Who Qualifies for a Free Arkansas Fishing License?

A free Arkansas fishing license, in the strict sense, only exists for a few situations: anyone under 16 can fish without a license at all, no one needs a license on licensed private pay lakes or fully enclosed private waters, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) waives the license requirement statewide during its annual Free Fishing Weekend. Beyond those, several groups qualify for near-free licenses priced between $1.50 and $10.50, which is as close to free as the state gets.

Who Can Fish Without Any License

Anyone Under 16

Children under 16 can fish anywhere in Arkansas without a license, whether they live in the state or not. The licensing rule only applies to anglers “16 years of age and older.”¹ Creel limits, size restrictions, and all other fishing regulations still apply, so an adult along for the trip should know the rules for the water being fished.

Private Ponds and Pay Lakes

No license is required on waters entirely enclosed by private land with no connection to any public stream, river, or lake. The exemption covers the landowner, tenants, and immediate family of the owner. It also covers anyone fishing a licensed “put-and-take” pay lake, which is a commercial fishing operation licensed by the AGFC.² The deciding factor is isolation from public water. A pond that drains into a creek or backs up from a river during high water may not qualify.

Free Fishing Weekend

Once a year the AGFC holds a Free Fishing Weekend when anyone can fish Arkansas waters without a license or trout permit. It typically runs the first weekend of June, from noon Friday through midnight Sunday. In 2025 the dates were June 6 through June 8.³ The dates are set each year by a governor’s proclamation. Normal creel limits, size rules, and gear restrictions still apply.

Near-Free Licenses for Qualifying Groups

100% Disabled Military Veterans — $1.50

The least expensive license Arkansas offers is the Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Fishing License at $1.50.⁴ You must have a 100% total and permanent service-connected disability rating certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, plus proof of at least one year of Arkansas residency (longer than the standard 60 days required for other residents).⁵ A combination lifetime license bundling hunting, fishing, trout, and waterfowl is also available for $52.50.

Residents 65 and Older — $3.50 or $10.50

Arkansas residents who turn 65 have two options. The Resident 65 Plus Annual Fishing License runs $3.50 a year. The Resident 65 Plus Lifetime Fishing License is a one-time $10.50 payment that covers fishing for the rest of your life.⁴ You can buy either anytime during the calendar year you turn 65. A combination lifetime hunting-and-fishing version costs $35.50.

Residents with 100% Disability — $10.50 for Three Years

Residents with a 100% total and permanent disability can purchase the Resident Disabled Fishing 3-Year License for $10.50.⁴ You’ll need disability certification dated within the last three years from the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, plus proof of at least 60 days of Arkansas residency. Recertification is required to renew after the three-year term.⁵

Military Retirees — $10.50 Lifetime

Military retirees who are at least 60 years old qualify for the Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Fishing License at $10.50. Bring a military ID showing retired status and proof of one year of Arkansas residency. This license is only sold through AGFC regional offices or by mail, not online.⁵

Active-Duty Military — Resident Rates Without 60-Day Residency

Active-duty service members can buy resident-priced licenses without meeting the standard 60-day residency rule if they fall into one of three categories: personnel stationed at a duty station in Arkansas, service members who were Arkansas residents when they entered the military regardless of current station, and non-resident Guardsmen assigned to an Arkansas National Guard unit. The practical effect is paying $10.50 for the standard Resident Fisheries Conservation License instead of the $60 non-resident annual fee.²

Trout Permits Are Separate

None of the discounted or lifetime licenses above include trout privileges. Fishing designated trout waters requires a separate permit on top of your license. The standard Arkansas Trout Permit costs $10 per year for residents, and there’s a Resident 65 Plus Lifetime Trout Permit for $10.⁶ The one exception is the disabled veterans’ $52.50 combination license, which rolls the trout permit in. During Free Fishing Weekend the trout permit requirement is also waived.

What Happens if You Fish Without a Required License

If you don’t qualify for an exemption and get caught fishing without a license, it’s a Class 1 offense carrying a fine of $100 to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail.⁷ A conviction also adds 6 violation points to your record. Accumulate 18 or more points within any five-year period and the AGFC can administratively suspend your hunting and fishing privileges for one to seven years. Because Arkansas belongs to the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, a suspension here can trigger suspensions in other member states.⁸

1
Legal Information Institute. Arkansas Code R. 003 – 03.02 Fishing License Requirements
2
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Licensing Frequently Asked Questions
3
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Free Fishing Weekend
4
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. D1.01 – Licenses, Permits, Stamps, Tags, Costs, and Expiration Dates
5
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Disability, Mobility-Impaired, 65-Plus, Military Retiree, Lifetime Licenses
6
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Resident 65 Plus Lifetime Combination License
7
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. 01.00-I – Penalties Upon Conviction
8
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Violation Points