Reduced-fee Sport Fishing Licenses

January 14, 2021

Question: I’m 94 years old and still enjoy fishing, but the license cost is a very big chunk out of my fixed income. Why doesn’t CDFW issue free licenses for us old geezers? I only am able to fish once or twice a year and the one-day fee limits me severely. (Don)

Answer: CDFW does indeed offer a Reduced Fee Sport Fishing License (currently $7.73) for low-income California residents, 65 years of age and older, who meet the specified annual income requirements. Normally applicants are required to present their proof of eligibility in person in order to apply. Because offices are currently closed, you may submit an application by mail to any CDFW License Sales Office. Your application must be accompanied by verification of your currently monthly Social Security benefit and verification of your currently monthly income from all other sources.

Reduced-fee sport fishing licenses are also available to those who meet any of the following requirements:

1.     Any person, with 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.

2. Any California resident 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. Verification by a licensed physician or a copy of the previous year’s free fishing license is required.

3. Any developmentally disabled person. Certification by a licensed physician or the director of a State regional center is required.

4. Any Native American who is a resident of the state and is financially unable to pay the fee required for a resident sport fishing license. The Free Sport Fishing License Application for low income Native Americans can be found on CDFW’s website.

Is there a discount for seniors?