Reminder to get a new license

Sometimes, especially for us geezers, time gets away from us while we aren't paying attention. Time to get your new fishing licenses if you haven't already done it. And hey: Let's be safe out there!

Also.... reminder for the few folks that can get the discount
(Vets can also get free state park/national park passes for free)
If any vet needs help with these please feel free to PM me.


(Cut and pasted from fish and game website)
Items & FeesHarvest ReportingFree & Reduced FeeFAQs
Free and Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing Licenses
To qualify for a for Free or Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License, anglers must meet the criteria described below.

Disabled Veteran Sport Fishing and Hunting Licenses – Fee $7.30

Reduced-fee licenses are available for any honorably discharged veteran of the US Armed Forces with a service–connected disability rating of 50% or greater.

To prequalify to purchase a disabled veteran license, submit a letter from the Veteran’s Administration documenting that you were honorably discharged from the US military and have a service–connected disability rating of 50% or greater. After your eligibility has been verified, your customer record will be updated. Once you receive notification from the Department that your customer record has been updated, you will be able to purchase a low cost disabled veteran sport fishing license and/or hunting license anywhere licenses are sold.

Recovering Service Member Sport Fishing and Hunting Licenses - Fee $7.30

Reduced-fee hunting licenses are available for recovering service members. The Fish and Game Code defines a recovering service member as a member of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or a Reserve, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy and is in an outpatient status while recovering from a serious injury or illness related to the member’s military service.

Submit a letter from your commanding officer or from a military medical doctor verifying your eligibility as a recovering service member. Please have your commanding officer or military medical doctor include the expected recovery date in your verification letter. The Department will enter this date into your customer profile and allow you to renew your license until this date without submitting another letter from your commanding officer or doctor.

How to Prequalify for a Disabled Veteran or Recovering Service Member License

Send a photocopy of your identification and documentation of eligibility by:

Email at [email protected]
Fax at (916) 419-7585
Mail or apply in person at any CDFW license sales office.
Include:

Identification -
Your driver’s license; and
Your GO ID number (from your previously issued ALDS fishing or hunting license). If you do not have a GO ID number, create a customer record online to obtain a GO ID number.
A letter documenting your eligibility
Disabled Veterans must submit a letter from the Veteran’s Administration.
Recovering Service Members must submit a letter from their Commanding Officer or a military doctor.
Telephone number
Email address (optional, but may expedite issuance)
For hunting licenses only - proof of hunter education (Proof is not needed if you purchased a California hunting license after 2011. CDFW will have your hunter education on file.)
Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License for Low-Income Seniors (65 years or older) - Fee $6.95

Fish and Game Code, Section 7150, authorizes CDFW to issue Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing Licenses to anglers who meet specific criteria. Additional validations or cards are required for certain species and must be purchased at the regular fee. 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 the income levels below. Income Verification from your Social Security office is required annually.

$889.40 for single persons, or
$1,496.20 for married persons (combined income).
How to Apply for a Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License for Low-Income Seniors

Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing Licenses that require income verification must be renewed each year at CDFW License Sales Office (in person or by mail).

Print Reduced-Fee Sport Fishing License Application (PDF Form)

Free Sport Fishing Licenses

Fish and Game Code, Section 7151, authorizes the CDFW to issue Free Sport Fishing Licenses to anglers who meet specific criteria. Additional validations or cards are required for certain species and areas and must be purchased at the regular fee.

Free Sport Fishing Licenses are available for anglers who meet any of these criteria:

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. Any person who was issued this license under this criteria through ALDS may renew their licenses at any CDFW license agent, CDFW license sales office or online.
Print Free Sport Fishing License Application - Blind (PDF Form)
Any person who is a resident of the State 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. Verification by a licensed physician or a copy of the previous year's free fishing license is required. Any person who was issued this license under this criteria through ALDS may renew their licenses at any CDFW license agent, CDFW license sales office or online.
Print Free Sport Fishing License Application - Mobility Impaired (PDF Form)
Any developmentally disabled person. Certification by a licensed physician or the director of a State regional center is required. Any person who was issued this license under this criteria through ALDS may renew their licenses at any CDFW license agent, CDFW license sales office or online.
Print Free Sport Fishing License Application - Developmentally Disabled (PDF Form)
Any Native American or lineal descendant who is a resident of the State and whose total annual income does not exceed $11,770 for the head of the household, plus $4,070 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 is required annually.
Print Free Sport Fishing License Application - Low Income Native Americans (PDF Form)
How to Apply for a Free Sport Fishing License

Complete the appropriate application above and follow the instructions to obtain your first license. All applications will be reviewed and eligibility will be verified prior to license issuance. Allow 15 business days for review and processing of your application. After your first free sport fishing license has been issued, if you qualify for the license based on disability, you may renew your license from any CDFW license agent, CDFW license sales office or online.

Low-income Native Americans must apply for their sport fishing licenses at a CDFW License Sales Office (in person or by mail) each year where their income will be verified annually.

Bought mine at Fisherman's warehouse the other day...Just feel so privileged to pay the highest amount in the United States for the right to fish....... . My brother once again reminded me that his LIFETIME Hunting and Fishing license in North Carolina was $15.00......
Ok not moving to NC but I'm just a little disgusted that my fees which are supposed to pay for stocking fish,more game wardens and other needed fishing items almost all go to the state general fund where the goofballs downtown use it to pay for their parties at Mortons steakhouse.............................................................rant over....
Happy New Year everybody! Hope you have a great fishing year!   

Ok not moving to NC but I'm just a little disgusted that my fees which are supposed to pay for stocking fish,more game wardens and other needed fishing items almost all go to the state general fund where the goofballs downtown use it to pay for their parties at Mortons steakhouse.............................................................rant over....

I have to agree Tom.  The winds seem to be shifting in a troubling direction for CA recreational anglers, particularly the freshwater enthusiasts.  I haven’t seen it on paper (so call it hearsay and rumor for now), but I’ve heard talk from reputable sources of the gradual phase-out and elimination of stocking of a variety of non-native species across the state.  Brown trout and brook trout are on the chopping block.  It’s especially concerning for small rural communities who depend on revenue from visiting anglers.  Big brown trout are one of the main draws for visiting anglers up here at Lake Almanor, and the phase-out of brown trout stocking could be devastating for this area’s “shoulder seasons” of spring and fall when the only tourism the area receives consists almost entirely of anglers.  Who will want to drive all the way up here to fish for only rainbow trout when rainbow trout are practically everywhere?

There’s also been talk of opening many non-anadromous streams to year-round fishing, which is extremely concerning.  These streams are closed during spawning seasons when trout are at their most vulnerable.  It would be one thing to have a “special winter season” of CnR, artificials-only like they do in some other states.  But the word I’ve heard is they would  keep the summer regulations in place year-round, which IMO is extremely stupid.  There are people out there who will happily exploit and rip 5-fish limits of big spawning-age trout off their redds.

I hope everything I’ve written above never comes to fruition and remains just ‘talk’, but the fact that there’s even talk of these potential changes is very alarming.  At least the ocean fisheries are looking up: increased season lengths and relaxed depth restrictions will be nice.

Bought mine at Fisherman's warehouse the other day...Just feel so privileged to pay the highest amount in the United States for the right to fish....... . My brother once again reminded me that his LIFETIME Hunting and Fishing license in North Carolina was $15.00......
Ok not moving to NC but I'm just a little disgusted that my fees which are supposed to pay for stocking fish,more game wardens and other needed fishing items almost all go to the state general fund where the goofballs downtown use it to pay for their parties at Mortons steakhouse.............................................................rant over....
Happy New Year everybody! Hope you have a great fishing year!   

I don't think we are the highest.  Washington State is higher, and their regs are just as complicated as ours.  We also have a shitload of coastline and waterways that comes with that license fee.  North Carolina has 301 miles of coastline, California has 840. 

I have a lot of complaints about California and wildlife management, but the cost of a license isn't one of them.  It's trivial in the scheme of things.

I got a Walmart gift card I used to purchase my new license. 

I'm not satisfied with everything in California either, there are issues and disagreements for sure with the likes of DFW, DIR, etc.

However, I do not begrudge the cost of the fishing license, IMO, it's money well spent and much cheaper than therapy. I am a calmer, nicer, happier person for being able to fish.

Thanks for the reminder.

Bought mine at Fisherman's warehouse the other day...Just feel so privileged to pay the highest amount in the United States for the right to fish....... . My brother once again reminded me that his LIFETIME Hunting and Fishing license in North Carolina was $15.00......
Ok not moving to NC but I'm just a little disgusted that my fees which are supposed to pay for stocking fish,more game wardens and other needed fishing items almost all go to the state general fund where the goofballs downtown use it to pay for their parties at Mortons steakhouse.............................................................rant over....
Happy New Year everybody! Hope you have a great fishing year!   

I don't think we are the highest.  Washington State is higher, and their regs are just as complicated as ours.  We also have a shitload of coastline and waterways that comes with that license fee.  North Carolina has 301 miles of coastline, California has 840. 

I have a lot of complaints about California and wildlife management, but the cost of a license isn't one of them.  It's trivial in the scheme of things.

California is certainly high, but you're not alone... Just to put things in perspective.

Oregon for instance:
"Regular License" allows you to basically only fish lakes and ocean (not rivers, see below): $38.00
Salmon, Steelhead, Halibut, Sturgeon Tag: $35.00 + $22.50 for each additional if you manage to "fill" one.
Columbia Basin Endorsement (necessary to fish any river that flows into the Columbia (essentially all of them.): $9.75
Aquatic Invasive species tag (required for all kayaks or boats): $7.00
Two rod validation (only valid on lakes, not nearly all rivers or ocean.): $21.50

I purchase all of these every year, and mind you I also live in Portland which opens up options for fishing in Washington state as well, meaning I also purchase essentially this x2 plus out of state fees (about $200 or so total for Washington.) Also having moved from California I can assure you regulations wise it's nowhere near as crazy there... Things change on the weekly here, I've had fishing trips planned only to have them close the season a week early and leave me high and dry trying to find where to fish.

I'll stand corrected...."One of the highest in the United States"

I have heard complaints from fishing folk all over the state about the usage of the license fee. I love fishing in California but I do not like the government usurping the license fees to pay for some questionable "project"  that has nothing to do with fishing. I would pay for the license if it was $100. It's just a glimpse of how our state government works(?)   I'm just pissing about the use of the funds....
Plus as I am one of those freshwater types I really hope Chris is really wrong and it's just talk.
Hugs     

I'll stand corrected...."One of the highest in the United States"

I have heard complaints from fishing folk all over the state about the usage of the license fee. I love fishing in California but I do not like the government usurping the license fees to pay for some questionable "project"  that has nothing to do with fishing. I would pay for the license if it was $100. It's just a glimpse of how our state government works(?)   I'm just pissing about the use of the funds....
Plus as I am one of those freshwater types I really hope Chris is really wrong and it's just talk.
Hugs     

Don't think that's what happens. See section 711 of the CA fish and game codes:

(3) The costs of hunting and sportfishing programs shall be provided out of hunting and sportfishing revenues and reimbursements and federal funds received for hunting and sportfishing programs, and other funds appropriated by the Legislature for this purpose.  These revenues, reimbursements, and federal funds shall not be used to support commercial fishing programs, free hunting and fishing license programs, or nongame fish and wildlife programs. - See more at: http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/fish-and-game-code/fgc-sect-711.html#sthash.KGVj0Pdp.dpuf

I happily pay for my licence each year although I don't agree with all their policies. Also great the big discount they give veterans.

Gee guys, I didn't mean to start a gripe fest. Just a reminder to renew and be safe. I don't begrudge the cost of fishing and hunting licenses; they are just about the lowest part of the expense of having this much fun. Some of us leave more in gear on the bottom annually than the license costs. 

Gee guys, I didn't mean to start a gripe fest. ...

Then you should not post anything during winter.

Not a gripe fest, Duckguy! I think we're all agreeing here And I appreciate the message, because it can be easy to forget!
Plus it gives me a chance to brag...again. I bought a lifetime license for $490 in 2002, when I was 22. 

Not a gripe fest, Duckguy! I think we're all agreeing here And I appreciate the message, because it can be easy to forget!
Plus it gives me a chance to brag...again. I bought a lifetime license for $490 in 2002, when I was 22. 

Don't get Oyster Boy started on those life time fishing license again. We will have to call Nasa to get an estimate as to when they will pay themselves off , if ever ? 

Just kidding Oyster.



Alex