Idaho vs Utah fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Idaho is $7.25 cheaper than Utah. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Idaho is $2 cheaper than Utah. You need a license from age 14 in Idaho and from 12 in Utah.
- 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 | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $22.75 | $44 |
| 3 days | $36.75 | $44 |
| 7 days | $64.75 | $91 |
| 1 year | $118 | $120 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $35.50 | $40 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Idaho | Utah | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 365-day fishing license (65+): $31 (ages 65+) Resident 3-year fishing license (65+): $93 (ages 65+) Resident 5-year fishing license (65+): $155 (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 | It depends on the boat and where you fish |
| License on your phone | – | Accepted |
| 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 · Utah 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
Bear Lake (Idaho) (Utah rules)
A valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license (resident or non-resident) covers both parts of the lake. Only one daily limit a day. 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 | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| 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, kokanee and Arctic grayling |
| Walleye |
bag 6 (Magic Valley; 1 more) |
Only 1 over 24"; bag 10 |
| Crappie |
Other fish (crappie, yellow perch, sunfish, catfish) |
Crappie (black and white) |
| Catfish |
Other fish (crappie, yellow perch, sunfish, catfish) |
Channel catfish |
| Northern pike |
bag No limit; harvest encouraged |
Only 1 over 36"; bag 20 |
| Yellow perch |
Other fish (crappie, yellow perch, sunfish, catfish) |
No statewide minimum; bag 50 |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Tiger muskie |
Tiger muskellunge |
| Salmon |
Kokanee Chinook and coho salmon (ocean-run): set each year |
Trout, kokanee and Arctic grayling |
Questions
Is a Idaho fishing license valid in Utah?
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); Bear Lake (Idaho).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Idaho or Utah?
1 day (fresh water): Idaho $22.75, Utah $44. 1 year (fresh water): Idaho $118, Utah $120.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Idaho and Utah?
You need a license from age 14 in Idaho and from 12 in Utah.