Arkansas offers low-cost fishing licenses for residents and several short-term choices for visitors. However, the correct license depends on your age, residency, fishing dates, and whether you plan to fish for or keep trout. The fees and rules below were checked against Arkansas Game and Fish Commission information available on July 28, 2026.
Quick Answer
An Arkansas resident annual fishing license costs $10.50, while a nonresident annual license costs $60. Nonresidents can also buy a $15 one-day or $30 three-day license. Anglers age 16 or older generally need a license. Trout permits cost $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents when required.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas residents pay $10.50 for an annual fishing license.
- Nonresident options are $15 for one day, $30 for three days, or $60 for an annual license.
- A trout permit is required to retain trout or fish in certain designated trout waters.
- Children younger than 16 do not need an Arkansas fishing license.
- Fees, limits, closures, and special regulations can change, so check the current AGFC rules before fishing.
Who Needs an Arkansas Fishing License?
Anyone age 16 or older generally must carry a valid Arkansas fishing license when taking or attempting to take fish, frogs, or other aquatic wildlife in the state.
The main exception is fishing in a licensed put-and-take pay lake. Arkansas also holds an annual Free Fishing Weekend when normal license and trout-permit requirements are temporarily waived. The dates can change each year, so check the latest Arkansas Game and Fish Commission fishing announcements.
Children younger than 16 may fish without buying a state fishing license. They must still follow all applicable seasons, daily limits, size restrictions, equipment rules, and location-specific regulations.
Anglers age 16 or older need an additional trout permit when keeping trout from Arkansas waters or fishing in certain designated trout waters. A fishing guide license is also required when a person guides, aids, or assists another angler for pay or other compensation. A guide license does not include the guide’s personal fishing privileges.
Active-duty military personnel may receive resident annual or trip privileges when they are assigned to a duty station in Arkansas. A service member who was an Arkansas resident when entering active duty may also receive resident privileges even when stationed outside Arkansas.
Note: Effective July 1, 2026, people age 16 or older using AGFC-owned wildlife management areas and lakes generally need either a current Arkansas hunting or fishing license or a $10.50 WMA/Lake Conservation Permit. A licensed angler does not need to buy the separate conservation permit for those areas.
Warning: A fishing license does not give permission to enter private property, fish closed water, exceed a bag or size limit, or use restricted fishing equipment. Always check the current rules for the exact lake, river, stream, or management area.
Arkansas Resident Fishing License Costs
The standard Resident Fisheries Conservation License allows an eligible Arkansas resident to fish with sport-fishing tackle. The current state-listed fee is $10.50.
| Resident license or permit | Cost | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fishing license | $10.50 | Sport fishing in Arkansas waters, subject to current regulations |
| Resident trout permit | $10 | Keeping trout or fishing in specified trout waters |
| 65-Plus Lifetime Fishing License | $10.50 | Lifetime fishing privileges for qualifying residents |
| 65-Plus Lifetime Trout Permit | $10 | Lifetime trout privileges for qualifying 65-plus license holders |
| Three-year disability fishing license | $10.50 | Three years of fishing privileges for eligible residents with qualifying disabilities |
Arkansas residents can buy a standard annual fishing license for $10.50, but trout fishing may require a separate $10 permit.
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Who Qualifies as an Arkansas Resident?
For general annual licensing, AGFC defines a resident as someone who has physically lived in a genuine Arkansas residence for at least 60 days and declares Arkansas as a full-time residence. Owning property in Arkansas without living there does not qualify a person for resident pricing.
Some students and active-duty service members qualify under separate rules. Lifetime licenses commonly require proof of one full year of Arkansas residency, even when the standard annual license requires only 60 days.
When Is the Resident Trout Permit Required?
The $10 Resident Trout Permit is required when an angler age 16 or older wants to keep trout from any Arkansas water. It is also required simply to fish in certain designated waters, including specified tailwaters below Beaver, Bull Shoals, Norfork, Greers Ferry, and Greeson lakes, as well as the regulated section of Spavinaw Creek east of Highway 59.
Arkansas Nonresident Fishing License Costs
Visitors can choose a one-day, three-day, or annual Arkansas fishing license. Select the option that covers your entire fishing period, including the correct start time for a three-day license.
| Nonresident license or permit | Cost | Validity or purpose |
|---|---|---|
| One-day fishing license | $15 | One specified day |
| Three-day trip fishing license | $30 | 72 hours from the specified start time |
| Annual fishing license | $60 | One year from the purchase date |
| Nonresident trout permit | $20 | Required to retain trout or fish in designated trout waters |
The current AGFC fee list does not show the previously advertised $40 seven-day trip license. Visitors needing more than three days should compare the cost and coverage of multiple short-term licenses with the $60 annual license before buying.
A nonresident trout permit does not replace the underlying fishing license. A visitor fishing for trout in regulated waters generally needs both the appropriate nonresident fishing license and the $20 trout permit.
Special Fishing Licenses in Arkansas
Arkansas offers several discounted or lifetime licenses for qualifying residents. Each option has separate documentation and residency requirements.
- 65-Plus Lifetime Fishing License, $10.50: Available to Arkansas residents age 65 or older. Applicants need proof of age and one year of Arkansas residency. A separate $10 lifetime trout permit is required for applicable trout fishing.
- Resident Three-Year Disability Fishing License, $10.50: Requires proof of a 100% total and permanent disability from the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, or Railroad Retirement Board. The certification must be dated within the previous three years, and the applicant needs at least 60 days of Arkansas residency. Recertification is required when renewing after three years.
- Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Fishing License, $10.50: Available to military retirees age 60 or older who provide a military retiree ID and proof of one year of Arkansas residency. A separate trout permit is still required when applicable.
- Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Fishing License, $1.50: Available to qualifying veterans who are certified as 100% totally and permanently disabled and provide proof of one year of Arkansas residency.
- Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Combination License and Permit, $52.50: Available to qualifying residents with a service-connected disability rating of at least 70%, or at least 50% with a Purple Heart. This broader option includes hunting, fishing, trout, and state waterfowl privileges.
- Other lifetime options: Arkansas also lists a $1,000 Resident Sportsman’s Lifetime Combination License and Permit and a limited $500 Natural State Lifetime Combination License and Permit for qualifying resident children age 10 or younger.
Applications for several disability, military, and lifetime products are handled through AGFC offices or by mail rather than as a standard online purchase. Call 833-345-0325 for the current application process.
Note: The free Mobility-Impaired Access Permit is not a fishing license. AGFC describes it as a restricted vehicle-access permit for qualifying people using Commission-owned wildlife management areas, particularly under specified hunting-season conditions. A separate fishing license is still required when the person fishes and is not otherwise exempt.
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What an Arkansas Fishing License Covers
A standard sport-fishing license allows the holder to fish Arkansas waters with lawful sport-fishing tackle, subject to current statewide and location-specific regulations. It also gives the license holder access to AGFC-owned wildlife management areas and lakes without purchasing the separate WMA/Lake Conservation Permit.
A standard license does not automatically include:
- A resident or nonresident trout permit
- Permission to enter privately owned land
- A fishing guide license for paid guiding
- Commercial fishing privileges
- A recreational netting permit
- Special alligator gar or paddlefish tags
- Permission to ignore seasons, closures, daily limits, length limits, or tackle restrictions
Arkansas fishing regulation changes generally take effect on July 1 beginning with the 2026-27 regulation cycle. Review the current AGFC fishing regulations before every trip.
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Where Can I Buy an Arkansas Fishing License?
You can purchase most Arkansas fishing licenses and permits through four official channels:
- Online: Use the official Arkansas licensing portal. AGFC lists Visa, Mastercard, and Discover as accepted online payment methods.
- Authorized license dealer: Purchase from a participating sporting-goods store or other authorized business.
- AGFC location: Visit an AGFC regional office, nature center, or the Little Rock headquarters during normal business hours.
- Phone: Call 833-345-0325, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Information Needed to Purchase a License
AGFC may request your first and last name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, basic identifying information, and an optional driver’s license number. The licensing system has an exemption process for a customer who has never been issued a Social Security number.
Pro Tip: Save the emailed license PDF or a clear screenshot directly to your phone before leaving home. Do not depend on opening an email beside the water because cellular service may be limited.
Replacing a Lost License
A lost or damaged license can be reprinted at no cost through the licensing portal. You may also call 833-345-0325 during regular business hours for help. An electronic PDF, printed copy, or eligible license displayed through the AGFC mobile system can serve as proof of purchase.
License Validity, Cancellation, and Refund Questions
An Arkansas annual fishing license is valid for one year from its purchase date. A nonresident one-day license covers the specified day, while the three-day trip license runs for 72 hours from its selected start time. Disability and lifetime products follow the validity rules stated for those specific licenses.
AGFC states that an online order may be canceled until the buyer clicks the “Complete Purchase” button. The public licensing FAQ does not promise a general refund after a completed purchase. Contact AGFC directly at 833-345-0325 when a duplicate purchase, technical problem, or other unusual situation occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fish without a license in Arkansas?
Anglers younger than 16 do not need a state fishing license. Other limited exceptions include licensed put-and-take pay lakes and Arkansas’s annual Free Fishing Weekend. Everyone must still follow applicable limits, closures, and equipment rules.
Are seniors exempt from Arkansas fishing-license requirements?
No. Arkansas residents age 65 or older can buy a 65-Plus Lifetime Fishing License for $10.50, but they are not automatically exempt. One year of Arkansas residency is required, and a separate $10 lifetime trout permit may also be needed.
What happens if I fish without a required license?
A wildlife officer may issue a citation, and fines or other court penalties may apply. The exact consequence depends on the violation and current regulations. Buy the correct license and permit before taking or attempting to take fish.
How long is an Arkansas fishing license valid?
A standard annual fishing license is valid for one year from the purchase date. A nonresident one-day license covers one specified day, and a nonresident three-day license is valid for 72 hours from the selected start time.
Can I get a refund for an Arkansas fishing license?
An online purchase can be canceled before the “Complete Purchase” button is clicked. AGFC does not publish a general promise of refunds after completion, so call 833-345-0325 about duplicate purchases or technical errors.
Do I need a trout permit if I release every trout?
You still need a trout permit when fishing in one of Arkansas’s designated trout-permit waters, even if you plan to release every fish. On other waters, the permit is required when retaining trout.
Can I carry my Arkansas fishing license on my phone?
Yes. You can save the emailed PDF or use an eligible electronic copy. Saving it directly to your device is safer than relying on an email connection while fishing.
Does an Arkansas fishing license include a trout permit?
The standard resident and nonresident fishing licenses do not include the ordinary trout permit. Most qualifying anglers must add the $10 resident or $20 nonresident trout permit when fishing in designated trout waters or retaining trout.
Sources
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: Fishing License Descriptions and Fees — current resident, nonresident, trout, guide, and special-permit fees.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: Licensing Frequently Asked Questions — residency, military eligibility, purchase methods, phone hours, digital licenses, and reprinting.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: Disability and Lifetime Licenses — disability, senior, veteran, military-retiree, mobility, and lifetime-license qualifications.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: General Fishing Regulations — current statewide regulations and guidebook access.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: WMA/Lake Conservation Permit — July 1, 2026 permit requirements and fishing-license exception.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: 2026-27 Fishing Regulation Changes — new July 1 regulation-change schedule.
Conclusion
For most Arkansas residents, the basic annual fishing license costs $10.50. Nonresidents can choose a $15 one-day, $30 three-day, or $60 annual license. Add the correct trout permit when fishing in designated trout waters or keeping trout. Check your license dates, carry a saved copy, and review the latest AGFC regulations before heading to the water. Happy fishing!
