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.