This guide explains fishing license requirements for all 50 U.S. states. Each card highlights whether a license is generally required, how pier fishing is treated, and where to verify official regulations.
Always confirm current rules with the official state agency before fishing.
Alabama
Gulf Coast · Limited Pier Exemptions
- License required for most fishing
- Some public saltwater piers may be exempt
- Freshwater fishing requires a license
Alaska
Freshwater & Saltwater · No Pier Exemptions
- License required statewide
- No general pier exemptions
- Strict seasonal regulations
Arizona
Freshwater State
- License required for most waters
- No pier exemptions
- Urban fishing programs available
Arkansas
Freshwater Focus
- License required statewide
- No common pier exemptions
- Trout permits may apply
California
Pacific Coast · License-Free Public Piers
- No license on public ocean piers
- Freshwater fishing requires license
- Marine Protected Areas apply
Colorado
Freshwater Only
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Daily limits strictly enforced
Connecticut
Atlantic Coast · Registration Required
- Saltwater registry required
- Freshwater license required
- Some public piers exempt
Delaware
Atlantic & Bay · Limited Exemptions
- License required for most pier fishing
- Few public exemptions
- Check pier signage
Florida
Atlantic & Gulf · License-Free Public Piers
- No license on public saltwater piers
- Freshwater fishing requires license
- Private piers may require license
Georgia
Atlantic Coast · License Required
- License required
- Limited pier exemptions
- Saltwater & freshwater differ
Hawaii
Shore Fishing Common
- Shore fishing often exempt
- Commercial fishing licensed
- Marine rules apply
Idaho
Freshwater State
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Trout limits apply
Illinois
Freshwater & Lake Michigan
- License required
- Lake Michigan stamp may apply
- Piers require license
Indiana
Freshwater & Great Lakes
- License required
- No general pier exemptions
- Trout/salmon stamps may apply
Iowa
Freshwater Only
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Resident discounts available
Kansas
Freshwater State
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Daily creel limits apply
Kentucky
Freshwater Rivers & Lakes
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Border waters rules apply
Louisiana
Gulf Coast · Some Pier Exemptions
- License required
- Some public piers exempt
- Saltwater permits may apply
Maine
Atlantic Coast
- License required
- Saltwater registry required
- Pier exemptions limited
Maryland
Chesapeake Bay · Pier-Friendly
- License required
- Some public piers exempt
- Tidal vs non-tidal rules
Massachusetts
Atlantic Coast
- Saltwater registration required
- Freshwater license required
- Pier exemptions limited
Michigan
Great Lakes State
- License required
- Great Lakes rules apply
- No pier exemptions
Minnesota
Freshwater Lakes
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Ice fishing rules differ
Mississippi
Gulf Coast
- License required
- Some pier exemptions
- Saltwater stamps apply
Missouri
Freshwater Rivers
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Trout permits may apply
Montana
Freshwater State
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Strict conservation rules
Nebraska
Freshwater Only
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Public access lakes available
Nevada
Freshwater Desert State
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Urban ponds available
New Hampshire
Atlantic Coast
- Freshwater license required
- Saltwater registration required
- Pier exemptions limited
New Jersey
Mid-Atlantic · Registry State
- Saltwater registry required
- Freshwater license required
- Some public piers exempt
New Mexico
Freshwater State
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Special trout waters
New York
Atlantic & Great Lakes
- Freshwater license required
- Saltwater registry required
- Some piers exempt
North Carolina
Atlantic Coast · Pier-Friendly
- Many ocean piers exempt
- License required elsewhere
- Saltwater & freshwater differ
North Dakota
Freshwater State
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Seasonal closures apply
Ohio
Great Lakes & Rivers
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Lake Erie rules apply
Oklahoma
Freshwater State
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Special lake permits apply
Oregon
Pacific Coast
- License required
- Some public ocean piers exempt
- Shellfish permits separate
Pennsylvania
Freshwater Rivers
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Trout stamps may apply
Rhode Island
Atlantic Coast
- Saltwater registry required
- Freshwater license required
- Pier exemptions limited
South Carolina
Atlantic Coast
- License required
- Some public piers exempt
- Saltwater endorsement applies
South Dakota
Freshwater State
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Border water rules apply
Tennessee
Freshwater Rivers
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Trout waters designated
Texas
Gulf Coast · Mixed Rules
- License required statewide
- Some public piers exempt
- Paid piers may cover license
Utah
Freshwater State
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Special waters regulated
Vermont
Freshwater Lakes
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Seasonal restrictions apply
Virginia
Atlantic & Chesapeake
- License required
- Some public piers exempt
- Tidal vs inland rules differ
Washington
Pacific Coast
- License required
- No broad pier exemptions
- Catch record cards apply
West Virginia
Freshwater State
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Trout stamps apply
Wisconsin
Great Lakes
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Salmon & trout stamps
Wyoming
Freshwater State
- License required
- No pier exemptions
- Conservation stamps apply
