License Regulations
Hunting
You must carry your license (and applicable state and federal stamps and HIP number) with you while hunting or fishing and produce them on the request of any conservation officer or other authorized law enforcement officer.
Should you lose your resident license, duplicate licenses can be purchased only through the Customer Service Center. Call (317) 233-4976 for an application.
Licenses issued by the DNR may be revoked at the discretion of a court upon conviction of fish and wildlife law violations, or at the discretion of the department for non-compliance with conditions under which licenses are issued.
Equipment such as guns and vehicles used in violation of fish and wildlife laws may be seized for evidence, and upon conviction, confiscated at the discretion of the court.
Fishing
To fish in public lakes, streams, rivers or tributaries in the state of Indiana or its boundary waters, you must have a valid fishing license. License holders must carry their license while fishing and present it to a conservation officer (or any authorized law enforcement official) upon request. There are fines and penalties for fishing without a license.
You must also have a valid trout and salmon stamp in your possession to legally fish for or take trout and salmon from public waters.
Should you lose your resident license, contact DNR Customer Service at (317) 233-4976.
A fishing license may be revoked if the license holder is convicted of violating fish and game regulations. Any equipment, appliances and apparatus used in the violation of Indiana fish and game laws may be seized for evidence and, upon conviction, confiscated.
These regulations only apply to fish that originate from, or are taken from, the public waters of Indiana. Fish from public waters that migrate into or from private waters are still covered by these regulations. These regulations do not apply to fish in private waters that did not originate from public waters.
License Exemptions
You must have and carry a valid license and applicable state stamps to hunt any wild animal, with exceptions as follows
- Residents or non-residents participating in a field trial sanctioned by the DNR director.
- Landowners, or lessees of farmland who farm that land and are residents of Indiana, their spouses and children living with them, while hunting, fishing or trapping on the land they own or lease.
- Residents of Indiana engaged in full-time military service and who are carrying their leave orders and a valid Indiana driver’s license or Indiana voter registration card.
- Non-resident military personnel on active duty and stationed within Indiana may hunt or fish with a resident license.
- An individual who is less than 13 years of age; does not possess a bow or firearm; and is accompanied by an individual who is at least 18 years of age and holds a valid license.
Fishing
A fishing license and trout and salmon stamp are NOT required for:
- Residents born before April 1, 1943. However, you should carry your driver’s license or other identification to verify your age and residency.
- Resident and non-resident anglers under the age of 18.
- Residents who are legally blind.
- Residents of a state-owned mental rehabilitation facility.
- Residents of any licensed health care facility in Indiana taking part in a supervised fishing activity sponsored by the facility.
- Fishing a private pond does not require a license. However, the angler must have permission from the property owner to fish.
- Residents of Indiana who are engaged in full-time military service may fish without a license while on approved military leave. However, the angler must carry leave orders and a valid Indiana driver’s license or voter registration card. Non-resident military personnel stationed within Indiana must obtain a resident license to fish or hunt in Indiana.
- Landowners or lessees of farmland, who farm that land, their spouses and children living with them, while fishing in public waters from the farmland they own or lease.
Additional License Information
Indiana Resident
A resident is a person whose true fixed and permanent home and principal residence has been in Indiana for 60 consecutive days prior to purchasing a license or permit and who does not claim residency for hunting, trapping or fishing in another state or country, other than the U.S. All others are non-residents.
Harassment of Hunters, Trappers and Anglers
It is illegal to intentionally interfere with the legal taking of a game animal by another person on public land, or on private land without permission of the landowner.
Non-resident landowner exemptions
Some non-resident Indiana landowners are exempt from Indiana hunting, fishing and trapping license requirements.
Indiana law exempts a non-resident landowner according to the exemption that the non-resident’s state provides for Indiana residents. The non-resident must possess proof of ownership of the farmland while hunting (i.e. tax receipt).
Owners of Indiana farmland, their spouses and children who live with them are exempt from license requirements while hunting or trapping on their land if they are residents of one of the following states and meet the additional listed conditions:
- Iowa (small game only)
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin (small game only)
Landowners who are residents from states not listed must have and carry a valid non-resident license to hunt any wild animal. All non-resident landowners are required to have a valid non-resident license when hunting on land other than their own.
The law does not exempt non-residents who lease land in Indiana. Non-resident lessees are still required to purchase non-resident hunting and trapping licenses.
Youth Consolidated Hunting and Fishing License
The youth consolidated hunting license, for youth 17 and younger, covers more than an annual resident hunting license. The license also covers the turkey license, game bird habitat stamp, Indiana migratory waterfowl stamp and all deer licenses. A HIP validation number is required to hunt migratory birds. Federal migratory bird stamps are not covered by the youth license (federal migratory bird stamps are not required for youths under 16 years old).
Youth hunting licenses are valid for that license year, even if the individual turns 18 during that year. In order to purchase a hunting license, anyone born after 1986 must successfully complete a hunter education class offered by the DNR. Non-resident youths must purchase a non-resident license. However, a non-resident under 18 years of age, who has a parent, grandparent or legal guardian who is a resident of Indiana, may purchase a resident license to hunt or trap in Indiana.
- See Apprentice Hunter exception offered by the DNR
Hunting Permits for Persons with Disabilities
The DNR issues permits to individuals with a disability that prevents them from taking wildlife under regular hunting regulations. The DNR may issue a special permit to an individual with a physical impairment resulting from an injury or disease, excluding impairment which is attributable to the normal aging process.
Special permits allow those who cannot walk or have serious walking limitations to hunt from a vehicle. On state and federal lands, permit holders must obtain permission in advance from a property manager to gain vehicle access to lands or roads that are otherwise closed to vehicular traffic. Those who have a disability that prevents them from using a regular bow may be issued a permit to use a crossbow.
To apply for a hunter with a disability hunting permit, you must complete an application form, and a physician must complete a statement of disability form.
Rules governing the use of hunter with a disability permits and application forms are available from the Division of Fish and Wildlife, 402 W. Washington St., Room W273, Indianapolis, IN 46204; (317) 232-4080. To be considered for fall hunting seasons, applications must be received no later than August 1.
Non-resident hunters wishing to hunt turkeys in Indiana must purchase a non-resident turkey license and a gamebird habitat stamp. In addition, if an Indiana resident is required to purchase another license in order to hunt turkeys in a non-resident’s state, the non-resident must purchase an annual non-resident hunting license in order to hunt turkeys in Indiana.
Here are the license requirements for residents of surrounding states:
- Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio residents must purchase an annual non-resident hunting license, a non-resident turkey license and a gamebird habitat stamp.
- Wisconsin and Michigan residents must purchase a non-resident turkey license and a gambird habitat stamp.
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