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Fishing license cost by state

What does a fishing license cost, and where do you buy the real thing? This is the annual freshwater license price for all 50 states, resident and non-resident, each linked straight to the state's official agency. Planning a trip out of state, or just renewing at home, start here, then always buy on the official site.

Prices are approximate base rates for a standard annual freshwater license, gathered from state agencies and last reviewed July 2026. Every state sets its own fees, changes them yearly, and adds stamps or endorsements for trout, salmon, saltwater and special waters. Treat these as a guide and confirm the current price on the official page before you buy. This is not legal advice.

$26average resident, per year
$62average non-resident, per year
50states, official links
๐ŸŽฃ Free fishing days: almost every state offers one or two days a year when you can fish without a license, often around National Fishing and Boating Week in early June. Dates shift each year, so check your state's site (linked below) for this season's free days before you count on them.
Sort
StateResidentNon-residentBuy / info
Alabama $14 $54
Alaska $20 $100
Arizona $37 $55
Arkansas $23 $70
California $53 $143
Colorado $36 $101
Connecticut $32 $63
Delaware $13 $26
Florida $17 $47
Georgia $15 $50
Hawaii $5 $25
Idaho $31 $98
Illinois $15 $32
Indiana $17 $35
Iowa $22 $48
Kansas $28 $53
Kentucky $23 $55
Louisiana $10 $60
Maine $25 $64
Maryland $26 $41
Massachusetts $28 $38
Michigan $26 $76
Minnesota $25 $51
Mississippi $12 $64
Missouri $12 $49
Montana $31 $104
Nebraska $38 $84
Nevada $40 $80
New Hampshire $45 $63
New Jersey $33 $54
New Mexico $25 $56
New York $25 $50
North Carolina $25 $45
North Dakota $18 $48
Ohio $25 $51
Oklahoma $25 $55
Oregon $44 $111
Pennsylvania $33 $63
Rhode Island $24 $41
South Carolina $10 $35
South Dakota $28 $67
Tennessee $34 $50
Texas $30 $58
Utah $34 $85
Vermont $28 $54
Virginia $23 $47
Washington $30 $85
West Virginia $29 $53
Wisconsin $30 $60
Wyoming $27 $102

Buying a license funds the fisheries you enjoy: agencies use the money for stocking, access, habitat and enforcement. New to it all? Start with the catch your first fish guide, see what is active now on the what's biting page, and time your trip with the spawning temperature chart.

Free to cite: link back to this page. Prices are approximate base freshwater rates - always confirm the current figure on the official state site linked in each row.

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