Minnesota vs North Dakota fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Minnesota is $17 cheaper than North Dakota. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Minnesota is $22 cheaper than North Dakota. You need a license from age 16 in Minnesota and in North Dakota.
- 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 | Minnesota | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $14 | $53 |
| 3 days | $36 | $53 |
| 7 days | $43 | $63 |
| 1 year | $51 | $73 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $25 | $29 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026-27 |
Rules side by side
| Minnesota | North Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Free (fresh): Minnesota residents aged 90 or over Resident lifetime angling license (age 51 and over): $379 (ages 51+) | Resident senior citizen fishing license (65 and over): $10 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Non-resident lifetime angling license (age 51 and over): $794 (ages 51+) | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (resident): $2 Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (non-resident): $5 |
| Next free fishing day | May 8–9, 2027 (residents) Not yet announced | Dec 26–27, 2026 (residents) Jun 5–6, 2027 (residents) Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license | Not applicable |
| License on your phone | Accepted | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | To 02-28 | To 03-31 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Minnesota fishing license · North Dakota fishing license
Shared waters
Minnesota-North Dakota boundary waters (Red River of the North, Bois de Sioux River) (Minnesota rules)
Anglers fishing from the North Dakota shore need a North Dakota license. Secondary source: Minnesota Fishing Regulations (eRegulations)
Red River and Bois de Sioux River (Minnesota) (North Dakota rules)
Anglers with a valid North Dakota or Minnesota license may fish between the banks and from the shore of the state that issued their license, and take fish home by the most direct route to that state. 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 | Minnesota | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Trout |
Lake trout Stream trout (brook, brown, rainbow, splake) |
Trout (brown, cutthroat, lake, rainbow, tiger) |
| Walleye |
Walleye and sauger: set each year |
Walleye, sauger and saugeye |
| Crappie |
bag 10 |
No minimum; bag 10 (20 in possession) |
| Catfish |
Channel catfish Flathead catfish |
Channel catfish |
| Northern pike |
Release all 30-40"; only 1 over 40"; bag 2 (Northeast zone; 2 more) |
No minimum; bag 5 (10 in possession) (Statewide; 1 more) |
| Yellow perch |
bag 20 a day; 40 in possession |
No minimum; bag 20 (40 in possession) |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge |
Muskellunge (pure or hybrid) |
Questions
Is a Minnesota fishing license valid in North Dakota?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Minnesota-North Dakota boundary waters (Red River of the North, Bois de Sioux River); Red River and Bois de Sioux River (Minnesota).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Minnesota or North Dakota?
1 day (fresh water): Minnesota $14, North Dakota $53. 1 year (fresh water): Minnesota $51, North Dakota $73.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Minnesota and North Dakota?
You need a license from age 16 in Minnesota and in North Dakota.