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.

2008 Reduced-Fee Fishing Licenses - Fee $6.00

Fish and Game Code, Section 7150, authorizes the Department of Fish and Game to issue Reduced-Fee Fishing Licenses to the following anglers:

A) 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. 

1) $856 for single persons, or

2) $1,502 for married persons (combined income).

B) Any honorably-discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or more. Proof of eligibility from the United States Veterans Administration or a copy of last years license is required.

2008 Free Fishing Licenses

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

Five-Year Free Sport Fishing Licenses are available for anglers who meet the criteria below: 

A) 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. 

B) 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.

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

One-Year Free Sport Fishing Licenses are available for anglers who meet the criteria below:

A) Any American Indian or lineal descendant who is a resident of the State and whose total annual income does not exceed $10,210 for the head of the household, plus $3,480  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 on Form FG371 is required annually. 

how to apply

Applications and licenses are available only at DFG License Sales Offices or through the mail.  If you meet the criteria described above for a license and want to apply by mail, email us at LRB@dfg.ca.gov and include your name, mailing address and the type of application (reduced-fee, free one-year or free five-year) needed.