Fishing in Georgia: 3 Things to Know Before Applying for a Freshwater Fishing Permit for Adults

If you plan to go fishing in Georgia on public property, a fishing permit is required for anyone over the age of 16.

There are several fishing license options available, including lifetime, a combination fishing and hunting license, and saltwater versus freshwater fishing. In any case, it's important to check the most up-to-date information from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division before embarking on any fishing adventure.

Here are three things to be aware of about obtaining a license for freshwater fishing in Georgia.

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1. Cost
The cost of freshwater fishing licenses varies greatly for resident versus nonresident licenses in Georgia, with a 1-year license costing $45 for nonresidents and a residential license costing $9, as of late 2015. Residents also have the option to purchase a two-year license for only $16, whereas a nonresident cannot purchase a two-year license.

Georgia also has some specific eligibility rules for lifetime licenses. The only way a nonresident of Georgia can purchase a lifetime fishing license is if they are under 2 years old or they are a nonresident grandchild, in which case they can purchase a lifetime license for $1,000.

Residents have more flexibility, with more favorable pricing set for those age 15 and younger or older than age 60. After age 65, lifetime licenses are free for residents, and the cost for a veteran is $400.

2. Separate trout license
A special trout license is required in Georgia for an additional fee. In part, this is required because "more than 1 million rainbow trout and brown trout are stocked each year from March through mid-September" according to eRegulations. Those anglers going after trout should keep in mind that minimum size limits are often enforced in specified areas, and that trout season lasts from about the end of March until the end of October.

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3. What your purchase supports
Sure, requiring that anglers purchase appropriate licenses helps regulate fishing in the state, but Georgia's Wildlife Resources Division points out several other reasons why a license is more than just a piece of paper (or digital record in many cases). These include aiding in the management of the 500,000-plus acres of water, ability for the state to stock more than 1 million trout in hatcheries, maintaining public fishing areas and boat ramps, providing aquatic education for kids, and publishing helpful resources.

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