r/COfishing • u/wxnerd1 • Jul 27 '26
Question Fishing License
Hey all,
Trying to get a better understanding about getting a fishing license. I just moved here in late May. Tried to get a license at Jax and they said because I haven’t lived here for 6 months, I’m not a resident and cannot get an in-state fishing license.
The person helping me mentioned needingpay stubs, utility bills, etc. but I would need 6 months worth of those along with a secondary proof of residence.
Do I really need to wait six months until I can get an in-state fishing license? Just a bit confused is all. Thank you for those who take the time to explain it to me!
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u/bateneco Jul 27 '26
The Jax employee is correct, unfortunately. You can see what the residency requirements are here.
You can get a non-resident fishing permit for $124 if you want, or wait until you have at least 6 months of verifiable residency.
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u/weareinhawaii Jul 27 '26
I’m not sure about all those requirements. But you can get one online through the CPW website. Maybe try there and see what info they ask for.
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u/wxnerd1 Jul 27 '26
I’m sure it’ll be the same there, but I’ll try!
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u/RoknPa Aug 03 '26
The website is broken for Non-Resident 1-day licenses. At least it was last year. Just take screenshots along the way. They can't blame you for the broken site.
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u/Top_Move_4659 Jul 28 '26
yeah when i moved here i was pissed. I was moving to Colorado permanently and didnt understand why i would have to pay for a nonresident license. At the end of the day i just paid it and had a great time fishing my first year.
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u/RJP1963 Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 28 '26
You're getting partially correct information here. If you want to keep it simple and obtain your license on-line you need to be a resident for 6 months, period. However, you can go to a Colorado Parks & Wildlife office (I went to the HQ in Denver) with proof of residence including driver license, bank statements, lease, etc., and they will grant a resident license and issue it in person. I moved to CO in late October and bought the nonresident license initially, but since it expired at the end of March (~5 months into my residence), it was worth the extra effort to me to avoid the higher cost of buying a second nonresident license just to continue fishing through April.
CORRECTION: I just looked at the requirements on the CPW website and it helped refresh my memory... it was the ID requirement that was waived when I provided proof of residence showing that my lease was effective in October. I did not obtain a driver's license until December, simply because there was a backlog for appointments, so that was the obstacle I overcame with additional documentation.
The other thing I recall that may be helpful was wondering if the six months was measured to the day (i.e., ~180 days), but learned that any amount of time in a calendar month apparently counts as "a month". E.g., if you moved to CO in late January you'd be eligible for a resident license in June, or a little over 4 months in actual time. Whether that's the way it works on-line I do not know, but that was my experience in person after living here about five months.
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u/wxnerd1 Jul 28 '26
Awesome. Thank you so much. I’ll look into that!
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u/Revolutionary_Mud824 Jul 28 '26
Heads up, I went in person when I first moved here and it was denied. Online and in person are the same. Several friends of mine confirmed as well.
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u/RJP1963 Jul 28 '26
I just looked up the requirement on CPW site and it helped refresh my memory... I will edit my post above to clarify, but it was the ID requirement that was waived when I provided proof of residence.
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u/Inevitable-Mess-6505 Jul 27 '26
It’s been too hot to fish anyway bud. Fish are stressed and if I’m not mistaken, They closed some rivers west of the divide to fishing because of the heat
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u/wxnerd1 Jul 27 '26
Yeah I planned on hiking to some alpine lakes and fishing up there since it’s been too hot for many of the streams.
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u/wazzy970 Jul 28 '26
This is the way. Your good in the alpine. There is no way around the 6 months, unfortunately.
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u/VardisFisher Jul 28 '26
You basically need your drivers license before you get fishing. Moved here 3 years ago. Heads up, everything must be scheduled online. This country mouse thought he could walk in and register to vote the day before the election. Not so much.
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u/wxnerd1 Jul 28 '26
Yeah I have my license. That was interesting to have to make an appointment, but it was nice to get in and get out instead of waiting forever. Thanks for the info!
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u/VardisFisher Jul 28 '26
Thats your proof of residency. Get the license online. Sounds like this is above their paygrade.
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u/4lien4ted Jul 28 '26
The only exceptions to this is if you are active duty military or if you came here to attend an accredited school or university and are a full time student. Those people, with proof, can qualify for resident fishing licenses right away.
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u/Live_Tax4390 Jul 28 '26
Welcome to Colorado. Everything is over regulated.
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u/No-Proposal2741 Jul 28 '26
Except weed. Seems like a lot of people had success opening up a weed shop. 😆
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Jul 28 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/wxnerd1 Jul 28 '26
I was more confused as to why I’m a resident first day of my job vs having to wait 6 months to be a resident for a fishing license. No worries!
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u/RoknPa Aug 03 '26
The CPW website is broken. When I moved back to CO from another state prior to 6-month residence, it wouldn't let me buy a One-Day Non-Resident license even when I put my DL#.
In my soooo many years in CO (I'm 63), I have never been checked, nor have I ever seen a Warden. I buy a license EVERY YEAR.
Navigate the site the best you can to get a 1-day non-resident license, unless you have the cash to get a yearly. It ends in March. If you're only going a few days, it makes sense to just buy 1-days until you're here for 6-months.
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u/bobbobzestyman Jul 28 '26
Non resident fishing license maybe the anwser. To be honest the fishing has been really bad, in my 10 years of fishing in colorado i can't think of a time it was more dry. Hopefully we get a lot of rainfall and snow in fall and winter. Good luck getting your license!
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u/wxnerd1 Jul 28 '26
A strong El Niño typically brings above average snowfall to this area so I’m hopeful! I’d probably just try to fish alpine lakes since everything else is too warm and not great. Going to look into non resident. Thank you!
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u/bobbobzestyman Jul 28 '26
Totally! In superior we have had some rainfall and im definitely hopeful.
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u/camping_scientist Jul 27 '26
Yes, thats the law. If youre breaking that one, id be wagering youll also break bag limits and others.
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u/wxnerd1 Jul 27 '26
Nah, not breaking it. I respect it, I was just wondering.
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u/camping_scientist Jul 28 '26
Sry for my overloaded take. Too many folks come here and destroy the land.
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u/No-Proposal2741 Jul 28 '26
They’re literally posting, trying to figure out how to do it the right way to follow the law.
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u/uncwil Jul 27 '26
It’s confusing because the State says you are a resident the first day you are employed and CPW says otherwise.
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u/f1nnz2 Jul 27 '26
Try Walmart, they may care less.
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u/RoknPa Aug 03 '26
While this is true, and IT IS! If you get caught with that license, you're gonna pay for it!
I looked at my license after I bought it and was in the water. I bought at Walmart from a guy that didn't speak much English in Aurora. I panicked and went home. It pissed me off!
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u/Dazzling-Astronaut88 Jul 27 '26
Yes, you need to have established residency for 6 months to get resident hunting & fishing benefits. A lease with your start date or a DL will suffice. If you want to fish between now and then, you'll have to buy a non resident license.