Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

At what age must I have a fishing license?

Anglers age 16 and older must have a current Georgia fishing license in their possession while fishing in fresh or saltwater in Georgia. Conservation Rangers may require identification when checking fishing licenses. EXCEPTION: A fishing license is not required to fish in privately owned ponds, or by a landowner, and his or her immediate family, when fishing on their own land.

How much are fishing licenses?

Fishing license costs are available here [1].

Do I need a fishing license if I am not fishing, but simply helping my child learn to fish?

If you do anything that might be construed as fishing, yes. For example, if you bait the hook and toss the line, you are fishing. If you take the fish off the hook for the child, you are fishing. However, if you just sit in the boat, don't touch any of the tackle, and simply observe, you are not fishing. The test comes when you are asked for a fishing license by a conservation ranger and you have to prove you aren't fishing. To be safe, we suggest getting a fishing license.

Do I need a different fishing license to fish in saltwater?

No. The same license used to fish in freshwater can be used to fish in saltwater.

Do I need a fishing license to fish in a private pond?

If the pond is wholly enclosed on a persons private land (that is, no ingress or egress from beyond the lands borders), no. However, if the pond is fed from waters coming in from outside the land borders, a license is required.

When does fishing season start?

There is no closed fishing season in Georgia. However, there is a closed trout fishing season for certain designated trout streams. Trout season opens the last Saturday in March and runs through the end of October. For more information, visit the fishing section [2] of this Web site.