Is there a senior discount for california fishing license

Founded in 1947, the Pasadena Casting Club is a group of fly fishing enthusiasts dedicated to the art of angling and casting, conservation, education, catch and release philosophy, and camaraderie through Club meetings, outings and events.

From fitness centers to movie theaters, parking lots and hardware stores, seniors are offered discounts by numerous retailers and service providers - including our National Park Service. As pertaining to recreational fishing, state after state generously provide seniors discount on fishing licenses, but NOT in California. 

In California, a 2020 adult resident freshwater sportfishing fishing license reflects a cost of $51.02, the highest in the U.S.  Healthy, non-native, non-disabled California seniors are NOT provided discount other than if their income were to be less than $11,181 - a number that is $1,300 BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE.

As example, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Montana & New Mexico - provide their resident seniors discounts ranging from 34% to 75%. Even high tax based New York provides resident seniors a 80% discount on their annual license fee. 

On behalf of all California fisherpersons, please support this petition with the hope to initiate legislative review and subsequent issuing of a new California annual senior resident fishing license, providing discount without income stipulation to all healthy non-native, non-disabled seniors, beginning at age 65.

Seniors Fishing License Discounts & Exemptions: All States

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Updated on: July 23, 2022

Is there a senior discount for california fishing license

Getting out on the water and fishing is good for all of us, but particularly for our 55 million plus seniors.

To help seniors throughout the US take advantage of fishing opportunities, we’ve researched which states offer discounted or free fishing licenses and set them out both in map and table form.

The findings of our research on this were:

  • 13 out of 50 states offer free licenses or exemptions to having a license for seniors
  • 35 out of 50 states offer discounted licenses for seniors
  • Only 2 states (Wyoming and Minnesota) have no publicly available seniors exemption or discount scheme

Check the map below to see which states offer exemptions and discounts to seniors and the table below that to get further info.

We’ve included in the table the age at which the exemption or discount kicks in. Most often this is 65, but be aware there are variations and it is as young as 62 in some states and not applicable until 70 in others.

The scale of the discount varies between states too, but it is usually in the vicinity of 50 to 75% cheaper than a regular license.

Please note we have strived to ensure the accuracy of the information here. Please advise us if you discover any errors or updates required.

Is there a senior discount for california fishing license
StateStatus
Alabama Exempt (65 and over)
Alaska Exempt (60 and over)
Arizona Exempt (70 and over)
Arkansas Discounted (65 and over)
California Discounted (65 and over)
Colorado Discounted (65 and
Connecticut Exempt (65 and over)
Delaware Exempt (65 and over)
Florida Exempt (65 and over)
Georgia Discounted (65 and over)
Hawaii Exempt
Idaho Discounted (65 and over)
Illinois Discounted (65 and over)
Indiana Discounted (64 and over)
Iowa Discounted (65 and over)
Kansas Discounted (65 and over)
Kentucky Discounted (65 and over)
Louisiana Discounted (60 and over)
Maine Discounted (65 and over)
Maryland Discounted (65 and over)
Massachusetts Exempt (70 and over)
Michigan Discounted (65 and over)
Minnesota NA
Mississippi Exempt (65 and over)
Missouri Exempt (65 and over)
Montana Discounted (62 and over)
Nebraska Discounted (69 and over)
Nevada Discounted (65 and over)
New Hampshire Discounted (68 and over)
New Jersey Discounted (70 and over)
New Mexico Exempt (70 and over)
New York Exempt (70 and over)
North Carolina Discounted (65 and over)
North Dakota Discounted (65 and over)
Ohio Discounted (66 and over)
Oklahoma Discounted (65 and over)
Oregon Discounted (70 and over)
Pennsylvania Discounted (65 and over)
Rhode Island Exempt (65 and over)
South Carolina Discounted (64 and over)
South Dakota Discounted (65 and over)
Tennessee Discounted (65 and over)
Texas Discounted (65 and over)
Utah Discounted (65 and over)
Vermont Discounted (66 and over)
Virginia Discounted (65 and over)
Washington Discounted (70 and over)
West Virginia Discounted (65 and over)
Wisconsin Discounted (65 and over)
Wyoming NA

Is there a senior discount for california fishing license

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.

How much is a fishing license in California for a senior citizen?

Low Income Seniors: Low income seniors receive California fishing license discounts at the rate of $8.24 per year. To qualify, you must be 65 years of age or older, and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or support from the Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind, and Disabled Legal Immigrants (CAPI).

At what age do you no longer need a fishing license in California?

Anglers under 16 don't need a license, but they do need a report card for some species (see below).

How much is a California fishing license for 2022?

Starting Saturday all fishermen in California are required to have a 2022 fishing license. The basic license will cost $54 in 2022 and that doesn't include $17.02 for a second-rod stamp.

How do I get a free fishing license in California?

Free sport fishing licenses in California are available to: Low Income Native Americans. Mobility Impaired, Blind or Developmentally Disabled Individuals..
Disabled Veterans..
Recovering Service Members..
Low Income Seniors..