Idaho vs Nevada fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Nevada is $4.75 cheaper than Idaho. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Nevada is $38 cheaper than Idaho. You need a license from age 14 in Idaho and from 12 in Nevada.
- 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 | Idaho | Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $22.75 | $18 |
| 3 days | $36.75 | $32 |
| 7 days | $64.75 | $60 |
| 1 year | $118 | $80 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $35.50 | $40 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Idaho | Nevada | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 14 | 12 |
| Senior residents | Resident senior combination license (hunting and fishing, 65+): $13.75 (ages 65+) Resident lifetime fishing license (age 51+): $481.75 (ages 51+) | Resident senior specialty combination hunting and fishing license (65+): $15 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | Access/depredation fee (resident adult): $5 Access/depredation fee (resident junior): $2 Access/depredation fee (resident senior): $2 Access/depredation fee (non-resident adult): $10 Access/depredation fee (non-resident junior or DAV): $4 | None |
| Next free fishing day | Sat, Jun 12, 2027 Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Not applicable | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license |
| License on your phone | – | – |
| Annual licenses last | To 12-31 | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 5, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Idaho fishing license · Nevada fishing license
Shared waters
Neither state lists a special agreement for waters shared with the other. Where you fish decides which license you need.
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 | Idaho | Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) |
| Trout |
Trout (rainbow, cutthroat, brown, lake trout and hybrids, combined) Brook trout |
bag 5 (Western Region (Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe); 6 more) |
| Walleye |
bag 6 (Magic Valley; 1 more) |
bag 5 (within 15 warmwater game fish) (Western Region (Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe); 1 more) |
| Crappie |
Other fish (crappie, yellow perch, sunfish, catfish) |
bag 15 |
| Catfish |
Other fish (crappie, yellow perch, sunfish, catfish) |
bag 25 (Lake Mead and Lake Mohave; 1 more) |
| Northern pike |
bag No limit; harvest encouraged |
bag No limit |
| Yellow perch |
Other fish (crappie, yellow perch, sunfish, catfish) |
bag No limit |
Questions
Is a Idaho fishing license valid in Nevada?
No. Each state needs its own license. There's no general agreement between the two states.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Idaho or Nevada?
1 day (fresh water): Idaho $22.75, Nevada $18. 1 year (fresh water): Idaho $118, Nevada $80.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Idaho and Nevada?
You need a license from age 14 in Idaho and from 12 in Nevada.