Can You Buy A Fishing License At Walmart? A Comprehensive Guide!

Owning a rod, line, hook, and a boat is not enough to fish. You must first purchase a fishing license before attempting your first cast. You won’t be allowed to fish otherwise. And even if you try to, and get caught, you ought to pay an enormous fine. So, a terrible business all-round. Even more, if you consider that the price for a license is not as high as paying the fine. Plus, it is super easy to purchase one, as they are widely available. 

So, let’s get to the point. Can you purchase a fishing license at Walmart? Of course, you can! And, thanks to the fact that all states have at least one of these stores, purchasing a fishing license is a quick and hassle-free process. You only need a valid ID with a photo and proof of residency. 

Let’s discuss some relevant information before you head out to the nearest Walmart to purchase a brand new fishing license.

How Can I Get a Fishing License at Walmart?

You must follow the same process as if you were purchasing a license from the local wildlife department. That is, taking a valid ID with a photo, filling up some paperwork, and proof of residence provided that the ID doesn’t already show it. 

Why should you bring proof of residence? Well, fishing licenses for non-resident anglers are a little more expensive than those for residents. Thus, to enjoy the resident discount, you must first prove that you live in the state. 

Now, to speed up the process, you should have the following information at hand:

• Where will you be fishing? The type of license is different depending on where you will be fishing. For example, if you have a freshwater fishing license, you can only fish on lakes, rivers, and ponds. The same principle applies to saltwater fishing licenses. 

In some states, you can purchase an all-water license. It is slightly more expensive than a license by itself. But it is significantly cheaper than buying each one separately. Therefore, if you live in a coastal state with both types of water, we encourage you to get the all-water license. This way, if you ever feel the urge to try saltwater angling, you won’t need to pay extra cash to purchase a temporary license. 

Fortunately, Walmart does have all the different types of fishing licenses. And you can acquire any of them after paying a small sum. 

• License’s time spawn: You can purchase a 24 hours, 5-day, or even a yearly license at Walmart. Some states even issue licenses that last for 5 to 6 years. Naturally, the more days it lasts, the more expensive it gets. But, as you might expect, you save a significant amount in the long run if you decide to purchase an annual permit. 

With all this information, it is time to go to the nearest Walmart to get your new fishing license. Just head to the sports and outdoors section and ask any of the employees there. They will assist you throughout the entire process and answer any questions you might have. 

Can I Purchase a Walmart Fishing License Online?

Sadly no. All Walmart stores sell their license in their brick-and-mortar stores. Thus, you must look elsewhere if you want to purchase one online. 

Still, we do recommend checking whether or not the wildlife department authorizes the online store to distribute fishing licenses. It is the only way to avoid getting a fake permit, which will incur a bigger fine if you get caught fishing with it. 

All Walmart Stores Sell Fishing Licenses?

Not necessarily. Thus, we recommend browsing the web of the local wildlife department. There should be a section where you can find all the authorized retailers. Inside it, you can check all the authorized Walmarts in your area. Alternatively, you can call the nearest Walmart and ask them directly.

A quick recommendation, even though some Walmarts are open 24/7, you might not be able to purchase a fishing license at midnight. Thus, we recommend going to the store during the usual working hours.  

Do I Need to Pass a Test Before Getting My License?

No, you don’t need to approve any test to purchase a fishing license. However, we do recommend reading and understanding all the regulations surrounding the fishing activity, especially if you are not familiar with them.  

Walmart representatives are extremely well versed in everything related to fishing regulations. Thus, if you want to know something regarding this matter, you can ask them.

Additionally, when you purchase a license for the first time, it usually comes with a handy brochure. Inside it, you can find all the information you need regarding size limits, season fishing, daily bags, and any other regulations.

Who Needs a Fishing License?

Certain groups don’t need a fishing license to be able to fish in the local waters. For example, neither people below 17 years old (16 in some states) nor people over 65 years need a fishing license to fish in any body of water in some states. In others, youngsters over 12 years old must have a valid license. But it is not as expensive as adult fishing permits. As you can see, laws change from state to state. Therefore, we suggest checking them beforehand. 

Additionally, people with disabilities, veterans, and people who own lands with lakes or rivers don’t require to buy a license to fish. However, all of them must obey the regulations regarding daily bag limits and fish sizes. Therefore, the only benefit is that they don’t have to pay to be allowed to fish. 

You must purchase a fishing license if you don’t belong to any of the aforementioned groups. Plus, anyone who will take part in the fishing activity must purchase one as well. Even if they merely baited the hook and nothing more. Many people often overlook this, and the authorities usually don’t make exceptions with these unaware people.  

Some states offer a black Friday-like day for fishing. During this time, you can fish anything without a license. Again, you still have to stick to the regulations about sizes and daily bag limits. You can check such dates on the parks and wildlife department webpage. 

How Much Does a Fishing License Cost at Walmart?

It depends on the type of license you wish to purchase. Normally, most fishing licenses retail for as little as 10 bucks, to as high as 80 dollars. A huge gap, right? This happens because non-resident licenses are significantly more expensive.

Many people wonder whether or not there is an extra charge for buying a fishing license at Walmart. Usually, it is a small fee to cover processing expenses. Walmart normally doesn’t get any revenue for selling them. They act as an extension of the local wildlife department. 

So, you might ask why Walmart sells fishing licenses if they don’t get any revenue? It is a plus with which they can attract more clients. You have everything you possibly need for your next fishing trip in one place. Thus, there is no need to go to another store. 

Why Do I Need a Fishing License? 

The short answer is that the law compels you to have one. But there are other reasons.

The first is to create awareness about sustainable fishing. This way, many generations to come can enjoy the delightful experience that fishing is. 

Furthermore, the wildlife department can raise money to pay for the protection and maintenance of national parks, lakes, and rivers. Thus, the payment is much more like a contribution than a fee. 

Can I Renew My Fishing License at Walmart?

Yes, whenever your license expires, you can head back to the store and ask for a renewal. You should bring your expired permit and your ID so the staff can process your request. 

How Much Time Does It Take to Issue a Walmart Fishing License?

There is no way of telling how much time it will take to process your request. It all depends on the type of license, the store, and the staff. Thus, if you are on the clock, you might want to try getting the fishing license elsewhere. But then again, if you are planning to go fishing, you should wait until the last minute to purchase a license.

Why Should I Purchase a Fishing License at Walmart?

In our opinion, it is the easiest way to purchase one. Why? First, almost all states have a handful of Walmarts. Thus, more places to get your license, which means fewer people going into the same store, asking for the same thing. As a result, you can start, and finish, the process faster.

Plus, as we said before, Walmart has everything you need for your next fishing trip. So, you can browse the shelves to gather everything you need while the staff fills the necessary paperwork. 

Get Your Next Fishing License at Walmart

Most people need to purchase a fishing license before being allowed to fish in state waters. Therefore, before casting your rod, you must make sure that you have a valid fishing permit. If you don’t have one, you must purchase one.

There are a handful of options where you can purchase a license. But the easiest and more convenient option is, by far, Walmart. You merely need to walk to the sports and outdoor section with a valid ID and proof of residency, when applicable, and ask any employee there to help you.

At Walmart, you can get the same licenses that the park and wildlife department issues. However, keep in mind that the price between each type of license is different and it depends on several factors, such as time, age, where you will fish, and whether or not you live in the state. 

Some people don’t require carrying a license to fish in some states. For example, anglers under 17 years old don’t need a permit to fish in Texas. But this changes from state to state. 

Still, all anglers must stick to the state fishing regulations regardless if they need a license or not.