Maine vs New Hampshire fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, New Hampshire is $2 cheaper than Maine. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, New Hampshire is $20 cheaper than Maine. You need a license from age 16 in Maine and in New Hampshire.
- 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 | Maine | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $18 | $15 |
| 3 days | $30 | $28 |
| 7 days | $62 | $35 |
| 1 year | $83 | $63 |
| Salt water | ||
| 1 day | $1 | $11 |
| 3 days | $1 | $11 |
| 7 days | $1 | $11 |
| 1 year | $1 | $11 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $30 | $45 |
| Salt water | $1 | $11 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Maine | New Hampshire | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Resident senior lifetime license (age 70 and over): $8 (ages 70+) | Resident senior freshwater fishing license (68+): $7 (ages 68+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | May 29–31, 2027 (residents) Sun, Jul 4, 2027 (residents) Not yet announced | Sat, Jan 16, 2027 Sat, Jun 5, 2027 Not yet announced |
| On a charter | It depends on the boat and where you fish | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers |
| License on your phone | Accepted | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | To 12-31 | To 12-31 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 5, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Maine fishing license · New Hampshire fishing license
Shared waters
Lakes and ponds shared with New Hampshire (Maine rules)
Maine or New Hampshire licenses are accepted on lakes and ponds lying partly in both states, and Maine licenses are honored on the interstate waters listed in the law book appendix. Official source
Massachusetts and Maine coastal waters (New Hampshire rules)
A New Hampshire saltwater license lets you fish all coastal and estuarine waters of Massachusetts and Maine. New Hampshire residents can't fish New Hampshire salt water with a Maine or Massachusetts license. Official source
Maine border lakes (Umbagog, Great East Lake, Province Lake, Salmon Falls River and others) (New Hampshire rules)
New Hampshire and Maine fishing licenses are both valid. Secondary source: New Hampshire Fishing Digest 2026 (eRegulations)
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 | Maine | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) |
Black bass (smallmouth and largemouth) |
| Smallmouth bass |
Black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) |
Black bass (smallmouth and largemouth) |
| Trout |
Brook trout (with splake and Arctic charr) Lake trout (togue) |
Brook, rainbow and brown trout Lake trout |
| Crappie |
Northern pike, crappie and other species not named in the general law |
Yellow perch, white perch, black crappie, sunfish and horned pout |
| Striped bass |
Striped bass: set each year |
28" to under 31"; bag 1 |
| Northern pike |
Northern pike, crappie and other species not named in the general law |
28" minimum; bag 1 |
| Salmon |
Landlocked salmon |
Landlocked salmon |
| Flounder |
Winter flounder |
Winter flounder Summer flounder (fluke) |
| Black sea bass |
13" minimum; bag 10 |
16.5" minimum; bag 4 |
Questions
Is a Maine fishing license valid in New Hampshire?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Lakes and ponds shared with New Hampshire; Massachusetts and Maine coastal waters; Maine border lakes (Umbagog, Great East Lake, Province Lake, Salmon Falls River and others).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Maine or New Hampshire?
1 day (fresh water): Maine $18, New Hampshire $15. 1 year (fresh water): Maine $83, New Hampshire $63.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Maine and New Hampshire?
You need a license from age 16 in Maine and in New Hampshire.