General Information
Licensing Information
Everyone 16 and older must have a valid fishing license in their possession while
fishing.
Exceptions can be found in the DEC Guide that you receive when you
purchase a license or at the
DEC website.
Purchasing a Fishing License
There are three ways to purchase sporting licenses in NY:
- at license issuing outlets (most
municipal clerks' offices and many sporting goods stores or sections
of department stores),
- by phone* at 1-86-NY-DECALS
(1-866-933-2257) or
- by mail to: WorldCom, P.O. Box 36985,
Phoenix AZ 85067-6985. A
mail order application form (50 kb pdf) is available.
* In order to apply by phone you need to have proof of hunting
qualification in the computerized system (currently includes NY
Lifetime License holders, 2002-03 hunting license holders and
graduates of hunter education courses in New York since 1980.)
Where to Purchase Licenses Locally:
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Most Town Clerks
Pharsalia Town Clerk
Susie Granger
1050 County Route 8
E. Pharsalia, NY
(607) 647-5604 |
Wal-Mart
Sporting Goods Department
State Route 12, South
Norwich, NY
(607) 334-5553 |
County Clerk
5 Court Street
Norwich, NY 13815
(607) 337-1450 |
Mayhood's Sporting Goods
State Highway 12, South
Norwich, NY 13815
(607) 334-2001 |
When you buy your license you will need:
- For hunting and trapping licenses,
proof of a prior license or appropriate sportsman education
certification
- NYS residents must provide one of the
following proofs of residency.
- Your driver's license or a NYS
non-driver's identification issued by the Department of Motor vehicles
- an IT-201 or W-2 income tax form for
the previous year
- a current voter registration card
- a current NYS vehicle registration
- a current lease
- military LES (Leave and Earnings
Statement) or military orders
- a current student ID card
- a current pay stub or letter from a
current employer on letterhead containing your legal address
Free
Fishing Days
Each year, the last full weekend in June is designated as Free Fishing
Days in New York State. During those two days, anyone can fish New York
State waters, and no fishing license is required. This event started in
1991 to allow all people the opportunity to sample the incredible
fishing New York State has to offer. Since no license is required, it is
the perfect time to take a friend or relative fishing. In 2004, New York
State's Free Fishing Days are Saturday and Sunday, June 26 & 27.
In addition to the June Free Fishing Days weekend, there are a number of
"Free Fishing Events" held in various locations across the state. Free
Fishing Events are DEC sponsored events (such as family fishing clinics)
where participants can learn about fish identification, fishing
equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics and
aquatic ecology. Each of DEC's nine regions can sponsor up to four free
fishing events per year. Most free fishing events occur during the
period from April through October. For a listing of currently posted
events, please view the table , but be sure to check back periodically
to see if additional events have been added.
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