What a Joint License Covers and Who Can Buy One
Kentucky offers a joint husband/wife annual fishing license that lets two people fish together under one license document. Both people named on the license can fish at the same time in the same location, and the license covers all freshwater species that a standard individual license would cover — bass, catfish, crappie, and others depending on season and water body.
You do not have to be married to buy one; Kentucky calls it a "husband/wife" license but does not verify marital status. Any two people can purchase it together. The license runs for one calendar year from the date of purchase and does not renew automatically — you buy a new one each year.
The joint license costs less per person than buying two separate annual licenses, which is the main reason anglers choose it. If you fish regularly as a pair — whether as spouses, family members, or friends — it is the most economical option.
Key Takeaways
- A joint husband/wife license lets two people fish together under one document and costs less than two individual licenses.
- You can purchase one online through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website, by phone, or in person at a license agent.
- Both people named on the license must carry a physical copy or have proof of purchase available while fishing.
- The license covers freshwater fishing for all species open during the season; saltwater and special permits (trout, deer, waterfowl) require separate licenses.
- Kentucky does not require a fishing license for children under 16 or for residents 65 and older, but they can be added to a joint license if desired.
Where and How to Buy a Joint License
The easiest route is the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website at fw.ky.gov. Go to the "Licenses and Permits" section, select "Fishing Licenses," and choose the joint husband/wife annual option. You will need the names, birthdates, and addresses of both people, a valid payment method, and an email address. The license prints immediately as a PDF, and you can print it at home or on your phone.
If you prefer not to buy online, call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources at 1-800-858-1549 during business hours. A staff member can process the purchase over the phone and mail the physical license to you, though this takes several days longer than online purchase.
You can also buy in person at any Kentucky license agent — these are typically bait and tackle shops, sporting goods stores, and some Walmart locations. Search "Kentucky fishing license agents" online or call the department to find one near you. Bring both people's identification and be ready to provide birthdates and addresses on the spot.
What You Need to Bring While Fishing
Both people on the license must have proof of it with them at all times while fishing. If you printed the PDF at home, either person can carry the printed copy. If you received a physical license in the mail, you have one document — only one person can carry it at a time, so the other person should photograph it or carry a copy of the receipt showing the license number and both names.
A simpler approach: buy the license online, print two copies, and each person carries one. The license number and both names appear on every copy, so either copy serves as proof. Game wardens accept either version.
If you lose the license or do not have it with you, you can show a photo of it on your phone or provide the license number and your name. Wardens can verify it in their system, though carrying the actual document avoids any delay or confusion.
Species, Seasons, and What the License Does Not Cover
A joint freshwater fishing license covers bass (largemouth and smallmouth), catfish, crappie, bluegill, walleye, pike, and most other species in Kentucky's public waters during their open seasons. Seasons vary by species and water body — some are year-round, others close in summer or winter. Check the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website for current season dates before you fish.
The license does not cover trout fishing, which requires a separate trout license. It does not cover saltwater fishing (if you fish the Ohio River's saltwater sections or travel to coastal waters). It does not cover hunting waterfowl or deer, which require separate permits. If you want to fish for trout, you must buy an additional trout license on top of the joint freshwater license.
Some waters have special rules — certain lakes or streams may require a special use permit or have gear restrictions. The license itself grants access, but you still must follow all posted regulations for that specific water.
Cost and Comparison to Other License Types
A joint husband/wife annual license costs less than buying two individual annual licenses. The exact price varies slightly by year, but the joint license is typically priced at roughly 1.5 times the cost of a single license — meaning each person pays about 75 percent of what they would pay for an individual license. This makes it the best value if both people fish regularly.
If only one person in the pair fishes, an individual license is cheaper. If you fish only occasionally or for a short period, Kentucky also offers 7-day and 14-day licenses at lower prices than the annual option. A one-day license is available as well, though it is rarely the best choice for regular anglers.
Children under 16 do not need a license to fish in Kentucky, so you cannot add them to a joint license — they fish free. Residents 65 and older also do not need a license. If you want to add someone to a joint license anyway (for record-keeping or to ensure they carry proof), you can, but it does not change the cost or the license type.
Renewing Your License Each Year
The joint license does not auto-renew. When it expires on December 31 (or on the anniversary of your purchase date, depending on how you bought it), you must buy a new one. Set a reminder a few weeks before expiration so you do not accidentally fish without a valid license.
Renewing is the same process as buying the first time: online through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website, by phone, or at a license agent. If you bought online before, you can log in and purchase again without re-entering all the information. The new license takes effect immediately if you buy online, or within a few days if you buy by phone or in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we fish in different locations with one joint license?
Yes. The license covers both people anywhere in Kentucky's public waters. You do not have to fish together — one person can fish one lake while the other fishes a different stream, as long as both carry proof of the license. Each person just needs to show their copy or the license number if a warden asks.
What happens if one person on the joint license gets caught breaking fishing rules?
Only that person is cited. The license itself is not suspended or revoked. The other person can continue to fish with the same license. However, if the violation is serious, the warden may confiscate the license document, so you would need to contact the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to get a replacement.
Can I change the names on a joint license if one person no longer fishes?
No. You cannot modify an active license. If you need to remove someone or add a different person, you must let the current license expire and buy a new one with the correct names. Contact the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources if you have questions about a specific situation.
Do I need a joint license if we fish in different states?
No. Each state requires its own license. If you fish in Kentucky and Tennessee, for example, you need a Kentucky license and a separate Tennessee license. A joint Kentucky license covers only Kentucky waters.
Is there a joint license for trout fishing?
No. Trout licenses are sold only as individual licenses. If both of you want to fish for trout, each person must buy a separate trout license in addition to the joint freshwater license (or individual freshwater licenses, if you prefer).