Connecticut vs New York fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Connecticut is $6 cheaper than New York. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, New York is $5 cheaper than Connecticut. You need a license from age 16 in Connecticut and in New York.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Connecticut | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $22 | $10 |
| 3 days | $22 | $28 |
| 7 days | $55 | $28 |
| 1 year | $55 | $50 |
| Salt water | ||
| 1 day | $8 | Free |
| 3 days | $8 | Free |
| 7 days | $15 | Free |
| 1 year | $15 | Free |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $28 | $25 |
| Salt water | $10 | Free |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Connecticut | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Resident inland fishing license (65+, free): Free (ages 65+) Resident marine waters fishing license (65+, free): Free (ages 65+) | Resident annual freshwater fishing license (70 and over): $5 (ages 70+) Resident lifetime freshwater fishing license (70 and over): $65 (ages 70+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Wed, Nov 11, 2026 Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers |
| License on your phone | Accepted | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | To 12-31 | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 5, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Connecticut fishing license · New York fishing license
Shared waters
Long Island Sound and Connecticut's marine district (Connecticut rules)
Valid marine fishing licenses from Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island are accepted in Connecticut's marine district. Connecticut residents need a Connecticut license. Official source
Indian Lake (Connecticut) (New York rules)
A New York license is valid on the Connecticut portion from a boat or the ice only. Official source
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Connecticut | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Trout |
9" minimum (from January 1, 2026); bag 5 |
Trout in inland streams (brook, brown, rainbow, splake) Trout in lakes and ponds |
| Walleye |
18" minimum; bag 2 |
15" minimum; bag 5 |
| Crappie |
Panfish |
Crappie (black and white) |
| Striped bass |
28" to under 31" (slot); bag 1 |
23" to 28" slot; bag 1 (Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge; 1 more) |
| Northern pike |
Northern pike and tiger muskie |
18" minimum; bag 5 |
| Yellow perch |
Panfish |
No minimum; bag 50 |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Northern pike and tiger muskie |
Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge |
| Salmon |
Kokanee Atlantic salmon |
Landlocked Atlantic salmon |
| Flounder |
Summer flounder (fluke) Winter flounder |
Summer flounder (fluke): set each year Winter flounder |
| Black sea bass |
15.5" minimum (tail filament not measured); bag 4 (Statewide; 1 more) |
Black sea bass: set each year |
Questions
Is a Connecticut fishing license valid in New York?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Long Island Sound and Connecticut's marine district; Indian Lake (Connecticut).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Connecticut or New York?
1 day (fresh water): Connecticut $22, New York $10. 1 year (fresh water): Connecticut $55, New York $50.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Connecticut and New York?
You need a license from age 16 in Connecticut and in New York.