I fish Brack park in the winter when it is stocked with trout. We have a blast and I usually go several times, rendezvous with my fishin pals for lunch dates and such. You are required to have a license. Wether a warden would stop you to check is another story. They are undercover, and usually stake out the place during the trout stocking events. Some folks just don't know when enough is enough and don't comprehend how to balance recreational enjoyment with environmental conservation. I take my son there since little kids don't had enough pateince to fish for long. He can catch his daily limit with an hour after stocking. Just enough time to have a happy meal and call it a night.
I do have a license and the format for renewal changed last year. It had been that all licenses expired august 31. Now, it expires a year from the date you buy it, as I remember, is was a little cheaper if you bought it in august. A summer only permit is available, as is a one day, two day, or week long. Any time you decide to go later in the year, buy an extra day at a discount price.
You know, having a fishing license is like having a gym membership. If you are paying for it, you are gonna use it.
Hope this answers your question. Take a kid fishing.
