Arkansas nonresidents currently pay $15 for a one-day fishing license, $30 for a three-day license valid for 72 hours from the specified start time, or $60 for an annual license valid for one year from the date of purchase. Anglers age 16 or older generally need a license. If the $20 Nonresident Trout Permit applies, the combined cost becomes $35 for one day, $50 for a three-day trip, or $80 with the annual license.
Quick Answer
Arkansas nonresidents currently pay $15 for a one-day fishing license, $30 for a three-day license valid for 72 hours, or $60 for an annual license valid for one year from purchase. Anglers age 16 or older generally need a license. Add the $20 Nonresident Trout Permit to retain trout or fish certain designated waters.
Key Takeaways
- The cheapest option is the $15 Nonresident 1-Day Fishing License.
- The $30 Nonresident 3-Day Trip Fishing License runs for 72 hours from your specified start time.
- The $60 annual nonresident fishing license is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
- A $20 Nonresident Trout Permit is required to retain trout or fish certain designated waters.
- A valid Arkansas fishing license also satisfies the general July 1, 2026 access requirement for AGFC-owned wildlife management areas and lakes.
- Check the current Arkansas fishing guidebook before every trip because water-specific limits can change.
By: Gideon Calloway
Published: December 1, 2025 | Last Updated: September 7, 2026
Arkansas Nonresident License Costs at a Glance
| 1-Day Fishing License | $15 — valid for one specified day |
| 3-Day Trip Fishing License | $30 — valid for 72 hours from the specified start time |
| Annual Fishing License | $60 — valid for one year from the date of purchase |
| Nonresident Trout Permit | $20 — required in addition to a fishing license to retain trout or fish certain waters |
Which Arkansas Nonresident Fishing License Is Cheapest?
Choose the license by comparing your actual fishing schedule, not simply the number of nights you are staying in Arkansas. The three-day product runs for 72 hours from the start time you select, while the annual license lasts one year from purchase.
| Trip Pattern | Base Cost | With $20 Trout Permit, If Required |
|---|---|---|
| One specified fishing day | $15 | $35 total |
| Up to 72 continuous hours | $30 | $50 total |
| Repeat visits during the next year | $60 | $80 total |
Cost Shortcut: The $60 annual license costs the same as four $15 one-day licenses or two $30 three-day licenses. If you expect a second 72-hour trip, the annual license already costs no more and gives you additional fishing-date flexibility for the rest of its one-year validity period.
What Arkansas Nonresident Fishing License Do I Need?
Planning your license before an Arkansas fishing trip can prevent delays at the ramp, marina, or river access. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission fishing-license fee page lists three standard nonresident choices.
- Nonresident 1-Day Fishing License: $15 for one specified day.
- Nonresident 3-Day Trip Fishing License: $30 for a 72-hour period beginning at the start time you select.
- Nonresident Annual Fishing License: $60 and valid for one year from the date of purchase.
Each license covers fishing Arkansas waters with sport fishing tackle. A separate $20 Nonresident Trout Permit may also be required, depending on where you fish and whether you retain trout.
How Much Is an Arkansas Nonresident 1-Day Fishing License?
The Nonresident 1-Day Fishing License costs $15 and covers one specified day. It is the lowest-cost option for a visitor who expects to fish only once.
The one-day product does not replace the trout permit. Add the $20 Nonresident Trout Permit if you plan to retain trout or fish waters where the permit is required, making the combined cost $35.
How Much Is an Arkansas Nonresident 3-Day Fishing License?
The Nonresident 3-Day Trip Fishing License costs $30. It allows fishing with sport tackle for 72 hours from the specified start time. If you plan to retain trout or fish certain designated waters, add the $20 Nonresident Trout Permit for a $50 combined cost.
When Is the $30 Three-Day License the Better Value?
At $30, the three-day license fits a weekend, holiday, or other continuous short Arkansas fishing trip. Two separate $15 one-day licenses also cost $30, so the 72-hour product gives more continuous fishing time for the same base price when your schedule fits inside its validity window.
Arkansas licenses are non-transferable and non-refundable. Check the angler’s name, license type, and selected start time before completing the transaction.
Warning: The three-day license is valid for 72 hours from the start time you specify. Do not select an earlier time than necessary, and verify your trip dates before paying because the license is nonrefundable.
When Does the 72-Hour Fishing Period Start?
The three-day period does not simply begin whenever you first cast a line. It begins at the specified start time attached to the license and continues for 72 hours.
This option works well for one continuous short trip. The annual license may be more practical for separate visits during the following year.
Pro Tip: Two three-day licenses cost the same $60 as the annual license. If you expect a second three-day trip, the annual product costs no more and gives you added flexibility to fish on other dates during its one-year validity period.
What Else Applies During the 72-Hour License?
- A Nonresident Trout Permit costs an additional $20 when required.
- The trout permit is required to retain trout or fish certain designated waters.
- Sport fishing tackle is permitted during the license period.
- Daily limits, length limits, tackle restrictions, and water-specific rules still apply.
- The license and permit are non-transferable and non-refundable.
How Much Is an Arkansas Annual Nonresident Fishing License?
The Nonresident Annual Fishing License costs $60 and allows the holder to fish Arkansas waters with sport fishing tackle for one year from the date of purchase.
The annual product is the strongest value for many repeat visitors. It costs the same as two three-day licenses and $30 more than one three-day license.
A Nonresident Trout Permit is not automatically included. Add the $20 permit if you intend to retain trout or fish waters where a trout permit is required, bringing the combined annual cost to $80 when the permit applies.
You can verify your active products through the official AGFC licensing portal. For a broader resident-versus-nonresident comparison, see Arkansas annual fishing license costs.
Do Nonresidents Need an Arkansas Trout Permit?
The Nonresident Trout Permit costs $20 and must accompany a valid nonresident annual or trip fishing license when the trout-permit rules apply. Under AGFC rules, the permit is required to retain trout from Arkansas waters or to fish for trout in certain designated waters.
AGFC currently identifies trout-permit waters including the tailwaters below Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, and Lake Greeson, as well as Spavinaw Creek east of Highway 59. Review the current AGFC trout-waters information and the latest fishing guidebook before your trip because individual waters can have additional restrictions.
Arkansas has major trout fisheries below Beaver, Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Greers Ferry dams. Permit requirements, catch-and-release areas, tackle restrictions, daily limits, and length limits may vary by location.
Note: The trout permit is not accurately described as a permit required every time a nonresident merely targets trout anywhere in Arkansas. The official rule is more specific: it is required to retain trout or to fish for trout in certain designated waters.
Key permit points include:
- The permit costs $20.
- It must be used with a valid nonresident fishing license.
- It is required to retain trout from Arkansas waters.
- It is also required to fish for trout in certain designated waters, even when an angler plans to release the catch.
- It can be purchased through the same portal, dealer, or AGFC office used for the base license.
- The permit does not override daily limits, minimum lengths, tackle restrictions, or catch-and-release rules.
For a dedicated breakdown of the add-on, see Arkansas trout permit cost and rules.
What Other Arkansas Fishing-License Rules Apply to Nonresidents?
Nonresidents age 16 or older generally must carry a valid Arkansas fishing license when taking or attempting to take fish or frogs. One exception listed by AGFC is fishing in a licensed put-and-take pay lake.
Licenses are non-transferable and non-refundable. The person named on the license must carry an acceptable printed or electronic copy while fishing.
Effective July 1, 2026, a valid Arkansas hunting or fishing license also covers access to AGFC-owned wildlife management areas and lakes. A person age 16 or older who uses one of those areas without a current hunting or fishing license generally needs the separate $10.50 WMA/Lake Conservation Permit, subject to AGFC’s listed access exceptions. See the AGFC WMA/Lake Conservation Permit rules for the current list and exemptions.
Water boundaries also matter. Lakes such as Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Table Rock extend near or across the Missouri border. An Arkansas nonresident fishing license does not automatically authorize fishing in Missouri waters. AGFC’s $10 White River Border Lakes License is specifically offered to Arkansas resident fishing-license holders for qualifying Missouri portions of Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Table Rock lakes.
Note: AGFC guidebooks summarize commonly applicable rules, but the official Commission regulations and later emergency updates control. Check the current website shortly before fishing.
Where Can Nonresidents Buy an Arkansas Fishing License?
Arkansas offers four main ways to purchase a nonresident fishing license:
- Online: Use the official AGFC licensing portal.
- Authorized dealer: Buy from a participating sporting-goods store, bait shop, or other license agent.
- AGFC location: Purchase from an AGFC regional office, nature center, or Little Rock headquarters during normal business hours.
- Phone: Call 833-345-0325 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
AGFC says buyers may be asked for their name, address, date of birth, Social Security number or applicable exemption, basic identifying details, and an optional driver’s-license number. Online payments are accepted through Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
A printer is not required. You can save the emailed PDF to your phone, take a screenshot, or access the license through the AGFC mobile app. Save the file for offline use because cellular coverage may be weak at remote lakes and river accesses.
A lost or destroyed license can be reprinted online at no cost. You may also call 833-345-0325 during business hours for help.
What Fishing Regulations Apply to Arkansas Nonresidents?
A fishing license gives you permission to fish, but it does not replace species limits or water-specific regulations. Rules can cover daily creel limits, minimum or maximum lengths, legal tackle, seasonal closures, catch-and-release zones, and boating access.
What Are the Main License Requirements?
- Age: Nonresidents age 16 or older generally need a fishing license.
- One-day license: $15 for one specified day.
- Three-day license: $30 for 72 hours from the specified start time.
- Annual license: $60 for one year from the date of purchase.
- Trout permit: $20 to retain trout or fish for trout in certain designated waters.
- Possession: Carry an acceptable printed or electronic copy.
- License terms: Licenses are non-transferable and non-refundable.
What Changed in Arkansas’s 2026–27 Fishing Rules?
Arkansas fishing-regulation changes now take effect on July 1 each year. The current 2026–27 rules include revised trout limits on several major tailwaters, updated access requirements for AGFC-owned wildlife management areas and lakes, and elimination of statewide fish possession limits while daily creel limits remain in effect.
Current trout measures include:
- In the Norfork tailwater and the Bull Shoals tailwater from the dam to Norfork Access, anglers may keep two rainbow trout under 14 inches; other trout species must be released.
- In the Bull Shoals tailwater from Norfork Access to the Arkansas Highway 58 bridge at Guion, anglers may keep two trout, only one of which may exceed 14 inches. Additional species-specific minimum lengths remain in effect.
- In the Greers Ferry and Beaver tailwaters, anglers may keep two trout, and both must be shorter than 14 inches.
Warning: Emergency orders and water-specific limits can change after a guidebook is printed. Confirm the latest rule for the exact lake, river, or tailwater you plan to fish.
How Do Rules Differ by Lake or River?
Popular waters such as Norfork Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Table Rock Lake, Beaver Lake, the White River, and the Little Red River may have different species limits or special zones.
Use the current AGFC fishing-regulations page to open the 2026–27 guidebook. Check both statewide rules and the entry for your specific water before keeping fish.
Where Can Nonresidents Fish in Arkansas?
Arkansas offers bass, crappie, catfish, striped bass, smallmouth bass, and trout fishing across reservoirs, rivers, streams, oxbows, and cold-water tailwaters. Your standard nonresident license covers sport fishing in Arkansas waters, but trout permits, border-state licenses, and water-specific regulations can still apply.
Arkansas Tourism reports more than 600,000 acres of lakes and 90,000 miles of rivers and streams across the state.
Popular nonresident fishing opportunities include:
- Well-known trout fishing below Bull Shoals, Norfork, Beaver, and Greers Ferry dams.
- Bass, crappie, bream, and catfish opportunities in large reservoirs and smaller public waters.
- One-day, three-day, and annual license choices for different trip lengths.
- Bank-fishing, boat-fishing, fly-fishing, and family-fishing opportunities.
- Ozark and Ouachita Mountain waters where the exact license, trout-permit, and access rules should be checked before the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fish without a license in Arkansas?
Most nonresidents age 16 or older need a valid Arkansas fishing license to take or attempt to take fish or frogs. AGFC lists licensed put-and-take pay lakes as an exception. Other temporary exemptions may be announced separately, so confirm the current rules before fishing.
Are children required to have a nonresident fishing license?
Children younger than 16 generally do not need an Arkansas fishing license. Anglers age 16 or older must carry the appropriate license unless a listed exemption applies.
Do I need an Arkansas trout permit for catch-and-release fishing?
It depends on the water. A Nonresident Trout Permit is required to retain trout and to fish for trout in certain designated waters. That means a permit may still be required in a designated trout water even when you plan to release every fish.
How long is an Arkansas annual nonresident fishing license valid?
The $60 Arkansas Nonresident Annual Fishing License is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
Does an Arkansas nonresident fishing license cover Missouri waters?
Do not assume it does. Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Table Rock include border-water issues, and AGFC’s $10 White River Border Lakes License is offered to Arkansas resident fishing-license holders for qualifying Missouri waters. A visiting nonresident should confirm Missouri licensing requirements before crossing the state boundary.
How do I renew an Arkansas nonresident fishing license?
Sign in to the official AGFC licensing portal and purchase the license needed for the new period. Annual fishing licenses are valid for one year from purchase. You may also buy through an authorized dealer, an AGFC office, or by calling 833-345-0325 during business hours.
Are military discounts available to nonresident anglers?
Arkansas does not publish a general discounted license for every military nonresident. Active-duty personnel assigned to Arkansas and people who were Arkansas residents when they entered active service may qualify for resident privileges. Special disabled-veteran and military-retiree licenses have separate Arkansas residency, age, disability, and documentation requirements.
What should I do if I lose my fishing license?
Reprint the license at no cost through the AGFC licensing portal or call 833-345-0325 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also save the license PDF or a screenshot to your phone for offline access.
Conclusion
An Arkansas nonresident fishing license costs $15 for one specified day, $30 for a 72-hour trip, or $60 for an annual license valid for one year from purchase. Add the $20 Nonresident Trout Permit when you plan to retain trout or fish for trout in designated waters that require it.
For a one-day trout trip, budget $35 when the permit applies; for a 72-hour trout trip, budget $50; and for an annual license plus trout permit, budget $80. Select your start time carefully, save an offline copy of the license, and check the latest regulations for the exact water you plan to visit.
Sources
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission — Fishing License Descriptions and Fees — current nonresident license and trout-permit prices and privileges.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission — Licensing Frequently Asked Questions — age rules, purchase methods, required information, digital copies, payment methods, and replacements.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission — License Renewal Information — annual fishing licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission — AGFC-Owned WMA/Lake Conservation Permit — July 1, 2026 access requirements, price, and license-holder exemption.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission — 2026–27 Fishing-Regulation Changes — July 1, 2026 changes, trout limits, possession-limit change, and WMA/lake access requirements.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission — General Fishing Regulations — current guidebook, official-rule notice, and regulation updates.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission — Special and Military-Related Licenses — residency and qualification rules for disabled veterans and military retirees.
- Arkansas Tourism — Best Fishing Rivers and Lakes — statewide lake, river, and stream figures and fishing destinations.
