Oregon kids now need fishing licenses at age 12

As families venture to the outdoors this spring, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reminded parents Tuesday that youths between the ages of 12 and 17 need a license if they plan to hunt, fish or shellfish.

Although fishing now requires a license two years earlier than in the past – at age 12 instead of age 14 – the cost of the license is significantly less than it was in years past, the agency said.

Now a combination youth hunting/fishing/shellfishing license costs just $10. For just $5 more, youngsters can also purchase a tag that will allow them to catch salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut. The $15 combined cost of a youth license and tag in 2016 compares to a cost of $41.75 last year, a cost reduction of 64 percent.

The youth license was developed to simplify the youth license requirements for hunting and fishing. “There was way too much complexity involved for parents to get hunting and fishing licenses for their kids,” said Rick Hargrave, administrator of ODFW’s Information and Education Division. “We removed those barriers and came up with a single, significantly discounted, youth combination license for kids 12-17.”

Under the new fee structure, a single license permits youth license holders to take part in all three activities – hunting, fishing and shellfishing. Previously, a separate license was required for each of these activities.

“We believe this an amazing value and a meaningful investment in getting kids and families out and connected with nature,” said Hargrave.

There is no distinction in the fee structure between resident and nonresident youths – they pay the same for hunting/fishing licenses and tags.