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.

65 Plus Lifetime Fishing Licenses ($10.50) entitles persons 65 years of age and older to the privileges of the Resident Fisheries Conservati0n License.  A resident trout permit must also be purchased annually to retain trout or to fish in certain waters.  This license is also available from the regional offices.

65 Plus Lifetime Combination Licenses ($35.50) entitles persons 65 years of age and older to the privileges of the Resident Sportsman's License (hunting) and the Resident Fisheries Conservation License (fishing).  A resident trout permit must also be purchased annually to retain trout or to fish in certain waters.  This license is also available from regional offices.

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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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