Kansas Fishing License 2026: Fees, Age Exemptions, Trout Permit Rules
Kansas 2026 fishing license fees, age 65-74 and 75+ exemptions, trout permit rules by water type, and official KDWP purchase links in one scan.
Kansas residents ages 16 through 74 must carry a resident fishing license. Residents 65-74 buy at the senior rate; residents 75 and older are fully exempt from the base license, and residents 15 and younger never needed one. None of these age breaks remove trout permit or other special-permit duties — check those separately below.
Trout rules depend on water type during the Dec. 1 – March 31 trout season. On Type 1 trout waters, every angler present needs a trout permit regardless of target species. On Type 2 trout waters, the permit is only required for anglers actually fishing for or possessing trout.
2026 update: Senate Bill 364 restores KDWP’s authority to sell a discounted 10-year senior license and expands the children’s lifetime license to cover kids through age 15. The 10-year senior license still has to clear standard rulemaking, so it will not be on sale before November 2026 at the earliest. If you’re 65-74 and want to lock in a multi-year rate now, the 5-year senior license ($50) remains the longest option until then.
Kansas Age Rules and Trout Water Types
| Topic | What to check |
|---|---|
| Age 16-74 base license | Required for all residents 16-74 unless a specific exemption applies. |
| Age 15 and younger | No base fishing license needed at any point — but trout, three-pole, and other special permits still apply if used. |
| Age 65-74 (senior) | Senior-rate licenses apply; base license still required. |
| Age 75+ | Base fishing license not required. All other permits, tags, and stamps still apply. |
| Type 1 trout waters | Dec. 1 – March 31: every angler present needs a trout permit, including youth. |
| Type 2 trout waters | Permit required only for anglers fishing for or possessing trout. |
| Trout fee split | Fee schedule lists a $17.50 adult / $4.50 youth base price; the printed regulations summary shows $20 / $7, reflecting agent and transaction charges added at purchase. |
| 2026 rule change | SB 364 restores a future 10-year senior license (expected Nov. 2026) and raises the children’s lifetime license age ceiling to 15. |
2026 Kansas License and Permit Fees
Base prices below come directly from the KDWP fee schedule; the live checkout on Go Outdoors Kansas adds agent and transaction fees on top.
Use the KDWP fishing licenses and permit fees page and Go Outdoors Kansas to complete a purchase and see the final checkout total.
| Product | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Fishing License | $3.50 | $10.00 | Expires same day purchased. |
| 5-Day Fishing License | $25.00 | Nonresident only; no resident equivalent. | |
| 1-Year Fishing License | $25.00 | $75.00 | 365-day license, eligible for auto-renew. |
| 5-Year Fishing License | $100.00 | Expires 1,825 days from purchase; no nonresident 5-year option. | |
| 1-Year Combo (Hunting & Fishing) | $45.00 | $190.00 | 365-day license, eligible for auto-renew. |
| 5-Year Combo (Hunting & Fishing) | $180.00 | Expires 1,825 days from purchase. | |
| Youth Multi-Year Fishing (ages 16-20) | $40.00 | Expires Dec. 31 of the year the holder turns 21. | |
| Youth Multi-Year Combo (ages 16-20) | $70.00 | Same expiration rule as above. | |
| Senior 1-Year Fishing (ages 65-74) | $12.50 | 365-day license, eligible for auto-renew. | |
| Senior 1-Year Combo (ages 65-74) | $22.50 | 365-day license, eligible for auto-renew. | |
| Senior 5-Year Fishing (ages 65-74) | $50.00 | Expires 1,825 days from purchase. | |
| Senior 5-Year Combo (ages 65-74) | $90.00 | Expires 1,825 days from purchase. | |
| Resident age 75+ base license | $0 | Not required; other permits still apply. | |
| Lifetime Fishing License | $500.00 (or 8 quarterly payments of $69.00) | Mail application only; notarized signature required. | |
| Lifetime Combo (Hunting & Fishing) | $960.00 (or 8 quarterly payments of $131.50) | Mail application only; notarized signature required. | |
| Trout Permit, age 16+ | $17.50 base | $17.50 base | Checkout totals commonly show $20 after fees. |
| Youth Trout Permit, age 15 and younger | $4.50 base | $4.50 base | Checkout totals commonly show $7 after fees. |
| Three-Pole Permit | $6.00 | $6.00 | Separate from base license and trout permit. |
| Black Bass Tournament Pass | $12.00 | $12.00 | 365-day pass, eligible for auto-renew. |
Free licenses are available by mail application for active Kansas National Guard members, Kansas resident disabled veterans (30%+ service-connected disability), and enrolled members of federally recognized tribes.
FAQs
Do Kansas residents age 75 and older need a fishing license?
No. Residents 75 and older are exempt from the base fishing license, but trout permits and other special permits (three-pole, handfishing, tournament passes) still apply if those activities are used.
Do kids need a Kansas fishing license?
No. Residents 15 and younger have never needed a base fishing license. They still need the Youth Trout Permit ($4.50 base) to fish Type 1 or Type 2 trout waters during the Dec. 1 – March 31 season.
What’s the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 trout waters?
From Dec. 1 through March 31, Type 1 trout waters require a trout permit for every angler present, whether they’re targeting trout or not. Type 2 trout waters only require the permit for anglers fishing for or possessing trout.
Why does the Kansas trout permit show both $17.50 and $20?
$17.50 is the adult trout permit’s base fee on the KDWP fee schedule. The printed 2026 regulations summary and live purchase flow show $20 because agent and transaction fees are added at checkout — both numbers are correct, just from different stages of the purchase.
Is a 10-year senior license available in 2026?
Not yet. SB 364 restored KDWP’s authority to offer one, but it must clear standard rulemaking first. KDWP expects it no earlier than November 2026. Until then, the longest senior option is the 5-year senior license at $50.
Guides
Kansas Nonresident 5-Day Fishing License 2026: Fees & Trout
Kansas nonresident 5-day fishing license 2026: $25 base fee, trout permit, three-pole permit, youth and age 75 rules, and checkout fees.
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Kansas Fishing License 2026: Trout Permit, Fees & Age 75
Kansas residents 75+ do not need a base fishing license, but trout and other permits may still apply. See 2026 KDWP fees and short-term…
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