Kansas has an unusual offer for young adults: a one-time forty-two fifty purchase covers a resident from sixteen to twenty-one, which works out at under nine dollars a year. The state also charges separately for anything beyond two rods, so the Three Pole Permit at eight fifty is the purchase most Kansas anglers forget until a warden asks.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every Kansas fishing fee
Annual licences run by calendar year.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident one-day fishing | Resident | 1 day | $6.00 |
| Non-resident one-day fishing | Visitor | 1 day | $12.50 |
| Non-resident five-day fishing | Visitor | 5 days | $27.50 |
| Senior resident fishing | Resident | Annual | $15.00 |
| Senior resident combination hunt and fish | Resident | Annual | $25.00 |
| Resident fishing | Resident | Annual | $27.50 |
| Resident combination fish and hunt | Resident | Annual | $47.50 |
| Non-resident fishing | Visitor | Annual | $77.50 |
| Non-resident combination fish and hunt | Visitor | Annual | $192.50 |
| Five-year resident fishing | Resident | 5 years | $102.50 |
| Youth resident, ages 16-20 A one-time purchase that covers the holder until 21. | Resident | Lifetime | $42.50 |
Stamps and add-ons
The base licence is often not the whole ticket. These are the Kansas extras, and missing one is the commonest way to get written up with a valid licence in your pocket.
| Add-on | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Three-pole permit | Required to fish more than two rods. | $8.50 |
| Paddlefish permit | $7.50 for anglers 15 and under. | $12.50 |
| Hand fishing permit | — | $27.50 |
| Bass Pass | — | $14.50 |
Who fishes free in Kansas
- Anglers under 16.
- Everyone on the state free fishing days.
Exemptions are narrower than they sound and the burden of proof is on you. Carry whatever document the exemption rests on.
How to buy it
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices. Buying online takes about ten minutes and you can print or screenshot the confirmation immediately.
Official KDWP licensing page →
We link the agency and never resell licences. If a site charges you a "processing fee" on top of the state fee, you are not on the state's own system.
Where to use it
We track 15 Kansas waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Milford Lake — Clay County
- Clinton Lake — Douglas County
- Hillsdale Lake — Miami County
- Melvern Lake — Osage County
- Perry Lake — Jefferson County
- Marion Reservoir — Marion County
- Pomona Lake — Osage County
- El Dorado Lake — Butler County
- Kanopolis Lake — Ellsworth County
- Wilson Lake — Russell County
- Cedar Bluff Reservoir — Trego County
- Glen Elder Reservoir — Mitchell County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in Kansas?
$27.50 for a resident annual all waters licence and $77.50 for a non-resident. Stamps and endorsements cost extra where the species or water calls for one.
What age do you need a fishing licence in Kansas?
From age 16. Anglers under 16 fish without one, though some states still require a catch record card.
Can I buy a Kansas fishing licence online?
Yes. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks sells online and through licence agents. Buy before you rig up and keep the confirmation on your phone: wardens check ramps at dawn.
What is the Kansas youth fishing licence?
A one-time $42.50 purchase for residents aged 16 to 20 that covers them until they turn 21, which beats buying five annuals.
Do I need a permit to fish three rods in Kansas?
Yes. The Three Pole Permit costs $8.50 and is required to fish more than two rods.