Ohio Fishing License Cost
Prices checked against official sources on
An Ohio resident fishing license costs $25 for one year or $14 for one day. Resident seniors pay $10 a year. Nonresidents pay $76.96 a year, $52 for three days or $27.04 for one day. Anglers under 16 don't need a license.
Ready to buy? Licenses are sold by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife. Official license page ↗
Ohio fishing license prices
Prices as listed by ODNR for the current license offerings.
Resident licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| 1-day | $14.00 |
| 1-year | $25.00 |
| 1-year, upgraded from a 1-day license | $12.00 |
| 3-year | $72.11 |
| 5-year | $120.18 |
| 10-year | $240.36 |
| Lifetime | $599.04 |
| Youth lifetime (bought before the 16th birthday) | $430.56 |
Resident senior licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Senior 1-year | $10.00 |
| Senior 3-year | $27.04 |
| Senior 5-year | $45.07 |
| Senior lifetime | $84.24 |
Nonresident licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| 1-day | $27.04 |
| 3-day | $52.00 |
| 1-year | $76.96 |
| 1-year, upgraded from a 1-day license | $49.92 |
What common trips cost
Totals worked out from the official prices above.
| Situation | What to buy | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Resident, full year | Annual license | $25.00 |
| Resident couple | 2 × annual $25 | $50.00 |
| Resident who tries one day, then decides to keep fishing | 1-day $14 + upgrade $12 | $26.00 |
| Nonresident weekend on Lake Erie | 3-day license | $52.00 |
| Nonresident week | Annual license (cheaper than two 3-day licenses plus a 1-day) | $76.96 |
Who needs a fishing license in Ohio
- Anyone taking fish, frogs or turtles in Ohio needs a license, on public and on private property.
- Anglers under 16 do not need a license.
- You can fish without a license on land owned by you or your parents, except in state parks or on state-owned lakes.
- Active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Ohio must buy a resident license; those on leave or furlough are exempt.
- Ohio residents born on or before December 31, 1937 can get a free license. Some mobility-impaired residents and certain disabled veterans can apply for a free license with form DNR 9032 by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.
When the license is valid
Ohio annual licenses are valid for 365 days from the purchase date. Multi-year licenses (3, 5 and 10 years) are sold only to Ohio residents.
Free fishing days in Ohio
On Ohio's Free Fishing Days, Ohio residents 16 and older can fish public waters without a license. Size limits, bag limits and every other regulation still apply.
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| June 20–21, 2026 | Free Fishing Days (residents) |
Dates for next year are added as soon as the agency announces them.
Where to buy
Online through ODNR's licensing system or at license sales agents.
How to pay less, and what to watch out for
Start with a 1-day license, then upgrade
A resident who buys a $14 1-day license can later upgrade it to an annual license for $12, so the total ($26) is only $1 more than buying the annual license from the start. Nonresidents can do the same: $27.04 for the day, then $49.92 to upgrade.
Multi-year licenses barely save money, but they save hassle
The 3-year resident license ($72.11) saves about $3 over three annual licenses ($75). The real benefit is not having to renew each year and being protected from price increases.
The senior lifetime license
At $84.24, the resident senior lifetime license costs the same as about eight and a half years of the $10 senior annual license.
Nonresident trips to Lake Erie
For a weekend trip, the nonresident 3-day license ($52) is cheaper than two 1-day licenses ($54.08).
Frequently asked questions
How much is an Ohio fishing license?
$25 a year for residents and $76.96 a year for nonresidents. A resident 1-day license is $14.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Ohio?
At 16. Anglers under 16 fish free.
Can nonresidents buy a multi-year Ohio license?
No. Multi-year licenses are for Ohio residents only.
When are Ohio's free fishing days?
In 2026 they were June 20 and 21, for Ohio residents. ODNR announces the dates each year.
Sources
Every price and rule on this page comes from these official pages. If the agency changes a fee, its page wins over ours; tell us and we'll correct it.