Massachusetts vs New York fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, New York is $7.50 cheaper than Massachusetts. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, New York is $5 cheaper than Massachusetts. You need a license from age 15 in Massachusetts and from 16 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 | Massachusetts | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $35.50 | $10 |
| 3 days | $35.50 | $28 |
| 7 days | $55 | $28 |
| 1 year | $55 | $50 |
| Salt water | ||
| 1 day | $10 | Free |
| 3 days | $10 | Free |
| 7 days | $10 | Free |
| 1 year | $10 | Free |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $45 | $25 |
| Salt water | $10 | Free |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Massachusetts | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 15 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Resident freshwater fishing license (70 and over): Free (ages 70+) Recreational saltwater fishing permit (resident, 60 and over): Free (ages 60+) | Resident annual freshwater fishing license (70 and over): $5 (ages 70+) Resident lifetime freshwater fishing license (70 and over): $65 (ages 70+) |
| Senior visitors | Recreational saltwater fishing permit (non-resident, 60 and over): Free (ages 60+) | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | Wildlands Conservation Stamp (resident): $5 Wildlands Conservation Stamp (non-resident): $5 | 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 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Massachusetts fishing license · New York 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 | Massachusetts | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Trout |
Trout (brook, brown, rainbow, tiger) Lake trout |
Trout in inland streams (brook, brown, rainbow, splake) Trout in lakes and ponds |
| Walleye |
14" minimum; bag 5 |
15" minimum; bag 5 |
| Crappie |
Sunfish, crappie, yellow perch and catfish |
Crappie (black and white) |
| Striped bass |
28" to under 31"; bag 1 |
23" to 28" slot; bag 1 (Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge; 1 more) |
| Northern pike |
28" minimum; bag 1 |
18" minimum; bag 5 |
| Yellow perch |
Sunfish, crappie, yellow perch and catfish |
No minimum; bag 50 |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Tiger muskellunge |
Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge |
| Salmon |
Landlocked salmon |
Landlocked Atlantic salmon |
| Flounder |
Summer flounder (fluke) Winter flounder |
Summer flounder (fluke): set each year Winter flounder |
| Black sea bass |
16" minimum; bag 4 from May 16 to August 31; 2 from September 1 to October 14 |
Black sea bass: set each year |
Questions
Is a Massachusetts fishing license valid in New York?
No. Each state needs its own license. There's no general agreement between the two states.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Massachusetts or New York?
1 day (fresh water): Massachusetts $35.50, New York $10. 1 year (fresh water): Massachusetts $55, New York $50.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Massachusetts and New York?
You need a license from age 15 in Massachusetts and from 16 in New York.