Oregon Fishing License: Costs, Types, and How to Buy

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Trout, salmon, steelhead, and a range of warmwater and coastal fish to target – Oregon is a great state in which to fish.

But you need the correct license to fish legally. In this article, we explain:

  • Who needs an Oregon fishing license
  • How much the licenses cost
  • What types of licenses are required
  • And where to get your license

Who Needs a Fishing License in Oregon?

In Oregon, any angler aged 12 and older must possess a valid fishing license to fish in the state’s waters, regardless of whether they fish independently or as part of a charter. This applies to both residents and non-residents. However, the specific license required, along with its cost, varies based on your residency, age, and the duration you desire for the license’s validity.

Here is the license fees page: https://myodfw.com/fishing/licensing-info

Who Is Exempt From Needing a Fishing License in Oregon?

Certain groups are exempt from purchasing a fishing license. These exemptions generally include:

  • Youth under 12: Children below the age of 12 do not require a fishing license.
  • Oregon residents fishing on Free Fishing Weekends: These weekends, typically twice a year, allow residents to fish without a license.

Additionally, no fishing or shellfish license is needed:

  • When taking crayfish or bullfrogs;
  • When Oregon resident landowners are angling on land they own, except when angling for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or halibut.
  • When an Oregon resident is angling on land owned by an immediate family member, and resides on that land, except when angling for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or halibut.

Oregon Fishing License Cost and Types

Oregon offers various fishing licenses for residents and non-residents, each with different durations. To fish legally, ensure you have all the necessary endorsements, validations, tags, and permits for specific purposes, like harvesting certain species or using multiple lines.

The Columbia River Basin Endorsement is crucial for fishing Salmon, Steelhead, or Sturgeon in the Columbia River Basin’s rivers and tributaries, including the Columbia River, applicable to both residents and non-residents.

Resident Fishing Licenses

Residents of Oregon have various options for fishing licenses based on the duration and type of water they wish to fish in. The prices for resident fishing licenses are as follows:

License TypeCost
Annual Angling License$44.00
Sports Pac*$196.50
Combination License – Angling and Hunting$73.00 
Annual Shellfish$10.00
One Day Angling and Shellfish Combo$23.00
Two Day Angling$42.00
Three Day Angling$59.50
Columbia River Basin Endorsement (Each Day)$1.00
Youth License (12-17 years old)**$10.00
Youth Sports Pac$55.00
Youth Angling Combined Angling Tag$5.00
Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation$2.00
Two-Rod Validation$28.00
Columbia River Basin Endorsement$9.75
Columbia River Basin Endorsement(If purchased separately from angling license)$11.75

* Sports Pac includes Angling, Shellfish, and Hunting License; combined angling tag; spring turkey, cougar, general or controlled bear tag, elk and deer tags; upland bird and waterfowl validations.

** Youth License includes Angling, Hunting, Shellfish, and Columbia River Basin Endorsement.

Residency Requirements

To qualify as a resident and enjoy the lower resident license fees, one must have resided in Oregon for at least six months immediately prior to buying a license, hold an Oregon driver’s license, pay Oregon income taxes, or own/lease property in the state.

You’re considered a resident of Oregon if you:

  • Are a member of the uniformed services who has been permanently assigned to active duty in this state, or a child or spouse of a member.
  • Reside in this state while assigned to duty at any base, station, shore establishment, or other facility in this state.
  • Reside in this state while serving as a crew member of a ship that has an Oregon port or shore establishment as its home port or permanent station.
  • Are attending school in Oregon under a foreign student exchange program, and are not a US citizen.

Non-Resident Fishing Licenses

For non-residents looking to fish in Oregon, there are several options available, each with different durations and costs:

License TypeCost
Annual Angling License$110.50
Annual Shellfish$28.00
One Day Angling and Shellfish Combo$23.00
Two Day Angling$42.00
Three Day Angling$59.50
Seven Day Angling$93.50
Columbia River Basin Endorsement (Each Day$1.00
Three Day Shellfish$19.00
Youth License (12-17 years old)$10.00
Youth Angling Combined Angling Tag$5.00
Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation$4.00
Two-Rod Validation$28.00
Columbia River Basin Endorsement$9.75
Columbia River Basin Endorsement(If purchased separately from angling license)$11.75

Additional Requirements Costs

Endorsements and ValidationsResidentNon-resident
Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation$2.00$4.00
Two-Rod Validation$28.00
Columbia River Basin Endorsement(When purchased at same time as angling license)$9.75
Columbia River Basin Endorsement(If purchased separately from angling license)$11.75
Angling TagsResidentNon-resident
Adult Combined Angling Tag$46.00$66.00
Hatchery Salmon / Steelhead Harvest Tag $33.00
Rogue-South Coast Wild Steelhead Harvest Tag$10.00$20.00

Who Can Purchase Discounted Oregon Fishing Licenses?

Individuals who are eligible for discounted fishing licenses include:

  • Senior citizens: Residents 70 years and older can often purchase reduced-fee licenses.
  • Disabled veterans: Oregon offers discounted licenses for veterans with a 25% or more service-connected disability.

Resident Senior and Pioneer Licenses

License TypeCost
Senior Angling(70 years old and Oregon resident for at least 5 years)$29.00
Senior Combination(70 years old and Oregon resident for at least 5 years)$47.50
Pioneer Combination(65 years old and Oregon resident for at least 50 years) (Includes: Angling and Hunting License and Columbia River Basin Endorsement). Available only at ODFW offices that sell licenses.$6.00

Disabled Veteran and Uniformed Service Member Licenses

License TypeResidentNon-resident
Uniformed Services AnglingN/A$44.00
Uniformed Services Annual ShellfishN/A$10.00
Disabled Veteran ShellfishFreeN/A
Disabled Veteran Combination(Includes Columbia River Basin Endorsement)FreeN/A

Special Fishing Licenses in Oregon

Aside from regular fishing licenses, special licenses cater to specific fishing activities or groups:

License TypeResidentNon-resident
Duplicate Tag (reprint)$2.00
Scallop Harvest PermitFree
Wildlife Area Parking Permit (Daily)$10.00
Wildlife Area Parking Permit (Annual)$30.00
Waterway Access Permit(All non-motorized boats 10 feet or longer, inc. drift boats, rafts, stand-up paddleboards, inflatables, etc.)$7.00 weekly/7 day,$19.00 annual,$32.00 two-year
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit (Motorized Boats)N/A$22.00
Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit (includes disabled clam digging)Free

Where Can I Buy an Oregon Fishing Licence?

You can acquire an Oregon fishing license through various means, whether you favor in-person or online methods. Choose from the following options and prepare to embark on your fishing adventure:

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

Oregon’s Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) offers licenses through their offices. Find the nearest ODFW office by visiting their office locations page.

Online

The most convenient method is purchasing a fishing license online via the ODFW Licensing System. The online portal is user-friendly and allows you to print your license instantly.

Walmart and other Retail Outlets

Fishing licenses are available at numerous retail outlets statewide. Walmart is a common retailer offering fishing licenses, and you can find other local vendors via the ODFW license agents/vendors list.

What Happens With Oregon Fishing License Fees?

Fees from fishing licenses directly contribute to Oregon’s conservation and management of its fisheries. These funds support fishery management, habitat development, endangered species programs, and conservation education.

Does Oregon Have Reciprocal License Arrangements With Neighboring States?

Oregon has reciprocal agreements with some neighboring states. Anglers from Washington, Idaho, and California can fish in specific bordering waters without an additional license, although certain regulations still apply.

Does Oregon Offer Lifetime Fishing Licenses?

Currently, Oregon does not offer lifetime fishing licenses. However, the state periodically evaluates and introduces new programs, so this might change in the future.

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AUTHOR
Rick Wallace is a passionate angler and fly fisher whose work has appeared in fishing publications including FlyLife. He's appeared in fishing movies, founded a successful fishing site and spends every spare moment on the water. He's into kayak fishing, ultralight lure fishing and pretty much any other kind of fishing out there.
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