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US Fishing License
Requirements — Every State.

Resident and non-resident fees, license types, trout stamps, short-term options, age exemptions, and official purchase links for every US state. Verified annually against official Fish & Wildlife sources.

Official state sources Verified Jan 2026 Always free
50States Covered
38.5MUS Anglers
$10–$50Typical Resident Fee
$25–$150Non-Resident Fee Range
Resident & non-resident fees
Short-term license options
Age exemptions & senior discounts
Trout stamps & endorsements
Official purchase portal links
Season dates by species
All 50 States

Fishing License Requirements — Full Index

Select any state below for complete license requirements, fees, age rules, and season information.

Showing of 50 states

Fee Overview

What Does a Fishing License Cost?

Fishing license fees vary significantly by state and license type. Here's what to expect before you search your specific state.

$10–$30
Resident Annual
Most states fall in this range for residents. Louisiana, Wyoming, and Montana tend to be the lowest.
$30–$60
Resident Annual (Higher)
States like California, Colorado, and New York sit in this higher resident fee range.
$50–$100
Non-Resident Annual
Most non-resident annual licenses fall here — typically 2–3x the resident price.
$10–$30
Short-Term (1–7 Day)
Daily and weekly non-resident licenses for trip visitors. Most states offer at least one short-term tier.
Sample Data

Fishing License Fee Comparison — Popular States

A representative sample of license fees across popular fishing destinations. Click any state for full details.

State Resident Annual Non-Resident Annual Short-Term Options Trout Stamp Saltwater Option Age Exemption
Alaska$29$145$25/3-day · $70/14-dayVariesRequiredUnder 16 free
California$54$142$17/2-day · $24/10-day$14.43IncludedUnder 16 free
Colorado$35$97$21/5-day$10.39N/A (inland)Under 16 free · 64+ reduced
Florida$17$47$17/7-dayN/A$17 separateUnder 16 & 65+ free
Michigan$26$76$10/24-hr$13N/A (inland)Under 17 free · 65+ reduced
Minnesota$25$51$14/72-hrIncludedN/A (inland)Under 16 free · 90+ free
Montana$29$86$50/10-dayIncludedN/A (inland)Under 15 free · 62+ $10
New York$25$50$5/1-day$10$10 separateUnder 16 free · 70+ free
Texas$30$58$16/1-dayIncluded$35 comboUnder 17 free · 65+ reduced
Washington$29$75$9/1-day$13IncludedUnder 15 free

* Fees are approximate and subject to change. All values sourced from official state Fish & Wildlife agencies. Click any state for verified current fees.

Know Before You Buy

Understanding Fishing License Types

Not all fishing licenses are created equal. The type you need depends on where you live, where you fish, what you're targeting, and how long you'll be there.

Annual Resident Fishing

Standard annual fishing license for state residents. Required to fish in inland and some coastal waters.

Resident

Annual Non-Resident Fishing

Annual fishing license for non-residents. Valid for the license year.

Non-Resident

7-Day Non-Resident Fishing

Short-term 7-day fishing license for visiting anglers. Popular with vacationers.

7-Day

3-Day Non-Resident Fishing

Short-term 3-day fishing license for visiting anglers.

3-Day

1-Day Fishing License

Single-day fishing license. Available in most states for residents and non-residents.

1-Day

Senior Resident Fishing

Discounted annual fishing license for resident senior citizens. Age threshold varies by state (typically 65+).

Senior

Youth Fishing License

Discounted or free fishing license for youth anglers. Age limit varies by state (typically under 16).

Youth

Trout & Salmon Stamp

Add-on stamp required to fish for trout or salmon in designated waters. Required in addition to a base fishing license.

Stamp

Saltwater Fishing License

License required for saltwater/coastal fishing. Some states include this with the base fishing license.

Saltwater

Combination Hunt & Fish

Combination license covering both hunting and fishing. Available in most states at a discounted bundled rate.

Combo
By Species

Fish Species — Season & Regulation Guides

Select a fish species to find season dates, bag limits, size restrictions, and any additional permits required across all 50 states.

Largemouth Bass
Freshwater
By state
Smallmouth Bass
Freshwater
By state
Rainbow Trout
Freshwater
By state
Brown Trout
Freshwater
By state
Walleye
Freshwater
By state
Catfish
Freshwater
By state
Crappie
Freshwater
By state
Bluegill / Panfish
Freshwater
By state
Pacific Salmon
Freshwater & Salt
By state
Steelhead
Anadromous
By state
Striped Bass
Saltwater
By state
Red Drum / Redfish
Saltwater
By state
View All Fish Species
Step by Step

How to Get Your Fishing License

The process is the same in almost every state. Here's exactly what you need to do.

Find Your State

Use the search or list above to navigate to your state's fishing license page. You'll find all fees, license types, and the official purchase link in one place.

Choose Your License Type

Decide between resident or non-resident, annual or short-term, freshwater or combination. Check if you need a trout stamp or other endorsement for your target species.

Purchase via Official Portal

Every state page links directly to the official state Fish & Wildlife purchase portal. You can buy online, through the state app, at licensed retailers, or by phone depending on the state.

Fish Legally & Enjoy

Carry proof of your license — most states accept a digital copy on your phone. Keep within bag limits and size restrictions. Have your license ready to show if checked by a conservation officer.

Know the Law

Important Fishing Rules & Regulations

Core rules that apply in all or most US states. Always check your specific state page for the full picture.

Carry Your License
You must have your license on your person while fishing. Most states accept digital licenses on your phone — check your state's rules on digital vs. paper.
Bag Limits Apply
Every state sets daily bag limits and possession limits per species. Exceeding them is a violation even if you have a valid license. Check species pages for exact limits.
Size Limits Are Mandatory
Many species have minimum — and sometimes maximum — size requirements. Fish outside the legal size range must be released immediately and unharmed.
Licenses Are Not Transferable
A fishing license is issued to one individual and cannot be shared, lent, or used by anyone else. Every person fishing must have their own valid license.
Non-Resident Rules Differ
If you fish outside your home state, you need that state's non-resident license. Your home state license is not valid anywhere else, with very limited exceptions for border waters.
Federal Lands Need Extra Permits
Fishing in national parks, national forests, or certain federal waters may require additional permits beyond the state license. Always check before heading to federal land.
Purchase Methods

Where to Buy Your Fishing License

Every state offers multiple ways to buy. Most now have fast, convenient online options — you can have your license in minutes.

Official State Website

Every state has an official online portal where you can buy, renew, and manage your fishing license. Available 24/7 — often the fastest option. License is emailed or downloadable immediately.

Recommended — fastest

Official State App

Many states have mobile apps for purchasing and displaying licenses. Texas has OutdoorTexas, Colorado has iCOLO. Some states also accept digital licenses directly in the state app — no printing needed.

Great for field use

Licensed Retailers

Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Dick's Sporting Goods, and thousands of independent bait-and-tackle shops are authorized to sell fishing licenses. Payment by cash or card. Instant issuance.

Widely available

By Phone

Most states operate a toll-free phone line for license purchases. Slower than online but useful if you don't have internet access. Have your personal details and a credit card ready. License mailed or faxed.

Allow processing time

Fishing Another State? Here's What Non-Residents Need to Know

Your home state fishing license is only valid in your home state. If you're planning a fishing trip to a different state, you'll need that state's non-resident license before you cast a single line.

  • Non-resident fees are typically 2–4x the resident rate — budget accordingly
  • Short-term (1-day, 3-day, 7-day) options are often the better deal for a single trip
  • A handful of border waterways have reciprocity — we flag these on relevant state pages
  • Buy the destination state license before you arrive — online purchase takes minutes
Browse Non-Resident Fees Read the Guide
Data Status

Verified Against Official State Agencies

All 50 state fishing license records are sourced from official state Fish & Wildlife agency websites. Each record carries a last-verified date. Updated annually every January.

Our verification process
Common Questions

Fishing License FAQs

The most common questions anglers ask about US fishing licenses — answered clearly.

Learn More

Fishing License Guides

In-depth articles and how-to guides for anglers navigating US fishing regulations.

Getting Started

How to Get a Fishing License in Every State — 2026 Complete Guide

A step-by-step walkthrough of the license purchase process in every US state, including online options, official apps, and what to do if you lose your license.

8 min read Read guide
Non-Resident

Fishing Another State? The Complete Non-Resident License Guide

Everything out-of-state anglers need to know: fee expectations, short-term options, what reciprocity agreements exist, and the cheapest legal way to fish on a trip.

6 min read Read guide
Family Fishing

Do Kids Need a Fishing License? Age Exemption Rules by State

Age exemption rules vary widely — some states require a license at 12, others at 17. Find out exactly what your state requires so the whole family can fish legally without overpaying.

4 min read Read guide
View All Fishing Guides