FishingLicenseCheck

Kentucky fishing license

Kentucky requires a recreational fishing license from age 16. The state licenses freshwater fishing. The current license year is 2026-2027 (March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027).

Source: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources · Reviewed July 30, 2026

Your trip in Kentucky

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 Kentucky, the official match is 1-Day Fishing (nonresident).

Published cost for this trip$15.86
  • 1-Day Fishing (nonresident)$15.86 · Valid only for one (1) day specified by the purchaser.

What it covers

  • 1-Day Fishing (nonresident) — freshwater. Fee as published by KDFWR; no separate vendor/issuance fee is published.Limits on this license: Available only to nonresidents.

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

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources 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 — "Unless license exempt, anglers who intend to keep trout must have a trout permit." In addition, all licensed anglers fishing the Cumberland River from Wolf Creek Dam to the Tennessee state line, its tributaries up to the first riffle, and all of Hatchery Creek must possess a trout permit. Included with the resident sportsman's and senior/disabled sportsman's licences. · $10.57

Why this answer

  1. You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
  2. 1-Day Fishing (nonresident) covers the full trip: Valid only for one (1) day specified by the purchaser.
Other options you are eligible for
  • 7-Day Fishing (nonresident) — $37 for this trip · Valid only for a consecutive seven-day period specified by the purchaser.Available only to nonresidents.
  • Annual Fishing (nonresident) — $58.14 for this trip · Valid for the entire license year, which ends the last day of February 2027.

Exceptions that may change it

  • Kentucky's most recently published free fishing days were June 6, 2026 (Kentucky Free Fishing Days 2026 (Saturday)) and June 7, 2026 (Kentucky Free Fishing Days 2026 (Sunday)); check the agency for the next one. No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
  • 1-Day Fishing (nonresident): Available only to nonresidents.
  • "The bona fide resident owners of farmlands, their spouses and dependent children may fish on their farmlands without a license. Tenants, their spouses and dependent children may fish without a license on farmlands where they live and work." To be classified as a tenant a person must both live and work on the farm.
  • "Resident servicemen on furlough for more than three days may fish statewide without a license, but must carry proper identification and papers showing furlough status."
  • "Persons fishing within the boundaries of Mammoth Cave National Park" do not need a Kentucky fishing licence.
  • "(KRS 150.660) A person fishing in a pay lake licensed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources needs either a Kentucky fishing license or a free permit issued by the operator. If the lake is not licensed by the operator, anglers need a valid Kentucky fishing license."
  • This answer covers the licence only. Season, size, bag and waterbody rules still apply and change through the year.
Buy on the official Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources site

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

Check current Kentucky regulations

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

Validity
2026-2027 · March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027
Reviewed
July 30, 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

1-Day Fishing (nonresident)

$15.86

Resident for the season

Adult Kentucky resident · freshwater · all year

Annual Fishing (resident)

$24.31

Age and residency rules

Who counts as a resident. A resident is anyone who has established permanent and legal residence in Kentucky and resided here at least 30 days immediately prior to applying for a license. Full-time students enrolled in a Kentucky educational institution for at least a six-month term and service personnel on permanent assignment in Kentucky are also classified as residents. All others are considered non-residents for licensing purposes.

Age-based rules

  • "Residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger" may fish any Kentucky waters without a licence or permit.

License options

LicenseWhoWaterValid forPrice
Annual Fishing (resident)ResidentResidents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.freshwaterKentucky's license year begins March 1 and continues through the last day of February; valid from March 1 (or date of purchase thereafter) through Feb. 28, 2027.$24.31
Joint Married Couple Annual Fishing (resident)Available only to Kentucky residents; covers a married couple. Joint husband-wife licence holders each need their own trout permit if both will trout fish.ResidentResidents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.freshwaterValid through the last day of February 2027.$44.38
1-Day Fishing (resident)ResidentResidents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.freshwaterValid only for one (1) day specified by the purchaser. Starting date may be today or any date in the future.$7.40
3-Year Fishing (resident)Available only to Kentucky residents. Available online only.ResidentResidents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.freshwaterNew licenses are required annually, except for the 3-year fishing license and the Lifetime Sportsman's License.$58.14
Combination Hunting/Fishing License (resident)Available only to Kentucky residents. "Allow the holder to perform any act authorized by either a hunting or fishing license but does not include any additional permits" - a trout permit is not included.ResidentfreshwaterValid through the last day of February 2027.$44.39
Sportsman's License (resident)Residents only. Includes the combination hunting/fishing licence, statewide deer permit, spring and fall turkey permits, Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit and the trout permit. Peabody, LBL and Otter Creek permits, elk and bear permits, federal duck stamp and trapping licence are not included.ResidentfreshwaterValid through the last day of February 2027.$100.42
First Time Buyer Sportsman's License (resident)"Only individuals who have not purchased an annual Kentucky hunting or fishing license - or a combination license that includes an annual license - since 1996 are eligible." Includes the trout permit.ResidentfreshwaterValid through the last day of February 2027.$37
Senior or Disabled Sportsman's License (resident)Residents only. Includes the combination hunting/fishing licence, deer permits, spring and fall turkey permits, migratory bird/waterfowl permit and trout permit. Seniors need only show proof of age and residency; disabled applicants must first obtain disability authorization. The encoded 65+ age rule covers the senior route; the disability route at younger ages is claimed separately.ResidentKentucky residents 65 years of age or older; the same licence and price is available to residents certified totally and permanently disabled, and to resident veterans at least 50% disabled from a service-connected disability, at any age.freshwaterValid through the end of February each year.$12.68
Senior Lifetime Sportsman's License (resident)Residents only; must maintain Kentucky residency. Includes the same licences and permits as the standard sportsman's licence.ResidentResidents 65 years of age or older.freshwaterDoes not expire, but requires the holder to maintain Kentucky residency.$190.26
Youth Sportsman's License (resident, ages 12-15)Optional for fishing - anglers 15 and younger need no fishing licence at all. Includes the hunting/fishing licence, statewide deer permit, spring and fall turkey permits and migratory bird/waterfowl permit, but NOT the trout permit. Parent or guardian must sign at purchase.ResidentAvailable to residents only up to age 15; holders who turn 16 may continue using the licence through the licence year.freshwaterValid through the licence year, which ends the last day of February.$31.71
Annual Fishing (nonresident)Non-residentResidents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.freshwaterValid for the entire license year, which ends the last day of February 2027.$58.14
1-Day Fishing (nonresident)Available only to nonresidents.Non-residentNonresidents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.freshwaterValid only for one (1) day specified by the purchaser.$15.86
7-Day Fishing (nonresident)Available only to nonresidents.Non-residentNonresidents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.freshwaterValid only for a consecutive seven-day period specified by the purchaser.$37

  • Annual Fishing (resident)

    Who
    Resident · Residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Kentucky's license year begins March 1 and continues through the last day of February; valid from March 1 (or date of purchase thereafter) through Feb. 28, 2027.
    Price
    $24.31

  • Joint Married Couple Annual Fishing (resident)

    Available only to Kentucky residents; covers a married couple. Joint husband-wife licence holders each need their own trout permit if both will trout fish.

    Who
    Resident · Residents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Valid through the last day of February 2027.
    Price
    $44.38

  • 1-Day Fishing (resident)

    Who
    Resident · Residents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Valid only for one (1) day specified by the purchaser. Starting date may be today or any date in the future.
    Price
    $7.40

  • 3-Year Fishing (resident)

    Available only to Kentucky residents. Available online only.

    Who
    Resident · Residents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    New licenses are required annually, except for the 3-year fishing license and the Lifetime Sportsman's License.
    Price
    $58.14

  • Combination Hunting/Fishing License (resident)

    Available only to Kentucky residents. "Allow the holder to perform any act authorized by either a hunting or fishing license but does not include any additional permits" - a trout permit is not included.

    Who
    Resident
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Valid through the last day of February 2027.
    Price
    $44.39

  • Sportsman's License (resident)

    Residents only. Includes the combination hunting/fishing licence, statewide deer permit, spring and fall turkey permits, Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit and the trout permit. Peabody, LBL and Otter Creek permits, elk and bear permits, federal duck stamp and trapping licence are not included.

    Who
    Resident
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Valid through the last day of February 2027.
    Price
    $100.42

  • First Time Buyer Sportsman's License (resident)

    "Only individuals who have not purchased an annual Kentucky hunting or fishing license - or a combination license that includes an annual license - since 1996 are eligible." Includes the trout permit.

    Who
    Resident
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Valid through the last day of February 2027.
    Price
    $37

  • Senior or Disabled Sportsman's License (resident)

    Residents only. Includes the combination hunting/fishing licence, deer permits, spring and fall turkey permits, migratory bird/waterfowl permit and trout permit. Seniors need only show proof of age and residency; disabled applicants must first obtain disability authorization. The encoded 65+ age rule covers the senior route; the disability route at younger ages is claimed separately.

    Who
    Resident · Kentucky residents 65 years of age or older; the same licence and price is available to residents certified totally and permanently disabled, and to resident veterans at least 50% disabled from a service-connected disability, at any age.
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Valid through the end of February each year.
    Price
    $12.68

  • Senior Lifetime Sportsman's License (resident)

    Residents only; must maintain Kentucky residency. Includes the same licences and permits as the standard sportsman's licence.

    Who
    Resident · Residents 65 years of age or older.
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Does not expire, but requires the holder to maintain Kentucky residency.
    Price
    $190.26

  • Youth Sportsman's License (resident, ages 12-15)

    Optional for fishing - anglers 15 and younger need no fishing licence at all. Includes the hunting/fishing licence, statewide deer permit, spring and fall turkey permits and migratory bird/waterfowl permit, but NOT the trout permit. Parent or guardian must sign at purchase.

    Who
    Resident · Available to residents only up to age 15; holders who turn 16 may continue using the licence through the licence year.
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Valid through the licence year, which ends the last day of February.
    Price
    $31.71

  • Annual Fishing (nonresident)

    Who
    Non-resident · Residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Valid for the entire license year, which ends the last day of February 2027.
    Price
    $58.14

  • 1-Day Fishing (nonresident)

    Available only to nonresidents.

    Who
    Non-resident · Nonresidents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Valid only for one (1) day specified by the purchaser.
    Price
    $15.86

  • 7-Day Fishing (nonresident)

    Available only to nonresidents.

    Who
    Non-resident · Nonresidents ages 15 and younger may fish without a license.
    Water
    freshwater
    Valid for
    Valid only for a consecutive seven-day period specified by the purchaser.
    Price
    $37

Stamps, endorsements and report cards

  • Trout Permit — "Unless license exempt, anglers who intend to keep trout must have a trout permit." In addition, all licensed anglers fishing the Cumberland River from Wolf Creek Dam to the Tennessee state line, its tributaries up to the first riffle, and all of Hatchery Creek must possess a trout permit. Included with the resident sportsman's and senior/disabled sportsman's licences. · $10.57

Exemptions worth knowing

  • "The bona fide resident owners of farmlands, their spouses and dependent children may fish on their farmlands without a license. Tenants, their spouses and dependent children may fish without a license on farmlands where they live and work." To be classified as a tenant a person must both live and work on the farm.
  • "Resident servicemen on furlough for more than three days may fish statewide without a license, but must carry proper identification and papers showing furlough status." Still required: The angler must carry proper identification and papers showing furlough status of more than three days while fishing.
  • "Persons fishing on the first Saturday and Sunday in June (June 6-7, 2026) during Free Fishing Days are not required to have a license or permit. All other fishing regulations still apply."
  • "Persons fishing within the boundaries of Mammoth Cave National Park" do not need a Kentucky fishing licence. Still required: No state licence is needed, but special National Park fishing regulations are in effect for the ponds, streams and Green River inside the park; KDFWR directs anglers to contact the park at (270) 758-2180 for complete rules before fishing.
  • "(KRS 150.660) A person fishing in a pay lake licensed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources needs either a Kentucky fishing license or a free permit issued by the operator. If the lake is not licensed by the operator, anglers need a valid Kentucky fishing license." Still required: The angler must obtain the free permit issued by the pay-lake operator; this only substitutes for a state licence when the pay lake itself is licensed by KDFWR.

Free fishing days

  • Kentucky Free Fishing Days 2026 (Saturday) — June 6, 2026. "Persons fishing on the first Saturday and Sunday in June (June 6-7, 2026) during Free Fishing Days are not required to have a license or permit. All other fishing regulations still apply."
  • Kentucky Free Fishing Days 2026 (Sunday) — June 7, 2026. "Persons fishing on the first Saturday and Sunday in June (June 6-7, 2026) during Free Fishing Days are not required to have a license or permit. All other fishing regulations still apply."

Where this comes from

Primary source
License and Permit Fees - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife — Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
Retrieved
July 26, 2026
Reviewed
July 30, 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 Kentucky license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.

Across all states