Montana vs North Dakota fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, North Dakota is $6.50 cheaper than Montana. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, North Dakota is $44.50 cheaper than Montana. You need a license from age 12 in Montana and from 16 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 | Montana | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $31.50 | $53 |
| 3 days | $59.50 | $53 |
| 7 days | $101.50 | $63 |
| 1 year | $117.50 | $73 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $31 | $29 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026-27 |
Rules side by side
| Montana | North Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 12 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Resident base fishing license (senior 62+): $10.50 (ages 62+) | Resident senior citizen fishing license (65 and over): $10 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | Conservation License (resident): $8 Conservation License (resident youth 12-17): $4 Conservation License (resident senior 62+): $4 Conservation License (non-resident): $10 Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (resident): $2 Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (non-resident): $7.50 | Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (resident): $2 Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (non-resident): $5 |
| Next free fishing day | Jun 19–20, 2027 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 End of February | To 03-31 |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Montana fishing license · North Dakota 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 | Montana | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Trout |
Trout (rivers and streams) Trout (lakes and reservoirs) |
Trout (brown, cutthroat, lake, rainbow, tiger) |
| Walleye |
Walleye and sauger |
Walleye, sauger and saugeye |
| Crappie |
bag 15 (30 in possession) (Central and Eastern districts; 1 more) |
No minimum; bag 10 (20 in possession) |
| Catfish |
Channel catfish |
Channel catfish |
| Northern pike |
bag 15 (Western District; 1 more) |
No minimum; bag 5 (10 in possession) (Statewide; 1 more) |
| Salmon |
Kokanee salmon |
No minimum; bag 5 (10 in possession) |
Questions
Is a Montana fishing license valid in North Dakota?
No. Each state needs its own license. There's no general agreement between the two states.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Montana or North Dakota?
1 day (fresh water): Montana $31.50, North Dakota $53. 1 year (fresh water): Montana $117.50, North Dakota $73.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Montana and North Dakota?
You need a license from age 12 in Montana and from 16 in North Dakota.