Getting a Walmart fishing license is a quick and easy way to make sure you are fishing legally.
The fishing licenses sold at Walmart are the exact same documents issued by natural resources departments and are completely legitimate.
The costs are practically the same whether you are getting a fishing license at Walmart or through the government offices in your state.
How to Get a Fishing License at Walmart
It’s not widely know, but you can get a fishing license at Walmart stores across the US and at Walmart’s online store.
For many people this Walmart fishing license is a better option than heading in to their state’s licensing department or navigating a clunky government website.
In this guide to getting a fishing license at Walmart, we’ve broken down the easiest way to get yourself licensed to avoid fines and ensure you are contributing to the health of our beloved recreational fisheries.
Get a Fishing License at Walmart in Person
Follow these easy steps to get your Walmart fishing license store:
- Bring photo ID and proof of residency (a utility bill for example)
- Head to the Sports and Outdoor section of the store
- They’ll give you a form that you can fill out on the spot and hand to the staff
- They will double check your age and the type and duration of license you require (resident or non resident; saltwater fishing or freshwater fishing) and let you know the price.
- There is no test or anything like that, but the Walmart fishing license staff will give you a booklet with the regulations that apply in the state you are getting the license for
- Once you’ve paid the applicable fee, they’ll give you your fishing license and you are done!
- Purchasing a fishing license at Walmart is that easy!
Get a Fishing License at Walmart online
While there are some articles that claim you can get a fishing license online through Walmart, we’ve seen no evidence that that is the case.
You can get fishing licenses online of course, but they are usually sold via the natural resources department’s website in your state. There are links on these sites to buy the license online. After buying the license online, in some cases you can print the license out and you are good to go until the send you the actual license to fish.
Why get a Walmart fishing license?
Many people find getting a Walmart fishing license to be convenient as it is a store that they visit frequently. Also, when you get your Walmart fishing license you can also pick up fishing supplies including lures and other tackle that you need. And with it’s convenient opening hours, it is easy to visit a Walmart store and get a Walmart fishing license.
Chance are if you are a non resident angler you won’t know where the departmental office is anyway, so Walmart is an easier option. Non residents need a license to fish in pretty much all states.
Walmart Fishing License FAQs
Who needs a fishing license?
Anyone who wants to fish in the US needs a fishing license, with a limited number of exemptions.
In some states people under 16 or 17 or over 65 don’t need a fishing license and some states have exemptions for veterans and people suffering from disabilities.
You need to get a Walmart fishing license if you are a resident of the state or a non resident angler.
What states offer fishing licenses via Walmart?
Forty seven states in the US sell Walmart fishing licenses. Walmart has an agreement with these state governments to issue a valid non resident or resident fishing license that has the validity as the government issued license.
Alabama fishing license
Alaska fishing license
Arizona fishing license
Arkansas fishing license
California fishing license
Colorado fishing license
Connecticut fishing license
Delaware fishing license
Florida fishing license
Georgia fishing licenses
Hawaii fishing licenses
Illinois fishing licenses
Indiana fishing licenses
Iowa fishing license
Kansas fishing license
Kentucky fishing license
Louisiana fishing license
Maine fishing license
Maryland fishing license
Massachusetts fishing license
Michigan fishing license
Minnesota fishing license
Mississippi fishing license
Missouri fishing license
Montana fishing license
Nebraska fishing license
Nevada fishing license
New Hampshire fishing license
New Jersey fishing license
New Mexico fishing license
New York fishing license
North Carolina fishing license
North Dakota fishing license
Ohio fishing license
Oklahoma fishing license
Oregon fishing license
Pennsylvania fishing license
Rhode Island fishing license
South Carolina fishing license
South Dakota fishing license
Tennessee fishing license
Texas fishing license
Utah fishing license
Vermont fishing license
Virginia fishing license
Washington fishing license
West Virginia fishing license
Wisconsin fishing license
Wyoming fishing license
What type of fishing licenses are available
You can purchase a fishing license in these types:
- 24 hours fishing licenses.
- 3 or 5-day fishing licenses.
- Annual fishing licenses
How much does a Walmart fishing license cost?
Here are some indicative costs for a Walmart fishing license. Obviously the fishing license cost varies a bit from state to state and which bodies of water you plan to fish in, but this gives you a rough idea of expected fishing license cost when you purchase a fishing license.
- Licenses for individual residents – $19.
- Licenses for individual residents of age 66 and above – $10
- A one-day fishing license for both residents and non-residents – $11
- Non-resident annual license – $40
- Three-day tourist fishing licenses – $19
Why get a Fishing License?
Fishing licenses are not just a revenue raising exercise for state governments. In most cases the money raised via licensing fees – and via the Walmart fishing license -goes to fish stocking and the enforcement of fishing rules so it helps to create a better fishery for all recreational fishers.
So think of the fishing license cost as an investment in the quality of the fishery. The money raised via the fishing license cost also helps with river and stream rehabilitation and programs to help get young people fishing.
Where to Buy a Fishing License Near Me
Walmart has almost 5000 stores in the US, so buying a Walmart fishing license is relatively simple and faster and easier than visiting your fish and wildlife department. Other outdoor and hardware retailers also sell licenses, and of course you can buy a fishing license through the relevant government department/offices in your state.
