Fishing License (Freshwater & Saltwater)
Resident
Each resident of the State of Mississippi ages sixteen (16)
through sixty-four (64), fishing in the fresh or marine waters of
Mississippi, including lakes and reservoirs but NOT to include
privately owned ponds and streams, shall be required to buy a
fishing license. A saltwater license is required south of U. S.
Highway 90 and a freshwater or saltwater license is valid between
I-10 and U. S. Highway 90. Saltwater license is not valid north of
I-10. Any person sixty-five (65) or older, or any person otherwise
exempted from obtaining a freshwater fishing license, must have
documentation with him/her at all times while fishing as described
in Exemptions. [MS. Code 49-7-9] Effective July 1, 2010, residents
65 years of age or older are required to purchase a lifetime
recreational saltwater fishing license ($7.29, includes all
fees).
Non-Resident
All non-resident anglers, except minors under the age of sixteen
(16), are required to obtain a fishing license while fishing in the
fresh or marine waters of the State of Mississippi.
Exemptions
Residents who are blind, paraplegic, a multiple-amputee, adjudged
totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or totally
service connected disabled by the Veterans Administration are not
required to purchase a HUNTING OR FISHING LICENSE. [MS. Code 49-7-5
and 49-7-9]. Residents exempt based on this criteria are required
to have proof of their age, residency, disability status or other
physical impairment in their possession while engaged in hunting
and fishing activities. All exempt licenses previously issued for
DISABILITIES are null and void.
Proof of Residency
Only Persons Domiciled Within The State of Mississippi as
Defined in Section 49-7-3 of the Mississippi Code, as Amended, are
Entitled to Obtain A Resident Hunting/ Fishing License. Under this
section, a person's domicile is that person's principal or primary
home or place of abode. Provided, however, a person holding a
current driver's license is deemed to be domiciled within the state
that issued the driver's license. Even if a person currently
resides within the State of Mississippi, for purposes of obtaining
a hunting license, he/she is considered to be domiciled in the
state which issued the driver's license.
I. If You Hold A Current Driver's
License:
A. If you hold a current MISSISSIPPI driver's license, you are
entitled to purchase a resident hunting license.
B. If you hold a driver's license from any state other than
Mississippi, you are required to purchase a non-resident hunting
license.
II. If You Do Not Hold A Current Driver's License From
Any State:
You are entitled to purchase a resident hunting license if
Mississippi is your principal or primary home or place of abode. A
current Mississippi resident income tax return or a home stead
exemption receipt may be considered as evidence of domicile, but
these are not necessarily determinative. You may be denied a
resident hunting license if you fail to provide adequate proof.
Exceptions
Even if you are domiciled in another state, you may
purchase a resident hunting license if you provide either (1) a
current identification card from a Mississippi college or
university; or (2) a current military ID card showing that you are
an active member of the Armed Forces (excluding Reserves and the
National Guard) and proof that you are stationed on a military base
in Mississippi.
Proof of Age May Be Shown By The
Following:
A. A valid driver's license; or
B. Copy of birth certificate
Mississippi Lifetime License
Resident lifetime license applicants must prove that they have
been domiciled in the State of Mississippi for a minimum of
eighteen (18) months immediately prior to issuance of such
licenses.
