Residents age 16 through 74 must have a resident license in possession while fishing in Kansas, unless exempt by law. All nonresidents 16 and older must have a valid nonresident license to fish in Kansas. Most licenses expire 365 days from date of purchase or 365 days from the expiration date of your current license, except one-day, five-day, five-year, multi-year youth, and lifetime fishing licenses. Residents age 65-74 are eligible for fishing ($15), hunting ($15) or fishing/hunting combination ($25) licenses.

Landowners and their immediate family living with them, and tenants renting land for agricultural purposes and members of their immediate family living with them are exempt from fishing license requirements on waters on their own land, except as described below under “License Requirements on Private Land.” Resident is defined as a person who has maintained the person’s place of permanent abode in the state for 60 days immediately prior to purchase. Domiciliary intent is required, evidence of which may include the location where the person votes, pays personal income taxes or obtains a driver’s license. A residency of at least one year is required to purchase lifetime licenses. Residents who are enrolled as an Amercian Indian on a tribal membership roll which is federally recognized by the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, may apply to KDWP for a free fishing license, which must be in possession when fishing. More information about American Indian Fishing, Hunting and Trapping License can be found on the License Information page.

Persons on active duty in the armed forces who entered the service while residents of Kansas may purchase resident fishing licenses. Nonresidents on active military duty stationed in Kansas and nonresident students going to school in Kansas qualify for resident fishing licenses, and they must have evidence of active duty or enrollment with them while fishing. Active members of the Kansas Army or Air National Guard are eligible for free fishing and hunting licenses and park permits. Legal Kansas residents who have been separated from the armed services under honorable conditions and have a disability certified by the Kansas Commission On Veterans Affairs as being service-connected and such disability is equal to or greater than 30 percent may apply through the Pratt Operations Office for free hunting and fishing licenses.

Applications are also available on the KDWPT website, ksoutdoors.com.