What will it cost? Calculator
Pick your trip and we'll work out the cheapest licenses to buy, including any required stamps.
Licenses and prices
Checked Nov 4, 2026Prices for 2026. Listed prices are state fees. Online purchases add a $2.75 administrative fee per license and a 4.95% convenience fee; vendors add $2.75 plus up to $1.50, town clerks $2.75 plus $1. The $5 Wildlands Conservation Stamp is extra.
How long annual licenses last: All licenses and permits are valid for the calendar year and expire on December 31. Official source23
Non-residents (visitors)
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age-limited licenses | ||||
| Non-resident freshwater fishing license Ages 18+ | Fresh | Annual | $50 | Official source |
| Non-resident 3-day freshwater fishing license Ages 18+ | Fresh | 3 days | $30.50 | Official source |
| Non-resident minor freshwater fishing license (15-17) Ages 15–17 | Fresh | Annual | $8 | Official source |
| Recreational saltwater fishing permit (non-resident, 16-59) Under 60 | Salt | Annual | $10 | Official source2 |
| Recreational saltwater fishing permit (non-resident, 60 and over) Ages 60+ | Salt | Annual | Free |
Free; needed when fishing from shore or a private boat. Official source2 |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Quabbin Reservoir 1-day fishing license (non-resident) | Fresh | 1 day | $5 |
Only for: Quabbin Reservoir only. Official source |
Residents
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age-limited licenses | ||||
| Resident freshwater fishing license Ages 18–64 | Fresh | Annual | $40 | Official source |
| Resident 3-day freshwater fishing license Ages 18+ | Fresh | 3 days | $20 | Official source |
| Resident minor freshwater fishing license (15-17) Ages 15–17 | Fresh | Annual | Free | Official source2 |
| Resident senior freshwater fishing license (65-69) Ages 65–69 | Fresh | Annual | $20 |
Discounted licenses are only for US citizens. Official source |
| Resident freshwater fishing license (70 and over) Ages 70+ | Fresh | Annual | Free | Official source2 |
| Recreational saltwater fishing permit (resident, 16-59) Under 60 | Salt | Annual | $10 | Official source2 |
| Recreational saltwater fishing permit (resident, 60 and over) Ages 60+ | Salt | Annual | Free |
Free; needed when fishing from shore or a private boat. Official source2 |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Free freshwater fishing license for residents who are blind, paraplegic or intellectually disabled | Fresh | Annual | Free |
Only for: First-time applicants apply by mail with a certificate or doctor's form; renew online afterwards. Official source2 |
| Resident sporting license (fishing and hunting) | Fresh | Annual | $75 |
Only for: Includes hunting. The calculator quotes the fishing-only license. Official source |
| Resident sporting license, ages 65-69 | Fresh | Annual | $37.50 |
Only for: Includes hunting. Official source |
| Resident sporting license, 70 and over (includes trapping) | Fresh | Annual | Free |
Only for: Includes hunting and trapping. Official source |
| Quabbin Reservoir 1-day fishing license (resident) | Fresh | 1 day | $5 |
Only for: Quabbin Reservoir only. Official source |
Extra stamps and permits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Some of these are required: the calculator adds them automatically.
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Wildlands Conservation Stamp (resident)
$5Required for residents who needs a license (ages 18–69) fishing fresh water
$5, added to the first resident license bought each year. MassWildlife does not say whether it applies to free licenses; the calculator adds it for paying adults.
Residents · fresh water Official source
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Wildlands Conservation Stamp (non-resident)
$5Required for non-residents who needs a license (ages 15+) fishing fresh water
$5, added to every non-resident license.
Non-residents · fresh water Official source
Who doesn't need a license
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Anyone under 15 (fresh water)
Fresh Everyone Official source2
-
Anyone under 16 (salt water)
Salt Everyone Official source
-
Anglers who meet the disabled-person definition in M.G.L. c. 19C (saltwater permit)
Salt Everyone · check this applies to you Official source
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Holders of a valid Connecticut, New Hampshire or Rhode Island saltwater permit or license covered by reciprocity
Salt Everyone · check this applies to you Official source
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Anglers on a permitted for-hire boat (charter or head boat) in salt water
Salt Everyone Official source
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Federal HMS permit holders fishing only in federal waters (not landing in Massachusetts)
Salt Everyone Official source
-
Anyone on free fishing days (freshwater weekend in June; separate saltwater days)
FreshSalt Everyone Official source
Fishing licenses from other states aren't valid in Massachusetts, except under the border-water agreements below.
Free fishing days
Checked Nov 4, 2026Dates can move, and some free days are for residents only. Confirm with MassWildlife before you go.
Next dates not yet announced. Check the official page.
The rule: Freshwater: first weekend in June, announced each year by MassWildlife; Saltwater: free days announced each year by the Division of Marine Fisheries.
No license or permit needed on these days; catch limits and other rules still apply. 2027 dates not yet announced.
Residents and visitors
Checked Nov 4, 2026- Who counts as a resident
- A US citizen (or non-citizen) who has lived in Massachusetts for at least six consecutive months before applying. Discounted licenses are only for US citizens. (at least 180 days)
- Military
- Active-duty armed forces members stationed in Massachusetts count as residents.
How to buy a Massachusetts fishing license
Checked Nov 4, 2026Freshwater licenses and saltwater permits are sold through MassFishHunt online, at license vendors, at town clerks and at MassWildlife and DMF offices (cash or cheque only, no extra fees).
- Online
- Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife, fresh water) and Division of Marine Fisheries (salt water) license sales ($2.75 fee)
- Phone
- 508-389-6300
- License on your phone
- Accepted
Online fee is $2.75 per license plus 4.95% of the total. Carry a paper copy or a complete, legible image on your phone.
Fresh water and salt water need separate licenses: a MassWildlife freshwater license (from 15) and a DMF saltwater permit (from 16).
Charters, guides and piers
Checked Nov 4, 2026Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers.
Salt water: anglers on a permitted for-hire boat (charter or head boat) don't need a saltwater permit. Everyone 16 or over on a private boat needs their own permit. Freshwater guided trips: anglers 15 or over need a freshwater license.
Charter rules depend on the boat and where you fish. Ask the captain, and check MassWildlife's rules before you book.
Border waters
Saltwater reciprocity with Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut
Massachusetts accepts valid Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island saltwater permits under reciprocity. A Massachusetts permit is accepted in Maine and Rhode Island regardless of residency, in New Hampshire for non-New Hampshire residents, and in Connecticut for Massachusetts residents. Official source
Seasons and limits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Limits change, and many lakes, rivers and coastal areas have their own rules. Check MassWildlife's current rules before you keep a fish.
Statewide freshwater rules (321 CMR 4.00, MassWildlife) and recreational saltwater rules (322 CMR, Division of Marine Fisheries, page updated April 2026). Freshwater limits are daily limits. Saltwater limits are possession limits per angler unless noted.
| Species | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trout (brook, brown, rainbow, tiger) Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 6 in total; no more than 3 brook, brown or tiger trout | Year-round |
| Housatonic River and some ponds have special rules. Official source Trout limits in other states | ||||
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass Fresh | Statewide | 12" minimum | 5 in total | Year-round |
| Catch and release on some listed river sections. Official source Largemouth bass limits in other states | ||||
| Northern pike Fresh | Statewide | 28" minimum | 1 | – |
| Official source Northern pike limits in other states | ||||
| Chain pickerel Fresh | Statewide | 15" minimum | 5 | – |
| Official source | ||||
| Walleye Fresh | Statewide | 14" minimum | 5 | – |
| Official source Walleye limits in other states | ||||
| Tiger muskellunge Fresh | Statewide | 28" minimum | 1 | – |
| Official source Muskellunge (muskie) limits in other states | ||||
| Landlocked salmon Fresh | Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs, their tributaries, and the Swift River below Quabbin | 15" minimum | 2 | – |
| May only be kept in these waters. Official source Salmon limits in other states | ||||
| Lake trout Fresh | Quabbin Reservoir | 18" minimum | 2 | Set by DCR |
| Lake trout | Wachusett Reservoir | No minimum listed | 3 | Set by DCR |
| Official source Trout limits in other states | ||||
| American shad Fresh | Connecticut and Merrimack rivers and tributaries | No minimum | 3 | – |
| Catch and release only elsewhere. Official source | ||||
| Sunfish, crappie, yellow perch and catfish Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | No limit | Year-round |
| Covered by 'all other freshwater species', which has no limit. Official source Crappie limits in other states | ||||
| Striped bass Salt | State waters | 28" to under 31" | 1 | Year-round |
| Inline circle hooks required with natural bait; no gaffing. Rules are reviewed most years. Official source Striped bass limits in other states | ||||
| Bluefish Salt | State waters | No minimum | 5 (7 on for-hire boats) | Year-round |
| Official source | ||||
| Black sea bass Salt | State waters | 16" minimum | 4 from May 16 to August 31; 2 from September 1 to October 14 | May 16 to October 14 |
| Official source Black sea bass limits in other states | ||||
| Scup Salt | State waters | 11" (9.5" from shore) | 30 (40 on for-hire boats May 1 to June 30) Boat: 150 for private boats with 5 or more anglers |
May 1 to December 31 |
| Official source | ||||
| Summer flounder (fluke) Salt | State waters | 17.5" from a boat; 16.5" from shore | 5 | May 24 to September 23 |
| Official source Flounder limits in other states | ||||
| Winter flounder Salt | Gulf of Maine | 12" minimum | 8 | Year-round |
| Winter flounder | Southern New England | 12" minimum | 2 | March 1 to December 31 |
| Official source Flounder limits in other states | ||||
| Tautog Salt | State waters | 16" minimum; only 1 over 21" | 3 (April-May), 1 (June-July), 3 (August 1 to October 14), 5 (October 15 to December 31) Boat: 10 per private boat |
– |
| Official source | ||||
| Cod and haddock Salt | Set each year: check here. Set by federal rules and changed in 2026 (cod in the Western Gulf of Maine: 23", 1 a day, September 1 to October 31; no cod may be kept in Southern New England). Check DMF before fishing. | |||
| Atlantic mackerel Salt | State waters | No minimum | 25 (50 on for-hire boats) | Year-round |
| Official source | ||||
| Tunas Salt | Set each year: check here. Managed by NOAA's Highly Migratory Species office; a federal permit is needed. Check NOAA before fishing. | |||
Compare Massachusetts with other states
Neighboring states, side by side: prices, age rules, free days and shared waters.
Questions
Do I need a fishing license in Massachusetts?
Yes, if you are 15 or older and fish public waters in Massachusetts, unless an exemption applies. No license is needed for: Anyone under 15 (fresh water); Anyone under 16 (salt water).
How much is a non-resident fishing license in Massachusetts?
For an adult fishing fresh water, the cheapest options for 2026 are $35.50 for one day (Non-resident 3-day freshwater fishing license, Wildlands Conservation Stamp (non-resident) (required)); $55 for seven days (Non-resident freshwater fishing license, Wildlands Conservation Stamp (non-resident) (required)); $55 for a year (Non-resident freshwater fishing license, Wildlands Conservation Stamp (non-resident) (required)). Listed prices are state fees. Online purchases add a $2.75 administrative fee per license and a 4.95% convenience fee; vendors add $2.75 plus up to $1.50, town clerks $2.75 plus $1. The $5 Wildlands Conservation Stamp is extra.
Do seniors need a fishing license in Massachusetts?
Senior options for residents: Resident freshwater fishing license (70 and over): Free (ages 70+); Recreational saltwater fishing permit (resident, 60 and over): Free (ages 60+). Non-resident seniors: Recreational saltwater fishing permit (non-resident, 60 and over): Free (ages 60+).
How do I get a fishing license in Massachusetts?
Buy it from Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife, fresh water) and Division of Marine Fisheries (salt water): Freshwater licenses and saltwater permits are sold through MassFishHunt online, at license vendors, at town clerks and at MassWildlife and DMF offices (cash or cheque only, no extra fees). Online purchases carry a $2.75 fee.
Do I need a license to fish on a charter in Massachusetts?
Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers. Salt water: anglers on a permitted for-hire boat (charter or head boat) don't need a saltwater permit. Everyone 16 or over on a private boat needs their own permit. Freshwater guided trips: anglers 15 or over need a freshwater license.
Sources and checks
Every fact on this page comes from Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife, fresh water) and Division of Marine Fisheries (salt water) unless it's marked secondary. We use a secondary source only when the official site doesn't show something, and we name it.
- Licenses and prices
- Checked Nov 4, 2026 (prices for 2026)
- Free fishing days
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
- Seasons and limits
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
All 7 source pages
- malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIX/Chapter131/Section11
- mass.gov/info-details/freshwater-fishing-regulations
- www.mass.gov/info-details/fishing-and-hunting-license-types-and-fees
- www.mass.gov/info-details/who-needs-a-freshwater-fishing-license
- www.mass.gov/news/june-6-7-2026-is-free-fishing-weekend
- www.mass.gov/saltwater-regulations
- www.mass.gov/service-details/who-needs-a-recreational-saltwater-fishing-permit
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