Last updated: July 8, 2026
The Arkansas 3-day fishing license most short-trip visitors need is the Nonresident 3-Day Trip Fishing License. AGFC currently lists it at $30, and it is valid for 72 hours from the start date and time you choose. It lets a nonresident fish Arkansas waters with sport fishing tackle, but it does not cover trout privileges. You need a separate Nonresident Trout Permit if you want to keep trout or fish certain trout waters.
Quick Answer
Nonresidents pay $30 for Arkansas’s 3-day trip fishing license. Add a $20 Nonresident Trout Permit if you will keep trout or fish designated trout waters. Anglers age 16 or older generally need a valid Arkansas fishing license unless an exemption applies.
Arkansas 3-Day Fishing License Costs at a Glance
| License or Permit | Current AGFC Cost | Who It Applies To | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresident 3-Day Trip Fishing License | $30 | Nonresidents | Valid for 72 hours from the start time you choose |
| Nonresident Trout Permit | $20 | Nonresidents fishing trout waters or keeping trout | Required in addition to a nonresident annual or trip license |
| Resident Fisheries Conservation License | $10.50 | Arkansas residents | AGFC’s public fee page lists this resident fishing license, not a standard resident 3-day fishing license |
| Resident Trout Permit | $10 | Residents fishing trout waters or keeping trout | Required unless the angler holds a qualifying lifetime permit exemption |
| White River Border Lakes License | $10 | Arkansas resident fishing-license holders | Lets eligible Arkansas residents fish Missouri waters of Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Table Rock lakes without a Missouri nonresident fishing license |
[VERIFY: confirm inside the AGFC purchase portal before publishing whether any resident trip-only fishing product is currently offered to the logged-in customer.]
Products Worth Considering
Comes with pre-drilled holes for easy installation
[Compliance] This license plate is a decorative craft item, not a real license plate. It is for interior decoration only and is prohibited from being installed on vehicles. Please comply with US laws and state regulations.
Comes with pre-drilled holes for easy installation
Overview of the 3-Day Fishing License
If you are visiting Arkansas for a weekend or short fishing trip, the Nonresident 3-Day Trip Fishing License is the short-term license to check first. It covers sport-fishing tackle in Arkansas waters for a 72-hour period that starts at the date and time you select during purchase.
This license is best for a nonresident who does not need a full annual license. It is not a trout permit, guide license, commercial license, or exemption from daily limits and water-specific rules.
If you plan to fish for trout in designated trout waters or keep trout from any Arkansas waters, add the Nonresident Trout Permit. If you are age 16 or older, carry proof of your license while fishing, either printed or saved electronically.
Products Worth Considering
Officially licensed product
Durable and long-lasting license plate measures a standard 6-inches by 11.5-inches
Cost for Non-Residents
For a nonresident, AGFC currently lists the Nonresident 3-Day Trip Fishing License at $30. The license lets you fish Arkansas waters with sport fishing tackle during the 72-hour license period.
Add the Nonresident Trout Permit, currently listed at $20, if you will keep trout or fish certain trout waters. AGFC names trout-permit waters such as tailwaters below Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Greeson, and east of Highway 59 on Spavinaw Creek.
If your trip may last longer than three days, compare the 3-day license with the Nonresident Annual Fishing License. AGFC currently lists the annual nonresident fishing license at $60, so it may make more sense if you expect more Arkansas fishing days in the same license period.
Products Worth Considering
Made of zinc alloy metal
This Arkansas Razorbacks Diamond license plate is an embossed metal (aluminum) auto tag.
Cost for Residents
For Arkansas residents, the current AGFC public fee page lists a Resident Fisheries Conservation License at $10.50. That resident license entitles a resident to fish state waters with sport fishing tackle.
The earlier claim that residents pay $6.50 for a standard 3-day fishing license should not be published as confirmed. AGFC’s public fishing-license fee page reviewed for this update did not show a standard resident 3-day fishing license. [VERIFY: confirm in the AGFC license purchase portal before publishing if a resident trip license appears for eligible customers.]
Residents who want to keep trout or fish certain trout waters generally need the Resident Trout Permit, currently listed at $10, unless they hold a qualifying lifetime license or permit exemption.
| Resident Item | Current AGFC Cost | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Fisheries Conservation License | $10.50 | Resident sport fishing in Arkansas waters |
| Resident Trout Permit | $10 | Keeping trout or fishing certain trout waters |
| Resident 3-day trip license | [VERIFY] | Not shown on the public AGFC fishing-fee page reviewed for this update |
Purchasing Options
You can buy an Arkansas fishing license online, through an authorized dealer, at an AGFC regional office or nature center, at the Little Rock headquarters, or by phone during regular business hours.
Before you start the purchase, have your basic information ready. AGFC’s licensing FAQ lists items such as your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, basic demographic information, and optional driver’s license number.
- Online: Use the AGFC licensing system and pay by accepted card.
- In person: Visit an authorized license dealer, AGFC regional office, nature center, or headquarters.
- By phone: Call AGFC during regular business hours if you need help buying a license.
- After purchase: Save the license PDF to your phone, take a screenshot, print a copy, or use the AGFC mobile app if you have an account.
If you lose your license or the copy is damaged, AGFC says licenses can be reprinted at no cost through the licensing system or by contacting AGFC during business hours.
Fishing Regulations and Requirements
Arkansas anglers age 16 or older generally must carry a valid fishing license to take or attempt to take fish or frogs, unless an exemption applies, such as fishing in a licensed “put-and-take” pay lake.
A 3-day license does not replace the need to follow daily limits, size limits, special water rules, or trout regulations. AGFC announced that 2026-27 fishing regulation changes took effect on July 1, 2026, so check the current guidebook or AGFC regulation pages before fishing.
| Requirement | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Age rule | Anglers 16 or older generally need a valid Arkansas fishing license |
| Nonresident 3-day license | $30 and valid for 72 hours from the selected start time |
| Trout permit | Required to keep trout or fish certain trout waters |
| Proof of license | Carry printed or electronic proof while fishing |
| Special regulations | Check the current AGFC guidebook for water-specific limits and rule changes |
Additional Permits and Fees
Some anglers need more than the basic fishing license. The most common add-on is the Trout Permit. AGFC currently lists the Nonresident Trout Permit at $20 and the Resident Trout Permit at $10.
Arkansas resident fishing-license holders who want to fish in the Missouri waters of Bull Shoals, Norfork, or Table Rock lakes should check the White River Border Lakes License, currently listed at $10.
If you plan to harvest an alligator gar over 36 inches, AGFC lists an Alligator Gar Trophy Tag requirement. The application has a $5 fee, and the permit is free if awarded. Check the current application window and rules before targeting alligator gar.
What the 3-Day License Does and Does Not Cover
The nonresident 3-day license covers short-term sport fishing access, but it is not a blanket pass for every fishing situation. Use it as your base license, then check whether your water, species, or method requires another permit or special rule.
- It covers: nonresident sport fishing with legal tackle during the 72-hour license period.
- It does not cover by itself: trout privileges, guide activity, commercial fishing, or special species permits.
- It does not override: daily limits, length limits, bait rules, seasonal restrictions, or emergency regulation changes.
- It should be paired with: a Trout Permit when fishing certain trout waters or keeping trout.
Official Sources to Check Before You Buy
License fees and fishing rules can change, so verify the final details with AGFC before you pay or head to the water.
- AGFC Fishing License Descriptions and Fees
- AGFC Licensing Frequently Asked Questions
- AGFC General Fishing Regulations
- AGFC 2026-27 Fishing Regulation Changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use a 3-Day License for Multiple Fishing Trips?
Yes, you can fish more than once during the same valid license period. For the Nonresident 3-Day Trip Fishing License, AGFC describes the period as 72 hours from the specified start time. You still need to follow all daily limits, trout rules, and water-specific regulations each time you fish.
Are There Age Restrictions for Obtaining a 3-Day Fishing License?
Arkansas generally requires anglers age 16 or older to carry a valid fishing license when taking or attempting to take fish or frogs, unless an exemption applies. Younger anglers should still follow fishing regulations, daily limits, and any water-specific rules.
What Happens if I Lose My 3-Day Fishing License?
AGFC says licenses can be reprinted at no cost through the licensing system. You can also save an electronic PDF, screenshot your license, print extra paper copies, or use the AGFC mobile app if you have an account.
Can I Upgrade a 3-Day License to an Annual License?
AGFC’s public FAQ discusses upgrading to a plastic card, not converting a 3-day fishing license into an annual fishing license. If you decide you need longer coverage, buy the annual license that matches your residency status or contact AGFC before assuming any credit or conversion is available. [VERIFY: confirm directly with AGFC before promising an upgrade or credit.]
Is There a Limit on the Number of 3-Day Licenses I Can Buy?
The public AGFC pages reviewed for this update did not state a specific limit on repeated 3-day fishing license purchases. If you plan multiple short trips, compare the cost with an annual nonresident fishing license and confirm any purchase limits inside the AGFC licensing system. [VERIFY: confirm current transaction limits with AGFC before publishing a firm answer.]
Do I Need a Trout Permit With an Arkansas 3-Day Fishing License?
Yes, if you want to keep trout or fish certain trout waters. AGFC lists the Nonresident Trout Permit as an add-on required in addition to a nonresident annual or trip fishing license for those trout privileges.
Can I Show My Arkansas Fishing License on My Phone?
Yes. AGFC says licenses may be emailed as a PDF that can be saved to a smartphone or electronic device. You can also keep a screenshot, print a paper copy, or access licenses through the AGFC mobile app if you create an account.
Conclusion
For most short-trip visitors, the key number is simple: the current Arkansas Nonresident 3-Day Trip Fishing License costs $30 and runs for 72 hours from your selected start time. Add the $20 Nonresident Trout Permit if your trip includes trout retention or designated trout waters.
Residents should not rely on the old $6.50 resident 3-day claim without verification. AGFC’s public fee page currently lists the Resident Fisheries Conservation License at $10.50 and the Resident Trout Permit at $10. Before you fish, buy through AGFC or an authorized seller, save proof of your license, and check the latest fishing regulations for your water.
