Fishing in National Parks & Special Waters (2026) — License Requirements by Location

Fishing in a national park, tribal reservation, or cross-border lake? The licensing requirements are often different from your standard state fishing license. This guide covers the unique rules for America’s most popular special-jurisdiction fishing destinations — so you know exactly what permits you need before you arrive.

National Park Fishing Licenses

National parks are managed by the National Park Service (NPS), but most still require a state fishing license. Some parks add their own permits on top. Here’s what you need at the most popular fishing parks:

Yellowstone National Park

Search volume: “fishing license in yellowstone” — 4,400/mo

Yellowstone has its own fishing permit system — your Wyoming or Montana state fishing license is NOT sufficient by itself.

Permit Type	Cost	Duration	Notes
Yellowstone Fishing Permit (16+)	$40.00	3 days	Required for all anglers 16+
Yellowstone Fishing Permit (16+)	$55.00	7 days	Week-long option
Yellowstone Fishing Permit (16+)	$75.00	Season	Valid entire season
Youth (under 16)	FREE	Season	Must fish with licensed adult

State license NOT required — Yellowstone’s permit replaces the state license within park boundaries
Catch and release only for native cutthroat trout
No live bait — artificial flies and lures only
Season: Memorial Day weekend through first Sunday in November
Purchase at visitor centers, ranger stations, or online at recreation.gov

Grand Teton National Park

Wyoming state fishing license required — no separate park permit needed
Wyoming fishing license: $14/day (NR) or $102/year (NR)
All Wyoming fishing regulations apply within the park
Jackson Lake, Jenny Lake, and the Snake River are prime spots

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

No state license required inside park boundaries — the park is exempt
However, North Carolina and Tennessee state licenses are valid if you have them
The park spans both Tennessee and North Carolina
Over 2,100 miles of streams with brook, rainbow, and brown trout
Catch and release only for brook trout

Glacier National Park

Montana state fishing license required
Montana fishing license: $15.50/day (NR) or $111/year (NR)
No additional park permit needed
Over 700 lakes, many accessible only by trail

Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado state fishing license required
Colorado fishing license: $18.83/day (NR) or $98.63/year (NR)
No additional park permit needed
High-altitude lake and stream fishing for cutthroat and brook trout

Other National Parks — Quick Reference

Park	State License Needed?	Park Permit?	Key Species
Everglades (FL)	Florida license	No	Snook, tarpon, redfish
Shenandoah (VA)	Virginia license + trout stamp	No	Brook trout
Acadia (ME)	Maine license (freshwater only)	No	Brook trout, landlocked salmon
Olympic (WA)	Washington license	No	Steelhead, salmon, trout
North Cascades (WA)	Washington license	No	Rainbow trout
Grand Canyon (AZ)	Arizona license	No	Rainbow trout in Colorado River
Yosemite (CA)	California license	No	Rainbow, brown, brook trout
Zion (UT)	Utah license	No	Brown trout in Virgin River

General rule: In most national parks, your state fishing license is required with no additional park permit. Yellowstone and Great Smoky Mountains are the notable exceptions.

Cross-Border Lake Licensing

These popular lakes span two or more states, each with different rules:

Lake Texoma (Texas / Oklahoma)

Search volume: “lake texoma fishing license” — 1,600/mo

License Option	Cost	Coverage
Texas Fishing License	State rate	Texas waters of Lake Texoma
Oklahoma Fishing License	State rate	Oklahoma waters of Lake Texoma
Lake Texoma Special License	$12.00 (TX res)	Both states’ waters on the lake

Either state’s license is accepted on Lake Texoma due to a special interstate compact
The Lake Texoma license covers guests fishing from both sides
Striped bass (stripers) are the primary target species
Texas | Oklahoma state pages for full details

Lake Tahoe (California / Nevada)

Search volume: “tahoe fishing license” — 1,000/mo

No reciprocal agreement — you need the license for the state you’re fishing in
The state line runs through the lake
California license: $56.01/year (resident)
Nevada license: $40/year (resident)
Most marinas and charters operate on the California side
Target species: Mackinaw (lake trout), rainbow trout, kokanee salmon

Lake Mead (Nevada / Arizona)

Search volume: “fishing license for lake mead” — 320/mo

Both Nevada and Arizona licenses are accepted in most areas of Lake Mead
The lake is jointly managed by the NPS as part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area
No additional park fishing permit required
Target species: Striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish, rainbow trout (below Hoover Dam)

Lake Erie (Ohio / Pennsylvania / New York)

Search volume: “fishing license lake erie” — 480/mo

Each state controls its own nearshore waters
Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York each require their own license
Ohio controls the largest portion of US Lake Erie waters
Walleye capital of the world — especially out of Port Clinton, OH
Charter boats typically fish in the state where they depart from

Lake Michigan (Multi-State)

Search volume: “lake michigan fishing license” — 720/mo

Bordered by Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana
Each state controls its nearshore waters
Need the license for whichever state you’re fishing from
Salmon, steelhead, and perch are primary targets

Lake Powell (Utah / Arizona)

Search volume: “fishing license for lake powell” — 720/mo

Need the license for the state you’re physically fishing in
Utah license: $38/year (resident)
Arizona license: $37/year (resident)
The state line crosses through the lake
Target species: Striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye

Tribal Waters

Some of America’s best fishing is on tribal lands — and these require separate tribal fishing permits, not your state license:

Pyramid Lake (Nevada — Paiute Tribe)

Search volume: “pyramid lake fishing license” — 1,000/mo

Permit Type	Cost	Duration
Daily Permit	$15.00	1 day
Season Permit	$115.00	Full season
Boat Launch Fee	$12.00	Per launch

State fishing license NOT accepted — tribal permit required
Famous for Lahontan cutthroat trout — world-record potential
Season: October 1 – June 30
Purchase at tribal offices, local stores, or online

Cherokee Tribal Waters (North Carolina)

Search volume: “fishing license in cherokee nc” — 590/mo

Tribal fishing permit required — not a North Carolina state license
Daily permit: $10 (1 day), $17 (2 days)
Covers the Oconaluftee River and Raven Fork within the Qualla Boundary
Stocked with rainbow, brown, and brook trout
Available at local shops in Cherokee, NC

Navajo Nation

Search volume: “navajo nation fishing license” — 320/mo

Navajo fishing permit required — spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah
Daily: $10, Annual: $40
Covers lakes like Wheatfields, Tsaile, Morgan, and Many Farms
State licenses are NOT accepted on Navajo Nation waters

Popular Destination Licensing

Florida Keys

Search volume: “florida keys fishing license” — 320/mo

Florida saltwater fishing license required
Shore fishing from land is FREE for Florida residents
Non-resident 3-day saltwater: $17
Charter boat fishing: usually covered by captain’s license
Target: bonefish, tarpon, permit, snapper, grouper

Outer Banks, North Carolina

Search volume: “outer banks fishing license” — 590/mo

North Carolina CRFL (Coastal Recreational Fishing License) required
Resident: $16/year | Non-resident: $32/year
Pier fishing: license not required on most public ocean piers with a pier fishing license
Target: red drum, flounder, bluefish, striped bass

Destin, Florida

Search volume: “destin fishing license” — 880/mo

Same as Florida Keys — FL saltwater license required
Deep-sea charter boats typically cover passenger licensing
Shore/pier: FL resident shore fishing is FREE
Target: red snapper, amberjack, mahi-mahi, cobia

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Search volume: “fishing license in myrtle beach” — 480/mo

South Carolina saltwater fishing license required
Piers: some have their own pier license that covers anglers
Non-resident annual: $35
Target: flounder, red drum, spotted seatrout

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a fishing license in national parks? In most national parks, yes — your state fishing license is required. The major exception is Yellowstone, which has its own permit system, and Great Smoky Mountains, where no license is needed.

Can I use my fishing license in Yellowstone? No. Yellowstone requires its own fishing permit ($40/3 days, $55/7 days, $75/season). Your Wyoming or Montana state license is not valid inside Yellowstone.

Do I need a federal fishing license? There is no such thing as a federal fishing license in the United States. Fishing is regulated at the state level, with some exceptions for national parks and tribal waters.

Which license do I need for Lake Texoma? Either a Texas or Oklahoma fishing license works on Lake Texoma due to a special interstate compact. Texas also offers a specific Lake Texoma license.

Do tribal fishing permits replace my state fishing license? Yes — within tribal reservation boundaries, the tribal permit replaces the state license. Your state license is not valid on most tribal waters, and vice versa.

Is fishing free in the Great Smoky Mountains? Yes — the Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not require any fishing license or permit. All park fishing regulations still apply.

For more details, visit our state-by-state guides or learn about non-resident licensing options for your destination state.