FishingLicenseCheck

Kansas fishing license

Kansas requires a recreational fishing license from age 16. The state licenses freshwater fishing. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks runs licenses from the date of purchase rather than on a license year: expires 365 days from date of purchase or 365 days from the expiration date of the current licence.

Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks · Reviewed July 26, 2026

Your trip in Kansas

Special circumstances that can change the answer

Your likely official license

Yes — a licence is required. For a 1-day non-resident freshwater trip in Kansas, the official match is Non-Resident 1 Day Fishing License.

Published cost for this trip$10
  • Non-Resident 1 Day Fishing License$10 · One calendar day; a calendar day is a 24-hour period from midnight to midnight.

What it covers

  • Non-Resident 1 Day Fishing License — freshwater. Base fee published by KDWP; agent and transaction fees are added at purchase. The printed 2026 regulations summary shows $12.50 because printed prices include automation and vendor fees.

Required add-ons

No stamp or endorsement is attached to this licence for your residency, age and trip length. Check “You may also need” below for requirements that depend on where and what you fish.

You may also need

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks publishes these for the water you selected. Whether one applies depends on what you fish for and where — something this tool does not ask.

  • Trout Permit (age 16 and older) — From Dec. 1 - March 31, all anglers fishing on Type 1 waters stocked with trout must possess a trout permit whether fishing for trout or not. On Type 2 waters, only anglers fishing for or possessing trout need the permit. · $17.50
  • Trout Permit Youth (age 15 and younger) — Anglers 15 and younger fishing Type 1 trout waters Dec. 1 - March 31 must hold a youth trout permit even though they need no fishing licence; on Type 2 waters only when fishing for or possessing trout. · $4.50
  • Three-Pole Permit — Required to fish with a third rod; anglers are otherwise limited to two rods. · $6
  • Paddlefish Permit — Required, in addition to a fishing licence, to snag paddlefish during the March 15 - May 15 season; includes six carcass tags. · $10
  • Handfishing Permit — Required for all ages, in addition to a fishing licence, to handfish for flathead catfish June 15 - August 31 in designated waters. · $25

Why this answer

  1. You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
  2. Non-Resident 1 Day Fishing License covers the full trip: One calendar day; a calendar day is a 24-hour period from midnight to midnight.
Other options you are eligible for
  • Non-Resident 5 Day Fishing License — $25 for this trip · Five-day nonresident fishing license.
  • Non-Resident 1 Year Fishing License — $75 for this trip · 365-day license, eligible for Auto Renew.
  • Non-Resident 1 Year Combination Hunting & Fishing License — $190 for this trip · 365-day license, eligible for Auto Renew.Combination licence; covers hunting privileges in addition to fishing.

Exceptions that may change it

  • Kansas's most recently published free fishing days were June 6, 2026 (Kansas Free Fishing Days 2026 (day 1)) and June 7, 2026 (Kansas Free Fishing Days 2026 (day 2)); check the agency for the next one. No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
  • "Landowners and their immediate family living with them, and tenants renting land for agricultural purposes and members of their immediate family living with them are exempt from fishing license requirements on waters on their own land", except as described under License Requirements on Private Land.
  • Free one-year hunting and fishing licences and state park vehicle permits are issued to active members of the Kansas Army or Air National Guard, as annual funding lasts.
  • Kansas residents separated from the armed services under honorable conditions with a Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs certified service-connected disability of 30 percent or more may receive free hunting and fishing licences, issued based on funding.
  • Kansas residents enrolled as an American Indian on a tribal membership roll federally recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, may obtain a free hunting, fishing and trapping licence.
  • Anyone with a permanent physical disability that prevents them from fishing may apply for a Disability Assistance Permit; the holder may designate another person to take the holder's legal limit of fish on their behalf, and "the person designated by the permit holder shall not be required to hold any licenses, permits, stamps".
  • This answer covers the licence only. Season, size, bag and waterbody rules still apply and change through the year.
Buy on the official Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks site

We do not sell licenses and take no commission. This goes to the state agency.

Check current Kansas regulations

Seasons, size limits, bag limits and waterbody closures are not covered by this tool and change through the year.

Validity
expires 365 days from date of purchase or 365 days from the expiration date of the current licence.
Reviewed
July 26, 2026

Answers at a glance

Common trips, answered from the same official record the checker uses. These assume an adult with no special circumstances — set your own age, water and trip above.

Visiting for a day

Adult visiting from another state · freshwater · one day

Non-Resident 1 Day Fishing License

$10

Resident for the season

Adult Kansas resident · freshwater · all year

1 Year Fishing License (resident)

$25

Age and residency rules

Who counts as a resident. Resident is defined as a person who has maintained the person's place of permanent abode in the state for 60 days immediately prior to purchase. Domiciliary intent is required, evidence of which may include the location where the person votes, pays personal income taxes or obtains a driver's license. A residency of at least one year is required to purchase lifetime licenses.

Age-based rules

  • Anglers under 16 need no Kansas fishing licence: "Kansas residents 15 years of age and younger are not required to purchase a hunting or fishing license" and only nonresidents "16 and older must have a valid nonresident license to fish in Kansas". All other permits, tags and stamps still apply, so a trout permit is still needed on trout waters.
  • "Kansas residents 75 years of age or older are not required to purchase a hunting or fishing license. All other permits, tags, stamps, and other fee requirements apply."

License options

LicenseWhoWaterValid forPrice
1 Day Fishing License (resident)ResidentListed under Kansas Resident Fishing Licenses (ages 16-64); residents 15 and younger and 75 and older need no licence.freshwaterExpires same day purchased.$3.50
1 Year Fishing License (resident)ResidentKansas Resident Fishing Licenses (ages 16-64).freshwater365-day license, eligible for Auto Renew; expires 365 days from date of purchase or 365 days from the expiration date of the current licence.$25
1 Year Combination Hunting & Fishing License (resident)Combination licence; covers hunting privileges in addition to fishing.ResidentKansas Resident Fishing Licenses (ages 16-64).freshwater365-day license, eligible for Auto Renew.$45
5 Year Fishing License (resident)ResidentKansas Resident Fishing Licenses (ages 16-64).freshwaterExpires 1,825 days from purchase date.$100
5 Year Combination Hunting & Fishing License (resident)Combination licence; covers hunting privileges in addition to fishing.ResidentKansas Resident Fishing Licenses (ages 16-64).freshwaterExpires 1,825 days from purchase date.$180
Youth Multi-Year Fishing License (resident)ResidentKansas Resident Youth Fishing Licenses (ages 16-20).freshwaterExpires on December 31 of the year the person turns 21.$40
Youth Multi-Year Combination Hunting & Fishing License (resident)Combination licence; covers hunting privileges in addition to fishing.ResidentKansas Resident Youth Fishing Licenses (ages 16-20).freshwaterExpires on December 31 of the year the person turns 21.$70
Senior 1 Year Fishing License (resident)ResidentKansas Resident Senior Fishing Licenses (ages 65-74).freshwater365-day license, eligible for Auto Renew.$12.50
Senior 1 Year Combination Hunting & Fishing License (resident)Combination licence; covers hunting privileges in addition to fishing.ResidentKansas Resident Senior Fishing Licenses (ages 65-74).freshwater365-day license, eligible for Auto Renew.$22.50
Senior 5 Year Fishing License (resident)ResidentKansas Resident Senior Fishing Licenses (ages 65-74).freshwaterExpires 1,825 days from purchase date.$50
Lifetime Fishing License (resident)Available by mailed application only; notarized signature required.ResidentA residency of at least one year is required to purchase lifetime licenses.freshwaterLifetime licence.$500
Non-Resident 1 Day Fishing LicenseNon-residentNon-Resident 1 Day Fishing License (ages 16 and older).freshwaterOne calendar day; a calendar day is a 24-hour period from midnight to midnight.$10
Non-Resident 5 Day Fishing LicenseNon-residentNon-Resident 5 Day Fishing License (ages 16 and older).freshwaterFive-day nonresident fishing license.$25
Non-Resident 1 Year Fishing LicenseNon-residentNon-Resident 1 Year Fishing License (ages 16 and older).freshwater365-day license, eligible for Auto Renew.$75
Non-Resident 1 Year Combination Hunting & Fishing LicenseCombination licence; covers hunting privileges in addition to fishing.Non-residentAges 16 and older.freshwater365-day license, eligible for Auto Renew.$190

Stamps, endorsements and report cards

  • Trout Permit (age 16 and older) — From Dec. 1 - March 31, all anglers fishing on Type 1 waters stocked with trout must possess a trout permit whether fishing for trout or not. On Type 2 waters, only anglers fishing for or possessing trout need the permit. · $17.50
  • Trout Permit Youth (age 15 and younger) — Anglers 15 and younger fishing Type 1 trout waters Dec. 1 - March 31 must hold a youth trout permit even though they need no fishing licence; on Type 2 waters only when fishing for or possessing trout. · $4.50
  • Three-Pole Permit — Required to fish with a third rod; anglers are otherwise limited to two rods. · $6
  • Paddlefish Permit — Required, in addition to a fishing licence, to snag paddlefish during the March 15 - May 15 season; includes six carcass tags. · $10
  • Handfishing Permit — Required for all ages, in addition to a fishing licence, to handfish for flathead catfish June 15 - August 31 in designated waters. · $25

Exemptions worth knowing

  • "Landowners and their immediate family living with them, and tenants renting land for agricultural purposes and members of their immediate family living with them are exempt from fishing license requirements on waters on their own land", except as described under License Requirements on Private Land.
  • Free one-year hunting and fishing licences and state park vehicle permits are issued to active members of the Kansas Army or Air National Guard, as annual funding lasts. Still required: Not automatic: available by mailed application only. Download and submit the National Guard License & Park Permit Application to KDWP, and carry the issued licence while fishing. Issued as annual funding lasts.
  • Kansas residents separated from the armed services under honorable conditions with a Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs certified service-connected disability of 30 percent or more may receive free hunting and fishing licences, issued based on funding. Still required: Not automatic: apply by mail through the KDWP Pratt Operations Office using the Disabled Veterans Hunting & Fishing License Application, supplying current disabled-veteran entitlement papers showing at least 30% disability, and carry the issued licence.
  • Kansas residents enrolled as an American Indian on a tribal membership roll federally recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, may obtain a free hunting, fishing and trapping licence. Still required: Not automatic: apply to KDWP (online or paper application) with proof of tribal enrollment. The free licence "must be in possession when fishing". All other laws and regulations still apply.
  • Anyone with a permanent physical disability that prevents them from fishing may apply for a Disability Assistance Permit; the holder may designate another person to take the holder's legal limit of fish on their behalf, and "the person designated by the permit holder shall not be required to hold any licenses, permits, stamps". Still required: The disabled angler must first apply for and hold a Disability Assistance Permit from the KDWP Law Enforcement Division, and the designated helper may only fish on the permit holder's behalf while accompanied by the permit holder.
  • During Kansas Free Fishing Days, June 6-7, 2026, anyone can fish by legal means without a Kansas fishing licence. Length and creel limits still apply and all other fishing regulations remain in effect.

Free fishing days

  • Kansas Free Fishing Days 2026 (day 1) — June 6, 2026. "Anyone can fish on those days by legal means without a Kansas fishing license. Length and creel limits remain in effect."
  • Kansas Free Fishing Days 2026 (day 2) — June 7, 2026. "Anyone can fish on those days by legal means without a Kansas fishing license. Length and creel limits remain in effect."

Where this comes from

Primary source
Fishing Licenses & Permit Fees | Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks — Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Retrieved
July 26, 2026
Reviewed
July 26, 2026
Also consulted

Found something out of date? Email corrections@fishinglicensecheck.com and tell us which figure and which page — see corrections.

Nearby states

Licenses are issued state by state — a Kansas license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.

Across all states