FISHINGCRITICFree knot cards

GEAR & KNOW-HOW

Fishing for beginners

FishingCritic is research-led, using maker data and published sources. We have no hands-on test results for this edition.

What should you do first?

  1. Choose water and check the rules. Use the official state link below for licences, then check that water’s bait and access rules.
  2. Choose one spinning outfit. A light outfit for small fish differs from a surf outfit. Choose by target and water.
  3. Build a float rig. A small bobber, shot and hook make a useful first bait presentation.
  4. Tie an improved clinch. Follow the illustrated steps, wet and inspect the knot.
  5. Make a short first trip. Watch the float, control slack and leave the bank clean.

Where can you get your state licence?

These are official state licence or agency entry pages, checked 2026-11-04. Use the state’s current terms. We do not copy fees or decide exemptions. Several agencies use official .com or .us domains; those are identified in the source data.

50 states · official government / agency links · 2026-11-04
StateOfficial licence informationCheck date
AlabamaOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
AlaskaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
ArizonaState licence page ↗ Access unconfirmed2026-11-04
ArkansasOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
CaliforniaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
ColoradoState licence page ↗2026-11-04
ConnecticutState licence page ↗2026-11-04
DelawareState licence page ↗2026-11-04
FloridaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
GeorgiaOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
HawaiiState licence page ↗2026-11-04
IdahoOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
IllinoisState licence page ↗2026-11-04
IndianaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
IowaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
KansasOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
KentuckyState licence page ↗2026-11-04
LouisianaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
MaineOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
MarylandState licence page ↗2026-11-04
MassachusettsOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
MichiganOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
MinnesotaOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
MississippiOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
MissouriState licence page ↗2026-11-04
MontanaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
NebraskaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
NevadaOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
New HampshireState licence page ↗ Access unconfirmed2026-11-04
New JerseyState licence page ↗2026-11-04
New MexicoState licence page ↗2026-11-04
New YorkState licence page ↗2026-11-04
North CarolinaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
North DakotaOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
OhioOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
OklahomaOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
OregonState licence page ↗2026-11-04
PennsylvaniaOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
Rhode IslandOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
South CarolinaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
South DakotaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
TennesseeState licence page ↗2026-11-04
TexasState licence page ↗2026-11-04
UtahState licence page ↗2026-11-04
VermontOfficial agency licence information ↗2026-11-04
VirginiaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
WashingtonState licence page ↗2026-11-04
West VirginiaState licence page ↗2026-11-04
WisconsinState licence page ↗2026-11-04
WyomingState licence page ↗2026-11-04

Taking children fishing?

Plan a short, simple first trip with kids ↗

Where do these facts come from?

The links identify source URLs and check dates. The source data records access limits.