Arkansas gives visiting anglers three main nonresident fishing-license choices: a one-day license for a quick outing, a 72-hour license for a short trip, and an annual license for repeat visits. The right choice depends on your fishing dates, whether you plan to keep trout, and which lake, river, tailwater, or wildlife management area you intend to visit.
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. 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 annual nonresident fishing license costs $60.
- A $20 Nonresident Trout Permit is required to retain trout or fish certain designated waters.
- Check the current Arkansas fishing guidebook before every trip because water-specific limits can change.
Last Updated: July 28, 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 — annual nonresident fishing privileges for the applicable license year |
| Nonresident Trout Permit | $20 — required in addition to a fishing license to retain trout or fish certain waters |
Overview of Non-Resident Fishing Licenses
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 for the applicable annual license period.
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.
Do not assume that an annual license remains valid for exactly 365 days. Review the license year and validity information shown in the official purchase portal before completing your order.
Cost of a 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.
Cost of Non-Resident 3-Day Trip 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.
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License Pricing Details
At $30, the three-day license is designed for a weekend, holiday, or other short Arkansas fishing trip. It costs twice as much as the one-day license and half as much as the annual license.
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.
Fishing Duration Allowed
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 later in the license year.
Pro Tip: Two three-day licenses cost the same $60 as the annual license. Choose the annual product when you expect more than two short trips or want flexibility to fish on additional dates.
Additional Permit Requirements
- The three-day fishing license costs $30.
- It remains valid for 72 hours from the specified start time.
- A Nonresident Trout Permit costs an additional $20.
- The trout permit is required to retain trout or fish certain 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.
Annual Non-Resident Fishing License Pricing
The Nonresident Annual Fishing License costs $60 and allows the holder to fish Arkansas waters with sport fishing tackle during the applicable annual license period.
The annual product is the strongest value for a visitor making repeated trips. It costs the same as two three-day licenses and only $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.
Check the license year and validity information shown in the official AGFC licensing portal before checkout. Do not rely on a general assumption that the license expires exactly 365 days after purchase.
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Additional Permits Required for Trout Fishing
The Nonresident Trout Permit costs $20 and must accompany a valid nonresident annual or trip fishing license. Under AGFC rules, the permit is required to retain trout or to fish in certain waters.
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. Review the current AGFC trout-waters information and the latest fishing guidebook before your trip.
Note: The trout permit is not accurately described as a permit required every time a nonresident merely targets trout. The official rule is more specific: it is required to retain trout or to fish 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 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.
Special Considerations for Non-Residents
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 accesses one of those areas without a valid hunting or fishing license may need the separate $10.50 WMA/Lake Conservation Permit.
Water boundaries also matter. Lakes such as Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Table Rock extend near or across state lines. An Arkansas license does not automatically replace another state’s license when you cross into that state’s waters.
Note: AGFC guidebooks summarize commonly applicable rules, but the official Commission regulations and later emergency updates control. Check the current website shortly before fishing.
Purchasing Options for Non-Resident Licenses
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.
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Fishing Regulations for Non-Residents
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.
License Requirements Overview
- 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 the applicable annual license period.
- Trout permit: $20 to retain trout or fish certain waters.
- Possession: Carry an acceptable printed or electronic copy.
- License terms: Licenses are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Current 2026–27 Regulation Changes
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 and new access requirements for AGFC-owned wildlife management areas and lakes.
Current trout measures include:
- In the entire Norfork tailwater and the Bull Shoals tailwater from the dam to Norfork Access, anglers may keep two rainbow trout, and trout longer than 14 inches 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.
Specific Water Regulations
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.
Benefits of Fishing in Arkansas for Non-Residents
Arkansas offers bass, crappie, catfish, striped bass, smallmouth bass, and trout fishing across reservoirs, rivers, streams, oxbows, and cold-water tailwaters.
Arkansas Tourism reports more than 600,000 acres of lakes and 90,000 miles of rivers and streams across the state.
Reasons nonresident anglers choose Arkansas 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.
- Scenic Ozark and Ouachita Mountain settings that add value beyond the catch.
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 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 do I renew an Arkansas nonresident fishing license?
Sign in to the official AGFC licensing portal, review the current products and validity information, and purchase the license needed for the new period. 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 day, $30 for a 72-hour trip, or $60 for the annual option. Add the $20 Nonresident Trout Permit when you plan to retain trout or fish designated waters that require it.
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. Those steps will help you avoid purchasing the wrong product or relying on an outdated bag, length, or access rule.
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, and replacements.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission — 2026–27 Fishing-Regulation Changes — July 1, 2026 changes, trout limits, 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.
