2011 License Information

Please purchase your license (specifically the Lake Erie Charter License) in advance of your charter. View instructions below. Do not fill in the date or sign until we are sure we are going fishing, that will allow your license to work for a later date during the same season!

Good news, the Lake Erie Charter 1-Day Fishing License is now available! This is a new license that will allow customers to purchase the license in advance of an anglers scheduled trip, but wait to validate the license until they are at the dock and know for sure that they are going out that day. To validate the license, anglers sign it and fill in the date once at the dock or on the boat. If however, the trip gets cancelled, anglers keep the un-validated license until they are able to re-schedule and actually make it out fishing. This license will be available at licenses agent sales locations and on-line at wildohio.com. Cost is $11.00

Also, 1-day and 3-day fishing licenses (via phone) will also be available. If you wish to purchase a 1- or 3-day fishing license, you may now do so by telephone with the following two options:

Dial 1-866-703-1928 to talk to a live operator who will walk you through the transaction. An additional $5.50 convenience fee will apply.
Dial 1-855-764-3474 to use an interactive voice response (IVR) system to complete the transaction. A $3.25 convenience fee will apply. To use this option, you must have and provide your customer ID number.

In both cases, you will be issued a license number and must carry it along with picture ID as proof that you are properly licensed. No printed license is provided.

All other fishing licenses are available at license sales agent locations and on-line at wildohio.com. See chart below.

Fishing / Licenses

LICENSES ARE VALID FROM
MARCH 1, 2012 TO FEBRUARY 28, 2013

Resident Fishing License
$19.00

For persons age 16 through 65 who have resided in Ohio for the past 6 months.

Resident Senior Fishing License
$10.00

For persons age 66 and older born on or after January 1, 1938 who have resided in Ohio for the past 6 months.

One-Day Fishing License
$11.00

For residents and nonresidents, one (1) One-Day Fishing License may be exchanged for credit towards the purchase of an annual fishing license (minus writing fee).

Lake Erie Charter 1-Day Fishing License
$11.00

For residents and nonresidents – can be purchased in advance of scheduled charter trip. To validate the license, anglers must sign it and fill in the date at the beginning of the trip. If the trip is cancelled, anglers keep the un-validated license until they are able to re-schedule the trip.

Annual Nonresident License
$40.00

3-Day Nonresident Tourist's License
$19.00

Duplicate license
$4.00

A fishing license that has been lost, stolen, or destroyed can be reissued from any license vendor or via the internet.

All above costs include a $1.00 writing fee.

Internet License Sales

Fishing licenses are available for purchase over the Internet.

Fishing Licenses

What fishing license buyers should know

1 day, 3 day and annual licenses
MARCH 24, 2011

A new Ohio fishing license sales system was put in place in 2011. There are a few changes to take note of.

Specific information, including Social Security Number, will be required of all anglers before an Ohio fishing license can be issued. See the “New System Requirements” section below for more details.
1-day, 3-day, and annual fishing licenses can be bought at a license sales agent location or on the Internet at wildohio.com. These licenses are printed with a predetermined expiration date, chosen in advance by the angler.
Anglers will also have the option of buying a “Lake Erie Charter 1-Day Fishing License” that will allow them to purchase the license in advance of their scheduled trip, but wait to validate the license until they are at the dock and know for sure that they are going out that day. To validate the license, anglers sign it and fill in the date once at the dock or on the boat. If however, the trip gets cancelled, anglers keep the un-validated license until they are able to re-schedule and actually make it out fishing.
1-day and 3-day fishing licenses will also be available by phone with an additional convenience fee of $5.50. A confirmation number will be provided allowing anglers to fish without a printed license. A toll-free number 1-866-703-1928 can be used to purchase 1-day and 3-day fishing licenses available from 5:00am – midnight daily. This license will be available mid-April.
Previous license buyers that have obtained a Customer Identification Number through the new system will be able to expedite the license purchasing process.

More information is available at wildohio.com.

New System Requirements effective 4/2011

The following information that all license buyers, whether buying a 1 day, 3 day, or annual fishing license, need to know:

1) Buy licenses and permits early to avoid lines. If you choose to visit an outlet rather than buying online, plan ahead. The updated license sales system requires specific information from you depending on what you want to purchase. This process will take longer for each customer at a license agent location. Visit the license agent’s location when you have a few more minutes to spare. You can also obtain a customer identification (ID) number prior to going to the sales agent’s location; see points 2 and 3 for details.

2) A customer identification number will be assigned to everyone using the system. This number will be issued to you after you provide the required information for a customer account. Your unique customer ID number will remain the same year after year, anytime you do business with the Ohio Division of Wildlife. A customer card that includes your name and customer ID number can be printed and then laminated for future use. Visit wildohio.com and choose the “Manage Your Customer Account” link to print your card.

3) Manage your customer account or create one. Every person who is issued a license, permit, stamp, magazine membership, or applies for a controlled hunt/fishing lottery will have a customer account. Your customer account will contain the required information to issue your requested product or service. Many sportsmen and women already may have a customer account with a customer ID number if they have used their driver’s license to purchase licenses and permits in the past. Visit wildohio.com and choose the “Manage Your Customer Account” link.

4) Social Security Numbers (SSN) will be required of all individuals, youth and adult, who plan to buy licenses and permits. Since you are buying a recreational license, the federal government requires the Division of Wildlife to collect your SSN. Federal Statute 42 requires the SSN of any individual to whom the state issues a recreational hunting or fishing license. When you buy your license you must, by law, also give your full name, date of birth, gender, declaration of residency, mailing address, height, weight, hair color, and eye color.

5) Know before you go. Don’t assume the place where you bought your license last year is still selling them. Call ahead or check out the list of license agents at wildohio.com. Buying online is always an option at wildohio.com