It’s that time of the year when fishermen have to purchase a new fishing license. Like the cost of everything else, a new license is going to put a bigger dent in the pocketbook. In 2020 the basic license goes up to $51.02 and that doesn’t include $15.94 for a second-rod stamp. A steelhead report card will cost an additional $7.82. If you plan on going after abalone it will cost you $24.33 for a special punch card.
California has one of the highest fishing license fees in the nation. In comparison, Oregon charges fishermen only $44 for a license. Fishermen have complained for many years that they receive little service from the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DWF) for these exorbitant fees.
The other gripe a lot of senior citizens have is that the state doesn’t give a senior citizen a reduced fee on the licenses as many other states do. The only break a senior citizen gets if he/she is low income. As one senior recently told me, “I have paid for a fishing and hunting license for more than 50 years and it’s time the state gave me a break.”
However, the DFG does give a break to low-income seniors and a few qualified veterans and other citizens, such as any honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with a service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or more. For those who fall into that category a fishing license costs only $7.33, or in some cases is free. Proof of eligibility from the United States Veterans Administration or a copy of last year’s license is required.
A reduced-fee license can be purchased by any person 65 years of age or older who is a resident of California and whose total monthly income from all sources does not exceed set income levels ($931.72 for a single person or $1,564.14 for married persons, which includes both spouses). Income verification from your Social Security office is required.
A person can obtain a free five-year fishing license if they have a central vision acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the aid of the best possible correcting glasses or central vision acuity better than 20/200 if the widest diameter of the remaining visual field is no greater than 20 degrees. Certification of blindness by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist is required.
Any person who is a resident of the state and who is so severely physically disabled as to be permanently unable to move from place to place without the aid of a wheelchair, walker, forearm crutches or a comparable mobility-related device can also obtain a free license. Verification by a licensed physician or a copy of the previous year’s free fishing license is required.
Also eligible for a free one-year fishing license is any American Indian or lineal descendant who is a resident of the state and whose total annual income does not exceed $12,490 for the head of the household, plus $4,420 for each additional family member living with them. Certification by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (B.I.A.) or proof of being on a tribal registry is required. Verification of income on Form FG371 is required.
Any developmentally disabled person can receive a free fishing license. Certification by person in charge of the regional center or a licensed physician is required.
To request an application for a free or reduced license, call (916) 928-5805. You can also go online and email LRB@wildlife.ca.gov. Give your name and mailing address and you will be sent an application. After you fill out and mail the application with the $7.33 fee, you will receive your license in about two weeks.
For those wo only plan to fish only one or two days a year you can buy a one-day license for $16.46 or a two-day license for $25.66.
The DFG also allows individuals to purchase a lifetime fishing license. The lifetime license fee for up to age 9 is $562.25, 10-39 years is $919, 40-61 years is $828, and 62 years and older it’s $562.25.
All fishermen 16 years and older are required to have a 2020 fishing license starting on Jan. 1. There is no grace period and if you’re cited for not having one it could cost you up to $400 in fines.
