Unless you have a lifetime license it's the day you have to get a new one. For those of you who don't know you can get a 5 year fishing license, it will expire 5 years from when you buy it. I got mine last night and it is cheaper than buying it year to year. I don't even know if they had a lifetime license option anymore. Unless it has changed you have to buy the 5 year online. I didn't know it was even available till after the guy sold me my 1 year license last January.