Time to buy 2021 fishing license
A basic 2021 license will set you back $52.66
Starting Jan. 1, all fishermen in California are required to have a 2021 fishing license. In 2021, the basic license costs $52.66 and that doesn’t include $16.46 for a second-rod stamp. There is no grace period. If you’re cited for not having one it could cost you up to
$400 in fines. The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) uses the income from licenses to manage the state’s fish and wildlife.
California has one of the most expensive fishing licenses in the nation. Unlike most of the other states, California doesn’t give a senior citizen a reduced fee on licenses. Most other states only charge a person over age 65 a small fee of less than $20, but California charges the full $52.66.
However, the DFW does give a break to low-income seniors and a few qualified veterans and other citizens. Any honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with a serviceconnected disability rating of 50 percent or more can purchase a fishing license for $7.98. However, proof of eligibility from the United States Veterans Administration or a copy of last year’s license is required.
A reduced-fee license can also 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 $943. 72 a month for single person or $1,582.14 a month for a married couple (combined income). Income verification from your Social Security office is required.
A person can obtain a free fiveyear 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 California 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. Many elderly residents of Lake County are eligible for this reduced license. There are many seniors in Lake County who qualify for a reduced-fee or free fishing license but they never apply for it.
Also eligible for a free oneyear 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 the 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 at http.//.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 who 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 $26.49.
The DFG also allows individuals to purchase a lifetime fishing license. The lifetime license fee for persons up to age 9 years is $579.25, age 10-39 is $946.75, age 40- 61 years is $853, and age 62 and older it’s $579.25.
The fishing license term runs from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.