02/19/2026
For those of you who did not know the Ohio DNR has made some fishing license changes which of course will affect all of us. Below is a recap of the current fishing license regulations:
LICENSE INFORMATION
FISHING LICENSES ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL AUTHORIZED
LICENSE SALES AGENTS, ON THE HUNTFISH OH MOBILE APP, AND AT WILDOHIO.GOV.
THE OHIO CONSERVATION CARD
The Ohio Conservation Card (a durable plastic card) is included with the purchase of
a lifetime license. The card may also be purchased for $4.00 with a multiyear license.
LICENSES COST
Youth
LICENSES
Persons under 16 years of age are not required to purchase a fishing license.
Resident Youth Lifetime License - purchased before 16th birthday $430.56
Resident
LICENSES
Resident 1-Day License $14.00
Resident 1-Year Upgraded from a 1-Day License * (see below) $12.00
Resident 1-Year License $25.00
Resident 3-Year License $72.11
Resident 5-Year License $120.18
Resident 10-Year License $240.36
Resident Lifetime License $599.04
Resident
Senior
LICENSES
Resident 1-Year License $10.00
Resident 3-Year License $27.04
Resident 5-Year License $45.07
Resident Lifetime License $84.24
Nonresident
LICENSES
Nonresident 1-Day License $27.04
Nonresident 1-Year License Upgraded from a 1-Day * (see below) $49.92
Nonresident 3-Day License $52.00
Nonresident 1-Year License $76.96
Card and
Duplicate
Resident Ohio Conservation Card $4.00
Duplicate License - Free reprints are available at wildohio.gov $4.00
* A one-day fishing license may be applied as credit toward the purchase of an annual license.
A transaction fee may apply for online and in-app license sales.
CATEGORIES
Resident Youth For Ohio residents under age 16 at the time of purchase.
Resident For Ohio residents age 16-64 at the time of purchase.
Resident Senior For Ohio residents age 65 and older born on or after January 1, 1938.
Nonresident For all nonresidents 16 years old and older at the time of purchase.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
█ A fishing license is required to engage in
fishing in Ohio waters.
█ A fishing license is required to take frogs
or turtles on public and private property.
█ Persons fishing in privately owned ponds,
lakes, or reservoirs that are open to public fishing through an agreement or lease
with the Ohio Division of Wildlife are required to have a fishing license.
█ Persons must have their license in their
possession while fishing and must show
the license to anyone on request. Licenses
may be displayed using a mobile device.
█ Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty stationed in Ohio, but not on
leave or furlough, are required to purchase a resident license.
LICENSE PURCHASING
█ An Ohio resident is a person who has resided in the state of Ohio for the past six
consecutive months. All others are considered nonresidents and must purchase
a nonresident license. Nonresident students who are actively enrolled full time
in an Ohio college or university qualify for
a resident license if they live in Ohio at the
time of purchase.
█ Licenses purchased on wildohio.gov will
be emailed to the customer upon completion of the transaction. Licenses are not required to be printed as long as the image
of the license may be displayed on a mobile device and presented upon request.
█ Operator assistance for license sales is
available by calling 1-866-703-1928 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. A $5.50 fee will
be added to the cost of the license.
█ One-year fishing licenses are valid for 365
days from the date of purchase. One-year
and multiyear fishing licenses are valid
from the date of purchase until the expiration date printed on the license.
█ Lifetime licenses and multiyear licenses
may be purchased at wildohio.gov, provided an Ohio driver license or state
identification is associated with the customer’s account. Lifetime license buyers
may also visit an Ohio Division of Wildlife
office or mail in a paper application. Proof
of age and residency are required at the
time of purchase. A multiyear license may
also be purchased at an agent location
(restrictions apply). Visit wildohio.gov for
more information about lifetime or multiyear licenses.
LICENSE EXEMPTIONS
A FISHING LICENSE IS NOT REQUIRED
OF PERSONS WHO ARE:
█ Less than 16 years of age. This includes
frogs and turtles;
█ Fishing in privately owned ponds, lakes, or
reservoirs to and from which fish do not
migrate;
█ Giving assistance to an angler who has
been issued the free mobility impaired
or blind fishing license, provided the two
persons together are using only one line;
█ On June 20 and 21, 2026, all Ohio residents may fish without a license as part of
Free Fishing Days;
█ Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty while on leave or furlough;
█ Fishing, or taking frogs or turtles, on land
and water which they or their parents
own, except where the land is in or borders on state parks or state-owned lakes;
█ Fishing, or taking frogs or turtles, on land
and water where they or their parents are
tenants on which they reside, and from
which they derive the majority of their
income from agricultural production on
that land (except state-owned lakes);
█ See page 16 for information on free license
You can see the complete 2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations in a PDF doc here:
https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/wildlife/laws-regs-licenses/OhioFishingRegs_English.pdf
We hope all of you are well and getting ready to plan your 2026 fishing trips! 🎣
