Idaho vs Oregon fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Idaho is $31.25 cheaper than Oregon. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Idaho is $20 cheaper than Oregon. You need a license from age 14 in Idaho and from 12 in Oregon.
- 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 | Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $22.75 | $29 |
| 3 days | $36.75 | $68 |
| 7 days | $64.75 | $117 |
| 1 year | $118 | $138 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $35.50 | $50 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Idaho | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| 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+) | No senior discount |
| 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 | Ocean Endorsement (annual): $9 |
| Next free fishing day | Sat, Jun 12, 2027 Not yet announced | Nov 27–28, 2026 Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Not applicable | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license |
| License on your phone | – | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | To 12-31 | To December 31 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Idaho fishing license · Oregon fishing license
Shared waters
Snake River (Oregon and Washington boundary) and Bear Lake (Utah) (Idaho rules)
Idaho law lets IDFG agree with Oregon, Washington and Utah to recognize each other's licenses on these shared waters. Check the current agreement and rules before relying on an out-of-state license. Official source
Snake River (Idaho) (Oregon rules)
Either a valid Oregon or Idaho license is accepted on the Snake River where it forms the Oregon-Idaho border, but not on the other state's shoreline, sloughs or tributaries. 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 | Idaho | Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Trout |
Trout (rainbow, cutthroat, brown, lake trout and hybrids, combined) Brook trout |
Trout Salmon and steelhead: set each year |
| Salmon |
Kokanee Chinook and coho salmon (ocean-run): set each year |
Kokanee Salmon and steelhead: set each year |
Questions
Is a Idaho fishing license valid in Oregon?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Snake River (Oregon and Washington boundary) and Bear Lake (Utah); Snake River (Idaho).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Idaho or Oregon?
1 day (fresh water): Idaho $22.75, Oregon $29. 1 year (fresh water): Idaho $118, Oregon $138.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Idaho and Oregon?
You need a license from age 14 in Idaho and from 12 in Oregon.