Reference · Data Index
Fishing License Cost by State (2026): 50-State Index
Standard annual sport-fishing license fees for residents and nonresidents in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, compiled from state fish and wildlife agency fee schedules.
This index lists the standard annual sport-fishing license fee for residents and nonresidents in every US state plus the District of Columbia. License structures vary: some states sell a single all-waters license, while coastal states often split freshwater and saltwater products, and a few states bundle fishing with small-game hunting instead of selling a standalone fishing license. Those cases are flagged in the Notes column. If you are getting started, pair this reference with our beginner baitcaster tips and the best fishing times guide before planning a trip.
Fishing license index
Showing 51 of 51 rows.
| State ▲▼ | Resident annual ▲▼ | Nonresident annual ▲▼ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $17.00 | $66.25 | Nonresident fee varies for LA ($70.55) and MS ($75.42) via reciprocity. |
| Alaska | $20.00 | $100.00 | King salmon stamp extra ($10 resident / $100 nonresident). |
| Arizona | $37.00 | $55.00 | |
| Arkansas | $10.50 | $60.00 | |
| California | $64.54 | $174.14 | |
| Colorado | $44.87 | $124.01 | $12.76 habitat stamp required on top. |
| Connecticut | $28.00 | $55.00 | Inland waters; marine license separate ($10 / $15); all-waters license $32 / $63. |
| Delaware | $8.50 | $20.00 | |
| Florida | $17.00 | $47.00 | Freshwater; saltwater license separate (nonresident $47); combo $32.50. |
| Georgia | $15.00 | $50.00 | |
| Hawaii | $5.00 | $25.00 | Freshwater only; nonresident marine license separate ($70 annual). |
| Idaho | $30.50 | $108.00 | Older guides show a $98.25 nonresident figure; current IDFG schedule shows $108.00. |
| Illinois | $15.00 | $31.50 | |
| Indiana | $23.00 | $60.00 | |
| Iowa | $22.00 | $48.00 | |
| Kansas | $25.00 | $75.00 | |
| Kentucky | $24.31 | $58.14 | Base fees $23 / $55 with CPI adjustment effective Jan 1, 2026. |
| Louisiana | $17.00 | $68.00 | Basic (freshwater); saltwater license extra ($15 / $60). |
| Maine | $30.00 | $83.00 | |
| Maryland | $32.00 | $55.00 | Non-tidal; nonresident fee is a minimum under Maryland’s reciprocal rule. |
| Massachusetts | $40.00 | $50.00 | Freshwater; $5 Wildlands stamp extra. |
| Michigan | $26.00 | $76.00 | All-species license. |
| Minnesota | $26.00 | $52.00 | Total fee includes $1 agent fee (base $25 / $51). |
| Mississippi | $10.00 | $68.00 | No standalone resident fishing license; small game / freshwater fishing combo. |
| Missouri | $14.00 | $57.00 | |
| Montana | $31.00 | $117.50 | Includes required conservation license and AIS pass. |
| Nebraska | $41.00 | $95.50 | |
| Nevada | $40.00 | $80.00 | |
| New Hampshire | $45.00 | $63.00 | |
| New Jersey | $22.50 | $34.00 | Freshwater; resident figure is for ages 16 to 64. |
| New Mexico | $35.00 | $90.00 | 2026-27 license year fees; older guides show pre-increase figures. |
| New York | $25.00 | $50.00 | Freshwater, ages 16 to 69; saltwater uses the free marine registry. |
| North Carolina | $32.00 | $56.00 | State Inland Fishing annual; figures vary between digest editions, verify with NCWRC. |
| North Dakota | $27.00 | $68.00 | |
| Ohio | $25.00 | $76.96 | |
| Oklahoma | $31.00 | $81.00 | |
| Oregon | $50.00 | $138.00 | $9 ocean endorsement extra in 2026. |
| Pennsylvania | $27.97 | $60.97 | |
| Rhode Island | $24.00 | $41.00 | Freshwater. |
| South Carolina | $10.00 | $35.00 | Freshwater. |
| South Dakota | $31.00 | $80.00 | |
| Tennessee | $33.00 | $49.00 | No standalone resident fishing license; Resident Combination Hunt/Fish product. |
| Texas | $30.00 | $58.00 | Freshwater Package; saltwater ($35 / $63) and all-water ($40 / $68) packages separate. |
| Utah | $40.00 | $120.00 | |
| Vermont | $28.00 | $54.00 | |
| Virginia | $28.00 | $72.00 | Freshwater; fees effective October 1, 2026 (previously $23 / $47). |
| Washington | $39.95 | $115.85 | Freshwater. |
| West Virginia | $19.00 | $37.00 | Base license (Class B / Class F); conservation stamp required on top. |
| Wisconsin | $20.00 | $55.00 | |
| Wyoming | $27.00 | $102.00 | Conservation stamp required on top of annual licenses. |
| District of Columbia | $10.00 | $13.00 | Bonus row; DC is not a state. |
Methodology
Fees in this index are the standard annual sport-fishing license prices published by each state’s fish and wildlife agency for the 2026 license year. Nine states were verified directly from official agency pages or rule books in October 2026 (for example, Georgia DNR, Idaho Fish and Game, Maine DIFW, Maryland DNR, and California DFW), and eight more were cross-checked across two or more independent recent sources. The remaining states come from a September to October 2026 third-party index that documents per-state official-site checks. No figures were estimated or invented: where sources conflicted, the conflict is recorded in the table notes (notably North Carolina, where inland-fishing fee figures vary between digest editions, and Kentucky, where the listed fees reflect the CPI adjustment effective January 1, 2026).
License fee schedules change frequently and do not all follow the calendar year (New Mexico and Virginia, for instance, turn over on non-calendar license years). Treat this index as a planning reference and confirm the current fee with your state agency before purchasing. License revenue funds conservation programs, including habitat work and hatcheries; if you fish regularly, pairing a valid license with bass fishing tips for beginners and learning how to catch a bass will do more for your season than any gear upgrade.
Gear notes for travelers: anglers heading to coastal states should check whether a separate saltwater license applies, since the table quotes the freshwater product where states split licensing. Our guides to saltwater baitcasting, how to spool a baitcaster, and types of fishing reels cover the equipment side, and choosing a baitcasting reel plus budget-friendly reels help keep trip costs down. If you are weighing baitcasting vs spinning gear for a new state, start with the cheaper license state on your route.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a fishing license to fish in the United States?
In almost every case, yes. All 50 states and the District of Columbia require a fishing license for anglers above a minimum age, usually 16. Exemptions exist for designated free fishing days, licensed private ponds, and anglers below the minimum age.
Why do nonresident fishing licenses cost more than resident licenses?
State fish and wildlife agencies are funded largely by license revenue and federal excise taxes. Residents already support conservation through state taxes, so their fees are lower. Nonresidents pay a premium, and in some states the nonresident fee is set by reciprocity with the angler’s home state.
Do I need separate freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses?
It depends on the state. Inland states use a single license, while several coastal states split freshwater and saltwater licensing. Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Connecticut, for example, sell separate or packaged saltwater licenses, so check the coastal state’s rules before a saltwater trip.
How much does a US fishing license cost on average?
Annual resident licenses typically range from about $9 to $65, while nonresident annual licenses usually run from about $13 to $174. The exact fee depends on the state, the license type, and any required stamps or endorsements, which are listed per state in the index table above.
Reference note: this page is a data index compiled for planning and citation purposes. It contains no affiliate links and makes no product recommendations. License fees change; always verify the current fee with your state fish and wildlife agency before purchasing.
