Fishing licence worldwide
Fishing licence in USA: what anglers need
In the USA, each state issues its own fishing license, for both saltwater and freshwater. As a visitor you almost always buy a non-resident license, often for just a few days.
Checked on 13.10.2026 against official sources. Not legal advice.
- Sea
- licence
- Freshwater
- licence
Do you need a licence for sea fishing in USA?
At sea, coastal states usually require their own saltwater license. There are exceptions: New Jersey has no saltwater license but requires a free yearly registration from age 16. In Hawaii, non-residents aged 15 and over have needed a marine license since 2024.
Source: FWS: Lizenzen vergeben die Staaten
Do you need a licence for freshwater fishing in USA?
In freshwater you always need the license of the state where you fish. Each state has slightly different rules, age limits and add-on stamps, for example for trout or salmon.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Purchase a Fishing License
How much is a fishing licence in USA?
Examples for non-residents: California 2026: 1 day $21.09, 10 days $64.54, year $174.14. Texas license year 2026/27: 1-day all-water $16, freshwater package $58, saltwater package $63, all-water package $68. Florida (freshwater and saltwater each separate): 3 days $17, 7 days $30, year $47. Other states: see each agency's page.
Source: CDFW Sport Fishing Licenses (2026 Fee, abgerufen 13.10.2026)
Where do you buy a fishing licence for USA?
In most states you can buy the license online, by phone or in stores that sell fishing gear. The link to the official sales page is listed below for each state. Buy only through the agency's site.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Purchase a Fishing License
What about children, teens and seniors?
Varies by state. Many states require a license from age 16, for example California, Florida and Colorado. The range goes from 10 (Arizona) to 18 (Louisiana, Oklahoma); Texas from 17, Michigan from 17.
Source: Behördenseiten CDFW, FWC, CPW, AZGFD, LDWF, ODWC, TPWD, Michigan DNR
What applies to visitors from abroad?
As a visitor you buy the non-resident license. Many states offer short licenses for 1 to 10 days. Licenses from other states usually don't count; Florida says so explicitly. In Texas, foreign residents cannot buy online, only in person at TPWD or a license agent.
Which catch and take-home rules apply?
Each state sets its own size limits, bag limits and seasons. You must carry your license while fishing; many states accept it on your phone. Trout, salmon or certain waters often need an add-on stamp.
Source: FWS
What else should you know?
If you fish saltwater in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or the District of Columbia without a valid state license, you must register with NOAA's National Saltwater Angler Registry. Many states have free fishing days when no license is needed. In Florida the license depends on the species, not on the water.
Official licence pages by state or region
Each state or region sells its own licence. These are the official agency pages.
- AlabamaAlabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR)Yes, separate non-resident freshwater and saltwater licenses, including 7-day trip licenses.
- AlaskaAlaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)Yes, for 1, 3, 7 or 14 days or a year; king salmon also needs a King Salmon Stamp.
- ArizonaArizona Game and Fish DepartmentYes, a non-resident fishing license; required from age 10.
- ArkansasArkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC)Yes, annual, 1-day and 3-day trip licenses; trout also need a trout permit.
- CaliforniaCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)Yes, annual and 10-day non-resident licenses, plus 1-day and 2-day licenses for everyone.
- ColoradoColorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)Yes, annual, 5-day and 1-day licenses from age 16.
- ConnecticutConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)Yes, for inland waters, marine waters or all waters; inland and marine also as 3-day licenses.
- DelawareDelaware DNREC, Division of Fish and WildlifeYes, annual and 7-day licenses from age 16; plus a free FIN number.
- District of ColumbiaDistrict Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)Yes, a non-resident annual license (2023 info card), required from 16 to 64.
- FloridaFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)Yes, freshwater and saltwater separately, each for 3 days, 7 days or a year; other states' licenses are not valid.
- GeorgiaGeorgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources DivisionYes, annual or 1 day plus extra days; saltwater also needs the free SIP permit.
- HawaiiHawaii DLNR, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)Yes, since 2024 a non-resident marine license from age 15 (1 day, 7 days, year); freshwater has its own license with tourist options.
- IdahoIdaho Department of Fish and GameYes, daily license (first day plus extra days) and annual license; required from age 14.
- IllinoisIllinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)Yes, 24 hours, 3 days or a year; under 16 free.
- IndianaIndiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and WildlifeYes, including 1-day and 7-day non-resident licenses.
- IowaIowa Department of Natural ResourcesYes, 1, 3 or 7 days or a year; required from age 16.
- KansasKansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)Yes, 1 day, 5 days or a year; required from age 16.
- KentuckyKentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR)Yes, annual, 7-day and 1-day licenses; under 16 free.
- LouisianaLouisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)Yes, a basic license (also 5 days) and for saltwater an extra saltwater license; required from 18.
- MaineMaine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)Yes, season plus 1, 3, 7 and 15 days for inland waters; required from 16.
- MarylandMaryland Department of Natural ResourcesYes, a Chesapeake Bay and coastal license (year or 7 days) and a non-tidal license.
- MassachusettsMassWildlife (Süßwasser) und Division of Marine Fisheries (Salzwasser)Yes, freshwater license (year or 3 days); the saltwater permit costs the same for everyone.
- MichiganMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesYes, annual or 24-hour license; required from 17.
- MinnesotaMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesYes, all non-residents need a license, including short ones such as 72 hours; under 16 free with a licensed parent.
- MississippiMississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP)Yes, freshwater (year, 3 days, 1 day) and saltwater (year, 3 days); under 16 free.
- MissouriMissouri Department of Conservation (MDC)Yes, a non-resident annual permit; the daily permit is open to everyone.
- MontanaMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP)Yes, 1 day, 5 days or season; from 16 also the AIS Prevention Pass.
- NebraskaNebraska Game and Parks CommissionYes, annual, 1-day, 3-day and 3- or 5-year permits; required from 16.
- NevadaNevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW)Yes, annual license or 1-day permit with extra days; required from 12.
- New HampshireNew Hampshire Fish and Game DepartmentYes, a year plus 1, 3 and 7 days in freshwater; saltwater license at the same price for everyone.
- New JerseyNew Jersey Division of Fish and WildlifeYes, freshwater license from 16; no saltwater license, but a free yearly registration from 16.
- New MexicoNew Mexico Department of Game and FishYes, annual license plus 1-day and 5-day licenses; free up to age 11.
- New YorkNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)Yes, annual, 7-day and 1-day freshwater licenses; required from 16.
- North CarolinaNorth Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC)Yes, including short-term non-resident licenses; on the coast the Coastal Recreational Fishing License from 16.
- North DakotaNorth Dakota Game and Fish DepartmentYes, season, 10 days or 3 days, plus a certificate; children under 16 free when accompanied.
- OhioOhio Department of Natural Resources, Division of WildlifeYes, a year, 3 days or 1 day; required from 16.
- OklahomaOklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC)Yes, annual and 1-day licenses; free up to age 17.
- OregonOregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)Yes, annual and daily non-resident licenses.
- PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC)Yes, annual license plus tourist licenses for 1, 3 and 7 days; required from 16.
- Rhode IslandRhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM)Yes, freshwater license and 3-day tourist license; plus a separate saltwater license.
- South CarolinaSouth Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR)Yes, freshwater (year, 14 days, 3 years) and saltwater (year, 7 days, 1 day).
- South DakotaSouth Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP)Yes, annual and 3-day licenses; whether the 1-day license is still sold is unclear in the sources.
- TennesseeTennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)Yes, a year, 3 days or 10 days, each with or without trout.
- TexasTexas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)Yes, freshwater, saltwater or all-water packages and a 1-day license; under 17 free.
- UtahUtah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR)Yes, annual license plus 3-day and 7-day licenses; under 12 free.
- VermontVermont Fish and Wildlife DepartmentYes, season plus 1, 3 and 7 days.
- VirginiaVirginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR)Yes, including a 5-day license for freshwater or for fresh and saltwater; under 16 free.
- WashingtonWashington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)Yes, combination, freshwater or saltwater license and 1 to 3 day combination licenses; required from 16.
- West VirginiaWest Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR)Yes, annual and 1-day licenses plus a conservation stamp; under 15 free.
- WisconsinWisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesYes, a year plus 1, 4 and 15 days; trout and salmon need extra stamps.
- WyomingWyoming Game and Fish DepartmentYes, 1 day, 5 days or 12 months; children under 14 free when accompanied.
Prices and age limits for most states not checked individually. 15 agency sites (including Florida, New York, Michigan, Massachusetts) block automated requests; their links come from the search index of the official domain. South Dakota returned a server error. Whether foreigners without a U.S. Social Security number can buy online everywhere is unclear.
Do you know more or have an official source? Let us know.
Next steps
- Where you can sea fish without a licence
- All countries at a glance
- Plan your fishing day, with packing list
Other countries
Sources (4)
- FWS: Lizenzen vergeben die StaatenRetrieved 13.10.2026
- CDFW Sport Fishing Licenses (2026 Fee, abgerufen 13.10.2026)Retrieved 13.10.2026
- FWC Visitors' Licenses (Suchauszug)Retrieved 13.10.2026
- NOAA Fisheries, National Saltwater Angler RegistryRetrieved 13.10.2026
Not legal advice. Rules and prices change; the linked authority and the local water permit are what count. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].
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