Minnesota vs South Dakota fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Minnesota is $34 cheaper than South Dakota. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Minnesota is $54 cheaper than South Dakota. You need a license from age 16 in Minnesota and from 18 in South 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 | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $14 | $26 |
| 3 days | $36 | $70 |
| 7 days | $43 | $105 |
| 1 year | $51 | $105 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $25 | $41 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Minnesota | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 18 |
| Senior residents | Free (fresh): Minnesota residents aged 90 or over Resident lifetime angling license (age 51 and over): $379 (ages 51+) | Resident senior annual fishing license (65+): $17 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Non-resident lifetime angling license (age 51 and over): $794 (ages 51+) | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | Habitat stamp (resident): $10 Habitat stamp (non-resident): $25 |
| Next free fishing day | May 8–9, 2027 (residents) Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license | It depends on the boat and where you fish |
| License on your phone | Accepted | – |
| Annual licenses last | To 02-28 | To January 31 after the license year |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Minnesota fishing license · South Dakota fishing license
Shared waters
Minnesota-South Dakota and Minnesota-Iowa boundary waters (Big Stone Lake, Lake Traverse, Little Spirit Lake and others) (Minnesota rules)
Minnesota residents need a Minnesota license; residents of the bordering state need their own state's license; other non-residents may buy either state's non-resident license. Secondary source: Minnesota Fishing Regulations (eRegulations)
Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska border waters (South Dakota rules)
Follow the rules of the state you're licensed in or fishing in, whichever is more restrictive, and enter and leave the water from the state that licensed you. Daily and possession limits apply even if you hold both states' licenses. Check the handbook for each water. 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 | South 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, salmon and splake Lake trout (Black Hills) |
| Walleye |
Walleye and sauger: set each year |
Walleye and sauger |
| Crappie |
bag 10 |
No minimum; bag 15 (possession 30) |
| Catfish |
Channel catfish Flathead catfish |
Channel and flathead catfish White bass, rock bass and bullhead |
| Northern pike |
Release all 30-40"; only 1 over 40"; bag 2 (Northeast zone; 2 more) |
No minimum; bag 6 (possession 12) |
| Yellow perch |
bag 20 a day; 40 in possession |
No minimum; bag 15 (possession 30) |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge |
Muskellunge and tiger muskie |
Questions
Is a Minnesota fishing license valid in South Dakota?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Minnesota-South Dakota and Minnesota-Iowa boundary waters (Big Stone Lake, Lake Traverse, Little Spirit Lake and others); Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska border waters.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Minnesota or South Dakota?
1 day (fresh water): Minnesota $14, South Dakota $26. 1 year (fresh water): Minnesota $51, South Dakota $105.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Minnesota and South Dakota?
You need a license from age 16 in Minnesota and from 18 in South Dakota.