North Dakota vs South Dakota fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, North Dakota is $17 cheaper than South Dakota. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, North Dakota is $32 cheaper than South Dakota. You need a license from age 16 in North Dakota 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 | North Dakota | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $53 | $26 |
| 3 days | $53 | $70 |
| 7 days | $63 | $105 |
| 1 year | $73 | $105 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $29 | $41 |
| Prices for | 2026-27 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| North Dakota | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 18 |
| Senior residents | Resident senior citizen fishing license (65 and over): $10 (ages 65+) | Resident senior annual fishing license (65+): $17 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (resident): $2 Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (non-resident): $5 | Habitat stamp (resident): $10 Habitat stamp (non-resident): $25 |
| Next free fishing day | Dec 26–27, 2026 (residents) Jun 5–6, 2027 (residents) Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Not applicable | It depends on the boat and where you fish |
| License on your phone | Accepted | – |
| Annual licenses last | To 03-31 | To January 31 after the license year |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: North Dakota fishing license · South 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 | North Dakota | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
Largemouth and smallmouth bass |
| Trout |
Trout (brown, cutthroat, lake, rainbow, tiger) |
Trout, salmon and splake Lake trout (Black Hills) |
| Walleye |
Walleye, sauger and saugeye |
Walleye and sauger |
| Crappie |
No minimum; bag 10 (20 in possession) |
No minimum; bag 15 (possession 30) |
| Catfish |
Channel catfish |
Channel and flathead catfish White bass, rock bass and bullhead |
| Northern pike |
No minimum; bag 5 (10 in possession) (Statewide; 1 more) |
No minimum; bag 6 (possession 12) |
| Yellow perch |
No minimum; bag 20 (40 in possession) |
No minimum; bag 15 (possession 30) |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge (pure or hybrid) |
Muskellunge and tiger muskie |
| Salmon |
No minimum; bag 5 (10 in possession) |
Trout, salmon and splake |
Questions
Is a North Dakota fishing license valid in South Dakota?
No. Each state needs its own license. There's no general agreement between the two states.
Which is cheaper for visitors, North Dakota or South Dakota?
1 day (fresh water): North Dakota $53, South Dakota $26. 1 year (fresh water): North Dakota $73, South Dakota $105.
At what age do you need a fishing license in North Dakota and South Dakota?
You need a license from age 16 in North Dakota and from 18 in South Dakota.