Resident Licenses

• A resident fishing license allows anyone over the age of 16 to fish in any of the state's waters, including ocean fishing out to the state's boundaries at sea. Beyond that, federal fishing regulations and licensing apply. Trout licenses are separate from fishing licenses. Residents can purchase an annual license, a three-day temporary license, combination license or a lifetime license. Some residents qualify for free fishing licenses.
  
  

Non-Resident License

• Non-residents are limited to purchasing an annual license, three-day temporary or apprentice license, or an annual combination hunting/fishing license. Trout licenses are purchased separately. All non-residents over the age of 16, regardless of physical condition or disability, must purchase a valid Georgia fishing license.
  
  

Requirements

• Residents and non-residents must be over the age of 16 and possess valid identification, such as a state driver's license. Georgia residents must have lived in the state for at least three months and present a Georgia driver's license or other state-specific proof of identity when purchasing the license. Non-resident students who live in the state while attending college qualify for a resident license if they have lived in Georgia for at least three months. Anyone coming into a Georgia port or traveling through Georgia waters with fish caught in federal waters must still have a Georgia fishing license. An additional "convenience" fee is added for online, walk-in and telephone purchases.
  
  

Free Fishing Licenses

• Military veterans with more than 90 days service who were discharged from active duty on or after July 1, 2005, qualify for a free, one-year fishing license. Georgia residents 65 and older qualify for a free lifetime license. You must show proof of residency and of age. Disabled residents with certification of 100% disability from the Social Security Administration, Railroad Retirement System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or other government agency are eligible for a disability honorary combination hunting/fishing license. Call the licensing unit toll-free at (800) 366-2661. Blind residents may present a physician's certification of blindness with their application for a fishing license to receive a lifetime honorary fishing license.
  
  

Lifetime Licenses

• All residents of Georgia may purchase a lifetime license. Additionally, a non-resident grandchild under the age of 16 whose grandparent is a resident lifetime license holder, qualifies for a lifetime license. As of 2010, eligible groups and fees are 2 and under, $200; ages 2 to 15, $350; 16 and older, $500; ages 60 to 65, $95; and over age 65, the license is free. The lifetime license covers both fishing and hunting in the state.
  
  

Tips

• Combine licenses to save money. Hunting/fishing licenses may be combined, but so can yearly licenses. Anglers may buy several annual or multi-year licenses at one time and "stack" the cost into one transaction, saving on transaction fees.
  
  

Warning

• Department of Resources Rangers may require photo identification when they check licenses. Ask charter boat or commercial "party" boat companies if you will be covered under their fishing license.