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 2026-27. Listed prices are license fees. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2 resident, $5 non-resident) is needed once a year and is shown separately.
Where these prices come from: Prices from NDGF's resident and non-resident license pages, checked November 2026.
How long annual licenses last: Fishing licenses run from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. Official source
Non-residents (visitors)
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-resident individual season fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $68 | Official source |
| Non-resident 3-day fishing license | Fresh | 3 days | $48 | Official source |
| Non-resident 10-day fishing license | Fresh | 10 days | $58 | Official source |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Non-resident married couple season fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $108 |
Only for: For married couples; covers both spouses. Official source |
Residents
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age-limited licenses | ||||
| Resident fishing license Ages 16+ | Fresh | Annual | $27 | Official source |
| Resident senior citizen fishing license (65 and over) Ages 65+ | Fresh | Annual | $10 | Official source |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Resident married couple fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $42 |
Only for: For married couples; covers both spouses. Official source |
| Resident totally or permanently disabled fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $10 |
Only for: Proof of disability needed. Official source |
| Resident veteran fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $10 |
Only for: For veterans with a 50% or higher service-connected disability. Official source |
| Resident combination license Ages 16+ | Fresh | Annual | $62 |
Only for: Includes fishing, general game and habitat, small game and furbearer licenses. Shown for hunters; the calculator quotes the fishing-only license. Official source |
Extra stamps and permits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Some of these are required: the calculator adds them automatically.
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Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (resident)
$2Required for residents who needs a license
Needed once a year with any license.
Residents Official source
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Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (non-resident)
$5Required for non-residents who needs a license
Needed once a year with any license.
Non-residents Official source
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Paddlefish tag (resident)
$15Needed by every paddlefish snagger, including those under 16, in addition to a fishing license.
Residents Official source
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Paddlefish tag (non-resident)
$35Needed by every paddlefish snagger, including those under 16, in addition to a fishing license.
Non-residents Official source
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Darkhouse spearfishing registration
FreeFree registration needed, in addition to a license, for darkhouse spearfishing.
Everyone Official source
Who doesn't need a license
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
North Dakota residents under 16 (paddlefish snaggers still need a tag)
Fresh Residents Official source
-
Non-residents under 16 who are accompanied by someone holding a valid fishing license
Fresh Non-residents · check this applies to you Official source
-
North Dakota residents on leave from active-duty US military service
Fresh Residents · check this applies to you Official source2
-
North Dakota residents on the four free fishing days (not for paddlefish)
Fresh Residents Official source
Fishing licenses from other states aren't valid in North Dakota, 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 NDGF before you go.
- Dec 26–27, 2026 Free Fishing Days (December) (residents only) Fresh
- Jun 5–6, 2027 Free Fishing Weekend (June) (residents only) Fresh
- Dec 26–27, 2027 Free Fishing Days (December) (residents only) Fresh
Next dates not yet announced. Check the official page.
Residents only, four days a year, listed in the 2026-2028 fishing proclamation. Not valid for paddlefish. Limits and other rules still apply.
Residents and visitors
Checked Nov 4, 2026- Who counts as a resident
- You must have actually lived in, or kept your legal residence in, North Dakota for the past six months and not claim residency in another state. Applicants 18 and over need a North Dakota driver's license or non-driver ID number. People intending to become residents can get a waiver to buy non-lottery licenses, including fishing, at resident prices.
- Military
- Military personnel stationed in North Dakota (on duty or leave) can get a residency waiver.
- Students
- Full-time students living in North Dakota and attending a state, tribal or private college there may qualify for resident licenses; contact the department.
How to buy a North Dakota fishing license
Checked Nov 4, 2026Sold online, through the NDGF mobile app, at department offices and at license vendors.
- Online
- North Dakota Game and Fish Department license sales
- Phone
- 701-328-6300 (department)
- App
- NDGF mobile app
- License on your phone
- Accepted
- ID needed
- Residents 18 and over: North Dakota driver's license or non-driver photo ID number.
A digital image of a fishing license stored on a mobile device is accepted as a license in possession.
Charters, guides and piers
Checked Nov 4, 2026Not applicable.
Inland state with no saltwater fishing, so no charter rule applies.
Charter rules depend on the boat and where you fish. Ask the captain, and check NDGF's rules before you book.
Border waters
Red River and Bois de Sioux River (Minnesota)
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
Seasons and limits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Limits change, and many lakes, rivers and coastal areas have their own rules. Check NDGF's current rules before you keep a fish.
Statewide limits from the 2026-2028 North Dakota fishing proclamation (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2028). Some waters have exceptions. Daily limits shown with possession limits in brackets.
| Species | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and saugeye Fresh | Statewide | No statewide minimum | 5 combined (10 in possession) | – |
| Walleye, sauger and saugeye | Red and Bois de Sioux rivers | No minimum | 3 combined (3 in possession) | – |
| 14" minimum only at Buffalo Lake, Jamestown and Pipestem reservoirs and Lake Elsie. Zander count toward the walleye limit at Spiritwood and Alkali lakes. Official source Walleye limits in other states | ||||
| Northern pike Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 5 (10 in possession) | – |
| Northern pike | Red and Bois de Sioux rivers | No minimum | 3 (3 in possession) | – |
| Official source Northern pike limits in other states | ||||
| Yellow perch Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 20 (40 in possession) | – |
| Official source Yellow perch limits in other states | ||||
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 5 combined (10 in possession) | – |
| Official source Largemouth bass limits in other states | ||||
| Crappie Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 10 (20 in possession) | – |
| Official source Crappie limits in other states | ||||
| Bluegill Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 10 (20 in possession) | – |
| Official source | ||||
| White bass Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 30 (60 in possession) | – |
| Official source | ||||
| Channel catfish Fresh | East of ND Highway 1 | Only 1 over 24" | 5 (5 in possession) | – |
| Channel catfish | West of ND Highway 1 | No minimum | 20 (40 in possession) | – |
| Channel catfish | Red and Bois de Sioux rivers | Only 1 over 24" | 5 | – |
| Official source Catfish limits in other states | ||||
| Trout (brown, cutthroat, lake, rainbow, tiger) Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 3 combined (6 in possession) | – |
| Official source Trout limits in other states | ||||
| Salmon Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 5 (10 in possession) | – |
| Official source Salmon limits in other states | ||||
| Muskellunge (pure or hybrid) Fresh | Statewide | 48" minimum | 1 (1 in possession) | – |
| Official source Muskellunge (muskie) limits in other states | ||||
| Burbot Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | 10 (20 in possession) | – |
| Official source | ||||
| Paddlefish Fresh | Set each year: check here. Snagging only, with a paddlefish tag: 1 fish per season. The snagging season and any early closure are set by the department; check before fishing. | |||
Compare North Dakota with other states
Neighboring states, side by side: prices, age rules, free days and shared waters.
Questions
Do I need a fishing license in North Dakota?
Yes, if you are 16 or older and fish public waters in North Dakota, unless an exemption applies. No license is needed for: North Dakota residents under 16 (paddlefish snaggers still need a tag).
How much is a non-resident fishing license in North Dakota?
For an adult fishing fresh water, the cheapest options for 2026-27 are $53 for one day (Non-resident 3-day fishing license, Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (non-resident) (required)); $63 for seven days (Non-resident 10-day fishing license, Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (non-resident) (required)); $73 for a year (Non-resident individual season fishing license, Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (non-resident) (required)). Listed prices are license fees. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2 resident, $5 non-resident) is needed once a year and is shown separately.
Do seniors need a fishing license in North Dakota?
Senior options for residents: Resident senior citizen fishing license (65 and over): $10 (ages 65+). Non-resident seniors pay the normal non-resident prices.
When is the next free fishing day in North Dakota?
Dec 26–27, 2026 (Free Fishing Days (December)). Residents only, four days a year, listed in the 2026-2028 fishing proclamation. Not valid for paddlefish. Limits and other rules still apply.
How do I get a fishing license in North Dakota?
Buy it from North Dakota Game and Fish Department: Sold online, through the NDGF mobile app, at department offices and at license vendors.
Sources and checks
Every fact on this page comes from North Dakota Game and Fish Department 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 2026-27)
- Free fishing days
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
- Seasons and limits
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
All 5 source pages
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