Buying a fishing license is quick, easy and directly contributes toward conservation efforts. In most states, licenses can be purchased online, by phone or at retail establishments.

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Fishing funds conservation
In 2015 alone, fishing license sales generated more than $700 million across the country. One hundred percent of license fees go directly toward conservation and restoration, but licenses aren’t the only source of conservation funds. Each year, our Sport Fish Restoration Program distributes millions of dollars to state fish and wildlife resource agencies dedicated to restoration and enhancement projects across the country. This user-pay user-benefit reimbursement program relies on an excise tax paid by manufacturers, producers, and importers of sport fishing equipment as well as small engine and motor boat fuel taxes paid by recreational boaters. Since 1952, more than $8 billion in Sport Fish Restoration Program grant funds have been distributed to state agencies for approved grants, reimbursing them up to 75% of project costs. This includes fish management, species and habitat restoration, habitat protection, land acquisition, research, education, and public access for fishing and boating.