If I buy a NY fishing license through a sporting good store or tackle shop,can i fish immediately?

yes you can. all you need is a license that shows that you are a resident, and for $19.00, you can get one. slightly higher for non-residents. you can fish anywhere in NYS. they will give you the rule book when you get the license

Peter J says his cost him $19.00, and in Indiana a regular fishing license is now $17.00, but I can remember a time, not so long ago, that a sport fishing license cost only $3.25, and all of the money went to back into stocking the lakes, and repairing the park system's roads campgrounds. This was before the time of the GREEDY POLITICIAN'S, placing a burden of despair, and spreading hopelessness, upon everything they touch, or spout profuse lies, and profanities, about any subject that happens to find itself crossing their putrid desks.
But, yeah, you're allowed to start using your license right away, once it is issued, providing that you don't owe any child support, (which you must sign another form declaring that you don't.).
Goodluck Good fishing

If you buy a license let's say at Sports Authority the store will give you a piece of paper with information that you had filled out and you could start immediately.

Yes, is the simple answer!

A simple, Yup' … ' ( ((

No – you cannot use it immediately upon receiving it.

You must first go to a body of water to take advantage of its privileges.

Yes you can. If you're a resident or from out-of-state, you can also purchase fishing licenses on line at