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Fishing Guide & Charter
License — All 50 States

Anyone charging clients to fish must hold a state fishing guide or charter license. Many coastal states also require a US Coast Guard captain's license for vessels carrying passengers. Find your state's guide license requirements, fees, USCG rules, and official application links. Freshwater guide licenses run $50–$300/year; saltwater/charter $100–$500+.

All 50 States Freshwater & Saltwater USCG Requirements
50States Covered
22USCG Required
21Saltwater Coverage
Resident & non-resident fees
USCG captain's license info
Freshwater vs saltwater coverage
Insurance requirements
Vessel inspection rules
Why License?

What a Fishing Guide License Covers

State Fishing Guide License
Required by every state for anyone who accepts payment to take clients fishing. Typically covers freshwater fishing. Saltwater operations may require additional licensing. Guides must also hold a valid personal fishing license.
USCG Captain's License
Required federally for any vessel carrying 6 or more paying passengers for hire. Many states also mandate a USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV/6-pack) license for any charter operation regardless of passenger count.
Saltwater Charter Specifics
Saltwater charter operations face additional federal oversight through NOAA's For-Hire License program. Vessel owners operating in federal waters must register under the Federal For-Hire Logbook program and may need HMS (Highly Migratory Species) angling permits.
Vessel Requirements
Many states require vessel inspection and safety equipment certification for charter operations. This includes proper life jackets for all passengers, fire extinguishers, flares, VHF radio, and navigation lights. Coast Guard inspected vessels carry more passengers.
Filter by region:
50 states
50 states shown
AL
Alabama
Resident $200.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
AK
Alaska
Resident $200.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
AZ
Arizona
Resident $150.00
Guide requirements Apply online
AR
Arkansas
Resident $100.00
Guide requirements Apply online
CA
California
Resident $450.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
CO
Colorado
Resident $150.00
Guide requirements Apply online
CT
Connecticut
Resident $125.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
DE
Delaware
Resident $100.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
FL
Florida
Resident $200.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
GA
Georgia
Resident $150.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
HI
Hawaii
Resident $200.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
ID
Idaho
Resident $150.00
Guide requirements Apply online
IL
Illinois
Resident $100.00
Guide requirements Apply online
IN
Indiana
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
IA
Iowa
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
KS
Kansas
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
KY
Kentucky
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
LA
Louisiana
Resident $150.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
ME
Maine
Resident $125.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
MD
Maryland
Resident $150.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
MA
Massachusetts
Resident $200.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
MI
Michigan
Resident $100.00
USCG Required
Guide requirements Apply online
MN
Minnesota
Resident $100.00
Guide requirements Apply online
MS
Mississippi
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
MO
Missouri
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
MT
Montana
Resident $150.00
Guide requirements Apply online
NE
Nebraska
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
NV
Nevada
Resident $100.00
Guide requirements Apply online
NH
New Hampshire
Resident $100.00
Guide requirements Apply online
NJ
New Jersey
Resident $150.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
NM
New Mexico
Resident $100.00
Guide requirements Apply online
NY
New York
Resident $150.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
NC
North Carolina
Resident $150.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
ND
North Dakota
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
OH
Ohio
Resident $100.00
Guide requirements Apply online
OK
Oklahoma
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
OR
Oregon
Resident $150.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
PA
Pennsylvania
Resident $100.00
Guide requirements Apply online
RI
Rhode Island
Resident $100.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
SC
South Carolina
Resident $150.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
SD
South Dakota
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
TN
Tennessee
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
TX
Texas
Resident $175.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
UT
Utah
Resident $100.00
Guide requirements Apply online
VT
Vermont
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
VA
Virginia
Resident $100.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
WA
Washington
Resident $175.00
USCG Required Saltwater
Guide requirements Apply online
WV
West Virginia
Resident $75.00
Guide requirements Apply online
WI
Wisconsin
Resident $100.00
Guide requirements Apply online
WY
Wyoming
Resident $150.00
Guide requirements Apply online
FAQ

Common Fishing Guide & Charter License Questions

If you charge passengers money to ride on your vessel, federal law requires a USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV, commonly called a "6-pack license") for boats carrying up to 6 paying passengers. For boats carrying more than 6 paying passengers, you need a USCG Master license and the vessel must undergo USCG inspection. Many states also independently require a USCG credential for any charter operation regardless of passenger count.
A fishing guide typically provides expertise and guidance while clients use the guide's knowledge and often the guide's equipment, operating primarily on smaller freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams. A charter boat operator runs a larger vessel on open water (lakes, bays, ocean), typically with a paid captain and mate, and clients come aboard the vessel. Both require state licensing; charter operations often require additional federal permits and USCG captain licensing.
Yes — in virtually all states, the guide must hold a valid personal fishing license in addition to their guide license. Some states issue a special "guide's license" that covers both. You typically cannot fish yourself during a guided trip without a personal license. Additionally, some states require the guide to hold licenses for all species being targeted (e.g., a separate trout stamp, salmon endorsement, etc.) even while guiding.
In addition to a state guide/charter license and USCG credentials, saltwater charter operators may need: a NOAA Federal Fisheries Permit (for species like red snapper, grouper, tuna), an HMS Angling or Permit Card for highly migratory species (tuna, billfish, swordfish), and registration in the federal For-Hire Survey program. Requirements vary by species targeted and the federal waters (3–200 miles offshore) where you operate.
Yes, provided all legal requirements are met. Each client must hold a valid fishing license and comply with all bag limits, size limits, and season restrictions. The guide's license does not provide any special harvest privileges to clients — each angler is legally responsible for their own limits. On charter boats, total bag limits may be aggregated by vessel, but individual limits still apply. Always confirm current regulations with your state fish and wildlife agency before each season.
Total startup costs for a fishing guide business typically include: state guide license ($50–$300/yr), fishing license ($25–$150/yr), USCG OUPV examination and application (~$500–$1,000 including courses and fees), liability insurance ($800–$2,500/yr), and vessel registration and required safety equipment. Total first-year investment including equipment can range from $5,000 to well over $50,000 depending on the operation type and vessel needs.