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Ohio Fishing License: Cost and Where to Buy
A resident annual Ohio fishing license costs $25 and a nonresident annual license $76.96, with a 1-day nonresident option at $27.04, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. Here is who needs one, every license type and price, and where to buy it.
Prices
Ohio fishing license prices
| License | Who | Covers | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident 1-Year Fishing (16-64) | Resident | freshwater | annual (Mar 1 – Feb 28) | $25 |
| Resident 1-Day Fishing | Resident | freshwater | 1-day | $14 |
| Resident 1-Year upgraded from 1-Day | Resident | freshwater | annual | $12 |
| Resident 3-Year Fishing | Resident | freshwater | 3-year | $72.11 |
| Resident 5-Year Fishing | Resident | freshwater | 5-year | $120.18 |
| Resident 10-Year Fishing | Resident | freshwater | 10-year | $240.36 |
| Resident Lifetime Fishing | Resident | freshwater | lifetime | $599.04 |
| Resident Senior 1-Year (65+) | Resident | freshwater | annual | $10 |
| Resident Senior Lifetime (65+) | Resident | freshwater | lifetime | $84.24 |
| Resident Youth Lifetime (bought before 16) | Resident | freshwater | lifetime | $430.56 |
| Nonresident 1-Day Fishing | Nonresident | freshwater | 1-day | $27.04 |
| Nonresident 3-Day Fishing | Nonresident | freshwater | 3-day | $52 |
| Nonresident 1-Year Fishing | Nonresident | freshwater | annual | $76.96 |
| Ohio Conservation Card (with multi-year licenses) | Resident | add-on | n/a | $4 |
Prices from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, checked October 2026. Some vendors add a small processing or agent fee. Prices change – confirm on the official license site before you buy.
Rules
Who needs a Ohio fishing license
- Who needs one: Anyone 16 or older fishing Ohio waters needs a fishing license.
- Kids: Under 16 do not need a fishing license.
- Seniors: Residents 65+ born on or after Jan 1, 1938: $10/year (or $84.24 lifetime); residents born on or before Dec 31, 1937 fish free.
- Saltwater: No saltwater – inland state (Lake Erie is freshwater).
- Free fishing days: June 20-21, 2026 (Ohio residents only).
Fish with a local
Fishing charters in Ohio
Charter captains and guides we list in Ohio, A to Z on each town page.
Questions
Ohio fishing license questions
How much is a fishing license in Ohio?
A resident annual license is $25 and a nonresident annual license is $76.96, and a 1-day nonresident license is $27.04. Full list above, from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.
Who needs a fishing license in Ohio?
Anyone 16 or older fishing Ohio waters needs a fishing license.
Do I need a fishing license on a charter in Ohio?
The agency fee pages we checked do not say. In many coastal states a licensed charter boat covers its paying passengers, but not everywhere – ask the captain when you book.
Where do I buy a Ohio fishing license?
Online from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife at wildohio.gov, or from licensed sporting-goods and bait shops.
Sources:
For captains and guides
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