Fishing License Guide — All 50 States

Select your state for detailed license requirements, costs, age limits, and frequently asked questions. All information updated for the 2026 season.

General Overview: Most states require anglers over the age of 16 to carry a valid fishing license. Costs vary significantly between residents and non-residents. Many states offer short-term (1-day or 3-day) licenses, annual options, and comprehensive lifetime licenses. Explore your desired destination below for specific pricing and links to official state portals.

✅ Pricing and regulations last verified for the 2026 Season.
Showing 50 of 50 states
AL Southeast

Alabama

Resident/yr $17
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime 🌊 Saltwater
AK Pacific

Alaska

Resident/yr $29
Min Age 16+
AZ Southwest

Arizona

Resident/yr $37
Min Age 10+
🎣 Free Days
AR Southeast

Arkansas

Resident/yr $10.50
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
CA Pacific

California

Resident/yr $55.47
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
CO Mountain

Colorado

Resident/yr $35.76
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
CT Northeast

Connecticut

Resident/yr $28
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days
DE Northeast

Delaware

Resident/yr $8.50
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days
FL Southeast

Florida

Resident/yr $17
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime 🌊 Saltwater
GA Southeast

Georgia

Resident/yr $15
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime 🌊 Saltwater
HI Pacific

Hawaii

Resident/yr $5
Min Age 15+
ID Mountain

Idaho

Resident/yr $30.25
Min Age 14+
🎣 Free Days
IL Midwest

Illinois

Resident/yr $15
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days
IN Midwest

Indiana

Resident/yr $17
Min Age 18+
🎣 Free Days
IA Midwest

Iowa

Resident/yr $22
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
KS Midwest

Kansas

Resident/yr $27.50
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
KY Southeast

Kentucky

Resident/yr $23
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
LA Southeast

Louisiana

Resident/yr $17
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime 🌊 Saltwater
ME Northeast

Maine

Resident/yr $26
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
MD Northeast

Maryland

Resident/yr $20.50
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days 🌊 Saltwater
MA Northeast

Massachusetts

Resident/yr $27.50
Min Age 15+
🎣 Free Days
MI Midwest

Michigan

Resident/yr $26
Min Age 17+
🎣 Free Days
MN Midwest

Minnesota

Resident/yr $25
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
MS Southeast

Mississippi

Resident/yr $10
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime 🌊 Saltwater
MO Midwest

Missouri

Resident/yr $12
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days
MT Mountain

Montana

Resident/yr $20
Min Age 12+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
NE Midwest

Nebraska

Resident/yr $31.50
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days
NV Mountain

Nevada

Resident/yr $40
Min Age 12+
🎣 Free Days
NH Northeast

New Hampshire

Resident/yr $25
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days
NJ Northeast

New Jersey

Resident/yr $22.50
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days 🌊 Saltwater
NM Southwest

New Mexico

Resident/yr $25
Min Age 12+
🎣 Free Days
NY Northeast

New York

Resident/yr $25
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
NC Southeast

North Carolina

Resident/yr $30
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime 🌊 Saltwater
ND Midwest

North Dakota

Resident/yr $16
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days
OH Midwest

Ohio

Resident/yr $25
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days
OK Southwest

Oklahoma

Resident/yr $25
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
OR Pacific

Oregon

Resident/yr $44
Min Age 12+
🎣 Free Days
PA Northeast

Pennsylvania

Resident/yr $22.97
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days
RI Northeast

Rhode Island

Resident/yr $18
Min Age 15+
🎣 Free Days
SC Southeast

South Carolina

Resident/yr $10
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime 🌊 Saltwater
SD Midwest

South Dakota

Resident/yr $28
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days
TN Southeast

Tennessee

Resident/yr $34
Min Age 13+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime
TX Southwest

Texas

Resident/yr $40
Min Age 17+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime 🌊 Saltwater
UT Mountain

Utah

Resident/yr $34
Min Age 12+
🎣 Free Days
VT Northeast

Vermont

Resident/yr $28
Min Age 15+
🎣 Free Days
VA Southeast

Virginia

Resident/yr $23
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days ♾️ Lifetime 🌊 Saltwater
WA Pacific

Washington

Resident/yr $29.89
Min Age 15+
🎣 Free Days
WV Southeast

West Virginia

Resident/yr $19
Min Age 15+
🎣 Free Days
WI Midwest

Wisconsin

Resident/yr $20
Min Age 16+
🎣 Free Days
WY Mountain

Wyoming

Resident/yr $27
Min Age 14+
🎣 Free Days

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has the cheapest fishing license?

Base annual resident fishing licenses are typically cheapest in Hawaii ($5), Delaware ($8.50), and South Carolina ($10). Non-resident licenses are generally more expensive across all states.

Do I need a fishing license for catch and release?

Yes. In almost all jurisdictions, you must hold a valid fishing license to cast a line into public waters, regardless of whether you intend to keep or release the fish you catch.

Are there multi-state fishing licenses?

No, there is no single universal fishing license for the entire United States. However, some states share boundary waters (like the Colorado River or Lake Tahoe) where a license from either bordering state is legally recognized.