Options
Resident Sportsman’s License
The Resident Sportsman’s License provides all state-paid hunting and fishing privileges, including trout fishing. Priced at $65.00 for an annual license, it includes basic hunting, big game hunting, the GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License, trout fishing, and both salt and freshwater fishing privileges. Short-term options are available at $25.00 for one day and $3.00 for each additional consecutive day.
This license requires completion of a qualifying hunter education course for annual or longer durations. Additional free permits may be required based on activity, including the free Saltwater Information Program permit for saltwater fishing.
Resident Combo Hunting & Fishing License
For those who both hunt and fish but don’t need all the privileges of a Sportsman’s License, the Combo Hunting & Fishing License combines basic hunting and basic fishing privileges for $30.00 annually. One-day licenses are $5.00, with additional consecutive days at $1.00 each. Completion of a qualifying hunter education course is required for annual or longer durations.
Non-Resident Sportsman’s License
Non-residents can purchase a Sportsman’s License for $400.00 annually, which provides all state-paid hunting and fishing privileges. Short-term options are $170.00 for one day and $20.00 for each additional consecutive day. This comprehensive license includes trout fishing privileges and requires hunter education completion for annual or longer durations.
Non-Resident Combo License
Non-residents who want both hunting and fishing privileges can purchase the Combo Hunting & Fishing License for $150.00 annually. One-day licenses cost $30.00, with additional consecutive days at $10.00 each.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a fishing license in Georgia?
A resident annual fishing license costs $15.00 and is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Non-resident annual fishing licenses cost $50.00. One-day fishing licenses are available for $5.00 for residents and $10.00 for non-residents, with the option to add up to 10 additional consecutive days at reduced rates. Seniors age 65 and older can purchase an annual resident fishing license for $4.00, while seniors born before July 1, 1952 are eligible for a free lifetime license.
Can I fish in Georgia without a license?
You can fish without a license in Georgia only if you meet specific exemption criteria. Resident and non-resident youth age 15 and under do not need a fishing license. Georgia resident landowners fishing on their own land or on land owned by immediate family members living in the same household are also exempt. Seniors born before July 1, 1952 are eligible for a free lifetime license. All other residents age 16-64 and non-residents age 16 and older must have a valid fishing license to fish in Georgia’s fresh and salt waters.
At what age do you get a free fishing license in Georgia?
Seniors born before July 1, 1952 are eligible for a free lifetime fishing license in Georgia. Youth age 15 and under do not need a fishing license at all, making fishing free for them without requiring a license. Seniors born on or after July 1, 1952 are not eligible for free licenses but can purchase discounted annual licenses for $4.00 at age 65 and older, or a lifetime Sportsman’s License for $70.00.
What do I need for a fishing license in Georgia?
To purchase a Georgia fishing license, you need proof of residency if buying a resident license. For residents, this means a Georgia driver’s license or official Georgia ID card with a Georgia address, showing you have been domiciled in the state for at least three consecutive months. You’ll also need to provide identification information when purchasing online, by phone, or in person. If you plan to fish in saltwater and are age 16 or older, you must also obtain a free Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit, which is valid for one year. For mountain trout fishing, persons age 16 and older need an additional Trout License unless they have a license that includes trout privileges.
Do I need a trout stamp to fish for trout in Georgia?
Yes, a Trout License is required for persons 16 years of age or older to fish for or possess mountain trout in Georgia. A basic fishing license is a prerequisite to obtaining the trout license. However, certain licenses already include trout privileges at no additional cost, including the Sportsman’s License, Optional Youth Fishing License, and Senior Fishing License. If you have only a basic annual or short-term fishing license, you must purchase a separate Trout License to legally fish for mountain trout.
For the most current information and to purchase your license, visit the official Georgia Department of Natural Resources website or call 1-800-366-2661 to speak with a representative.